Judaism - Practices Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is the synagogue?
A building where Jews meet for worship, study, social activities and charitable events. It is also where Jews celebrate festivals and rites of passage.
What forms the centre pf the Jewish religious community?
The synagogue
What is the Ark (Aron Hakodesh)?
The cabinet where the Torah scrolls are kept. It its the holiest place in the synagogue.
What is the ever-burning light (ner tamid)?
Its a light that is kept on at all times, and sits above the Ark. It symbolises God’s presence.
What is the reading platform (bimah)?
Its the raised pltform where the Torah is read.
What are the two main groups within Judaism in the UK today?
Orthodox Judaism (which is more traditional) and Reform Judaism (which is more progressive).
How often are Jews expected to pray?
3 times a day. Orthodox synagogues hold daily services so Jews can pray together.
Give 2 ways Orthodox and Reform Jews differ.
Orthodox Jews strictly follow the laws of the Torah whereas Reform Jews allow the individual to decide how to practice their faith. Orthodox Jews believ men and women should have different rules whereas Reform Jews belive men and women should be able to undertake the same roles.
What do Orthodox Jewish men often wear when they pray?
A tallit (a prayer shawl) and tefillin (small leather boxes containin extracts from the Torah) when they pray.
What is the Amidah?
The central prayer of Jewish worship used in weekly services in the synagogue.
What is Shabbat?
The Jewish holy day of the week. It is a day of rest and renewal, starting just before sunset on Friday and continuing to sunset on Saturday.
What do services that are held in the synagogue for Shabbat include?
A brief service on Friday evening, the main service on Saturday morning, and sometimes an extra service especially for families with children.
What is done to help make Shabbat a special occasion when no work is done?
Various preperations need to be made beforehand, such as cleaning the house and preparing the food.
How is the start and end of Shabbat marked in the home?
Through the lighting of candles, through the haavdalah.
What is the main celebration in the home for Shabbat?
The Friday evening meal, which allows the family to relax and enjoy each others company.
How may Jews worship in the home?
They may pray in the home instead of attending a synagogue. They are also reminded to focus on God in other ways in the home, asuch as through touching the mezuzah (a small box containing verses from the Torah).
What is the Tenakh and Talmud?
The main Jewish sacred text and contains the written law. A commentary which helps Jews to put the laws in the Tenakh into practice.
What Jewish group is studying the Tenakh and Talmud very important to in particular?
Orthodox
Why is Family life central to Jews?
It is where the Jewish faith is preserved and passed on to the next generation. Birth is an important rite of passage which the wider Jewish community helps to celebrate.
What are the 3 Jewish ceremonies associated with birth?
The naming ceremony (when the baby is formally named), Brit Milah (when a boy is circumcised), and the redemption of the firstborn son (when the firstborn son is redeemed from Temple service).
At what ages are Jewish boys and girls old enough to take full responsibility for practicing their faith?
Boys - 13, Girls - 12
What is a Bar Mitzvah?
A ceremony when boys celebrate coming of age at 13 and become a ‘son of the commandment’.
What is a Bat Mitzvah?
A ceremony when girls celebrate coming of age at 12 and become a ‘daughter of the commandment’ but only in Reform Judaism.
What are the two steps in the process of marriage in Judaism?
A period of engagement called the betrothal, which typically lasts for a year and the marriage of the couple.
