4.7 Judaism Key Practices: Festivals (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
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Define Rosh Hashanah.
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Define Rosh Hashanah.
The Jewish New Year, lasting two days, commemorating the creation of the world.
What does 'Rosh' mean?
'Head' — referring to the direction the new year will take.
What does Judaism teach God does at Rosh Hashanah?
God judges all humanity, considering each person's good and bad deeds over the past year.
What instrument is blown at Rosh Hashanah, and how many times in the morning service?
The shofar (horn), blown 100 times as a call for repentance.
What food is dipped in honey at Rosh Hashanah, and why?
Apple slices — to represent the hope of a sweet new year.
Define Tashlich.
A Rosh Hashanah ceremony where sins are symbolically cast away, often by casting crumbs into a running stream.
What are the three books God is believed to write names in at Rosh Hashanah?
The Book of Life (wholly good)
The Book of Death (truly evil)
An intermediate book (most people)
True or False?
A person cannot influence which book God writes their name in.
False.
Jews believe they can influence it by taking action — doing charity or making up for harm caused.
Which festival follows Rosh Hashanah ten days later?
Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
Rosh Hashanah ushers in the Ten Days of ______ (the Days of Awe).
Rosh Hashanah ushers in the Ten Days of Repentance (the Days of Awe).
In which months does Rosh Hashanah occur?
September or October (depending on the lunar calendar).
Define Selichot.
Special prayers added to the ritual one week before Rosh Hashanah.
At Rosh Hashanah, Jews hope that they and their loved ones will be written in the Book of ______.
At Rosh Hashanah, Jews hope that they and their loved ones will be written in the Book of Life.
What shape of challah loaf is eaten at Rosh Hashanah, and what does it symbolise?
A circular (round) loaf, symbolising the cycle of the year.
Define Yom Kippur.
The Day of Atonement — the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, known as the 'Sabbath of Sabbaths'.
How long is the Yom Kippur fast?
25 hours.
What are the five areas of self-denial on Yom Kippur?
No food (fasting)
No drink
No bathing or perfume
No sexual relations
No leather shoes
What colour do Jews wear on Yom Kippur, and why?
White, as a symbol of purity (and forgiveness).
What is the purpose of the self-denial on Yom Kippur?
To purify the spirit and concentrate the mind on forgiveness and moral renewal.
Define Neilah.
The last of the five Yom Kippur services, the most sacred; the shofar sounds at its end to mark the end of the fast.
How many services does the synagogue hold on Yom Kippur?
Five — the only day of the year it does so.
Which story is told on Yom Kippur, showing God's willingness to forgive?
The story of Jonah.
Define Kapparah.
An Orthodox ritual before Yom Kippur — swinging a live rooster (or hen) above the head three times, which is then killed and given to the poor, to atone for sins.
True or False?
Everyone must fast on Yom Kippur without exception.
False.
Those who are ill or vulnerable are exempt from the fast.
The doors of the ark are opened on Yom Kippur to show that the gates of ______ are open.
The doors of the ark are opened on Yom Kippur to show that the gates of Heaven are open.
Which festival occurs five days after Yom Kippur?
Sukkot.
Define Yizkor.
A service at Yom Kippur that remembers the dead.
Yom Kippur marks the end of the ten days of repentance that begin at ______.
Yom Kippur marks the end of the ten days of repentance that begin at Rosh Hashanah.
Define Pesach.
'Passover' — the festival celebrating the release of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.
In which book of the Torah is the Passover story found?
The Book of Exodus (Chapter 12).
Where does the name 'Passover' come from?
The angel of death 'passed over' the houses marked with lamb's blood, sparing the firstborn.
Define the Seder Meal.
The special Pesach meal with symbolic foods, which retells the Exodus story.
What does the lamb bone on the Seder plate symbolise?
The lamb that was sacrificed.
What do the bitter herbs on the Seder plate symbolise?
The bitterness of slavery.
What does charoset symbolise, and what is it made of?
The mortar the slaves used — a paste of apples, walnuts and wine.
What does the green vegetable dipped in salt water symbolise?
The tears of the Jews in slavery.
Define chametz.
Grain products (leavened goods), which are removed from the home before Pesach.
True or False?
Leavened bread is eaten during Pesach.
False.
Unleavened bread (Matzah) is eaten, as the Israelites had no time to let their bread rise.
At the Seder, four glasses of wine are drunk, and one is left for the Prophet ______, who will announce the Messiah.
At the Seder, four glasses of wine are drunk, and one is left for the Prophet Elijah, who will announce the Messiah.
Which book is used to retell the Exodus story during the Seder meal?
The Haggadah.
During the final plague, the Israelites painted ______'s blood on their doorposts.
During the final plague, the Israelites painted lamb's blood on their doorposts.
What does the boiled egg on the Seder plate symbolise?
New life.
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