Judaism & Worship in the Home (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Worship in the home

What is daily private prayer in Judaism?

• Praying in private is important to many Jewish people

• Some Jews may even believe that it is not necessary to attend the synagogue daily and choose to pray at home instead

• There are many different ways in which private prayer can take place

  • Jews often pray as soon as they wake up, using water to purify themselves for the day ahead 

  • Many Jews aim for a recitation of a morning prayer called the Modeh Ani to be the first thing they do upon waking

  • Waking in the morning means that God has chosen to return the soul to the body, so the Modeh Ani thanks God for the gift of another day

  • Before each meal, many Jews bless God and thank him for the food

  • Before going to sleep, Jews will often say the Shema

Why is daily private prayer important in Judaism?

• There are many reasons why Jews might decide to pray privately rather than communally

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

    • It helps Jews 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

  • 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 Jewish identity

Preparing for and celebrating Shabbat

What is Shabbat?

• Shabbat is a day of rest for Jews

• It originates from the creation story, as told in Genesis, which says that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world

  • This idea is also repeated in the book of Exodus:

• The day also connects Jews to their ancestors, who were enslaved

  • Not working on Shabbat is a sign of freedom for Jews

• During Shabbat, Jews are expected to rest and spend time with their family

  • On Shabbat, Jews are forbidden by Jewish law from taking part in several categories of work

    • These include creating or extinguishing fire, writing and repairing things

  • Many Jews will also avoid all other kinds of work

What happens during the Friday night meal preparation?

• On Friday evening, the focus of Shabbat is a meal that brings the family together

• All food for the Friday night meal (and usually Saturday meals) is prepared in advance, as cooking is not allowed during Shabbat

  • A festive table is set with a white tablecloth, candles, wine or grape juice, and challah bread covered with a decorative cloth

  • The day of rest is welcomed with the lighting of two candles

  • Traditionally, the mother of the family places her hands over her eyes and recites a blessing

  • Before eating the food, more blessings are said for the children, and kiddush is said over the wine to make the evening holy

  • Drinking wine shows that it is a joyful, celebratory time

  • The challah is blessed, and everyone takes a piece

What happens during the Havdalah ceremony?

• Havdalah (meaning separation) marks the end of Shabbat and the start of the new week 

• It’s a brief, symbolic ritual held after nightfall on Saturday

• The Havdalah cup of wine is filled to overflowing as an expression of hope, and blessings are said

  • Over wine — blessing for the fruit of the vine

  • Over spices — smelled to comfort the soul

  • Over the candle — thanking God for the light of fire

  • Havdalah blessing — praising God for distinguishing between holy days and ordinary days

• A braided candle with a double wick is used for the ceremony, and a spice box is taken into each room of the house

  • The hope is that the week to come will be as sweet as the smell from the spice box

• The meal usually lasts for a few hours, with everyone enjoying family time, often singing songs and telling religious stories

• There are certain rituals that mark the end of the ceremony

  • The candle is extinguished in the wine

  • Some dip their fingers in the wine for a symbolic blessing

  • Traditional songs, such as “Eliyahu HaNavi”, are sung