Jewish Practices: Festivals & the Synagogue (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A: Judaism): Flashcards
Exam code: 1RA0
1/540Still learning
Know0
- FrontThe Shabbat
Define Shabbat.
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (54)
Define Shabbat.
Shabbat (the Sabbath) is the Jewish day of rest, which comes from God resting on the seventh day after creating the world (Genesis 2:3).
How long does Shabbat last?
Shabbat lasts from Friday at dusk until three stars appear in the sky on Saturday.
True or False?
All Jews keep Shabbat from Friday at dusk until three stars appear on Saturday.
False.
Because the varying times can be difficult for working people, some Reform Jews allow Shabbat from 6 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday.
The two candles on the Shabbat table represent the commands to “remember” and “_________” the Sabbath.
The two candles on the Shabbat table represent the commands to “remember” and “observe” the Sabbath.
What do the two loaves of challah on the Shabbat table represent?
The two loaves of challah represent the food God provided for the Jews in the desert as they escaped from Egypt.
How many categories of work do Jews avoid on Shabbat?
Jews avoid 39 categories of tasks they consider "work", including lighting the cooker, because of the rule against kindling fire.
Define Havdalah.
Havdalah means "separation"; it is the ceremony at the end of Shabbat that separates Shabbat from the rest of the week.
Why do Jews pass around a Havdalah spice box?
Jews pass around the spice box so that the memory of Shabbat will linger like the scent into the week ahead.
True or False?
The Kiddush blessing over wine marks the end of Shabbat.
False.
The Kiddush blessing over wine marks the start of the Friday evening meal; drinking wine shows that this is a joyful, celebratory time.
Which prayer does the congregation recite standing and facing Jerusalem?
The congregation recites the Amidah standing and facing Jerusalem.
Why do Jews recite the Aleinu prayer?
Jews recite the Aleinu to fulfil their duty to praise and worship God.
Shabbat is the _______ Jewish festival and a core part of the Jewish faith.
Shabbat is the oldest Jewish festival and a core part of the Jewish faith.
Why is the ability to stop work on Shabbat important for Jews?
Stopping work is a powerful sign of their freedom, linking Jews today with their ancestors who were slaves in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15).
True or False?
Observing Shabbat raises no challenges in the modern world.
False.
Challenges include fitting Shabbat around modern working lives and deciding what counts as "work", such as using mobile phones or driving to the synagogue.
How does Shabbat help Jews learn more about God?
Jews learn more about God and their faith by joining in synagogue services and studying the scriptures.
Why are festivals important in Judaism?
Festivals commemorate important events in Jewish history, connecting Jews today with the past and maintaining Jewish tradition.
Define Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival, which commemorates the creation of the world.
At the Rosh Hashanah morning service, Jews sound 100 notes on the _______ to represent people’s souls crying about past sins.
At the Rosh Hashanah morning service, Jews sound 100 notes on the shofar to represent people’s souls crying about past sins.
Why do Jews eat foods containing honey at Rosh Hashanah?
Jews eat foods containing honey in the hope of a sweet new year.
True or False?
Jews believe that at Rosh Hashanah, God writes most people’s names in the Book of Life.
False.
Jews believe God writes most people’s names in an intermediate book; the Book of Life is for those who are completely good.
What happens at the Tashlich ceremony?
At Tashlich, people throw their sins symbolically into the water of a nearby river (Micah 7:19).
Define Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, known as the "Sabbath of Sabbaths".
Jews call the ten days of repentance from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur the "Days of ___".
Jews call the ten days of repentance from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur the "Days of Awe".
Why do Jews fast at Yom Kippur?
Jews fast to purify their spirit and to focus the mind on forgiveness and moral renewal.
What is Neilah?
Neilah is the final service of Yom Kippur, which many Jews see as the symbolic closing of the gates of Heaven.
True or False?
Most Jews sacrifice a chicken on the eve of Yom Kippur.
False.
Some Orthodox Jews practise Kapparah, but most Jews make donations to the poor instead.
Define sukkah.
A sukkah is a temporary shelter with a roof of leafy branches, which Jewish families build outdoors for Sukkot.
What does Sukkot remember?
Sukkot remembers the time when the Israelites escaped from Egypt and wandered in the wilderness as nomads.
At Sukkot, the ______ represents people who know the Torah but do not do good deeds.
At Sukkot, the lulav represents people who know the Torah but do not do good deeds.
Why is Pesach known as the "freedom" festival?
Pesach celebrates God saving the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and giving them their freedom.
True or False?
Jews eat unleavened bread at Pesach to remember the bitterness of slavery.
False.
Matzah reminds Jews that their ancestors had no time to let their bread rise as they left Egypt; bitter herbs symbolise the bitterness of slavery.
What does charoset on the Seder plate represent?
Charoset, a paste of apples, walnuts and wine, represents the mortar the slaves used when they had to build.
At the Seder meal, Jews leave one glass of wine for the Prophet _______, who will return to announce the coming of the Messiah.
At the Seder meal, Jews leave one glass of wine for the Prophet Elijah, who will return to announce the coming of the Messiah.
Define Shavuot.
Shavuot is the Feast of Weeks, seven weeks after Pesach, which celebrates the giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Why do Jews eat dairy rather than meat at Shavuot?
Eating dairy shows the importance of learning the correct laws: people did not yet know the laws about meat, so eating dairy meant they would not break any rules.
True or False?
Shavuot marks the Israelites gaining physical freedom.
False.
Pesach marks physical freedom, but Shavuot marks spiritual freedom with the gift of the mitzvot from God.
Why do Jews decorate the synagogue with greenery at Shavuot?
The greenery represents the flowering of Sinai after God gave the Law to Moses, and fulfils the mitzvah to present the first fruits.
What does the word synagogue mean?
Synagogue means "gather together" or "assembly".
Define minyan.
The minyan is the minimum number of worshippers that should gather together for public prayer.
True or False?
The synagogue is only a place of worship and prayer.
False.
The synagogue is also a place of education about the Jewish faith and a community centre for meetings and social gatherings.
Jews have used synagogues since the sixth century BCE, when they went into ______ from Jerusalem and could not worship in the Temple.
Jews have used synagogues since the sixth century BCE, when they went into exile from Jerusalem and could not worship in the Temple.
Which direction do the windows of a synagogue face?
The windows face the site of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Define Aron Hakodesh.
The Aron Hakodesh (Ark) is the large cupboard facing Jerusalem that holds the Torah scrolls; it is the holiest place in the synagogue.
What does the Aron Hakodesh symbolise?
The Aron Hakodesh symbolises the ark that held the tablets God gave to Moses.
Define Ner Tamid.
The Ner Tamid is the everlasting light above the Aron Hakodesh that never goes out; it represents the menorah in the Temple.
The Ner Tamid fulfils the Torah requirement "to kindle a lamp _______________" (Exodus 27:20-21).
The Ner Tamid fulfils the Torah requirement "to kindle a lamp continually" (Exodus 27:20-21).
Define bimah.
The bimah is a raised platform with a reading desk, from which the reader reads the Sefer Torah; it represents the altar in the Temple.
Why does the reader use a yad during a Torah reading?
The reader uses a yad (pointer) to keep their place and to prevent damage or stains to the holy text.
True or False?
A synagogue menorah always has exactly seven branches, like the one in the Temple.
False.
A synagogue menorah often has six or eight branches to avoid an exact duplication of the Temple’s holy items; this is more common in Orthodox synagogues.
How does seating differ between Orthodox and Liberal synagogues?
In Orthodox synagogues men and women sit separately; in Liberal synagogues they sit together.
True or False?
In Liberal synagogues, only men can become rabbis.
False.
Liberal synagogues have male and female rabbis; in Orthodox synagogues the rabbi is always a man.
In Orthodox synagogues prayers are largely in _______, while Liberal synagogues mainly use the language of the congregation.
In Orthodox synagogues prayers are largely in Hebrew, while Liberal synagogues mainly use the language of the congregation.
Why do Orthodox synagogues not use musical instruments in Shabbat services?
Orthodox synagogues do not use musical instruments because playing them would count as work.
Which prayers do Orthodox synagogues say that Liberal synagogues do not?
Orthodox synagogues pray for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and for all Jewish people to return to the Holy Land.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or