GCSE RE - Jewish Practices✡

• What three parts make up the Tenakh?

  Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim
• What is the Talmud?


  A collection of teachings and discussions from early rabbis about the Torah.
• What are the two parts of the Talmud?


  Mishnah and Gemara.
• What is the Ner Tamid?


  A light that is kept burning at all times.
• Why is the Ner Tamid important?

  It symbolises God's eternal presence.
• What is the Aron Hakodesh/the Ark?


  A cupboard where the Torah scrolls are kept. It is the holiest place in the synagogue.
• Why is the Aron Hakodesh important?

  It represents the original ark of the covenant, where the tablets with the 10 commandments were kept.
• What is the Bimah?


  A raised platform in the centre of the synagogue where the Torah is read.
• Why is the Bimah important?


  It means the Torah is the focus of the service.
• Where does worship take place?

  In the Prayer Hall.
• What is a Minyan?


  A group of 10 adults, the minimum amount of people for a service to happen.
• Give 2 reasons why Jews worship God?

  To praise and thank God. To ask for forgiveness. To deepen their relationship with God. To strengthen their faith.
• In Orthodox Judaism, the person leading the service faces the Aron Hakodesh and has their back to the congregation.
• In Orthodox Judaism, the service is conducted in Hebrew and the singing is accompanied.
• In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately.
• In Orthodox Judaism, only men can be rabbis and be a part of the minyan.
• In Orthodox synagogues, men and married women must cover their heads.
• In Reform synagogues, the services are conducted in the country's language and Hebrew.
• In Jewish synagogues, the person leading the service faces the congregation and has their back to the Aron Hakodesh.
• In Reform synagogues, men and women can sit together.
• Orthodox synagogues hold services daily whereas Reform synagogues hold services on shabbat and festivals.
• Reform services are shorter than Orthodox services.
• In Reform Judaism, women can do roles that were traditionally done by men.
• The Shema is the Jewish statement prayer of faith and is said three times a day.
• The Amidah is the central prayer of Jewish worship.
• The Amidah consists of 19 blessings.
• In the Amidah, there are 3 opening blessings, 13 blessings in the middle and 3 closing blessings.
• Prayer is important to Jews because it is a way to connect with God and to show gratitude for all the blessings in their lives.