JUDAISM KA 1

Question 1

Define synagogue

Answer 1

Jewish place of worship, has greek origin in the word, means assembly or place of assembly

Question 2

What is the Ark?

Answer 2

1.Most important part of any synagogue
2.it’s a cupboard at the front of the meeting hall, in the wall that faces Jerusalem.
3.torah scrolls kept here and
4.doors covered by curtain called parochet which is pulled back during service

Question 3

Torah scrolls

Answer 3

scrolls written in Hebrew
written by hand made of natural materials
treated with great respect and dressed when not in use

Question 4

Menorah/Hanukkiah

Answer 4

Seven branched lampstand that burned day and night in the temple
some synagogues have their own menorah
many Jews believe menorah should be unique to the temple and instead have something similar called a Hanukkiah

Question 5

Ner Tamid

Answer 5

Means eternal light name given to the lamp that always burns at the front of the synagogue
represent menorah that was permanently lit in the temple to symbolize presence of god
Most important part of synagogue

Question 6

star of david

Answer 6

Most common Jewish symbol
Seen outside synagogue to identify them as Jewish
Place of worship or used inside as decoration

Question 7

Bimah

Answer 7

Reading desk for Torah

Question 8

Yad

Answer 8

used to point to the torah so as not to smudge the ink

Question 9

Rabbi

Answer 9

means teacher
person who teaches torah to the congregation
spends a lot of time giving help and advice to the community

Question 10

Hazzan/Chazzan

Answer 10

Leads the service and uses smaller reading desk called lectern (amud) to place their notes on

Question 11

Amud/lectern

Answer 11

used to put the hazzans notes on

Question 12

Womens gallery

Answer 12

Womens seating in orthodox and conservative Jews synagogues

Question 13

Why is there an absence of images in synagogues?

Answer 13

to obey command of God to not follow/worship false idols

Question 14

Synagogue bg info

Answer 14

Pre-date destruction of the temple in 70 AD. Used to worship when ppl were too far away from the temple. After destruction of temple torah became focus of worship and so the ark took on significan of representing the presence of god

Question 15

Minyan

Answer 15

Many prayers that take place at synagogue are required to be performed by the minyan. Minimum of 10 adult jews in orthodox 10 men who have done their bar mitzvahs in reformed it can be men and women who have done their bat/bar mitzvah

Question 16

Structure of synagogue service 1

Answer 16

Introductory prayers content varies depending on time of day year or festival being celebrated

Question 17

Barechu 2

Answer 17

Call to worship and official start of the service

Question 18

Reciting the shema

Answer 18

Wroshippers say this statement of faith. It is considered the most important in Jewish belief

Question 19

Blessing of the shema

Answer 19

Prayers are said on the themes of creation, revelation and redemption. They celebrate the hebrews being delivered from slavery in Egypt the giving of the Torah and the coming of the future Messiah.

Question 20

Amida

Answer 20

Worshippers say private prayers from siddur. On weekdays paryers include praises of god petition and prayers of thanksgiving if its shabbat or a fesitvial no petitions they are erplaced by prayers known as sanctification of th day

Question 21

reading of the torah

Answer 21

Member of congregation reads from torah and rabbi will then teach about and explain reading

Question 22

Concluding prayers

Answer 22

begins with aleimu this is the worshippers praying for a time when no idolatry exists and god is worshipped by all. On shabbat a prayer called kaddish is also said. This prayer anticipates the messianic age. Finally a song is sung