Judaism - Practices

Question 1

The star of david is

Answer 1

The symbol of judaism

Question 2

The ark is

Answer 2

The cupboard that houses the torah scrolls - the most important feature in a synagogue

Question 3

The ten commandments
(In a synagogue)

Answer 3

These decorate the ark, reminding jews of their most important rules

Question 4

The bimah

Answer 4

Platform in the centre of the synagogue- scrolls are read from here

Question 5

The menorah

Answer 5

A seven branched candle stick representing each day of gods creation

Question 6

Ner tamid

Answer 6

Eternal light. Is always burning showing God is always present

Question 7

Stained glass windows

Answer 7

Show important symbols in faith
(Not people as this will be seen as idolatry)

Question 8

The gallery
(In orthodox synagogues)

Answer 8

In orthodox synagogues, the seating upstairs is only for women
(So men and women don’t distract each other during service)

Question 9

Worship in synagogues (orthodox)

Answer 9

• Daily services
• Services in Hebrew
• Rabbi has his back to
the congregation
• Men & women sit
separately
• Congregation may arrive
late
• Men always cover their
heads
• Singing is unaccompanied

Question 10

Worship in synagogues (reform)

Answer 10

Reform
• Services only on Shabbat &
festivals (not daily)
• Services in Hebrew and English
• Rabbi faces congregation
• Men & women sit together
• Shorter, structured services
• Most men wear a kippah (and
some women)
• Singing is accompanied by music
• Women perform all rituals … can
be a rabbi, publicly read the
Torah etc

Question 11

The importance of the synagogue

Answer 11

Prayer:
● daily services
● celebration of festivals
● bar/bat mitzvahs marriages etc

Study:
● learn hebrew (used in prayer)
● prepare for bra / bat mitzvahs
● library to improve knowledge of jewish faith

Charity:
● place to collect money / items for the poor
● helps fund raising events (WJR/natural disasters

Socialising:
● youth clubs
● senior citizen groups
● music and drama groups
● sports groups

Question 12

Kippah

Answer 12

All jewish men cover their heads when they pray as a sign of respect to God

Question 13

Tallit

Answer 13

Woollen shawl. Shows the man is obeying gods laws because each fringe (tzitzit) symbolises one of the 613 mitzvot given by God

Question 14

Tefflin

Answer 14

Two leather boxes. One is worn on the upper left arm and the other on the forehead each contains the shema and wearing them shows that the person loves God with all their heart and mind

Question 15

Daily prayer

Answer 15

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

A minimum of ten adult males are required (orthodox)

Or a minimum of ten men and women (reform)

This is called a minyan

“Whenever ten are gathered for prayer the shekinah is there” - the talmud