Festivals Flashcards
Describe the origins and meaning of Sukkot.
-Sukkot is the festival of shelters and celebrates the Jews wandering through the desert to the Promised Land.
-It is a reminder of God as provider and sustainer. During Sukkot, Jews will live in a shelter called a Sukkah as commanded in Leviticus, “every Israelite must live in a shelter.”
-These are often made from leaves and plants as a reminder of the connection between humans and nature.
-The roof is also made of evergreen so Jews can see the sky as a reminder God is protector as He protected the Jews for 40 years while in the desert.
-Inside the Sukkah, Jews will have the four species, each to represent a different part of the body used to serve God. One part is the etrog, which symbolises the heart but together, the species are a reminder Jews should be united.
Describe the importance of Pesach.
-Jews were directly commanded by God to celebrate Pesach.
-In the book of Exodus, God has the Jews celebrate Pesach to remember Him saving them from slavery, “This day must be one that you will remember. You must keep it as a festival to God.”
-To signify the importance of Pesach, Jews will eat the Sedar meal which includes foods to remember the importance of the Israelites freedom from slavery.
-For example, on the plate there will be unleavened bread (matzah) as a symbol of the food eaten in the desert which symbolises freedom. A lamb shank bone will also be present to show the offering made to God as thanks for freedom.
-Therefore, Pesach is important for Jews as it remembers their freedom and is a festival of thanking God. However, Jews will also say Kiddush over four cups of wine, one which will be left for Elijah. This is important as after a Passover, he will come to announce the coming of the Messiah.
Give an influence and unconvincing argument for the importance of Pesach.
-Influence: Jews to focus on the covenant with Moses as this was made in the desert in relation to the Israelites freedom.
-Therefore, these Jews may focus on following the ten commandments which are related to the origins of Pesach rather than other mitzvot.
-Unconvincing: Jews are commanded to celebrate other festivals too. The celebration of Sukkot is counted as a mitzvot.
Describe the importance of Shabbat.
They celebrate Shabbat weekly as it is one of the ten commandments. Jews are commanded to, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.”
-Therefore, many Jews may observe Shabbat more strictly as it is one of the ten commandments so a core part of Judaism and identity.
-In turn, to uphold its importance, Jews will adhere to the traditions. This includes the most senior woman lighting the candles at sunset.
-This is important because it is believed when the candles are lit, the Shekinah is present meaning the family is in the presence of God.
-It is also a time for the family to reflect on their past week and make amends. Shabbat then ends with the Havdalah ceremony.
-This shows the festival’s importance because Havdalah means separate indicating that Shabbat is unlike any other day.
Give an influence and unconvincing argument for the importance of Shabbat.
-Influence: Jews to follow all rules on Shabbat. To keep the rules of Shabbat is one of the ten commandments so Jews may follow all rules as they were given directly by God as one of the core values in Judaism.
-Unconvincing: some Reform Jews won’t find the celebration of Shabbat important in the modern day so may still do work on it and not follow all rules.
-Therefore, it may not be the most important festival in Judaism.
Describe the importance of Yom Kippur.
-Yom Kippur is seen as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar as it is a day of atonement. This is because in Leviticus, Jews are told “Atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins.”
-Throughout the day, Jews will observe the festival and uphold its importance by fasting, giving to charity and going to the synagogue.
-This includes a 25 hour fast, one hour longer than most, because it signifies the day’s importance as Jews are commanded to, “add from the profane to the holy.”
-Jews will also dress in white to show purity as Isaiah referred to sins becoming “as white as snow.” The Torah scrolls will also be dressed in white as a sign of forgiveness.
-The doors to the ark will also be left open to symbolise that the gates of heaven are open too- adding to the importance of the festival.
Give an influence and convincing argument of the importance of Yom Kippur.
Influence: Jews to focus on the ten days of return.
These are directly before Yom Kippur so Jews will atone throughout those ten days in preparation for Yom Kippur which they see as the holiest day of the year.
-Convincing: many secular Jews will still celebrate it and may go to the synagogue as Yom Kippur is viewed as so important.
-This suggests that Yom Kippur is important to all Jews, not just the strictest ones.
