The home

• PLACE OF WORSHIP (prayers)

  • When waking up, Jews will give thanks God by saying the modeh ani while still in bed. ​(‘I offer thanks before you living and eternal king, for you for you have mercifully restored my soul within me. Your faithfulness is great.’ ​)
  • Shema is recited 3x a day (during prayer AND throughout day)
• PLACE OF WORSHIP (Mezuzah)

  • a parchment scroll which is placed inside a case on the front door post of their house and each of the door posts inside, apart from the bathroom.  
  • On scroll = Shema
• PLACE OF CELEBRATION (shabbat)

  • Weekly festival celebrated Friday sunset > Saturday sunset
  • "keeping of Shabbat obeys the mitzvoth contained in the Torah."  Exodus 20:8
  • "The Sabbath to remember and keep it holy."
  • Shabbat = celebration of creation. ​
  • Showing it's holy through worship in the home and synagogue.​
  • Reminds Jews of their covenant history.  ​
• OBSERVING SHABBAT:

  • Woman lights candle
  • Blessing over 2 loaves (Challah)
  • Kiddush Prayer said over cup of wine. Meal = happiness and relaxation family
  • Saturday morning family usually goes to synagogue for Shabbat service
  • Jews avoid ANY work (e.g. using electricity, cooking, driving.)
  • Havdalah ceremony (separation - separating from Shabbat until next week) -  plaited candle lit and sweet-smelling spice box is passed around family. ​
  • Symbolises hope of a sweet week ahead
  • MOST IMPORTANT: intention to make it a special day
• OBSERVING SHABBAT - BENEFITS

  • Gives Jews time to think about beliefs and helps them show obedience to the Torah. They observe the Decalogue (ten sayings) found in Exodus chapter 20. ​
  • Enables observation of 613 Mitzvoth (Orthodox Jews)
  • ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbour as yourself.’ - Deuteronomy
  • Keep alive Haggadah (story) of salvation and the Halakah (laws) which keeps the covenant.​
  • Allows quality family time and regular breaks from work and technology.
• OBSERVING SHABBAT - CHALLENGES

  • Jewish person may leave work early on a Friday
  • Avot melakhah = prohibited tasks = no work, cooking, driving, phone use, laundry, handling money​
  • Some have to walk several miles to reach synagogue
  • A lot of preparation for Orthodox Jews
  • Turn off all electrical devices, such as ovens, dishwashers and lights during Shabbat