Religion test 3 study Flashcards
How a person becomes a Jew
- If your mother or father is a Jew
* If you choose to become a Jew
When and where Judaism originated
- Judaism dates back to the beginning of the religion of Israelites and their forefather in faith Abraham (circa 2000-1800) B.C.E.
- Judaism originated and began in Canaan (between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean) in the state of Israel and Palestinian territory.
What is/are the most important places to Jews.
The most precious places to Jews are:
- Jerusalem (was the holy city and the centre of Jewish faith, the site of the main temple and where Jews went to celebrate holy festivals).
- The Western Wall (also called the wailing wall, Judaism’s most holy site of the Temple Mount and a place where Jews mourned the loss of the temple)
- The Temple Mount (was an ancient elevated platform in Jerusalem, with great religious significance to the Jews. At its centre is the Dome of Rock, a shrine built in 691 marking the spot of Abrahams offering of Ishmael and the profit Muhammad, to the heavens)
Who was Abraham and why was he important to the Jews?
- He was the founder of Judaism
- A was a symbol of trust in God.
- He was the founding father of Jewish people and the monotheistic faith Judaism.
- He was the first person to teach that there was only one God.
- Abraham was the founder of Judaism.
- He was the first person that brought about the idea of one God and spread his belief.
- Known for doing everything for God and teaching that God is always faithful.
What role commitment plays in the relationship between God and Abraham?
- By showing his loyalty to God and his relationship with Judaism.
- How he lived his life and showed his belief in God and his faith.
- By honouring agreements made between God and himself.
What the word covenant means?
• It’s an agreement between two parties (either conditional or unconditional).
- Conditional requires both parties to fulfil their agreement, if either fail the covenant
is broken.
-Unconditional is when only one of the parties has to do something.
• A promise between God and another party.
Why covenants are so important in the Jewish faith.
• Because it helps form relationships and trust between God and the Jewish people.
How covenants are lived out by Jews today.
- If they follow Gods commands and agreements, he will bless them as his people.
- Through the three sacred covenants made between God and his people.
Covenant 1 – Sign of creation – keeping the Sabbath free
(Genesis 15..5-14 Torah)
Covenant 2 – The renewal of mankind – a covenant between God and every living
creature. (After the Noah flood)
(Genesis 12 Torah)
Covenant 3 – The covenant of circumcision
All male Jews at 8 days old, were circumcised, signifying the beginning of the Hebrew nation.
What is meant by the word Tenakh?
- The Hebrew name for the Jewish scriptures
* It’s made up of the first three letter’s of the three main parts of the scriptures;
What the Tenakh contains?
• T – Torah (The Instructions)
o Five books given by God to Moses, to teach people how God wanted them to live.
• N – Nevi’im (The prophets – The messengers)
o The messengers who told the Jewish people how God wanted them to live.
• K – Ketuvim (The writings – Religious expression)
o Through poetry, temple rituals, private prayer
Why the Tenakh is so important to many Jews?
- It was given to them by God to provide knowledge, guidance, inspiration, Gods law and is the basis for Judaism.
- It provides all of the main laws and customs, as well as the early history of the Jewish people (the Old Testament).
What is the Torah scroll?
- The holiest book within Judaism. (Sacred Text of instructions)
- A long scroll containing the entire text of the five books of Moses.
- From the Old Testament including Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
- Hand written by specially trained sofa.
- Takes a year to write an entire Torah scroll.
- The Torah is read at least four times a week in synagogues around the world.
What are the different interpretations of the Torah and how these interpretations affect the way that Jews practice their faith today?
Peshat - A Simple interpretation (Literal). God created the heaven and the earth.
Remez - Different hints and allusions contained in the Torah.
Prush (Midrash) – Deeper meaning of the verses.
Sod (Secret) - Mystical part of the Torah.
- These different ways of interpreting the Torah provide countless different avenues of understanding for Jews.
- They provide differences in understanding the laws and how they effect every aspect of a jews life, leading to different rituals, spiritual practices and beliefs through the four major movements of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist).
- Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah was revealed by God and Non Orthodox believe that the Torah was inspired by God, but written by humans in accordance with Gods Law.
What are the main features of a synagogue? (Their importance, significance and meaning)
The Torah Scrolls:
• The Torah is the Jewish Holy Book, written in Hebrew.
• It contains God words.
• It teaches Jews how God wants them to live.
• A passage is read out during each service.
• The Torah Scrolls are never touched by human hands, as they are so precious.
The Yad: (means Hand)
• Jews use a silver pointer to read the Torah and to keep their place when reading.
• This is so that they do not touch the scrolls with their hands.
The Mantle: positioned above the Ark to protect the Torah Scrolls.
The Ark:
• The most important part of the Synagogue – the holiest place.
• It is a cupboard that contains the Torah Scrolls.
• The Ark always faces towards Jerusalem (The Holy city for Jews)
(This reminds the Jewish of the holy temple of Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Romans in 70AD.
The Curtain of the Ark:
• Behind the wooden doors of the Ark.
• They are embroidered curtains to protect the Torah Scrolls.
• A symbol of Judaism is embroidered on the curtains.
The Bimah:
• A reading stand which the Torah and scriptures are read from.
• A raised platform where the speaker is positioned.
• Situated in the centre of the synagogue.
• Significant as it give the reader a higher place to read the messages from the Torah.
The Chuppah:
• A canopy that jews get married under.
• It represents their new home in which the couple will live together.
•
The Rabbi: (means teacher in Hebrew)
• A spiritual leader, councellor, educator and mentor for the Jewish Faith.
• Lead spiritual services in the synagogues for Shabbat services, Holy days and other special ceremonies.
The Cantor/Chazon:
• The prayer leader in the Synagogue.
• A visionary who should be without sin.
• Sees God and man as one with each other.
• Believes the most impossible can be changed.
The Ner Tamid: (means eternal light)
• A light that hangs above the ark in a synagogue.
• A symbol that God is always present in the synagogue.
• Was once a lamp run by oil, but now usually a gas lamp or light bulb.
The 10 Commandments:
• Written in Hebrew.
• Rules for the Jewish.
• Written above the Holy Ark.
1) I am the Lord thy god, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
2) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4) Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5) Honour thy father and thy mother.
6) Thou shalt not murder.
7) Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8) Thou shalt not steal.
9) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10) Thou shalt not covet anything that belongs to thy neighbour.
The Menorah:
• A 7 candle Candlestick (traditionally made from solid gold).
• Official symbol for the Jewish faith.
• Reminds Jews of the Menorah that used to burn in the Temple of Jeruselum.
• Represents Hanukkah – remembrance to the holy temple.
The Minyan:
• A group of 13 men who participate in Jewish ceremonies and services.
• The read from the Torah and Prophets.
• Participate in ceremonies, weddings and funerals.
Mechitza: (means division/partition)
• The separation of genders in Orthodox Synagogues (Seating Plan)
• Men and women are separated to ensure they are not distracted by one another and remain focused during ceremonies and when praying. It is believed this allows them to tune into their higher selves.
• Balconies are often used to separate the men from the women.
• Non Orthodox (Reform Judaism) men and women are seated together, treating everyone equally.
The Star of David:
• Symbolises the Jewish faith.
• The double triangles of the star symbolize the connection of both heaven and hell.
Diffference between Orthodox and Non-Orthodox (Reform) Synagogues:
Orthodox Synagogues
Traditional
Follow the absolute laws of Judaism
Genders seated separately
Old fashioned, traditional thinking.
