Judaism RE Revision

• Tenakh


  Made up of the Torah, Prophets (Nevilm) and holy writings (Ketuvim)
• Torah


  The most important part of the Tenakh, the teachings from which guide everyday practices, values and relationships
• Kosher


  Something fitting and in keeping according to Jewish law and the mitzvot
• Treifah


  Food and practices that are not allowed, e.g. pork and shellfish or not prepared in a way that complies with kosher regulations
• Parev


  Foods that are considered neutral and can be eaten with meat or milk dishes
• Kosher kitchen


  • Cost - Kosher meat is more expensive
  • Knowing what foods are kosher - an app has been created to help
  • Legalities - in some countries the method of shechitah is illegal so it is difficult to get kosher meat
  • Relationship with God - many Jews consider they are strengthening their relationship with God by keeping the kosher regulations in the Torah
  • Identity - community of Jews is strengthened
• Kosher practices


  Relate to beliefs about the Torah
• Study of the Torah


  Relates to beliefs about relationships with God
• Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur


  Known as the days of awe, they celebrate God's role as Master of the Universe. According to the Talmud all actions of the past year are judged by God.
• Rosh Hashanah


  1. Concept of 'return to God' is stressed and the 'gates of repentance stay open until Yom Kippur

  2. Midrash describes it as the birth of humankind on the sixth day of creation

  3. Jews often visit water to perform Tashlich (cast off) to symbolise self-purification

  4. Round loaves are eaten to symbolise the hope that the coming year will be complete and unbroken

  5. Apples and honey are eaten with the idea of a sweet new year
• Yom Kippur


  1. The most solemn day when most Jews fast and spend most of the day in the synagogue

  2. Begins with the Kol Nidre prayer and ends 24 hours later with the Nella service

  3. A kittel is worn by some worshippers as symbol of humility and purity of thought

  4. The Kol Nidre (all vows) is chanted and the story of Jonah is read

  5. The shofar (ram's horn) is blown at the end of the Yom Kippur service
• Sukkot


  • A Pilgrim Festival that comes after Yom Kippur as a joyful time
  • Lasts seven days and teaches Jews to have security in what seems transient
  • Often described as a festival of simple things when Jews come closer to nature and liberate themselves from technology
  • Commemorates Moses leading the Israelites through the desert from Egypt to the Promised Land
  • The main symbol is the sukkah, a booth with a roof through which the stars must be seen
• Sukkot


  Relates to beliefs about Moses
• Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

  Relate to beliefs about the nature of God
• Pesach


  The focus of the festival is to remember when Israelites weren't free and the Exodus from Egypt
• Pesach celebration


  Includes the Seder meal, eating matzah, drinking wine, and opening the front door for Elijah
• Pesach


  Relates to beliefs about the Messiah
• Marriage


  • Fulfils the command in Genesis to be fruitful and multiply, and is seen as sacred
  • The wedding takes place under a chuppah, which has different symbolic meanings
  • The marriage is in two stages - the first involves blessings and the groom placing a ring on the bride's finger, the second involves seven vows and drinking from a second cup of wine
  • At the end, a glass is smashed under the foot of the groom, with different symbolic meanings
• Mourning rituals


  • Show that all are equal in death, and it is important to care for the bereaved and treat the body with respect
  • The onan is the main mourner, and the chevra kaddisha (synagogue's burial society) stay with the body
• Kaddish prayer


  Morning prayer declaring God's greatness
• Chuppah


  Canopy supported by four poles, representing the tent of Abraham, the home of the newlyweds, and God's protection
• Jewish marriage ceremony


  1. Rabbi recites blessings over wine

  2. Groom makes statement and places ring on bride's finger

  3. Bride and groom drink wine from second cup

  4. Glass is smashed under groom's foot
• It is customary for the ketubah (wedding contract) to be read out
• Mourning rituals


  Show all are equal in death, care for the bereaved, treat the body with respect as the earthly container for the soul
• Mourning practices


  • Onan (main mourner)
  • Chevra kaddisha (synagogue's burial society) stay with and prepare the body
  • Burials, although many Reform Jews now choose cremations
  • Funeral with psalms and kaddish
  • Mourners sit shiva for seven days
  • Different periods of mourning when no music is allowed
  • Male mourners obliged to say the kaddish regularly as part of a minyan
  • No obligation for women to say the kaddish
  • Kaddish recited for 11 months after death of a parent, 1 month for other close relatives
  • Yahrzeit ceremony held each year to mark anniversary of death