Judaism Practices

Question 1

synagogue

Answer 1

A building for Jewish public prayer, study and gathering

Question 2

Minyan

Answer 2

A group of at least 10 adults; the minimum number of Jews required for a Jewish religious service

Question 3

Menorah

Answer 3

A many-branched candlestick that holds either seven or nine candles

Question 4

star of David (Magen David)

Answer 4

A symbol of Judaism said to represent the shield of King David, who ruled Israel in the 10th century BCE

Question 5

Bimah

Answer 5

A platform in a synagogue from where the Torah is read

Question 6

Aron Hakodesh

Answer 6

The Ark- the holiest part of the synagogue which contains the Torah scrolls

Question 7

Rabbi

Answer 7

A Jewish religious leader and teacher

Question 8

Ner Tamid

Answer 8

Eternal light; a light that is kept burning in the synagogue above the Ark

Question 9

Orthodox Jews

Answer 9

Jews who emphasise the importance of following the laws and guidance in the Torah; they believe the Torah was given directly by God to Moses, so should be followed as closely as possible

Question 10

Reform Jews

Answer 10

Jews who believe the laws and guidance in the Torah can be adapted for modern times; they believe the Torah was inspired by God but written by humans, so can be interpreted according to the times

Question 11

Cantor (chazzan)

Answer 11

A person who leads or chants prayers in the synagogue

Question 12

Tallit

Answer 12

A prayer shawl

Question 13

Tefillin

Answer 13

Small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah, strapped to the wearer’s arm and forehead for morning prayers

Question 14

Amidah

Answer 14

Also known as the ‘standing prayer’, it is the central prayer for Jewish worship

Question 15

Shabbat

Answer 15

The Jewish holy day of the week; a day of spiritual renewal starting shortly before sunset on Friday and continuing to sunset on Saturday

Question 16

Tenakh

Answer 16

The 24 books of Jewish scriptures

Question 17

Torah

Answer 17

1. The five books of Moses, which form the first section of the Tenakh 2. The Jewish written law

Question 18

Nevi’im

Answer 18

The second section of the Tenakh; the prophets

Question 19

Ketuvim

Answer 19

The third section of the Tenakh; the writings

Question 20

Mishnah

Answer 20

The first written version if Jewish oral law l; part if the Talmud

Question 21

Gemara

Answer 21

A commentary on the Mishnah; part of the Talmud

Question 22

Talmud

Answer 22

A commentary by rabbis on the Torah- it consists of the Mishnah and Gemara together in one collection

Question 23

Rosh Hashanah

Answer 23

The Jewish new year

Question 24

Trefah

Answer 24

Food that Jews are forbidden to eat; means ‘torn’

Question 25

Rituals

Answer 25

religious ceremonies that are performed according to a set pattern

Question 26

Brit milah

Answer 26

ceremony of male circumcision; the removal of the foreskin for religious reasons

Question 27

bar mitzvah

Answer 27

celebration of a boy coming of age at 13; literally ‘son of the commandment’

Question 28

Bat mitzvah

Answer 28

celebration of a girl coming of age at 12;literally ‘daughter of the commandment’

Question 29

marriage

Answer 29

a legal union between a man and a woman (in some countries 2 people of the same gender) as partners in a relationship

Question 30

mourning

Answer 30

a period of time spent remembering a person who has died

Question 31

Shiva

Answer 31

an intense period of mourning that last for 7 days

Question 32

kaddish

Answer 32

a prayer said by Jewish mourners that praises God and asks for peace

Question 33

dietary laws

Answer 33

rules that deal with foods permitted to be eaten, food preparation, food combination, and the utensils and dishes coming into contact with food

Question 34

kosher

Answer 34

food that meets the requirements of Jewish laws

Question 35

Yom Kippur

Answer 35

the day of atonement; a day of fasting on the 10th day of Rosh Hashanah

Question 36

Pesach

Answer 36

festival in remembrance of the Jewish exodus from Egypt that is celebrated in spring