Judaism

• What is the synagogue used for?

  • Worship
  • Education
  • Social activities
  • Charity
• What are the key features of the synagogue?

  • The Ark
  • The Ner-Tamid
  • The Bimah
• What is the ark?


  Cabinet at the front of the synagogue where the Torah scrolls are kept
• What is the Ner-Tamid?


  The ever burning light by the Ark that symbolises God's presence in the Synagogue
• What is the Bimah?


  A raised platform where the Torah is read from
• What are the features of an orthodox synagogue?

  • Follow the Torah strictly
  • Men and women sit separately
  • Service in Hebrew
• What are the features of a reform synagogue?

  • Torah can be adapted
  • Men and women sit together
  • Service can be said in a country's language
• What is permitted food called?

  Kosher
• What is forbidden food called?

  Trefah
• What are the dietary laws?

  • land animals must have hooves and eat grass
  • seafood must have fins and scales
  • only birds that do not eat other birds can be eaten
  • meat and dairy cannot be eaten together
• How long do Jewish people wait after eating meat to eat dairy?

  6 hours
• What are the food laws called?

  Kashrut
• What is the Amidah?


  Jewish prayer that asks for God's blessings
• What is the Tenakh?


  Written scripture containing the prophets and law
• What is the Talmund?


  Oral law that helps Jews interpret the Torah
• What is the Mezuzah?


  A small box placed on doors that contains the Shema prayer
• What is a Menorah?


  A candlestick with many branches representing the temple in Jerusalem
• When does the naming ceremony happen for babies?


  The first Shabbat after birth
• When does Brit Milah happen?


  When the baby boy is 8 days old
• What is Brit Milah?


  A circumcision ceremony
• Why does Brit Milah happen?


  To remember the covenant that Abraham had with God and how it was sealed with circumcision
• What is a Bat Mitzvah?


  The female coming of age ceremony that brings her closer to God
• What is a Bar Mitzvah?


  Male coming of age ceremony
• What happens at a Bar Mitzvah?

  • The boy reads the Torah
  • Boy wears tallit for the first time
• What are the stages of marriage?

  • Betrothal - promised to each other
  • Before the wedding - fasting to cleanse and prepare mind
  • Betrothal ceremony - blessings said, rings exchanged
  • Marriage contract
  • Wedding - couple spend short private time together
• What is Shabbat?


  The Jewish day of rest
• How is Shabbat celebrated in the home?

  • no work
  • the female lights two candles
  • Challah bread cooked and eaten
  • Wine or grape juice drank from kiddush cup
• Why does the female light two candles on Shabbat?


  To remember the two commandments to remember and keep the Sabbath holy
• How is Shabbat celebrated in the synagogue?

  • Services held on Friday night and Saturday morning
  • Torah held
  • Torah touched
• What happens after a death is announced?

  Small tear is made in clothes
• What happens in the first period of death?

  • Burial within 24 hours
  • Close family grieves
• What happens in the second period of death?

  • Shiva - seven day mourning
  • no work, pray 3x a day
  • no focus on appearance
• What happens in the third period of death?

  • normal life resumes
  • no parties or music
• What happens in the final period of death?

  • lasts 11 months
  • no parties
• What happens after the first year of death passing?

  • mourning period ends
  • candle lit on death anniversary
• What is a body dressed in before the funeral?

  The Tallit
• What does the funeral service include?

  • prayers
  • readings
  • short speech from the Rabbi
• What is Rosh Hashanah?

  The Jewish new year
• What is believed about Rosh Hashanah?

  God will judge peoples actions of the year and decide whether they will be given favour in the next year
• How do Jews prepare for Rosh Hashanah?

  good behaviour through prayer and charity work