Jewish practices

• Why is the synagogue important?

  • worship
  • community
  • education
• Synagogue names

  • beit midrash - house of study
  • beit k'nesset - house of assembly
  • beit tifilah - house of prayer
• features of a synagogye

  • Aron hakodesh (the ark)
  • The ner tamid (the ever burning light)
  • The bimah (reading platform)
• Bimah

  Reading platform in the centre of the synagogue where the torah is read from during services.
• Ner tamid


  The ever burning light that symbolises gods presence meaning it is never put out.

  It also is a reminder that the menorah was lit every night in the temple of jerusalem.
• The Aron Hakodesh


  A cabinet that stores the torah scrolls.

  It is the holiest place in the synagogue.

  By climbing the steps to reach the ark, jews are reminded that god is above his people.
• Features of orthodox service

  • Service is in hebrew
  • Daily services
  • Congregation cover their heads to show respect for god
  • Men and women are sat separate
• Features of a reform service

  • Not usually daily services - they are more focused on celebrating shabbat and festivals
  • Men and women sit together
  • Services are shorter but generally have a more rigid structure
• What is the tallit?


  A prayer shawl with a long tassel attached to each corner.

  It reminds jews they are obeying gods word when they wear it.

  The tassels represent the mitzvot.
• What are the tefillin?


  A pair of small leather boxes containing extracts from the torah.

  One is fastened to the forehead and one is fastened to the upper arm, in line with the heart.
• What is the shema?


  A prayer in the torah affirming the belief in one god.
• What is a minyan?

  A group of 10 men over the age of 13 required for traditional jewish worship.
• What is the amidah?


  Also known as the standing prayer.

  It is the central prayer of jewish worship and is prayed in silence facing jerusalem.
• What is shabbat?


  The holy day of the week. A day of rest and renewal starting just before sunset on friday and ending sunset on saturday.

  • it is a gift from god
  • it is a time to celebrate gods creation
• Shabbat in the synagogue

  • On friday eve there is a brief service
  • The main service is on saturday morning
  • It includes a reading, a sermon, and prayers
• What happens before the reading on shabbat?

  • The congregation stands when the ark is opened to display the torah scrolls - a reminder of how jews stood at the bottom of mount sinai when moses returned with the 10 commandments.
  • The torah is held in front of the congregation while verses of scripture are chanted - represents the march from mount sinai to jerusalem with the original ark.
  • The torah passes through the synagogue and many jews touch it and touch their lips - ' gods word should be on their lips sweet like honey'
• Shabbat preparations in the home

  • all work is done before friday evening - homes must be neat and presentable to welcome shabbat, work is also not allowed on shabbat.
  • 2+ candles placed on table - represents the 2 commandments to 'remember' and 'observe' shabbat.
  • 2 loaves of challah bread on table - represents food god provided for jews on shabbat while wandering through the wilderness.
• Shabbat celebrations in the home

  • it is welcomed through a female family member lighting candles and says a prayer, asking god to bless her family - 'command us to light the candles of shabbat'
  • After the friday eve service in the synagogue, the family share a special meal.
• The end of shabbat is marked with the havdalah service.
• The tenakh is the written law.
• The talmud is the oral law.
• The contents of the tenakh are the torah, nevi'im and the ketuvim.
• The contents of the talmud are the mishna and gemara.
• The 3 birth ceremonies are the naming cermony, brit milah, and redemption of the first born son.
• What happens at the naming ceremony?

  • Babies are blessed on the first shabbat after birth
  • Father recites torah blessing.
  • Girls name will be announced.
• The significance of the naming ceremony is that it formally introduces the baby to the community and god.
• What happens during brit milah?

  • Boy is 8 days old.
  • The baby is placed on an empty chair to symbolise the presence of prophet elijah.
  • The mohel places the baby on the knee of the sandek.
  • The father blesses his son.
  • Baby is given a hebrew name.
  • Baby is circumcised in the presence of elijah to ensure it is done correctly.
  • Family enjoys a meal.
• The significance of Brit Milah is that it recalls when abraham said to god'This will be the sign of the covenant between me and you'
• What happens during redemption of the first born son?

  • Small amount of money is given 31 days after the birth of their firstborn son to 'redeem' him from temple service.
  • 5 silver coins are given to a kohen ( a descendant of the priests who used to work in the temple)
• The significance of the redemption of the first born son is that the tradition comes from the command ' you shall have the first born of man redeemed'.
• The significance of bar mitzvah is that; it is when a jewish boy can become a part of a minyan, it is when a jew is expected to strictly follow jewish law, and preparing for it brings jews closer to god and the community.
• What happens during bar mitzvah?

  • the boy reads from the torah in the normal service.
  • he wears a tallit for the first time.
  • his dad declares he is now responsible for his own actions.
• Betrothal is the period of time before marriage when a couple is engaged to be married. It usually lasts 12 months.
• The couple may fast before the wedding to cleanse them of sin and come to the ceremony with the right attitude.
• The chuppah is a canopy that symbolises the couples home.
• The marriage contact is called the ketubah.
• The bride circles the groom 7 times to symbolise the couple making space for eachother every day of the week.
• The groom breaks a glass under his heel to show regret for the destruction of the temple in jerusalem.
• Marriage creates a spiritual bond between the couple where their souls are fused to become one. 'They become one in flesh'
• Aninut is the period of mourning from death to burial.