Judaism Practises key terms

synagogue

a building for Jewish public prayer, study and gathering

minyan

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

menorah

a many branched candlestick that holds either seven or nine candles

Star of David (Magen David)

a symbol of Judaism said to represent the shield of King David, who rules Israel in the tenth century

bimah

a platform in a synagogue from where the Torah is read

Aron Hakodesh

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

rabbi: a Jewish religious leader and teacher

rabbi

a Jewish religious leader and teacher

ner tamid

eternal light, a light that is kept burning in the synagogue above the Ark

Orthodox Jews

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

Reform Jews

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

cantor (chazzan)

a person who leads or chants prayers in the synagogue

tallit

a prayer shawl

tefillin

small leather boxed containing extracts from the Torah, strapped to the wearer's arm and forehead for morning prayers

Amidah

also known as the 'standing prayer', it is the central prayer of Jewish worship

Shabbat

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

Tenakh

the 24 books of Jewish scriptures

Torah

the five books revealed by God to Moses the first section of the Tenakh/Tanach, and the Jewish written law

Nevi'im

the second section of the Tenakh; the prophets

Ketuvim

the third section of the Tenakh; the writings

Mishnah

the first written version of Jewish oral law; part of the Talmud

Gemara

a commentary on the Mishanh; part of the Talmud

Talmud

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

rituals

religious ceremonies that are performed according to a set pattern

Brit Milah

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

Bat Mitzvah

celebration of a girl coming of age at 12, in Reform synagogues; literally 'daughter of the commandment'

marriage

a legal union between a man and a woman (or in some countries, including the UK, two people of the same sex) as partners in a relationship

mourning

a period of time spent remembering a person who has died

shiva

an intense period of mourning that lasts for seven days

kaddish

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

dietary laws

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

kosher

food that meets the requirements of Jewish laws

trefah

food that Jews are forbidden to eat; means 'tom'

Rosh Hashanah

the Jewish new year

Yom Kippur

the Day of Atonement: a day of faster on the tenth day after Rosh Hashanah

Pesach (Passover)

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