Judaism - Practices

• What is a synagogue?

  building Jews meet for:

  - worship

  - study

  - charity

  - festivals
• What is the minyan?

  - Where certain prayers are said

  - Group of at least 10 adults
• What is the Ark (Aron Hakodesh)?

  - Cabinet where Torah scrolls are kept
• Where is the holiest place in the synagogue?

  Ark (Aron Hakodesh)
• What is ner tamid?

  Ever-burning light
• What does ner tamid symbolise?

  God's presence
• What is the reading platform (bimah)?

  Platform where Torah read
• What is the Jewish name for reading platform?

  Bimah
• What are the principles of Orthodox Judaism?

  - Emphasises Torah laws

  - Believe men & women have different roles

  - Follow dietary laws strictly
• What are the principles of Reform Judaism?

  - Individual choice in deciding how to worship & practice the faith

  - Men and women should be able to undertake the same roles

  - Think dietary laws are outdated
• How often do Jews pray?

  Three times a day
• What are Orthodox services like?

  - Daily service

  - In Hebrew

  - Men & women sit separately
• What are reform services like?

  - Synagogue doesn't hold daily services

  - Focus on celebrating Shabbat & festivals

  - Men and women sit together
• What do Orthodox wear when praying?

  - Tallit

  - Tefillin
• What is a tallit?

  Prayer shawl
• What is the significance of Tallit?

  - Obeys God's word

  - Represent mitzvot
• What is Tefillin?

  Small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah
• What do Jewish services consist of?

  - Opening prayer

  - Shema

  - Amidah (series of blessings)

  - Final prayers
• What is Amidah?


  Standing prayer
• What is the central prayer?

  Amidah
• What is Shabbat?

  - Rest day

  - 'Remember sabbath day and keep it holy' Exodus 20:8

  - a time to celebrate creation (Gen)
• What is the Jewish holy day?

  Shabbat
• What do Shabbat services consist of?

  - Friday evening service

  - Saturday morning main service
• What does the congregation do during Shabbat service?

  Stand when Ark is opened
• What is the significance of standing when the Ark is opened?

  Jews standing at Sinai when Moses returned with 10 commandments
• What happens to the Torah during Shabbat service?

  - Taken from Ark

  - Dressed with cover
• What is the significance of the Torah cover during Shabbat service?

  Reminder of vestments worn by priests
• Where is the Torah held during Shabbat service?

  - In front of congregation

  - Chanted

  - Paraded
• What is the significance of holding the Torah during Shabbat service?

  - Represents Jews carrying Ark from Sinai to Jerusalem
• How is Shabbat prepared beforehand as a rest day?

  - Cleaning house

  - Preparing food

  - Candles on table
• Why isn't work allowed during Shabbat?

  Fourth commandment
• What is the significance of the candles on the table during Shabbat?

  Represents two commandments to 'remember' and 'observe' Shabbat
• How is the start of Shabbat marked?

  - Wife lights and waves around candles

  - She says a prayer to bless family
• How is the end of Shabbat marked?

  Havdalah service
• What is the main celebration of Shabbat?

  Friday evening meal
• What is the significance of the Friday evening meal?

  - Allows family and relax and enjoy each other's company
• What may Jews do instead of attending the Synagogue?

  Pray at home
• How are Jews reminded to focus on God at home?

  Touching mezuzah
• What is the mezuzah?

  Small box containing Torah verses
• What is the Tenakh?

  - Main Jewish sacred text

  - Contains written law