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