Judaism & Worship at the Synagogue (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Orthodox synagogue services

Services in the synagogue

• Synagogue services are important for both Reform and Orthodox Jews, as they draw the community together 

• A Rabbi usually leads services of worship in both Orthodox and Reform synagogues 

• Often, a cantor called the hazzan stands at the front and faces the Aron Hakodesh to lead prayers, which are spoken, sung or chanted

• The siddur is used during each service and contains the prayers for the day

• A service begins with opening prayers, which are followed by a recitation of the Shema

  • The Shema is the Jewish declaration of faith in only one God:

• The Amidah is a prayer that is central to Jewish worship

• Worshippers stand together in the synagogue and face Jerusalem to perform the prayer in silence

  • Worshippers think over the words of the prayer in their minds rather than saying them out loud

• The Amidah prayer consists of a series of blessings

  • The first three blessings praise God and ask for his mercy

  • The middle 13 blessings ask for God’s help

  • The final blessing thanks God

• Services also contain readings from the Torah and end with final prayers, such as the Aleinu, which is a prayer to praise God

• Most synagogues have daily prayers and festival celebrations, but the main community time is the Shabbat service

Orthodox services

• There are many reasons why an orthodox synagogue service might take place

• They include the following:

  • It is a time to worship God as a community (minyan means that ten adult men are required for some prayers)

  • It is also an opportunity to praise, thank and petition God through structured prayer

  • It can also be a time to study the Torah and strengthen one’s Jewish identity and community bonds

  • It fulfils the mitzvot (commandments) about public prayer

• There is a set structure to an Orthodox synagogue service

  • The main services that take place are:

    • Shacharit — morning service

    • Minchah — afternoon service

    • Ma’ariv (Arvit) — evening service

    • Shabbat services — longer services, with special prayers and readings

• There are also key features that distinguish a service as orthodox

  • Men and women sit separately (often with a mechitzah, a dividing screen)

    • Only men take active roles in leading prayers or reading from the Torah

    • This reflects traditional beliefs about modesty and religious roles

  • Most prayers and readings are in Hebrew, the holy language

    • This shows unity with Jews worldwide and continuity with tradition

  • The prayer and worship are led by a hazzan (cantor) or rabbi and follow a set pattern from the siddur

    • Shema — a declaration of faith (“Hear, O Israel …”)

    • Amidah — a standing prayer with 19 blessings

    • Aleinu — a closing prayer, praising God as king

  • During prayer, the congregation often stands, bows or rocks gently (davening) to aid concentration

  • There are also readings from the Torah during the services

    • On Monday, Thursday and Shabbat, a portion of the Torah is read from a handwritten scroll (Sefer Torah)

    • On Shabbat morning, seven people are called up for an aliyah (the honour of reading blessings before the Torah)

    • The reading is followed by part of the haftarah(from the Prophets)

Reform synagogue services

Reform services

• Many similarities and differences exist between an orthodox and a reform synagogue service

• There are many reasons why a reform synagogue service might take place

  • Reform Jews want to worship God as a community and express their Jewish identity

  • They also want to honour tradition while making worship relevant to modern life

  • It is an opportunity to promote inclusivity and equality, with both men and women fully participating

  • It is also a time to teach moral and spiritual values through prayer, reflection and learning

• Reform services are usually shorter and more flexible than Orthodox ones

  • They still follow the basic pattern of Jewish prayer, which is based on the siddur (prayer book), but with adaptations

  • Three types of services occur within a reform synagogue

    • Shacharit (morning) — on Shabbat and festivals

    • Erev Shabbat (Friday evening) — welcoming Shabbat

    • Other services — for holy days and important life events

• There are a few key features of a typical reform service

  • Men and women are given equal roles and responsibilities

    • Men and women sit together, which demonstrates equality and inclusion

    • Female rabbis and cantors may lead the service

    • Both men and women can read from the Torah and receive aliyot (honours)

  • Prayers are said in both Hebrew and the local language 

    • This ensures everyone understands and participates meaningfully

    • However, key Hebrew prayers (Shema, Amidah) are often retained for tradition and connection

  • There may be music and other aspects as part of the service to create a positive atmosphere

    • Many services include singing and instrumental music (organ, piano, choir)

    • The tone is welcoming, reflective and communal

    • The service encourages active participation rather than silent observation

  • The prayers and readings follow the same broad order as Orthodox services but may leave out or adapt sections

  • The common elements are:

    • Shema — the declaration of faith in one God

    • Amidah — a central prayer, sometimes shortened or read together aloud

    • Torah reading — this often includes fewer verses than in Orthodox services

    • Sermon or reflection — to connect Jewish teachings with modern issues

    • Aleinu — a closing prayer of praise

  • There is also a focus on ethical teachings and social justice, not only ritual law

The significance of prayer

What is the importance of prayer in Judaism?

• There are many reasons why prayer is important within Judaism

  • Prayer (tefillah) allows Jews to speak directly to God

    • It is a way to praise, thank and ask for help or forgiveness

    • It shows belief in a personal, listening God who is involved in people’s lives

  • Prayer is also a way of fulfilling a mitzvah (commandment), which is a religious duty commanded in the Torah

• Rabbis teach that serving God with one’s heart means praying

• Regular prayer (three times a day) is part of daily obedience to God

• Prayer is also a way of strengthening one’s relationship with God

  • Prayer helps Jews develop a close, personal connection with God

  • Through prayer, Jews can express their love for, faith in and dependence on God

  • It reminds them that everything they have comes from God and that he cares for them

• Prayer also unites the Jewish community, particularly when the prayers are communal

  • Communal prayers fulfil the religious requirement to pray as a group (minyan) for certain prayers, such as the Kaddish or the Amidah

  • This ensures that key parts of Jewish worship are said together, not alone

  • Praying together creates a shared identity and reminds Jews that they are part of a larger, global community

  • Communal prayers can act as encouragement and support, especially at times of mourning or celebration

  • Jewish teachings state that God’s presence is especially strong when people pray together

• Many Jews feel a strong connection to Jewish history and tradition when praying communally in a synagogue, often using ancient prayers

  • Reciting the same prayers around the world (such as the Amidah and Shema) connects all Jews globally

• Private prayer gives a person time to reflect on their life, actions and moral choices

  • It gives Jews the opportunity to speak directly to God in their own words

  • It helps them develop a personal connection with God, beyond formal synagogue services

  • Jews are expected to pray three times a day, and it might not be convenient or possible to attend the synagogue or form a minyan every time

  • Private prayers help Jews to pause and reflect on their individual actions, life and faith

  • Daily private prayer encourages discipline and strengthens faith

  • Private prayers might help Jews live by the mitzvot (commandments) and stay connected to their Jewish identity

Items worn for worship in Judaism

What is the tallit?

• The tallit is a prayer shawl traditionally worn by Jewish men during morning prayer services, festivals and on the Sabbath

  • The tallit has 613 fringes known as “tzitzit”, which represent the 613 commandments or mitzvot that Jews have to follow
    

Types of tallit

• There are two types of tallit

  • Tallit gadol — A large tallit that is usually worn over clothes and rests on the shoulders; it is worn during worship

  • Tallit katan — A smaller tallit that is worn by many Jews as an undergarment between their T-shirt and jumper at all times

• Many Reform and Liberal Jewish women now choose to wear a tallit, and this is becoming more acceptable in these movements

Why is the tallit important for Jews?

• The tallit acts as a reminder of the mitzvot (commandments) 

  • The fringes (called tzitzit) on the tallit are commanded in the Torah

• Each time a Jew wears the tallit, they are reminded to live according to God’s laws

  • The tallit acts as a spiritual focus during prayer

  • The tallit is also an expression of Jewish identity and faith

    • Wearing the tallit shows a commitment to Jewish tradition and the community

  • It also has a practical use during important events in life and death

    • It may be worn at bar mitzvahs and weddings as well as used to wrap a body in burial, showing its lifelong significance

What are tefillin, and what are they used for?

• Tefillin are worn mainly by Orthodox Jewish men during morning prayer

  • Tefillin consist of two leather boxes that contain words from the Shema

  • One of the boxes is tied onto a person’s arm with the leather strap attached to the box, and the second box is tied onto a person’s head
    

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  • The reason for wearing tefillin is based on a biblical law, which states:

• When tefillin have been put on, a special prayer is said: 

Why are tefillin important?

• There are many reasons why tefillin are important within Judaism

  • They fulfil the biblical command “Bind them as a sign on your hands and between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 6:8)

  • They help the wearer focus their mind (head) and actions (arm/hand) on serving God during prayer

  • They are a symbol of devotion during weekday morning prayers

What is a kippah/yarmulke?

• The kippah (yarmulke), often referred to as a skull cap, is worn by Jews as a sign of Jewish identity

  • In Orthodox Judaism, the kippah is worn by Jewish men at all times, apart from when they are sleeping or washing

  • In Liberal and Reform Judaism, some women choose to wear the kippah if they are doing anything holy

    • This could be during ceremonies at home, in the synagogue and during holy days or when they are reading the Torah

  • Unlike the wearing of the tallith and tefillin, there is no commandment for Jews to wear the kippah

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What is the significance of the kippah/yarmulke?

• One of the main reasons for wearing the skull cap is out of respect for God

  • It reminds Jews that God is always above them, watching over their actions

• It also acts as an outward sign of identity and belonging to the Jewish faith

  • It serves as a visible sign of Jewish belief in God

• It is also mentioned in the Talmud, which offers guidance to all Jews