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Religious Studies GCSE AQA B > Judaism- Practices > Flashcards

Judaism- Practices Flashcards

(77 cards)

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1
Q

What is a synagogue?

A

the Jewish place of worship

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2
Q

What is a Kippah? Why do Jewish men (sometimes women) wear it?

A

A skullcap which is worn for respect for god as it reminds them that God is always above them

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3
Q

Why do men and women sit separately in Orthodox synagogues?

A

So they can concentrate on worship and not each other

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4
Q

What is the special prayer shawl called?

A

a tallit

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5
Q

What are the fringes on a tallit called?

A

tzitzit

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6
Q

What does each fringe (tzitzit) on a tallit represent?

A

each of the 613 mitzvot

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7
Q

Why are there no pictures of people in a synagogue?

A

they only worship one god, they cannot let anything be mistaken for God as they cannot worship idols

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8
Q

What is a yad? Why is it used?

A

a pointer used to read the Torah, to not damage it

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9
Q

What is the Star of David?

A

a star made with two overlapping triangles

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10
Q

What is the importance of the Star of David?

A

it represents the symbol put on King David’s shield, symbol of Judaism

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11
Q

What is a Ner Tamid?

A

a lamp place in front and above the Ark which is always onW

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12
Q

What is the importance of a Ner Tamid?

A

it symbolizes God’s presence, it is always on as He is believed to be omnipresent

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13
Q

What is the Ark (in a synagogue)?

A

a cupboard in which the Torah scrolls are held?

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14
Q

What what is the symbolism of the Ark (in a synagogue)?

A

it represents the original ark of the covenant which held the 10 commandments

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15
Q

What is a bimah?

A

a raised platform in the middle of synagogue

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16
Q

What is the importance of a bimah?

A

it’s used when reading from the Torah, its the focus of worship

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17
Q

What is a menorah?

A

a seven branched candlestick

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18
Q

What is the importance of a menorah?

A

the seven branches represents the seven days of creation

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19
Q

In an Orthodox synagogue, why does the person leading the service have his back to the congregation?

A

To face the Ark and focusing on God during prayer

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20
Q

In an Orthodox synagogue, why are men and women separated?

A

To maintain concentration and respect by preventing distractions during worship.

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21
Q

In an Orthodox synagogue, why are there 3 services a day?

A

Because Jewish law requires prayer at morning, afternoon, and evening times.

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22
Q

In an Orthodox synagogue, why is singing unaccompanied?

A

To maintain tradition and avoid using instruments, especially on the Sabbath. It also allows for a more spiritual experience for the worshipers.

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23
Q

In an Orthodox synagogue, why are only male rabbis allowed?

A

Based on traditional interpretations that only men can serve as religious leaders

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24
Q

In a Reform synagogue, why does the person leading the service face the congregation?

A

So they can be heard well enough and to encourage participation and connection with the community

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25
In a **Reform** synagogue, why are men and women not separated?
Because of beliefs in gender equality and inclusive worship practices.
26
In a **Reform** synagogue, why might there be fewer than 3 services a day?
To accommodate modern schedules and focus on the most meaningful prayers.
27
In a **Reform** synagogue, why is singing often accompanied by instruments?
To create a more engaging and emotionally expressive worship experience
28
In a **Reform** synagogue, why can women be rabbis?
Because Reform Judaism supports equal leadership roles regardless of gender.
29
What is a minyan?
a quorum of 10 adults required to hold certain prayers or religious ceremonies
30
What does the Talmud say about a minyan?
"**Whenever then are gathered for prayer, the Shekinah is there.**" ## Footnote so tuff 🥀
31
What 4 things does the synagogue provide a space for?
* prayer * study * charity * socialising
32
What is a tefillin?
two leather boxes on the upper left arm and forehead, containing Torah verses, to show that the person loves God with all their heart and mid (respectively)
33
What are the aims of prayer?
* to become closer to God * to focus the heart, mind and soul on God * to strengthen the sense of community
34
What is is mezuzah?
a smell box containing verses from the Torah
35
What do Jews do with a mezuzah?
they fix it outside their house and they touch it every time they pass it to remind them of God's laws
36
What is the central prayer of Jewish worship?
the Amidah
37
What is the Amidah?
a prayer with 19 blessings prayed in silence while standing and facing Jerusalem, it is sometimes folled by a reading from the Torah
38
Why is prayer important to Jews?
* it is a way to communicate with God * communal prayer strengthens the Jewish community * it brings Jews closer to God * it helps Jews to remember what their faith is all about
39
What is Shabbat?
the Jewish holy day of the week, a day of rest and renewal
40
When does Shabbat happen?
every week, starting just before sunset on Friday and to sunset on Saturay
41
Shabbat is described in Jewish poetry as a..
bride or a queen as they should be welcomed in
42
Shabbat is a day God commands Jews to celebrate, what quote shows this?
"**Keep the Sabbath day holy**"
43
Shabbat is a time to celebrate God's creation, what does this refer to?
the 7 days of creation in Genesis and on the 7th day, God rested
44
What quote shows that you cannot do work on the Sabbath?
"**You shall not burn a fire in your dwelling on the day of Shabbat**"
45
Why does the congregation stand when the Ark is opened to reveal the Torah scrolls?
it's a reminder of how the Jews stood at the bottom of Mount Sinai when Moses returned with the 10 Commandments
46
Why is the Torah dressed with a cover and various ornaments, such as a crown or a belt?
it's a reminder of the vestments worn by priests in early Judaism
47
Why is the Torah paraded around the Synagogue?
it represents the march through the wilderness, when the Jews carried the original
48
When the Torah passes through the synagogue, people touch it with their tzitzit and then touch their lips, why do they do this?
To show that they love God's words and want to live by them
49
When the Torah passes through the synagogue, people touch it with their tzitzit and then touch their lips, what quote tells them to do this?
"**it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.**" Ezekiel 3:3
50
How does a familly welcome Shabbat into their home?
a female member of the family lights two candles and she waves her arms around the candles and covers her eyes to say a blessing and a prayer for the family
51
After the Friday evening service in the synagogue, the family shares a special meal. What happens?
* the parents bless their children and the head of the household recites the Kiddush blessings while holding up the Kiddush cup * bread is blessed and passed around * the meal ends with a prayer of thanksgiving
52
The end of Shabbat is marked by what service?
the Havdalah Service
53
What happens during the Havdalah service?
* at home after the three stars can be seen in the sky has set blessings are performed over a cup of wine, sweet smelling spices and a candle with plating
54
What does the plating in the candle used at the Havdalah service represent?
the strength and unity of the Jewish people
55
What does drinking sweet wine symbolise?
Joy and celebration
56
What is the bread which is eaten on Shabbat called?
Challah bread
57
What do the two loaves of Challah bread represent?
the two portions of manna God provided for the Isrealites on Shabbat while they were in the desert
58
What do people wish each other as they leave the synagogue on Shabbat?
"Shabbat Shalom" (a peaceful Shabbat)
59
What happens during the Naming Ceremony (Orthodox)?
* Orthodox girls are named on the first Shabbat after their birth * The girl's **father** recites the Torah blessing and asks God for the good health of his wife and baby * The girls name is announced
60
What happens during the Naming Ceremony (Reform)?
* Reform girls are named on any Shabbat after their birth * The girl's **parents** recite the Torah blessing and ask God for the good health of them and the baby * The girls name is announced
61
What is the importance of the Naming ceremony?
* it formally introduces the baby to the Jewish community and to God * names are considered powerful- the parents are saying something about the hopes they have for their child
62
What happens during Brit Milah?
* takes place at home with friends and family when a baby boy is 8 days old * a relative/ close friend places the baby on an empty chair * a **mohel** places the baby on the knee of a friend/relative (seen as a honored role) * a blessing is said, the baby is named and circumsised
63
What is the importance of Brit Milah?
* it fufils the covenant God made with Abraham * "**any male who is uncircumsises... has broken my covenant**" (Genesis 17-11)
64
Why is the baby placed on an empty chair?
to symbolise the presence of the prophet Elijah
65
What is a mohel?
a trained circumciser
66
What happens during the Redemption of the First Born Son?
* 31 days after a baby boy is born, it is traditional for Jews to give fiver silver coins to 'redeem' their son from Temple service * the silver coins are given to a Kohen
67
What is a Kohen?
a decendent of a priest
68
What is the importance of the Redemption of the First Born Son?
* Jews believe that God required firstborn sons to devote their life to service in the Temple * This ceremony frees them from this requirement
69
Give 3 points in support for circumcision
* it fufils God's covenant with Abraham * it connects the child to Jewish traditionm * it reinforces the idea of a shared Jewish community
70
Give 3 points in against circumcision
* the baby cannot give consent * it may cause physical harm * spiritual ceremonies may be preferred by some reform Jews
71
What's a Bar Mitzvah?
when a boy takes responsibility for following the commandments (age 13) and practicing their faith
72
What does Bar Mizvah mean?
Son of the Commandment
73
What's a Bat Mitzvah?
when a girl takes responsibility for following the commandments (age 12) and practicing their faith
74
What does Bat Mizvah mean?
Daughter of the Commandment
75
What happens during a Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
* a boy wears a tallit for the first time * they read from the Torah and give a short speech * it its often followed by a celebratory meal/party
76
Give 3 points towards the relavance of Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations
* it is a unique part of Jewish tradition- it should be passed on * it helps the young person know how to be responsible, to grow and mature * it helps bring the person closer to God and the family * it is when a Jewish boy is allowed to become part of the minyan - seen as a honerable role
77
Give 3 points against the relavance of Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations
* a jew is already Bar/Bat Mitzvahed when they come of age, its only customary * it isn't mentioned in the Talmud/ Torah, they have no obligation * the celebration may become more about a party than focusing on the religious meaning

Religious Studies GCSE AQA B (3 decks)

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