judaism

Synagogue

Jewish house of worship - Jews pray, study and worship here.

Minyan

Orthodox - Group of ten men over the age of 13
Reform - Group of ten people (men, women and others) over the age of 13.
In a Minyan certain prayers are said.

What two symbols could represent the synagogue if used?

A Menorah or the Star of David

What are two functions of the synagogue?

1) The Beit Midrash - a house of study, where many go and learn Hebrew. Many young boys and girls learn Hebrew in preparation for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
2) The synagogue provides a community hall for religious/non-religious activities such as charity events

What is the Aron Hakodesh?

It is an ark that holds the sacred Torah scrolls. It represents the original Ark of the Covenant. It is situated in the wall facing Jerusalem.

What is the ever burning light in the synagogue called?

Ner tamid

What is the reading platform in the synagogue called?

Bimah

What are the two different groups in Judaism?

Reform and Orthodox

Who leads worship in the synagogue?

Either the Rabbi, Cantor (Shazzan) or a member of the congregation.

What is a prayer shawl called?

Tallit

What is a tefillin?

small black prayer boxes containing Torah worn on forehead and arm during morning prayer

What prayers does the Amidah consist of?

• First three blessings praise G-d
• Middle thirteen are requests for help: 6 personal requests, 6 requests for the community and 1 request for G-d to accept these.
• Final three are thanks to G-d and to have peace, kindness and compassion.

What is Shabbat?

The Jewish holy day of rest.

What happens on Shabbat?

1) The house is cleaned and a family member (usually female) lights 2 candles, say a blessing whilst covering their eyes and pass their hands over the candle to mark the start of Shabbat.
2) At the start of he meal, kiddush is said to set Shabbat apart as holy
3) After kiddush, hands are washed in a set way and challot are eaten to represent the double portion of manna G-d provided during the Exodus. They are blessed beforehand.
4) Parents (usually fathers) bless the children as Shabbat is a key way to learn about faith.
5) Havdalah marks the end of Shabbat with blessed sweet-smelling spices, wine and a plaited candle.

When does Shabbat begin and end?

From an hour before sunset on Friday to an hour after sunset on Saturday.

A quote about Shabbat

'Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy'

• One of the 10 commandments

Three reasons why Jews celebrate Shabbat?

• It is a reminder of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
• It is a requirement for Jews as it is part of the ten commandments.
• God way to learn about their faith for children

What happens to the Torah during a Shabbat service?

It is paraded around the congregation which represents the Jews' march from Mount Sinai to Jerusalem carrying the holy Ark.

What foods are eaten during a Shabbat service in the home?

• Challah bread (braided bread) which is covered with a special cover.
• Shabbat wine (drunken out of a Kiddush goblet)

What is a mezuzah?

It is a tiny scroll on which the Shema is written, and it is placed on the doorpost of the home.

What are the three parts called that make up the Tenakh?

• Torah
• Nevi'im
• Ketuvim

What is the Torah?

The first 5 Books of Moses which form the basis of Jewish law.

What is the Nevi'im?

8 books of the Prophets that expand on Jewish laws and also Jewish history.

What is the Ketuvim?

11 books that are the Writings, i.e., poetry, stories, advice, historical accounts, etc.

What is the Mishnah?

The Mishnah is the first written recording of the Oral Torah of the Jewish people. Formed of 6 subjects which are called 'Seder' (deals with marriage, dietary laws, marriage, divorce and Shabbat laws.

Kashrut

Food laws - kosher is permitted and everything else is trefah.

Kosher food

Animals with split hooves and chews the cud, poultry, seafood with fins and scales, killed by a specially trained person, all blood must be drained, meat and dairy can't be eaten together, some food can't be eaten if it's cooked by a gentile

Importance of keeping kashrut

It shows self control and obedience to G-d as it is part of mitzvot however it can be broken if necessary due to pikauch nefesh

Jewish marriage

• 2 parts, kiddushin and nisuin
• happens in a synagogue under a chuppah which can be a tallit or something more elaborate to symbolise the home the couple will build together
• blessings are said over a cup of wine which the couple drinks to symbolise their life they'll have together
• groom gives ring to bride and says the wedding vow (in progressive both do it) completing kiddushhin
• the ketubah is read out
• nuisin starts with 7 blessings over wine where G-d is praised for creating the universe, humanity and the gift of children, and Israel and Jerusalem
• a glass is broken by stepping on it to symbolise the Temple's destruction or that love needs to be protected

Ketubah

Marriage contract; a traditional one states the bride's right to be cared for by her husband and her entitlements in case of death or divorce, a progressive one is a mutual statement of love and commitment

What is the Gemara?

Additional commentary on Jewish Mishmah and Torah plus commentary on all areas of Jewish life.

What is the Talmud?

The combination of both the Gemara and the Mishnah.

A quote about childbirth?

'God blessed them and God said to them, 'Be fertile and increase, fill the earth and master it'.'

• Genesis 1:28

What happens during a naming service?

On the first Shabbat after birth, the father will recite the Torah blessing and will ask for good health of his wife and baby.

• Girl will be named at this point.
• Boy will be named 8 days after birth at his circumcision.

What is Brit Milah?

Circumcision

Quote about Circumcision?

'You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you'.

• Genesis 17:11-14

What happens during circumcision?

The baby is placed on an empty chair to symbolise the presence of the prophet of Elijah.

A circumciser places the baby on the Grandfather (or a trusted member of the congregation).

The Father blesses his son with 'Blessed are you Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with the Mitzvot and commanded us to enter my son into the covenant of Abraham'.

The congregation responds with 'Just as he has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into Torah, into marriage, and into good deeds'.

A blessing is given over wine, and the foreskin of the penis of the baby is removed. The family then hold a festive meal.

What is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

Bar: The coming-of-age ceremony of a 13 year old boy.

Bat: The same, but for a 12 year old girl.

What happens during a Bar Mitzvah?

• Synagogues hold Hebrew classes for young boys in order to prepare for the event.

• He wears a Tallit for the first time

• He will lead the prayers during the service.

• His father will thank God for his son's maturity and declare he is now responsible for his own actions.

• They then have a celebratory dinner or party.

Quote about marriage?

'Hence a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so that they become one flesh'

• Genesis 2:24

Hebrew word for 'Betrothal'

Kiddushin

What two things happen during a wedding?

Kiddushin ceremony

• The Ketubah is drawn up (wedding contract). For more orthodox, the husband will list his duties to his wife, conditions of inheritance, children's support and conditions for divorce (just in case).
  For reform Jews, this ceremony is more vows.

Eternal

God has and always will exist

Monotheistic

Jews believe there is only one god and he is one entity, and does not have different parts

Sheol

souls of dead live as shadows for eternity

The creator

God made everything in the universe, and this proves his existence

Afterlife

life after death spent in Gan Eden and/or Gehinnom. gan eden - place of banquets and sunshine or spiritual(closeness to god), only if lived blameless life will you be sent straight to gan eden. Gehinnom - most souls go to here before reaching gan eden, place of torment or purification. some think the truley wicked are tormented forever or souls are destroyed

Tzedakah

charity- given to make world more just so obligatory

Gemilut hasadim

acts of loving and kindness

tikkun olam

mending the world - acting morally to improve life on earth

Pikuach nefesh

saving a life - more important than any other mitzvot. follows belief of sanctity of life.

Ten commandments

ten laws and teachings said to have been given to Moses by God

Mitzvot

613 Jewish laws in the Torah. 248 positive, 365 negative. ritual mitzvot - between a person an God. moral mitzot - between an person and another. jews belive humans have free will so choose to follow mitzvot, meaning can be judged by God, but can be forgiven of sins if sorry. Orthodox follow mitzvot precisely, progressive less so.

God & Moses covenant

Moses was also a founder of Judaism. Led Jews back from freedom in Canaan after being slaves in Egypt for 400 years(called exodus). On the way back, god made covenant with Moses at Mount Sinai, explained what Israelites had to do in return for being the chosen people. God gave Torah to Moses, included mitzvot, 10 commandments and other laws. Ten commandments written on stones, and oral Torah spoken(written in Mishnah). Israelites promised to 'do everything the lord had said'. Orthodox believe Torah came directly from god, progressive believe Torah is people's interpretation of god's word.

God & Abraham Covenant

God made covenant with the Jews which defines them as the chosen people.
First covenant with Abraham (first of the founders of Judaism)(Avraham Avinu('out father Abraham)). God told Abraham to go to Canaan(promised land). God promised to give Abraham a child and to protect his descendants as long as he obeyed god and lead by example. Asked all male descendants to be circumcised as a sign of this covenant.

Covenant

Formal agreement

Shekhinah

Word used to refer god when he is present place on earth
Used to described god's presence in the tabernacle (mosses portable place of worship) and the temple in Jerusalem. Jews pray at the remains (western wall) as they believe that Sekhinah is still there.Some think it is present in prayer or when discussing the Torah. Seen as feminine with 'feminine' characteristics. Helps Jews understand suffering

Immanent

God is present in the world and sustains it

Transcendent

God is beyond this world. His existence does not rely on the universe

The Judge

Believe to be judged by god after death, however he is just and merciful. He will save people from evil and suffering

The Lawgiver

Believe they should obey gods' laws as part of the covenant

Omnipresent

God is everywhere at all times, hes beyond space and time

Omnibenevolent

God is all good/loving, he can do no evil

Omniscient

God is all knowing, even people's thoughts

Omnipotent

God is all powerful although allows each person free will

Mourning rituals

• Kriah is performed (tear made in clothing as a symbol of grief)
• Kaddish is said to praise G-d so focus is on him when people may feel distanced
• 7 days following the burial is called shiva where the mourning don't leave the house, attend synagogue or work but others will visit them
• Kaddish is also said on the anniversary of the death (Yahrzeit) and many people light a candle on its eve

Death of a parent

Mourning for a year called avelut with some restrictions e.g. not going to parties and they say the Kaddish everyday for 11 months

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year - falls in September or October to reflect on any wrong doings of the past year, with a shofar (ram's horn) being blown to all for repentence and spritual awakening. Bread and apples are dipped in honey to symbolise the hope for a 'sweet' year to come, a tashlich ceremony takes place where G-d is asked to take away the sins of his people, no work is done on Shabbat

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement - holiest day of the year where Jews can ask for forgiveness form G-d and they fast fr 25 hours to focus on spiritual rather than physical matters and worship is central as it is a mitzvah to attend all srevices

Pesach/Passover

Commemorate the Exodus out of Egypt lasting 7-8 days with a seder meal being had on the first 2 nights, each part representing part of the story which is retold by the head of the family using a Haggadah

Seder meal

Karpas - vegetable dipped in salt water reminding Jews of the tears caused by slavery
Matzah - bread without yeast which the Jews made during the Exodus as they were in a rush (anything fermented/leavened is called chametz and can't be eaten)
Maror - bitter vegetable (usually horseradish) as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery
Baytsah - hard-boiled and roasted egg symbolising the sacrifice offered in the Temple (not eaten)
Z'roah - symbolises the lamb sacrificed on the night of the Exodus (not eaten)

Shema

Declaration of faith starting 'Hear O Israel: the Lord our G-d, the Lord is one', is also in a mezzuzah

Amidah

Standing prayer, 19 blessings, praises G-d, asks him for justice, end in thanksgiving and peace

Prayer clothing

Tefillin - 2 boxes containing Torah passages worn during shacharit strapped to the upper arm and head reminding them to serve G-d with their head and heart
Tallit - prayer shawl with tzitzit tied in a special way to remind them of mitzvot
Kippah (yarmulke) - sign of respect to G-d