Judaism

• Rite of Passage

  To move from one stage or milestone in life to another. For example birth, coming of age, marriage
• Brit Milah


  Literally Covenant of Cutting, a ceremony in which a Jewish male, usually 8 days old , is circumcised
• Sandek


  The person nominated to hold the baby whilst the circumcision takes place. Traditionally, the paternal grandfather.
• Mohel


  A trained Jew, often a rabbi who performs the circumcision.
• Kvatter


  The people, typically the parents, who carry the baby on a cushion into the Brit Milah ceremony.
• Minyan


  A minimum of ten required number of Jewish adult males necessary for important prayers and services to take place.
• Bar Mitzvah


  When a boy reaches the age of 13 he becomes a 'son of commandment, and is now accountable for his sin
• Bat Mitzvah


  (Reform) When a girl reaches the age of 12, she becomes 'daughter of commandment. She is now accountable for her sin.
• Bat Chayil


  In Orthodox traditions, when a girl reaches 12 she becomes a 'daughter of worth/valour.
• Prophets (Haftarah)


  The books of the Prophets describe the history of Judaism after the death of Moses. They tell of the Jews' relationship with God and their history.
• Seudah


  Literally means 'meal', and within Judaism refers to the festival meal that accompanies celebrations, such as rituals and during festivals.
• Kiddushin


  Literally means to be made holy or 'set aside'. It is the Hebrew word used for a Jewish marriage.
• Chuppah


  Jewish marriage canopy. The bride and groom traditionally marry under this as a symbol of their new home and life together.
• Mikveh


  An Immersion pool found in some synagogues that is used for spiritual cleansing.
• Ketubah


  A marriage contract that typically outlines the duties and expectations of the husband and wife
• Shechita


  A ceremony in which an animal is ritually slaughtered and circumcised
• Bereaved


  Feeling grief and sadness for a close relation or friend who has died
• Yichud


  A period during the wedding ceremony that the bride and groom can be together in private contemplation and togetherness
• Chevra Kaddisha


  Jewish Burial Society (undertakers) who will prepare the body for burial and remain with the body until burial
• Kaddish


  Meaning sanctification, it is a declaration of faith and a prayer, recited every day during the mourning period
• Onan


  Immediate Mourner; the first 24 hours which is the time between death and the funeral
• Shiva


  The first 7 days following the death of a loved one known as 'intense mourning'
• Shloshim


  Literally means 'thirty. Jews return to regular daily practice after Shiva, but do not attend celebrations
• Yahrzeit


  The anniversary of the death of a loved one. Traditionally, children will light a candle that burns for 24 hours on the eve of Yahrzeit
• Kashrut


  Jewish religious food laws, which outline what is permitted to eat and how to prepare the food
• Kosher


  Food considered 'clean' that is permitted for Jews to eat
• Trefah


  Meaning torn; food that Jews are forbidden to eat
• Parve


  Food which is neutral and can be eaten with meat or dairy such as honey and coffee
• Shofar


  A ram's horn that is blown during Jewish religious services
• Tashlich


  A ceremony performed on Rosh Hashanah where Jews symbolically cast off their sins by throwing bread crumbs into a body of water
• Yom Kippur


  The holiest day of the Jewish year, a day of atonement and repentance
• Kol Nidrei


  A prayer recited at the beginning of Yom Kippur services
• Neilah Service


  The final prayer service of Yom Kippur
• Pesach


  The Jewish holiday of Passover
• Haggadah


  The text that describes the history of Passover and the Exodus from Egypt
• What does the word messiah mean?

  The anointed one
• What are reform beliefs on the messiah

  He will not be a physical person but a time of Universal peace and compassion
• What are orthodox beliefs on the messiah

  They believe that he will be a physical person ( direct descendant from king David the first) and will liberate all Jews from prosecution and unite all nations as a strong leader