Judaism practices

• Synagogue


  A building where Jews meet for worship, study, social activities and charitable events. It is also where Jews celebrate festivals and rites of passage. The synagogue forms the centre of the Jewish religious community.
• Synagogue


  • Provides a space for Jews to meet and take part in a wide range of activities, from worship and prayer to community meetings and social clubs
  • Usually identified from their use of Jewish symbols on the outside of the building, such as a menorah or the Star of David
• Names for the synagogue

  • House of prayer
  • House of study
  • Shul (Orthodox Jews)
  • Temple (Reform Jews)
• Importance of the synagogue

  • Strengthens the Jewish community by providing a space for worship, prayer, social activities, education, and charitable events
• Prayer hall


  • Rectangular in shape, with seats on three sides facing inwards towards the bimah (reading platform) in the centre. The fourth side is where the Ark (Aron Hakodesh) is kept, which is the focal point.
• Ark (Aron Hakodesh)


  An ornamental cabinet or container where the Torah scrolls are kept. It is the holiest place in the synagogue.
• Ever-burning light (ner tamid)


  A light that is kept on at all times, situated above the Ark. It symbolises God's presence.
• Reading platform (bimah)


  A raised platform in the centre of the prayer hall where the Torah is read during services.
• Differences between Orthodox and Reform Judaism

  • Orthodox Judaism emphasises strictly following the laws in the Torah, while Reform Judaism emphasises individual choice in how to worship and practice the faith
  • Orthodox Judaism believes the Torah was given directly to Moses by God, while Reform Judaism believes the Torah was inspired by God but written by humans
  • Orthodox Judaism believes men and women should have different roles, while Reform Judaism believes men and women should be able to undertake the same roles
• Differences between Orthodox and Reform synagogue services

  • Orthodox services are held daily, while Reform services often focus on celebrating Shabbat and festivals
  • Orthodox services are in Hebrew, while Reform services are in Hebrew and the local language
  • In Orthodox services, the person leading has their back to the congregation, while in Reform services the person leading faces the congregation
  • In Orthodox services, men and women sit separately, while in Reform services they sit together
  • Orthodox services are longer and less structured, while Reform services are shorter and more rigidly structured
  • Orthodox services have unaccompanied singing, while Reform services may have singing accompanied by musical instruments
• Tallit


  A prayer shawl made from wool or silk, with tassels attached to each corner. It reminds Jews they are obeying God's word whenever they wear it.
• Tefillin


  A pair of small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah, worn on the forehead and upper arm during morning prayers. They remind Jews that their mind should be concentrating fully on God when they pray, and their prayers should come from the heart.
• Format of Jewish services

  1. Opening prayers

  2. Recitation of the Shema

  3. Amidah (central prayer)

  4. Reading from the Torah

  5. Final prayers
• Amidah


  The central prayer in Jewish worship, consisting of a series of blessings praising God, asking for his help, and thanking him.
• Prayer is important to Jews because it is a way to communicate with God, it brings Jews closer to God, communal prayer strengthens the Jewish community, and it helps Jews to remember what their faith is all about.
• Shabbat


  The Jewish holy day of the week, a day of rest and renewal, starting just before sunset on Friday and continuing to sunset on Saturday
• Shabbat services


  1. Brief service on Friday evening

  2. Main service on Saturday morning

  3. Sometimes an extra service for families with children
• Shabbat


  • A gift from God of a day of rest and renewal
  • Described in Jewish literature and poetry as a bride or queen
  • A day that God has commanded Jews to celebrate
  • The fourth commandment is 'Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy'
  • A time to relax and rest, worship God, and enjoy family life
  • A time to celebrate that God has kept his promises in the covenant between God and the Jews
  • A time to celebrate God's creation - Shabbat recalls the Genesis creation story
• Shabbat service rituals


  1. The congregation stands when the Ark is opened to reveal the Torah scrolls

  2. The Torah is taken from the Ark and dressed with a cover and various ornaments

  3. The Torah is held in front of the congregation while verses from scripture are chanted; it is then paraded round the synagogue

  4. When the Torah passes through the synagogue, many Jews touch it with their prayer book or the tassels on their prayer shawl, and then touch their lips

  5. After the reading is finished, the Torah scrolls are dressed and paraded around the synagogue again, before being placed back in the Ark

  6. The rabbi or visiting speaker then gives a sermon
• Shabbat preparations in the home


  1. All the work is done and the home is prepared before Shabbat begins on Friday evening

  2. At least two candles are placed on the table

  3. Two loaves of challah bread are placed on the table

  4. Wine or grape juice is placed on the table (the wine is drunk from a special goblet called the Kiddush cup)
• Shabbat celebrations in the home

  1. A female member of the family (usually the wife) lights the two candles, shortly before sunset on Friday

  2. Before the Friday evening meal, the parents bless their children, and the head of the household recites the Kiddush blessings while holding up the Kiddush cup

  3. To begin the meal, the bread is blessed and passed round so everyone has a piece

  4. The meal might last for a few hours, giving the family time to relax and enjoy each other's company

  5. After each course, religious stories might be told to the children or songs might be sung

  6. The meal ends with a prayer of thanksgiving for the food

  7. After the Saturday morning service in the synagogue, the family shares another special meal

  8. During the afternoon, parents may spend time with their children and study the Torah

  9. The end of Shabbat is marked by the havdalah service, with blessings performed over a cup of wine, sweet smelling spices and a candle with several wicks
• Mezuzah


  A small box containing verses from the Torah, attached to a doorpost, which Jews touch as a sign of respect to God and a reminder to obey his laws
• Jewish sacred texts


  • Tenakh (the written law)
  • Talmud (the oral law)
• Tenakh


  • The Jewish sacred scriptures, in three main parts: the Torah, the Nevi'im (the Prophets), and the Ketuvim (the Writings)
• Talmud


  • A commentary by the early rabbis on the Torah, in two main parts: the Mishnah and the Gemara
• For Orthodox Jews, the Torah and Talmud are considered to be the source of all Jewish laws, legal teachings and decisions that affect their daily lives, and are studied extensively
• Reform Jews do not regard the Torah and Talmud with the same absolute authority and may not study them as much
• Ceremonies associated with birth

  • Naming ceremony
  • Brit Milah
  • Redemption of the firstborn son
• Naming ceremony


  • Boys and girls born into Orthodox families are blessed in the synagogue on the first Shabbat after their birth
  • The father recites the Torah blessing, and asks God for the good health of his wife and baby
  • A baby girl's name will be announced at this point
  • A boy will be named later at his circumcision
  • In Reform synagogues, both parents will take part in the naming ceremony, which may not necessarily be held on the first Shabbat after the child's birth
• Brit Milah


  • This ceremony happens when a baby boy is eight days old
  • A close friend or relative places the baby on an empty chair that symbolises the presence of the prophet Elijah
  • A trained circumciser picks up the baby and places him on the knee of the person who has been given the honoured role of being 'the companion of the child'
  • The baby's father blesses his son
  • A blessing is said over wine and the baby is formally named
  • The baby is circumcised in a simple operation that quickly heals
  • Family and guests then enjoy a festive meal to celebrate
• Redemption of the firstborn son

  • Some Orthodox Jews give a small amount of money 31 days after the birth of their firstborn son, to 'redeem' him from Temple service (the Temple in Jerusalem no longer exists, but some Orthodox Jews maintain this tradition anyway)
  • Five silver coins are given to a kohen: a descendent of the priests who used to work in the Temple
  • Prayers are also said, asking that the child may 'enter into Torah, into marriage, and into good deeds
• Significance of naming ceremony

  The naming ceremony formally introduces the baby to the community and God
• Significance of Brit Milah


  • Brit Milah recalls the covenant God made with Abraham, where God told Abraham that circumcision would 'be the sign of the covenant between Me and you' (Genesis 17:11)
  • It provides a lifelong reminder to a male Jew that they are one of God's chosen people
• Significance of redemption of firstborn son


  This tradition comes from the following command in Numbers 18 'but you shall have the first-born of man redeemed... Take as their redemption price ... the money equivalent of five shekels' (Numbers 18:15-16)
• Ceremonies for coming of age

  • Bar Mitzvah
  • Bat Mitzvah
• Bar Mitzvah


  • When Jewish boys turn 13 and become a 'son of the commandment'
  • The boy reads from the Torah at the normal service in the synagogue, wears a tallit for the first time, may lead part of the service, and makes a short speech
  • The boy's father thanks God for bringing his son to maturity, and declares he is now responsible for his own actions
  • After the service there is often a celebratory meal or party, where the boy receives gifts
• Bat Mitzvah


  • When Jewish girls turn 12 and become a 'daughter of the commandment'
  • The girl reads from the Torah, gives a short speech, and may lead part of the service in the synagogue
  • This is often followed by a celebratory meal or party
  • Orthodox Jews sometimes mark a girl's Bat Mitzvah with a family meal and small religious gifts
• Significance of Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  • It is when a Jew is seen to become an adult
  • It is when a Jew is expected to start strictly following Jewish law, and takes full responsibility for doing so
  • Celebrating a Bar/Bat Mitzvah brings Jews closer to God and the Jewish community
  • It is when a Jewish boy is allowed to become part of the minyan
• Stages of a Jewish wedding

  • Betrothal
  • Signing and reading of the marriage contract
  • Marriage of the couple
• Betrothal


  • A period of engagement that typically lasts for a year
  • Betrothal has legal status in Jewish law and can only be broken by death or divorce
  • During the year of betrothal the couple do not live together, but they do prepare for their future lives together
  • Traditionally a special betrothal ceremony was held a year before the wedding, but this ceremony is now held at the wedding itself