Jewish Practices Flashcards
(75 cards)
1
Q
importance of the synagogue
A
- prayer/worship : allows group prayer, allows prayers that require minyan
- education: hebrew classes, a library
- social activities: youth clubs, music/drama groups
- charitable events: raises money for charity, collects other items/money 6to be distributed to the poor
2
Q
The prayer hall
A
- the place in the synagogue where Jews come together for communal prayer
- usually rectangular
- images of God/prophets/religious figures are not allowed
3
Q
minyan
A
a group of 10 or more adults that is required for certain prayers
4
Q
The Ark (Aaron Hakodesh) description
A
- an ornamental cabinet where the Torah scrolls are kept
- situated at the front of the synagogue, set into the wall facing Jerusalem
- 2 stone tablets above the Ark: the start of each of the 10 commandments is written here
5
Q
The Ark (Aaron Hakodesh) significance
A
- the holiest place in the synagogue
- represents the original Ark of the covenant
- Today, when Jews face the ark, they face the city where the temple once stood
- By climbing steps to reach it, Jews are reminded that God is above humans
6
Q
Ner Tamid description
A
- The ever burning light
- in front and slightly above the Ark
- traditionally an oil lamp but most synagogues now use an electric light (with an emergency power source)
7
Q
Ner Tamid significance
A
- symbolises Gods presence - so is never put out
- A reminder that the menorah was lit every night in the temple of Jerusalem
8
Q
Bimah description
A
- reading platform
- a raised platform in the centre of the prayer hall
- the Torah is read form here during services
9
Q
Bimah significance
A
- provides a focal point when the Torah is being read
- a reminder that the altar was the central feature of the courtyard in the Temple of Jerusalem
10
Q
Orthodox vs Reform : following the Torah
A
Orthodox: Strictly follows the Torah - they believe it was given directly from God to Moses
Reform: individual choice in deciding how to worship - they believe the Torah was written by humans but inspired by God so can be outdated
11
Q
Orthodox vs Reform: Gender roles
A
Orthodox: currently all rabbis are male. They believe men and women should have different roles.
Reform: men and women should be able to undertake the same roles e.g. being a rabbi or a part of the minyan
12
Q
Orthodox vs Reform services
A
O: Synagogues usually hold daily services
R: They often do not to daily services, they focus on Shabbat and festivals
O: service is in Hebrew
R: Service is in Hebrew and country’s own language
O: me and women sit separately
R: men and women sit together
O: singing in the service is unaccompanied
R: singing may be accompanied by musical instruments
O: the person leading the service faces the Ark
R: the person leading the service faces the congregation
13
Q
Tallit
A
a prayer shawl made from wool or silk with a long tassel attached to each corner:
- reminds Jews they are obeying God’s word whenever they wear it
- The tassels represent the mitzvot
14
Q
Tefillin
A
a pair of small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah, including some words of the Shema. One is fastened with leather straps to the forehead and the other is wound around the upper arm in line with the heart:
- reminds Jews that prayers should come from the heart and concentration should be fully on God during prayer.
15
Q
Shema
A
- a Jewish prayer
- confirms monotheism
16
Q
Amidah
A
- ‘standing prayer’
- The central prayer in Jewish worship
- Prayed in silence whilst facing Jerusalem
contains a series of blessings: - praises God and asks for his mercy
- asks for God’s help
- thanks God for the opportunity to serve him and pray for peace/goodness/kindness/compassion
17
Q
Why is prayer important to Jews?:
A
- A way to communicate with God
- communal prayer strengthens Jewish community
- helps Jews remember what their faith is about
- Brings Jews closer to God
18
Q
A
19
Q
Shabbat
A
- Jewish holy day of the week
- starts just before Friday sunset and ends Saturday sunset
- a day to rest, appreciate God’s creation and adhesion to the covenants and spend time with family being grateful
- God rested on the 7th day
20
Q
Shabbat reading
A
- main service is on Saturday morning : longer than the weekday prayer, includes a reading from the Torah, prayers, blessings and often a sermon
21
Q
Before the Shabbat reading…
A
- The congregation stands when the Ark is opened to reveal the scrolls : this reminds them how Jews stood at the bottom of Mt Sinai for Moses
- The Torah is taken from the Ark and dressed with a cover and various ornaments e.g. a crown or belt : reminder of the vestments worn by priests in early Judaism
- The Torah is paraded around the synagogue : represents the march through the wilderness, when Jews carried the original Ark from Mt Sinai to Jerusalem
- Jews touch the Torah with their prayer book or the tassels on their prayer shawl and then touch their lips: Tenakh says that God’s words should be on their lips sweet like honey
22
Q
Shabbat preparations
A
- All work is done and the home is prepared on Friday evening (cleaning the house, food preparation etc.)
- two candles are placed on the table to ‘remember’ an ‘observe’ Shabbat
- Two loaves of Challah bread are placed on the table: represents the food provided by God when the Jews were in the wilderness
- wine/ grape juice is placed on the table : drinking shabbat wine symbolises joy and celebration
23
Q
Shabbat celebrations
A
- a female member of the family lights the 2 candles, shortly before Friday sunset. She waves around the candles and then covers her eyes to say a blessing. She then says a prayer asking God to bless the family.
- Friday evening service in the synagogue
- The head of the household recites kiddush blessings with the kiddush cup before a family meal
- after the saturday morning service, the family shares another meal
- families spend time together and might study from the torah
24
Q
Havdalah service
A
- marks the end of shabbat
- performed at home after sunset
- blessing performed over a cup, candle with several wicks and sweet spices
25
private prayer / worship in the home
- Jews are expected to pray 3 times day
- Jews traditionally stand to pray
- If they are alone they pray silently
26
mezuzah / mezuzot
a small box that contains a handwritten scroll of Torah verses which is atttched to a doorpost
- Jews touch the mezuzah as a sign of respect to God and a reminder to obey his laws
27
Tenakh
- The Jewish sacred scriptures
- a collection of 24 books
- In 3 main parts : Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim
28
Torah
- the first 5 books of the Tenakh
- The 5 books of Moses
29
Nevi'im
- 8 books that continue to trace Jewish history and expand on the laws set out in the Torah
30
Ketuvim
- 11 books that contain poetry, stories, advice, historical accounts and more
31
Talmud
- The oral law
- a commentary by early rabbis on the Torah
- contains a collections of discussions and teachings on how to interpret and apply the rules in the Torah
- 2 main parts: Mishnah, Gemara
32
Mishnah
- a commentary on the Torah by Rabbi Judah Ha'Nasi in 200CE
- early teachings on how to interpret the Torah
- there was a danger for Torah teachings to be altered or misinterpreted if they continued to be passed down orally, so he compiled the Mishnah to stop this from happening
33
Gemara
- a collection of discussions on the Mishnah
- written down in 500CE
34
Naming ceremony : what happens
- boy/girl babies
- blessed in the synagogue on the first Shabbat after their birth
- (ORTHODOX) The father recites the Torah blessing and asks God for a healthy wife and baby OR (REFORM) both parents take part in the naming ceremony
- A baby girl's name will be announced (not a boy's)
- In reform Judaism, this may not be on the first Shabbat of a baby's life
35
naming ceremony: importance
It formally introduces the baby to the community and God
36
Brit Milah : what happens
- baby boys
- takes place when the baby is 8 days old
- a trained circumciser places the child on the knee of 'the companion of the child'
- the father blesses the son
- a blessing is said over wine and the baby is formally named
- The baby is circumsised
- The family shares a meal
37
Brit Milah: importance
- recalls the covenant made with God by Abraham
- lifelong reminder to the Jewish people that they are one of God's chosen people
38
Redemption of the first born son: what happens
- some Orthodox jews give a small amount of money 31 days after the birth of their son to 'redeem him from temple service'
- 5 silver coins are given to a kohen
- prayers are said asking that the child may 'enter into Torah, into marriage and into good deeds'
39
Kohen
- a kohen is a descendant of the priests who used to work in the Temple in Jerusalem
40
Redemption of the first born son: importance
- Tenakh command:
' you shall have the first-born of man redeemed... take as their redemption price...the money equivalent of 5 shekels'
41
Bar/Bat Mitzvah : importance
- When a Jew is seen to become an adult
- preparing carefully for it brings Jews closer to \God and the Jewish community
- When a Jewish boy is allowed to become part of a Minyan
- When a Jew is supposed to start strictly following Jewish law and takes full responsibility for doing so
42
Bar Mitzvah : celebrations
- at the first opportunity after his 13th birthday (usually the first Shabbat), the boy reads from the Torah at the normal synagogue service
- The boy wears a tallit for the first time, may lead a part of the service and makes a short speech
- The father thanks God and declares that he is now responsible for his own actions
- celebratory meal/party where he recieves gifts
43
Bat Mitzvah: Celebrations
- reform Jewish girls often have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony
- The girl reads from the Torah , gives a short speech and may lead part of the service in the synagogue
- Orthodox Jews sometimes mark a girl's Bat Mitzvah with a family meal and sometimes small religious gifts
44
Betrothal
- period before the wedding when a couple is engaged /promised to each other
- traditionally lasts 12 months
- has legal status in Jewish law and can only be broken by death or divorce
- The couple do not live together during this time
- Traditionally, a betrothal ceremony was held 1 year before the wedding but now this is held at the wedding itself
45
Weddings : 5 STAGES
1. Before the wedding
2. The betrothal ceremony
3. The marriage contract
4. The marriage itself
5. The wedding reception
46
Before the wedding
- the couple may fast to cleanse themselves of sin and to come to the ceremony with the right attitude
47
the betrothal ceremony
- the bride joins the groom under the chuppah
- the bride and groom recite 2 blessings over wine
- In Orthodox weddings the groom places a plain ring on the bride's finger
- In reform weddings, the couple usually exchanges rings
48
Chuppah
a canopy that symbolises a couple's home
49
The marriage contract
- signed at the presence of a witness
- 7 blessings are recited
- the rabbi makes a short speech and blesses the couple in front of the congregation
- The groom breaks a glass under his heel to show regret for the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem : this reminds them that life has hardship as well as joy
- the congregation wishes the couple good luck
50
The wedding reception
- after the ceremony, the couple spends a short time in a private room to symbolise their new married status
- the wedding reception follows which includes music and dancing
51
Marriage: importance
- a way for a Jew to experience holiness in every day life
- it creates a spiritual bond between a couple
- 2 souls are fused to become 1
52
When death is announced
- when Jews first hear of the death of a close family member, they make a small tear in their clothes to follow the example of Jacob
- They say a blessing that accepts God as the true judge, showing that they accept his decision to take the person's life
53
the first period of mourning
- Most Jews are buried as soon as possible, within 24 hours
- Until burial, family members comfort the body because the soul does not leave the body until burial
- close family are left to grieve without having to follow certain Jewish laws
54
the second period of mourning
- this is called shiva
- an intense 7 day mourning period
- mourners stay at home, they do not work
- mourners hold prayer services 3 times a day
- one of the prayers said is the kaddish
- mourners do not wear makeup, shave or cut their hair : mirrors are covered so they cannot focus on their appearance
55
The Kaddish
a prayer that praises God and asks for peace
56
the third period of mourning
- begins after shiva
- lasts 30 days after the person's death
- normal life resumes but mourners do not listen to music, go to parties or shave/cut their hair
- male mourners say the kaddish daily in the synagogue
57
The final period of mourning
- lasts for 11 months
- mourners do not attend parties
- children continue to say the kaddish for a parent that has died
58
after the first year of mourning
- formal mourning ends after 1 year
- children continue to mark the anniversary of their parents death by lighting a candle each year that burns for 24 hours
- sons recite the kaddish, and if possible, make a Torah blessing
59
Funerals : Before the funeral
- before the funeral, the body is carefully washed and wrapped in a plain linen cloth
- Men are also wrapped in a tallit
- A simple coffin is prepared to show that everybody is equal in death
- The body is taken straight to the cemetery
60
Funerals
- the funeral service includes: prayers, psalms, scripture readings and a short speech by a rabbi
- after, everyone washes their hands to show they are leaving death behind
- Jewish law states that a tombstone must be placed on the grave to remember the person
61
kosher
- food that is acceptable according to Jewish food laws
62
trefah
- food that is not acceptable according to Jewish food law
63
Trefah food examples
- pork
- reptiles
-rodents
- seafood without scales (e.g. prawns)
64
Food laws: Orthodox vs Reform
- Orthodox Jews follow food laws very strictly. They believe that God is testing their self control and obedience. it reminds Jews of their faith daily.
- Reform Jews often believe the food laws are outdated and it is up to an individual whether or not to follow them
65
Food preparation
- kosher animals must be killed in a certain way where blood is drained fro the animal
- milk and meat must be kept separate
- several hours must pass between eating milk and meat
66
Jewish kitchens (mainly orthodox)
- 2 sinks and 2 food preparation areas to keep milk and meat separate
- they may have multiple sets of cutlery to keep milk and meat separate
- most synagogues have kosher kitchens
67
Rosh Hashanah: What is it
- a festival that marks the start of the Jewish new year
- remembers God's creation of the world, considered the anniversary of this
- a day of judgement where God decides what will be in their year to come based on their previous actions
68
Rosh Hashanah: How is it observed
- they believe God's judgement can be improved by their actions during the festival so they try and make actions that will do so : this might include praying, charity work, atoning for bad things they have done over the year
- the evening it starts, families share a festive meal with symbolic foods e.g. apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year
- evening service at the synagogue
- the next morning a ram's horn is blown 100 times
- this is followed by a service and special prayers
69
Yom Kippur: What is it
- holiest and most important day of the year
- God's judgement from Rosh Hashanah is finalised so it is their final chance to repent for any sins
70
Yom Kippur : how is it observed
- many Jews spend much of Yom Kippur in the synagogue
- They focus on asking God to forgive their sins
- they take part in a general confession of sins as a community
- During the final service, Jews are given a final chance to confess sins and then the doors of the Ark are closed, symbolising God's judgement being sealed
- Jews fast for 25 hours and do no work
- they wear white a symbol of purity
- bathing, wearing leather shoes and having sex are forbidden
71
Pesach: what is it
- a festival that lasts for 7-8 days
- it celebrates the Jew's escape from slavery in Egpyt
- also known as passover
72
Pesach: importance
- remembers the escape of Jews from slavery in Egypt but particularly final plague that God sent to persuade the Pharaoh to free the Jews from slavery in Egypt
- It is a time for Jews to give their thanks to God for their redemption and also it is a time to feel sympathy for those that still live under oppression
73
Pesach: preparations
- yeast/leaven must be removed from the home : this recalls how the Jews did not have time to let their bread rise when they escaped from Egypt
- After cleaning the house, some parents or children hide breadcrumbs to be found and burnt, to show al leaven has been removed
- some firstborn males fast before Pesach starts, in thanksgiving for their ancestor's escape from death
74
The Passover Seder : what happens
- a special meal held on the first evening of Pesach
- during the meal, the youngest member of the family asks 4 questions about the meaning of Pesach rituals and in reply the story of the escape from Egypt is told from a book called the Haggadah
75
The Passover Seder : what is served
- Red wine: a reminder of the lamb's blood smeared on the Jews' doorposts to save their children form the final plague. During the meal, 4 glasses of wine are blessed and shared to represent the 4 freedoms God promised
- unleavened bread: fulfills God's command to celebrate the escape from Egypt by eating unleavened bread for 7 days each year. Some of the bread is hidden for children to hunt for later, the finder receives a small prize.
- a green vegetable (often parsley) dipped in saltwater: the green symbolises new life in the promised land and the salt symbolises the tears shed in slavery
- 2 bitter herbs : represents the bitterness of slavery
- charoset ( a sweet paste) : symbolises the mortar the Jews used when tey were slaves and it symbolises how life is now sweeter
- an egg and a lamb bone: reminder of sacrifices made in the temple of Jerusalem
