judaism: beliefs+practices

Question 1

what is the synagogue

Answer 1

-space for jews to meet and take part in activities
-house of prayer/study
-orthodox call it: shul(school)
-reforms call it : temple

Question 2

importance of synagogue

Answer 2

-strengthens community
-used for: worship + prayer, educate faith, social activities, charitable events

Question 3

the ark

Answer 3

-where torah scrolls are kept
-front of synagogue
-holiest place in the synagogue

Question 4

bimah

Answer 4

-where the torah is read from during services

Question 5

ner tamid

Answer 5

-light that is placed in front and slightly above the ark
-symbolises God’s presence, so it is never put out

Question 6

orthodox jews

Answer 6

• traditional
• strictly follows laws of torah
• men and woman have different roles
• synagogues usually hold daily services
  -services are held in hebrew
• men and women sit seperately
• me and married woman cover their heads as a sign of respect for God

Question 7

amidah

Answer 7

-standing prayer
-prayed in silence
-central prayer of jewish worship

Question 8

reform jews

Answer 8

• progrssive
• individual choice in deciding how to worship and practice faith
• men and women should be able to do the same role
• focus on celebrating shabbat and festivals
• services are in hebrew and country’s language
• men and women sit together
• most men and women cover their heads

Question 9

shabbat in synagogue

Answer 9

-jewish holy day of the week
- day of reset/renewal
-friday evening:brief service
-saturday morning:main service, longer than usual, sermon, prayers and blessing

Question 10

shabbat in the home

Answer 10

Preperation
-house cleaned to welcome shabbat
-2 candles on table symbolic of the 2 commandments
-2 loaves of challah bread symbolic of the food God provided the jews on shabbat
-wine/grape juice symbolic of celebration
Celebration
-friday evening: special meal
-saturday morning: special meal, study torah, havdalah service

Question 11

birthing

Answer 11

-naming ceremony
-brit milah circumcision
-redemption of the first born son: money given to redeem the first born son 31 days after birth

Question 12

bar mitzvah

Answer 12

-when a jewish boy becomes an adult
-boys 13th birthday they become a man
- boy reads from torah, makes short speech
-wears tallit

Question 13

bat mitzvah

Answer 13

-girl becomes a woman on her 11th birthday
- girl reads from torah and gives a speech

Question 14

pesach

Answer 14

-first evening passover sedar, which consists of red wine and unleavened bread