Religion Exam 2

Why are Jewish days distinct

They start at sundown of the previous day

What language are prayers spoken in?

Hebrew

Tefillin/Amidah meaning

(prayer/standing) an important prayer that is said 3 times a day

Shema (name, meaning, first line)

(hear) Prayer said in the morning and evening that recites the words of Moses and reminders of the covenant “Hear O Israel, The Lord is our God, The Lord is One.”

What prayers require a Minyan

public prayers like the mourners kaddish

Minyan

10 adults

Kippah

Skull cap worn by men for prayer, or all day in Orthodox

Tallit

prayer shawl with tassels to fufill a specific comandment about them being a reminder of the commandments

Tefillin

Black box with leather strips, one tied to forehead and one tied to forearm. The box contains 4 parchment in the box with well-known verses written on them. Fulfills commandment to wear sign of covenant on hand and forehead.

Kavvanah

Concentration or Intention. when you pray you should be thinking about words, can be facilitated by physical movements like covering eyes for first line of Shema

What is permitted by Kashrut

quadrupeds that have cloven hooves and chew cud, birds

What is not permitted by Kashrut

pigs, horses, animals with paws, carnivores, predatory birds or those that eat carrion, shellfish, animals killed by other animals, animals that died of natural causes, or animals that were killed by a hunter, eating meat and milk together

Why can’t you eat meat and milk together

“You should not boil a kid in it’s mother’s milk”

The tasks/requirements of a Jewish butcher

A person of integrity, sharp knife and quick kill, examine animal for defects, draw out blood with salt, remove nerve of hip

Tradition associated with Sabbath

Prepare by cleaning and dressing nice, A dinner where candles are lit, the kiddush is said, challah bread is eaten, and Torah is reflected upon, no work, 2 synagouge services

What is the marriage image of the Sabbath

God is coming to his people like a bride to a groom

What is the idea of the extra soul on the Sabbath

God gives an extra soul so people can be aware of his presence and take pleasure in studying the Torah

Eruv

An imaginary boundary that designates a public space as private on the Sabbath

Ketubah

A marriage contract that designates the man’s marital promises and a predesignated divorce settlement to protect the woman who would be vulnerable if a divorce happened

What is the necessary document for divorce, what are the requirments?

A get (“gate”) that must be obtained from a Rabbi, written by a scribe, delivered to wife by husband, and requires two witnesses

Bris (Brit Milah)

Circumcision ceremony

Mohel

professional circumcizer hired for Bris

Sandek

Position of honor, the person who holds the baby during the bris

Pidyon Haben

“redemption of firstborn son” A ceremony where child is purchased back from a priest “consecrate to me every firstborn son”

Significance of the Bar Mitzvah

Marks the time where a boy becomes subject to the commandments

3 stages of mourning

Shivah: stay home, don’t work, don’t do pleasurable things, community brings you food, condolences, and you say the mourner’s kiddash

Shloshim: 30 days after death (a year if a child mourning parent) no shaving, music, or parties

Every year on anniversary of death light a 24 hour candle

Items on Seder plate and their significance

3 Matzot: representing the three tribes of Israel

Zeroa: remembrance of sacrificial lamb

Boiled egg: remembrance of regular temple sacrifice

Maror: represents the bitterness of slavery

Charoset: represents mortar and work slaves were forced to do

Karpas: represents tears of slavery

Afikomen

the larger piece of the split Matzah that is hidden as a game for the children

What do the cups of wine at the Seder dinner represent

First 4 cups represent the 4 types of redemption, 5th cup represents establishment of state of Israel

Dayenu song

“It would have been enough” A song of thankfulness that says God gave us so many things but just one would have been enough

Traditional dishes of Shavuot

Cheesecake (Torah likened to milk and honey) and Mt. Sinai Cakes (God’s law is sweet)

Omer

“Sheaf” counting Omer during Shavuot is counting down to Sinai, represents anticipation of receiving Torah

Sukkah

A self-made tent that is not to strong and has a grass roof to represent the vulnerability and discomfort of Jews in the desert and their reliance on God

The four kinds

palm branch (lulav), willow, myrtle, citrus fruit. “Take branches and rejoice”

What days make up the high holy days

“Ten days of penitence” Starts with Rosh Hassanah and ends with Yom Kippur

Liturgical tradition of Rosh Hashannah

Blowing the Shofar: coronation sound to represent God presiding over the court and an alarm/cry for mercy

Biblical text associated with Rosh Hashannah

the binding of Isaac. Reminder of vicarious atonement (we share in Abraham’s faith)

Central practices of Yom Kippur

Celebratory feast the night before, immersion in Mikvah, Kapparot ceremony in Orthodox, 24 hours of afflicting the soul (reincacting death) fasting, men wear kittel, 5 services

Characters from book of Esther

Esther, Mordecai, the persian king, Haman

Basic plot of story of Esther

Esther is a jewish orphan who becomes wife of Persian king, because Moredcai won’t bow to Haman he decides to kill all Jews, Esther intervenes and reveals plot and her heritage to the king, the king permits Jews to fight back

Traditions of Purim

fast the day before, give to poor and friends, celebrate! (pastries, skits, parades, satires, costumes, etc.)

Who are the Maccabees and what are they known for

Militant group formed by Mattathias who believed that Jews should fight back against greek oppresion instead of being martyrs. Known for their belief in the partnership aspect of the covenant and that humans have a part in redemption.

Why is Hanukkah the least developed holiday

The rabbis have a complicated relationship with it because the Pharisees, future rabbis, were massacred by the kingdom the Maccabees formed.

Hanukkah traditions

Primary tradition: lighting the menorah, one candle a night, displayed in window

Derived tradition: gift giving, dreidel game, dishes cooked in oil