GCSE RE > Judiasm Practises > Flashcards

Judiasm Practises Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a synagogue?

A

The synagogue is a building where Jews meet for worship, study, social activities and charitable events. It is also where Jews celebrate festivals and rites of passage.

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2
Q

What are other words for synagogues?

A

(Shul)=School
Beit keneset
Beit tifflin

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3
Q

Why is the synagogue important?

A

The synagogue provides a space for worship and
communal prayer
The synagogue helps to educate Jews of all ages
in their faith
Most synagogues host a variety of activities for
children, teenagers and adults in their social hall
The synagogue helps Jews to donate their time
and money to charity

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4
Q

What is the prayer hall in the synagogue?

A

Holiest place in the synagogue
Represents the original Ark of the Covenant
Jews come to together to pray

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5
Q

What is the The Ark (Aron Hakodesh) in a synagogue?

A

Cupboard that houses the Torah scrolls - The most important feature in the synagogue

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6
Q

What is the ever burning light(Ner Tamid) in the synagogue?

A

Eternal light. Always burning. It shows God is always present
Gold and red
A reminder of the menorah that was lit every night in the Temple in Jerusalem

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7
Q

What is the reading platform(Bimah) in the synagogue?

A

Provides a focal point when the Torah is being read, making it easier for the congregation to see the reader and hear what is being said
To some Jews it is a reminder that the altar was the central feature of the courtyard in the Temple in Jerusalem

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8
Q

What is a Yad in the synagogue?

A

A pointer to follow the torah also used to not get the torah dirty

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9
Q

What are some aspects of Orthodox Synagogue services?

A

In an Orthodox synagogue, the person leading the service has his back to the congregation so he is facing the Ark (Aron Hakodesh), and prays facing the same direction as the congregation.
The service is conducted in Hebrew and the singing is unaccompanied.
Men and women sit separately; Nowadays this arrangement is often by a symbolic dividing structure between men and women sitting at the same level.
Orthodox Jews believe that when men and women pray separately, they avoid distractions or sexual thoughts and it enables the focus to be on the prayers and coming close to God.
In Orthodox jews only women cannot be part of the minyan

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10
Q

What are some aspects of Reform Synagogue services?

A

Many Reform synagogues do not hold daily services, but concentrate instead on celebrating Shabbat and festivals.
In Reform synagogues the men and women sit together and the person leading the service faces the congregation most of the time.
Women can perform all rituals traditionally reserved for men such as becoming a rabbi, publicly reading the Torah
Reform services are shorter than Orthodox ones but tend to be more rigidly structured; there is a set time for worship
Reform services are conducted in both Hebrew and the country’s own language, and the singing may be accompanied by musical instruments
In a Reform service, most men wear a head-covering and some female worshippers wear a kippah or a hat.
Women can be part of the minyan

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11
Q

What is the tallit?

A

A prayer shawl to remind Jews they are obeying God’s word whenever they wear it

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12
Q

What is the Tefflin?

A

A pair of small leather boxes that contain extracts from the Torah and it reminds Jews that their mind should be concentrating on God when they pray

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13
Q

What is the importance of prayer?

A

It is a way to communicate to God
It brings Jews closer to God
Communal prayer strengthens the Jewish community
It helps Jews to remember what their faith is all about

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14
Q

What is the format of a Jewish service?

A

Opening prayers
The Shema is recited
The Amidah is said
The first 3 blessings are said
The middle thirteen blessings ask for God’s mercy
The final three blessings thank God for this goodness, kindness and compassion

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15
Q

What is the Shema?

A

A Jewish prayer which affirms belief in the one God

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16
Q

What is the Amidah?

A

This is the central prayer of Jewish worship, which forms the core of all Jewish prayer services. It is prayed in silence while standing and facing Jerusalem.

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17
Q

What is the Torah?

A

The Jewish sacred scriptures
A collection of 24 books (which can all be found in the Old Testament in the Christian Bible)

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18
Q

What does the Tenakh contain?

A

The Tenakh is in three main parts:
1.The Torah: the five books of Moses, which form the basis of
Jewish law
2.The Nevi’im (the Prophets): eight books that continue to trace Jewish history and expand on the laws in the Torah
3.The Ketuvim (the Writings): eleven books that contain a collection of poetry, stories, advice, historical accounts and more

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19
Q

What is Shabbat?

A

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.A time to celebrate God’s creation - Shabbat recalls the Genesis creation story, in which God created everything in six days and rested on the seventh day

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20
Q

What are the preparations at home for Shabbat?

A

All the work is done and the home is prepared this involves cleaning the house, preparing the food
Two candles are placed on the table
Two loaves of challah bread are places on the table
Wine or grape juice is placed on the table

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21
Q

What are the lighting of candles for Shabbat?

A

A female member of the family lights the candles before the sunset on Friday.
She waves/beckons her arms around the candles, and then covers her eyes to say a blessing
She says a prayer to God to bless the family

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22
Q

What is the Friday meal for Shabbat?

A

To begin the meal, the bread is blessed and passed round so everyone has a piece.
The meal might last for a few hours, giving the family time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
After each course, religious stories might be told to the children or songs might be sung.
The meal ends with a prayer of thanksgiving for the food.

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23
Q

What happens at Saturday for Shabbat?

A

During the afternoon, parents may spend time with their children and study the Torah.
The end of Shabbat is marked by the havdalah service

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24
Q

What are the Shabbat services in the synagogue?

A

On Friday evening, there is a brief service in the synagogue, during which Shabbat is welcomed
Some synagogues hold a service during Shabbat for families with children, which includes storytelling, games and music.
The main service is on Saturday morning. This service is longer than the weekday prayer services, as it includes a reading from the Torah and often a sermon, as well as prayers and blessings.

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25
Quote for Shabbat?
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.-Exodus 20
26
What is the worship at home for Jews?
Jews are expected to pray three times a day, which they can do in the home or in the synagogue. They traditionally stand to pray, and if they are alone they pray silently.
27
What is the Talmud(Oral law)
A commentary by the early rabbis on the Torah Contains a collection of discussions and teachings about how to interpret the Torah and apply its laws to everyday life
28
What are the dietary laws for Jews?
Acceptable food are called Kosher Unacceptable food are called trefah Many Orthodox Jews follow the dietary laws very strictly whereas many reform Jews believe it their choice to follow them or not
29
What are Kosher butchers do to keep food kosher?
The animal must be slaughtered with a very sharp knife by a trained Jew The animal has to be conscious when it is killed blood is drained from the animal as Jews are not permitted to consume food containing blood.
30
What are some aspects for Jewish kitchens?
Many Orthodox homes have kitchens with two sinks and two food preparation areas, to keep milk and meat separate Jews may also colour-code their utensils, cutlery and crockery, so one set is used for meat dishes and another for dairy products
31
What are 4 Rites of passage?
Birth(Naming ceremony,Brit Milah,Redemption of the first born),Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Marriage,Death
32
What is the Naming ceremony?
Boys and girls born into Orthodox families are blessed the synagogue on the first Shabbat after the birth The father recites the Torah and asks for good heath for his wife and baby A baby's name will announced at this point(The boys name will be announced at his circumcision) In Reform synagogues are the same principle but might not be held on the first shabbat
33
What is the Brit Milah ceremony?
This ceremony happens when the boy is 8 days old A close friend or relative places the baby on an empty chair A circumciser picks up the baby and places him on the knee of the person who has been given the honoured role of being 'the companion of the child' The baby's father blesses his son A blessing is said over wine and the baby is formally named
34
What is the redemption of the first born ceremony?
Some Orthodox Jews give a small amount of money 31 days after the birth of their firstborn son, to redeem' him from Temple service Five silver coins are given to a kohen: a descendent of the priests who used to work in the Temple
35
What is a Bar Mitzvah?
• At the first opportunity after his thirteenth birthday (usually the first Shabbat), the boy reads from the Torah at the normal service in the synagogue. • The boy wears a tallit for the first time, may lead part of the service - reading from the Torah or saying prayers - and 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. • After the service there is often a celebratory meal or party, where the boy receives gifts.
36
What is a Bat Mitzvah?
• Reform Jewish girls often have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony and celebrations that are very similar to a Bar Mitzvah. • The girl reads from the Torah, gives a short speech, and may lead part of the service in the synagogue. • This is often followed by a celebratory meal or party. • Orthodox Jews sometimes mark a girl's Bat Mitzvah with a family meal and small religious gifts.
37
What is the significance of the Bar/Bat mitzvah?
It is when a Jew is seem to become an adult Preparing carefully for it brings Jews closer to God and the Jewish community It is when a Jew is expected to start strictly following Jewish law, and takes full responsibility for doing so It is when a Jewish boy is allowed to become part of the minyan
38
What is bethrothal?
Betrothal refers to the period of time before the wedding ceremony when the couple are engaged or promised to each other usually lasts for 12 months.
39
What happens before the wedding?
• The couple may fast before the wedding to cleanse themselves of sin and come to the ceremony with the right attitude
40
What happens at the Betrothal ceremony?
• The bride joins the groom underneath the chuppah, which is a canopy that symbolises the couples home • The bride and groom recite two blessings over wine, and in Orthodox weddings the groom places a plain ring on the bride's finger (Reform couples usually exchange rings)
41
What is the marriage contract?
• The marriage contract is signed in the presence of witnesses, then read out and given to the bride • For Orthodox Jews this covers aspects such as the husband's duties to his wife, the conditions of inheritance upon his death, and how he will provide for his wife if they get divorced • For Reform Jews, the marriage contract usually focuses on spiritual aspirations rather than legal rights. It often describes mutual hopes for the marriage, which are the same for the husband and wife
42
What happens in the marriage itself?
• Seven wedding blessings are recited • The rabbi makes a short speech and blesses the couple in front of the congregation • The groom breaks a glass under his heel to show regret for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem - this is a reminder that life involves hardship as well as joy • The congregation wishes the couple good luck
43
What happens at the wedding reception?
• After the ceremony, the couple spend a short time together in a private room to symbolise their new status as a married couple • A wedding reception follows that includes music and dancing
44
What happens when the death is announced?
When Jews first hear of the death of a close family member, they make a small tear in their clothes to follow Jacob Jews also say a blessing that refers to God as the true judge
45
What happens at the first period of mourning?
Most Jews are buried as soon after death as possible, usually within the first 24 hours Until then, Jews believe the deceased's soul should be comforted and supported by family members, because it does not fully leave the person until they are buried Close family are left to grieve without having to follow certain Jewish laws
46
What happens at the second period of mourning(Shiva)?
Shiva is an intense period of mourning that lasts for 7 days starting the day of the burial Mourners do not work but stay at home and hold prayer services 3 times a day One of the prayers said is the kaddish(praises God and asks for peace) Mourners do not wear make-up, shave or cut their hair, mirrors are covered so mourners can't focus on their appearance
47
What happens at the third period of mourning?
This begins after shiva and lasts until 30 days after the person's death Normal life resumes but mourners do not listen to music, go to parties, shave/cut their hair Male mourners say the kaddish daily in the synagogue
48
What happens at the Final period of mourning?
This lasts for 11 months Children continue to say the kaddish for a parent who has died
49
What is the Rosh Hashanah Festival?
Rosh Hashanah remembers God's creation of the world, and is also a day of judgement It is considered to be the anniversary of the day on which God created humans, as described in Genesis 1. God weighs up and judges a person's actions over the past year
50
How is Rosh Hashanah Festival celebrated in the Britain today?
Jews believe God's judgement can be influenced by their behaviour during the festival, so they try to take actions that will improve God's judgement The evening Rosh Hashanah starts, families share a festive meal with symbolic foods.For example, apples dipped in honey symbolise hope for a sweet new year At the evening service in the synagogue, prayers are said asking God to continue to be the king of the world for the coming year Next morning at the synagogue a ram's horn is blown 100 times
51
What is the Yom Kippur Festival?
Yom Kippur, which is known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar Jews believe God's judgement is finalised on this day, so it is the last chance to repent for any sins
52
How is Yom Kippur festival celebrated in Britain today?
During Yom Kippur, Jews fast for 25 hours and do no work They wear white as a symbol of purity They focus on asking God to forgive their sins, to help restore their relationship with him Jews take part in a general confession of sins as a community During the final service, Jews are given one last chance to confess their sins. The doors of the Ark are then closed, showing that God's judgement is now sealed
53
What is the origins of the Pesach?
Pesach is important for Jews as it celebrates their escape from slavery to create the birth of the Jewish nation, when they were given the law that made them God's chosen people.
54
How do houses prepare for Pesach?
Clean the house thoroughly and remove all the crumbs and yeast
55
What does the green vegetable symbolise?
The green vegetable symbolises new life in the Promised Land
56
What does the salt water symbolise?
The salt water represents the tears shed in slavery
57
What does the bitter herbs symbolise?
The bitter herbs represent the bitterness of slavery
58
What does the Charoset symbolise?
The sweet charoset symbolises the mortar Jews had to use when slaves, and reminds Jews that life is now sweeter
59
What does the egg,lamb and bone symbolise?
The egg and lamb bone are reminders of sacrifices made in the Temple of Jerusalem
60
What is the importance of the Pesach meal?
In particular, Pesach remembers the final plague that God sent to Egypt to persuade the Pharaoh to release the Jews.
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