Judaism Practices

Question 1

What is The Synagogue?

Answer 1

The Jewish place of worship

Question 2

What is The Star of David?

Answer 2

The symbol of Judaism

Question 3

What is The Ark?

Answer 3

Cupboard that houses the Torah scrolls - the most IMPORTANT feature in the SYNAGOGUE

Question 4

What are The Ten Commandments (in terms of in a synagogue) ?

Answer 4

These decorate the Ark, reminding Jews of their most important laws (rules)

Question 5

What is The Bimah?

Answer 5

Platform in the CENTRE of the synagogue. The Torah scrolls are read from here, RAISED part of the synagogue to show RESPECT

Question 6

What is The Menorah?

Answer 6

A SEVEN-BRANCHED candle stick - representing each day of GOD’S CREATION

Question 7

What is The Ner Tamid?

Answer 7

Eternal light. Always burning. Its shows God is always present.

Question 8

What are the Stained Glass Windows in a synagogue?

Answer 8

Show important symbolism of faith doesn’t have people as this is considered as idolatry for Jewish people.

Question 9

What is The Gallery in a synagogue?

Answer 9

In Orthodox synagogues the seating area upstairs is just for women.

Question 10

What does Worship in synagogues look like in Orthodox Synagogues?

Answer 10

• Daily service in HEBREW
• Rabbi has his back to the congregation
• men and women sit separately
• Congregation may arrive late
• Men ALWAYS cover their heads
• Singing is unaccompanied

Question 11

What does Worship look like in Reform Synagogues?

Answer 11

• Services only on Shabbat & Festivals (not daily)
• Services in HEBREW and ENGLISH
• Rabbi faces the congregation
• men and women sit together
• Shorter, structured services (no late services)
• MOST MEN wear a Kippah (and some women too)
• Singing is accompanied by music
• Women perform all rituals… can be a Rabbi, publicly read the Torah etc.

Question 12

What are forms of Prayer in the synagogue?

Answer 12

• Daily services
• Bar/ Bat Mitzvahs, Marriages etc.
• Celebration of festivals

Question 13

What are forms of Study in the synagogue?

Answer 13

• Learn Hebrew (used in prayer)
• Prepare for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
• Library to improve knowledge of Jewish faith

Question 14

What are forms of Charity in the synagogue?

Answer 14

• Place to collect money/ items for the poor
• Hold fundraising events e.g for World Jewish Relief (WJR) / Natural disasters

Question 15

What are forms of Socialising in the synagogue?

Answer 15

• Youth clubs
• Senior citizen clubs
• Music and Drama groups
• Sports groups

Question 16

What book is the Sheema found in?

Answer 16

Deuteronomy

Question 17

What is the Kippah?

Answer 17

All Jewish men cover their heads when they prayer as a sign of respect for God.

Question 18

What is a Tallit?

Answer 18

Woollen shawl. Shows the man is obeying God’s laws because each fringe (tzitzit) symbolises one of the 618 Mitzvot given by God.

Question 19

What is a tefillin?

Answer 19

These are two leather boxes containing the Shema worn on the upper left arm and forehead.

Question 20

What does wearing the tefillin symbolise?

Answer 20

Shows that the person loves God with their heart and mind

Question 21

What do Orthodox Jewish men wear during daily prayers?

Answer 21

Kippah, tallit, tefillin

Question 22

When is the daily prayer?

Answer 22

Orthodox Jews pray 3 times a day - morning, afternoon and evening

Question 23

What is required in an Orthodox minyan?

Answer 23

Minimum of 10 adult males are required

Question 24

What is required in an Reform minyan?

Answer 24

A minimum of 10 men or women are required

Question 25

What is the quote from The Talmud referring to the presence of God?

Answer 25

"Whenever ten are gathered for prayer the Shekinah is there"

Question 26

What does Shekinah mean?

Answer 26

Presence of God

Question 27

What are the 4 different prayer services held in an Orthodox Synagogue?

Answer 27

1) Opening Prayer 2) Shema 3) Amidah 4) Final Prayers

Question 28

What is the Amidah?

Answer 28

Central prayer of Jewish worship, this is prayed in silence while standing and faving Jerusalem - includes a series of blessings and thanksgiving.

Question 29

What are 3 of the aims and importances of prayer for Jewish people?

Answer 29

- Communicate with God - Become closer to God - Focus you heart mind soul on God - Strengthen the sense of Jewish community

Question 30

When is Shabbat for Jewish people?

Answer 30

From sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday everyweek.

Question 31

What is Shabbat for Jewish people?

Answer 31

Jewish Holy day - day to rest and enjoy Family Life and to worship God.

Question 32

What is the quote reffering to the Sabbath day?

Answer 32

'Keep the Sabbath day Holy'

Question 33

What is the Sabbath day a celebration of?

Answer 33

Celebration of creation - God rested on the 7th day

Question 34

What is the quote that is referring to electricity usage on the Sabbath day in Exodus?

Answer 34

'You shall not burn a fire in your dwelling (home) on the day of Shabbat' - Exodus 35:3

Question 35

What is Shabbat in the synagogue like?

Answer 35

Every Friday evening, there is a prayer service, on Saturday there is another service including a reading from The Torah, while this is being said the congregation stand. Then the Torah scrolls are paraded to give people the chance to be closer to God, many touch the Torah with their tzitzit (tassels on their tallit) and touch their lips.

Question 36

Why does the congregation stand on Saturday during Sabbath day service?

Answer 36

To remind them of when the Israelites stood at the bottom of Mount Sinai when Moses returned with The Ten Commandments.

Question 38

What does touching The Torah with their tzitzit and then touching their lip symbolise?

Answer 38

Symbolises Gods words should be on their lips

Question 39

What food/drink is placed on the table at home during Shabbat?

Answer 39

Wine and Two loves of Challah bread

Question 40

Who lights to candles before sunset?

Answer 40

A female member of the family

Question 41

What does the female family member do after lighting the two candles?

Answer 41

Welcomes Shabbat by waving her arms around the candles and covers her eyes to say a blessing and prayer.

Question 42

What happens after the welcoming of the Shabbat into the home?

Answer 42

Many go to the evening service in the synagogue, and then once home there is a family meal with the Kiddush blessings are said.

Question 43

What happens after the family meal?

Answer 43

On Saturday morning the family attend the morning service in the synagogue, afterwards time is spent as a family - The Torah may be studied.

Question 44

When is Shabbat ended?

Answer 44

When 3 stars are seen in the sky