Practices

• Kippah


  A cap worn by Jewish men/boys which serves as a reminder of God's presence
• Tzitzit


  Fringes attached to the corners of garments as a reminder of the commandments
• Tallith


  A fringed shawl worn by Jewish men when praying
• Idolatry


  The worship of images
• Aron Hakodesh


  The holy ark contains the Torah scrolls. Placed on the wall facing Jerusalem. Focal point of the synagogue
• Ner Tamid


  Eternal light. A constantly light lamp near the ark in the synagogue which represents God's pressence
• Bimah


  A platform which supports the desk from which the Torah scrolls are read
• Shabbat


  Day of spiritual renewal rest. Begins on Friday sunset and ends of Saturday nightfall
• Haftorah


  A passage from one of the books of Nevi'im
• Eruv


  Area of a town enclosed by wire, extending the space in which objects may be carried in shabbat
• Kosher


  Fitting, proper. Often used for foods that are permitted to be eaten
• Kashrut


  Jewish food laws
• Treifa


  Forbidden
• Parev


  Permitted with milk or meat
• Shechitah


  Ritual slaughter
• Shochet 


  A Jew trained in Jewish slaughter
• Tefillin


  Two black leather boxes with straps placed on arm and forehead too serve as a reminder of god