Judaism Practices

Torah

the holiest text in Judaism, made up of the Five Books of Moses (Genesis to Deuteronomy), believed by Orthodox Jews to be the literal word of God given to Moses at Sinai, while Reform Jews may see it as divinely inspired but historically developed; studied weekly in synagogue and daily by scholars; handwritten on parchment scrolls and kept in the Aron Hakodesh (Ark)

Talmud

a vast compilation of rabbinic debates and discussions interpreting the Torah, made up of Mishnah (oral law) and Gemara (commentary); Orthodox Jews see it as binding halakhah, Reform Jews may draw ethical inspiration from it without seeing it as legally authoritative

Halakhah

Jewish law that governs all aspects of life, derived from Torah, Talmud, and later rabbinic rulings; Orthodox Jews follow halakhah strictly, including on Shabbat, kashrut, and dress, while Reform Jews interpret laws more flexibly to adapt to modern life

Shema

central declaration of Jewish faith affirming monotheism, recited daily and included in tefillin and mezuzot: "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4); Orthodox Jews always include this in prayer services, Reform Jews may include it in a shorter form or with modernised interpretation

Amidah

central standing prayer recited three times daily, including praise, requests, and thanks to God; in Orthodox services recited in Hebrew, while Reform services may use the vernacular with inclusive language (e.g. gender-neutral references to God)

Synagogue

Jewish house of assembly, prayer, and learning; Orthodox synagogues have separate seating for men and women, and services are led by male rabbis and cantors; Reform synagogues have mixed seating, female rabbis, and services in the vernacular

Minyan

quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain prayers; in Orthodox Judaism only males over 13 count, while Reform Judaism includes women equally in a minyan

Rabbi

teacher and leader of the Jewish community; in Orthodox communities rabbis must be male and well-versed in halakhah, while Reform Judaism ordains both male and female rabbis and emphasises pastoral and educational roles

Kippah

skullcap worn by men as a sign of respect and humility before God, especially during prayer; Orthodox males wear it at all times, while in Reform Judaism it is optional and may be worn by women too

Tallit

prayer shawl with fringes (tzitzit) on each corner, fulfilling the commandment in Numbers 15:38; worn by Orthodox men during morning prayers, while in Reform Judaism both men and women may wear it

Tefillin

black leather boxes containing Shema verses, worn on the head and arm during weekday morning prayers; Orthodox males begin wearing tefillin at bar mitzvah, Reform Jews may not use tefillin or allow both genders to wear them

Mezuzah

scroll of parchment containing Shema fixed to doorposts of Jewish homes in fulfilment of Deuteronomy 6:9; found in both Orthodox and Reform homes, although some Reform Jews may interpret it symbolically or use artistic versions

Kashrut

Jewish dietary laws defining kosher food: only land animals that chew cud and have split hooves, fish with fins and scales, no mixing meat and dairy, no blood; Orthodox Jews strictly observe all laws, including separate dishes and supervision, Reform Jews may keep some rules (e.g. avoiding pork) but often do not follow them strictly

Shabbat

weekly day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset; based on God's rest on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2) and the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11); Orthodox Jews avoid 39 categories of work (melachot) and attend long synagogue services, Reform Jews observe it less strictly but still see it as a time of rest and reflection

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year celebrating the creation of the world and marking divine judgement; customs include blowing the shofar (ram's horn), eating sweet foods like apple dipped in honey, and attending synagogue; both Orthodox and Reform Jews observe the festival, though Reform services may be shorter and use inclusive liturgy

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement, holiest day in the Jewish calendar, observed with fasting and prayer

Day of Atonement

holiest day in the Jewish calendar, involving 25 hours of fasting, prayer, and seeking forgiveness from God and others; Orthodox Jews spend most of the day in synagogue, while Reform Jews observe a shorter fast and more reflective services.

Sukkot

harvest festival remembering Israelites' 40 years in the desert; Jews build temporary huts (sukkot) and dwell or eat in them for seven days; Orthodox Jews follow rituals including waving the four species (lulav and etrog), while Reform Jews may celebrate symbolically or shorten the duration.

Simchat Torah

celebration of completing the annual Torah reading cycle; Orthodox and Reform Jews dance with Torah scrolls, though the format of celebration may differ in length and style.

Pesach (Passover)

festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12); includes removal of chametz (leaven), seder meal with symbolic foods (matzah, bitter herbs), and retelling of the story using the Haggadah; Orthodox Jews follow strict cleaning and dietary rules, while Reform Jews may adapt the seder to emphasise social justice or equality.

Shavuot

festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai; Orthodox Jews stay up all night studying Torah (Tikkun Leil Shavuot), Reform Jews may hold services themed around ethical teachings or read the Book of Ruth.

Hanukkah

eight-day festival remembering the Maccabees and rededication of the Temple; candles are lit each night on a hanukiah, gifts are exchanged, and fried foods are eaten; Orthodox Jews focus on the miracle of oil, Reform Jews may emphasise religious freedom and cultural pride.

Purim

festival recalling salvation of the Jews in Persia as told in the Book of Esther; celebrated by reading the Megillah, dressing up, giving gifts, and feasting; both Orthodox and Reform communities celebrate, though Reform may focus on themes of justice and identity.

Tu BiShvat

new year for trees, often marked by environmental awareness and tree planting; traditional seders involve eating fruits from Israel; more emphasised in Reform Judaism with ecological themes.

Bar Mitzvah

when a Jewish boy turns 13 and becomes responsible for mitzvot, usually marked by reading from Torah in synagogue; Orthodox communities celebrate with a formal aliyah, Reform Jews include girls equally with Bat Mitzvah.

Bat Mitzvah

for girls at 12 (Reform) or 13 (some Orthodox); Orthodox Judaism may not allow Torah reading or leading services, while Reform Judaism treats it the same as Bar Mitzvah.

Marriage

sacred union under the chuppah, with ketubah (marriage contract), ring exchange, and breaking a glass to remember the destruction of the Temple; Orthodox marriages follow traditional gender roles and exclude non-Jewish partners, Reform ceremonies may include egalitarian language and interfaith blessings.

Death and Mourning

burial usually within 24 hours, followed by structured mourning: shiva (7 days), sheloshim (30 days), and saying Kaddish; cremation forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, allowed in Reform; mourning practices may be adapted in Reform communities to suit individual needs.

Covenant

sacred agreement between God and Jewish people; Abraham's covenant (Genesis 17) promised descendants and land, marked by circumcision; Mosaic covenant (Exodus 19-24) gave Torah at Sinai; both Orthodox and Reform Jews affirm the covenant, though Reform Jews may interpret it more metaphorically.

Quote (Deuteronomy 6:4)

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" affirms monotheism and begins the Shema.

Quote (Exodus 20:8)

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" forms the basis of Shabbat observance.

Quote (Leviticus 11:7)

"And the pig…is unclean to you" forms part of the dietary laws against pork.

Quote (Genesis 1:28)

"Be fruitful and multiply" underpins importance of family and procreation.

Quote (Exodus 12:14)

"This is a day you are to commemorate" referring to Pesach as a lasting memorial.

Quote (Leviticus 19:18)

"Love your neighbour as yourself" a foundational ethical principle in Judaism.

Quote (Micah 6:8)

"Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God" often cited in Reform Judaism to emphasise ethics over ritual law.