Practices

• Synagogue


  Jewish place of worship
• 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


  A symbol of Judaism said to represent the shield of King of David- ruled Israel in the 10th century
• Bimah


  A platform in a synagogue from where the Torah is read
• Aron Hakodesh (Ark)


  The Ark - the holiest part of the synagogue, which contains the Torah scrolls
• 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 emphasis the importance of following the laws and guidance in the Torah; they believe the 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 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


  Jewish prayer shawl
• Tefillin


  Small leather boxes 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 first five books of Jewish Scripture, which they believe are by Moses, are called this

  The first section of the Tenakh (Jewish Bible) 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 the Jewish oral law, part of the Talmud
• Gemara


  Commentary on the Mishnah, and part of the Talmud
• Talmud


  A commentary by the rabbis on the Torah - it consists of the Mishnah 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
• Bar Mitzvah


  Celebration of a boy coming of age 13;literally 'son of commandment
• 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 'torn
• Rosh Hashanah


  Jewish New Year
• Yom Kippur


  The Day of Atonement; a day of fasting on the tenth day after Rosh Hashanah.
• Pesach (Passover)


  Festival in remembrance of the Jewish exodus from Egypt that is celebrated in spring
• meaning of synagogue


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