Judaism Practices

Question 1

What are the different names for the synagogue?

Answer 1

• ‘house of prayer’, ‘house of study’.
• Orthodox Jews = ‘shul’, which means school.
• Reform Jews = ‘temple’, in reference to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Question 2

Why is the synagogue so important?

Answer 2

• Prayer - Worship and communal prayer, daily services.
• Study - Classes for learning Hebrew, well-stocked library to enable improvement of understanding of the Jewish faith.
• Charity work - Venue for collecting money or other items, hold charity events.
• Socialising - Music, drama and sports groups, clubs for senior citizens, a place to discuss matters that are important to the community.

Question 3

What is the prayer hall?

Answer 3

Room where Jews come together for communal worship and prayer.

Question 4

What is the Ark?

Answer 4

Called Aron Hakodesh. Cupboard in which the Torah scrolls are kept. It represents the original Ark of the Covenant (which held the 10 commandments).

Question 5

What is Ner Tamid?

Answer 5

A light that is kept burning at all times. It symbolises God’s presence and so is never put out.

Question 6

What is the Bimah?

Answer 6

A raised platform situated in the centre of most synagogues. When the Torah is being read, the bimah is the focus of worship. Everyone can hear the word of God.

Question 7

What are orthodox services like? (8)

Answer 7

• The person leading the service has his back to the congregation.
• The service is conducted in Hebrew.
• The singing is unaccompanied.
• Men and women sit separately.
• Orthodox rabbis are all male.
• Jewish men always cover their heads when attending a service.
• Daily services.
• Only men can take part in public worship.

Question 8

What are reform services like? (7)

Answer 8

• Do not hold daily services.
• Men and women sit together.
• Person leading the service faces the congregation.
• Women can perform all rituals.
• Shorter services but more rigidly structured.
• Services in both Hebrew and the country’s own language.
• The singing is accompanied.

Question 9

What is the format of jewish services?

Answer 9

• Opening prayer
• The Shema
• The Amidah
• Final prayers

Question 10

What is the Shema?

Answer 10

Jewish prayer which affirms belief in the one God.

Question 11

What is the Amidah?

Answer 11

• In silence while standing, facing Jerusalem.
• First 3 blessings praise God.
• Middle 13 request for God’s help.
• Final 3 thank God for the opportunity to serve him and pray for peace, goodness, kindness and compassion.
• Core prayer.
• 19 blessings.

Question 12

Why is prayer important?

Answer 12

• Become closer to God.
• Focus the heart, mind and soul on God.
• Strengthen the sense of community.

Question 13

What is Shabbat?

Answer 13

Shabbat is 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.

Question 14

What are the shabbat services?

Answer 14

• There is a brief service on Friday evening.
• There is a longer service on Saturday morning.
• The havdalah service - once three stars can be seen in the sky blessings are said over a cup of wine, sweet smelling spices and a candle with several wicks.

Question 15

What are the shabbat preparations?

Answer 15

• All the work is done and the home is prepared before Shabbat begins.
• This involves cleaning, preparing food, washing, and changing into smart clothes.
• At least two candles are placed on the table.
• Two loaves of challah bread are placed on the table.
• Wine or grape juice is placed on the table (drunk from the Kiddush cup).

Question 16

What happens when the candles are lit?

Answer 16

• A female member of the family lights the two candles, before sunset.
• She waves with her arms around the candles, then covers her eyes to say a blessing.
• She also says a prayer asking God to bless the family.

Question 17

What happens during the Friday meal?

Answer 17

• Before the meal, the parents bless their children, and the head of the household recites the Kiddush blessings while holding the goblet.
• The bread is blessed and passed round so everyone has a piece.
• The meal ends with a prayer of thanksgiving for the food.

Question 18

Give a quote about Shabbat?

Answer 18

‘Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.’ (Exodus)

Question 19

What happens at a naming ceremony?

Answer 19

Girls named on the first Shabbat after their birth.
Orthodox: the girl’s father recites the Torah blessing and asks God for the good health of his wife and baby. The girl’s name is announced.
Reform: both parents take part.
It introduces the baby into the Jewish community and to God. Names are powerful.

Question 20

What happens at Brit Milah?

Answer 20

Eight days after birth.
A close friend or relative places the baby on an empty chair. A trained circumciser (mohel) places the baby on the knee of a friend or relative. The boy’s father then blesses the son.
The baby is formally named. The foreskin is removed.
The family and guests celebrate. It fulfils the covenant. Lifelong reminder that the person is a member of God’s people. The empty chair symbolises the presence of the prophet Elijah.

Question 21

What happens at the redemption of the first born son?

Answer 21

31 days after birth. Orthodox Jews give five silver coins to ‘redeem’ their son from Temple service. The silver coins are given to a descendent of a priest who used to work in the Temple. Jews believe that God required firstborn sons to devote their life to service in the Temple. This ceremony frees them from this requirement.

Question 22

What happens at a bar mitzvah?

Answer 22

Usually the first Shabbat after the boy’s 13th birthday, the boy reads from the Torah at the normal service.
The boy wears a tallit for the first time.
Makes a short speech.
The boy’s father thanks God for bringing his son to maturity, and declares he is now responsible for his own actions.
There is then a celebratory meal or party, with gifts.

Question 23

What happens at a bat mitzvah?

Answer 23

At age 12 the girl reads from the Torah, gives a short speech and may lead part of the service in the synagogue.
This is followed by a celebratory meal or party.

Question 24

What happens during a marriage?

Answer 24

The betrothal ceremony: The bride joins the groom underneath the chuppah, symbolising the couple’s home.
They recite two blessing over wine.
Rings are exchanged in reform or the groom gives the bride a ring in orthodox.

The marriage contract: signed in the presence of witnesses, then read out and given to the bride.
Orthodox includes legal rights.
Reform sets out their mutual hopes for the marriage.

The marriage itself: 7 wedding blessings are recited.
Rabbi makes a short speech and blesses the couple.
The groom breaks a glass under his heel to show regret for the destruction of the Temple (also a reminder that life involves hardship as well as joy).
The congregation wishes the couple good luck.

The wedding reception: the couple spend a short time together in a private room to symbolise their new status as a married couple.
A reception follows that includes music and dancing.

Question 25

What happens after a death?

Answer 25

At first, Jewish people make a tear in their clothes on the right side of the chest (or if they are a child, near their heart) to symbolise that death has torn a hole in the fabric of their life. A blessing is said referring to God as the true judge, showing that they accept God's decision. Most Jews are buried as soon after death as possible. Family stay with the body. Shiva lasts for 7 days. Mourners stay at home and hold prayer services three times a day. Kaddish prayer praises God and asks for peace. Mourners do not wear make-up, shave or cut their hair. Normal life resumes but mourners do not listen to music, go to parties, deal with hair for 30 days. Don't attend parties, children continue to say the kaddish for a parent for eleven months. Anniversaries are marked.

Question 26

What are the dietary laws?

Answer 26

Orthodox Jews follow the laws strictly because they are a test of obedience, reminds them of their faith and marks them out from others. Reform Jews believe it is up to an individual whether or not they follow them.

Question 27

How must animals be killed?

Answer 27

The animal must be slaughtered with a very sharp knife by a trained Jew. The animal has to be conscious. Blood is drained.

Question 28

How is a Jewish kitchen organised?

Answer 28

Kitchens must be organised so that milk and meat are kept separate. 'You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk' (Exodus).

Question 29

What are the origins of rosh hashanah?

Answer 29

Considered to be the anniversary of the day on which God created humans.

Question 30

What are the origins of yom kippur?

Answer 30

Leviticus: 'atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins'.

Question 31

What happens during rosh hashanah?

Answer 31

They pray, do charity work and atone for any harm they have caused over the past year. The first evening has a festive meal with symbolic foods. Apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year, and a fish head for the desire for good deeds to grow in number like fish. At the evening service, prayers ask God to continue to be king for the coming year. Next morning a ram's horn is blown 100 times, which is followed by a service which is longer than usual, with special prayers.

Question 32

What is done during yom kippur?

Answer 32

Spend much of it in the synagogue. They ask for God's forgiveness. They confess. They are given one last chance to confess then the doors of the Ark are closed showing that God's judgement is now sealed. They fast for 25 hours They wear white as a symbol of purity. Luxuries are forbidden.

Question 33

What are the origins of Pesach?

Answer 33

Celebrates the Jews' escape from slavery in Egypt. In particular, the final plague that God sent to Egypt.

Question 34

What are the preparations for Pesach?

Answer 34

Remove leaven from the home, which remembers how the Jews did not have time to let their bread rise when they escaped from Egypt. They also make unleavened bread and clean their houses.

Question 35

What is the importance of Pesach?

Answer 35

* It is a time of celebration for their freedom. * It is the celebration of when God proved that the Jews were his chosen people. * It teaches new generations about their history as Jews. * A chance to thank God for saving them.

Question 36

What is the symbolism of the seder meal? (7)

Answer 36

* Salt water: the swear and tears of the Israelites. * Lamb bone: the lamb they sacrificed to mark their doors during the tenth plague. * Charoset: the mortar used to make the Pharaoh's buildings. * Parsley: the new life God gave the Jews. * Bitter herbs: the bitter suffering of slavery. * Matzvah: the bread that wasn't able to rise because of the speed at which the Jews had to escape Egypt. * Roasted egg: the harshness of the Egyptians. The new life given to the Jews.