4.5 Judaism Key Practices: Worship (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
1/570Still learning
Know0
- Front4.5.1 The Synagogue
What does the word 'synagogue' mean?
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (57)
What does the word 'synagogue' mean?
'Bringing together' or 'assembly'.
Define minyan.
The minimum of ten people needed for certain prayers to be said.
Define Aron Hakodesh.
The cupboard facing Jerusalem that holds the Torah — the holiest place in the synagogue.
Define Ner Tamid.
The ever-burning light above the Aron Hakodesh, which never goes out.
Define bimah.
A raised platform with a reading desk from which the Sefer Torah is read; it represents the altar in the Temple.
Define yad.
A pointer ('hand') used to follow the words when reading the Torah.
What is the Sefer Torah?
The Torah scroll, handwritten by a scribe and kept inside the Aron Hakodesh.
What is the difference between ritual mitzvot and moral mitzvot?
Ritual mitzvot are between God and man (worship and festivals); moral mitzvot are between man and man (how to treat others).
What two Jewish symbols are often on the outside of a synagogue?
The Star of David and often a Menorah.
True or False?
Synagogues contain images of God to aid worship.
False.
There are no images of God or people, as the second commandment forbids idolatry.
Besides worship, name a community use of the synagogue.
Education (e.g. Hebrew classes), charity events, meetings or youth clubs.
The Aron Hakodesh symbolises the ______ that held the tablets given to Moses.
The Aron Hakodesh symbolises the ark that held the tablets given to Moses.
What are 'mishpatim'?
Laws that are judgements from God, e.g. 'you shall not steal'.
The main prayer hall of a synagogue is usually rectangular, with seats on ______ sides facing inward.
The main prayer hall of a synagogue is usually rectangular, with seats on three sides facing inward.
Which four commandments are the most important ritual mitzvot?
The first four of the Ten Commandments (those relating to God).
Define the Shema.
The Jewish declaration of faith in one God: 'Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone'.
Define the Amidah.
The 'Standing Prayer', central to Jewish worship, said silently while facing Jerusalem.
How is the Amidah performed?
Standing and in silence, facing Jerusalem, thinking over the words rather than saying them aloud.
What is the structure of the Amidah's blessings?
The first 3 praise God, the middle 13 ask for God's help, and the final blessing thanks God.
Who leads the prayers in a synagogue service?
A Rabbi, often with a cantor (hazzan).
How do Orthodox and Reform synagogues differ in seating?
In Orthodox synagogues men and women sit separately; in Reform synagogues they sit together.
What do Orthodox Jews call a synagogue, and what does it mean?
'Shul', meaning 'school'.
What do Reform Jews sometimes call a synagogue?
A 'temple'.
True or False?
Both Orthodox and Reform Judaism ordain women as rabbis.
False.
Reform movements allow women rabbis; Orthodox traditions do not.
In Orthodox synagogues prayers are longer and read in ______; in Reform, some are read in English.
In Orthodox synagogues prayers are longer and read in Hebrew; in Reform, some are read in English.
Define siddur.
The Jewish prayer book, used during services.
With which prayer, praising God, do synagogue services often end?
The Aleinu.
In which direction do Jews face when praying?
Towards Jerusalem (east, in the UK).
Define Modeh Ani.
A morning prayer thanking God for returning the soul and for the gift of another day.
How often do many Jews aim to recite the Shema each day?
At least twice a day.
Define Shabbat.
The Jewish day of rest, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
Which commandment tells Jews to keep the Sabbath holy?
The fourth of the Ten Commandments.
What do the two Shabbat candles represent?
The two commandments about Shabbat: to 'remember' and 'observe' the Sabbath.
What do the two loaves of challah bread at Shabbat represent?
The food God provided for the Jews in the desert after they escaped Egypt.
Define Havdalah.
The ceremony marking the end of Shabbat, using a braided candle and a spice box.
Define mezuzah.
A small parchment scroll with the Shema, fixed in a case to the doorposts of a Jewish home.
Why do Jews believe Shabbat is a day of rest?
Because God rested on the seventh day after creating the world.
True or False?
Orthodox and Reform Jews observe Shabbat work restrictions in the same way.
False.
Orthodox Jews avoid all work (no driving or electronics); Reform Jews interpret 'work' more narrowly and may drive or use devices.
Many Jews touch the mezuzah when entering and leaving the home, as a reminder of their ______ with God.
Many Jews touch the mezuzah when entering and leaving the home, as a reminder of their covenant with God.
Why do Jews say the Modeh Ani on waking?
They believe sleep is like death (the soul goes to God); waking means God has returned the soul.
Kiddush is said over the ______ to make the Shabbat evening holy.
Kiddush is said over the wine to make the Shabbat evening holy.
What is the main Shabbat service, held on Saturday morning, called?
Shacharit Shabbat.
Define the Tenakh.
The main sacred Jewish text, made up of the Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim.
What three sets of books make up the Tenakh (TeNaKh)?
Torah (law)
Nevi'im (prophets)
Ketuvim (writings)
What are the five books of the Torah?
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Define yad.
A pointer used to follow the Torah text, so no one touches it with bare hands.
How long does it take to read the whole Torah in Orthodox and Reform synagogues?
One year in Orthodox synagogues; three years in Reform synagogues.
What does the Nevi'im contain?
Eight books of the prophets, tracing Jewish history and the laws.
What does the Ketuvim contain?
Eleven books of writings, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Define the Talmud.
A collection of rabbinic teachings and discussions that interpret the laws of the Torah for modern life.
What are the two parts of the Talmud?
The Mishnah (the written-down oral law) and the Gemara (discussions on the Mishnah).
What are the two versions of the Talmud, and which has greater authority?
The Jerusalem Talmud and the Babylonian Talmud; the Babylonian has greater authority.
Define the Oral Torah.
The rabbinic tradition (believed given to Moses at Sinai), passed by word of mouth and written down in the Talmud.
True or False?
The Talmud can help Jews with modern issues not covered in the Torah.
True.
The Talmud interprets Torah law for modern issues like genetic engineering, euthanasia and contraception.
The festival of ______ celebrates God's revelation of the Torah to Moses.
The festival of Shavuot celebrates God's revelation of the Torah to Moses.
Who compiled the Mishnah?
Rabbi Judah Ha'Nasi, who wrote down the oral law.
The ______ is a text from the Nevi'im read publicly after the Torah on each Sabbath.
The Haftarah is a text from the Nevi'im read publicly after the Torah on each Sabbath.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or