Orthodox | Conservative | Progressive (Liberal or Reform) |
· Strict · No driving on Saturdays · Women and Men separated in Synagogue for prayer and rituals. · Don’t accept the changes of Reformed Jews. · | · Believe Jewish Laws can be changed. · Women and Men separated in Synagogue. · Traditional Beliefs. | · Allows people to live a contemporary life in Modern Society. · Allow to marry other Religions. |
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
What is a Variant?
Two or more people or things that have slight differences in opinions. The three major Variants or Streams in Judasim are Conservative, Orthodox and Reform (Liberal or Progressive.)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Synagogue
Origin of the name:
- There are actually several different terms for a Jewish "church” and synagogue or one of them.
Functions of the synagogue:
- A synagogue is a beit tefilah, a house of prayer. It is the place where Jews come together for community prayer services. Jews can satisfy the obligations of daily prayer by praying anywhere; however, there are certain prayers that can only be said in the presence of a minyan.
Structure:
- Synagogues are generally run by a board of directors composed of lay people. They manage and maintain the synagogue and its activities, and hire a rabbi for the community.
Items Found:
-The portion of the synagogue where prayer services are performed is commonly called the sanctuary. Synagogues in the United States are generally designed so that the front of the sanctuary is on the side towards Jerusalem, which is the direction that we are supposed to face when reciting certain prayers.
Star of David
-The Star of David is one of the special symbols for Jewish people.
Mezuzah
-This special box called a mezuzah contains some special words from the Shema. The Shema is a passage from the Jewish Bible, called the Tenakh, which talks about what Jews should believe. It can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The Shema is the first prayer that any Jew will learn.
Rabbi Jackie Tabick’s Induction
-Rabbi is the Jewish name for a teacher – they teach people who come to the synagogue about the Jewish faith. The Rabbi is the leader of the synagogue. The name of the rabbi in this photograph is Rabbi Jackie Tabick, and it shows the service held at the synagogue to welcome her.
The pictures from jewish stories
-These pictures show different stories that are special to Jewish people. Some have beautiful Jewish writing on them.Jewish writing is called Hebrew and is read from right to left.
Noticeboard
-Lots of different things happen at the synagogue. People put notices about them on this board.
Jewish School (Schul)
These stairs lead to the education rooms where Jewish children come to school, or schul, on Sundays. There they will learn what it means to be Jewish, the Hebrew language and find out about people who are important in their faith. Jewish children might hear stories about Abraham, Moses and David, or make things for festivals and learn Hebrew songs.
When a Jewish boy becomes 13, they will have their Bar Mitzvah, when they celebrate becoming an adult. It will be the first time that they read the Torah in the synagogue and they may be asked to take part in the service. Afterwards, there might be a party to celebrate. Jewish girls have a Bat Mitzvah when they turn 12.
Ten Commandments
- “God gave Moses special rules for Jewish people to learn and live by. These are called the Ten Commandments. Click on the picture to read them.
1) There is only one God.
2) Worship God alone.
3) Do not swear.
4) Keep Shabbat as a holy day.
5) Respect your father and mother.
6) Do not hurt or kill anyone.
7) Take marriage seriously.
8) Do not steal.
9) Do not tell lies.
10) Do not want things that belong to somebody else.
2) Worship God alone.
3) Do not swear.
4) Keep Shabbat as a holy day.
5) Respect your father and mother.
6) Do not hurt or kill anyone.
7) Take marriage seriously.
8) Do not steal.
9) Do not tell lies.
10) Do not want things that belong to somebody else.
Kippah
-Before they enter the main room Jewish men will cover their heads with a kippah as a mark of respect for God.
Prayer Books
-These prayer books are used during services at the synagogue and contain prayers and blessings. Prayer is very important to a Jew because God likes them to talk to Him.
Jews attend synagogue on Saturdays, which they call Shabbat.
Kitchen
-The synagogue is also a place where Jews can meet and eat together at various times and celebrations.
Jews have rules about the foods they can eat. Food that is acceptable is called kosher. There are notices on the kitchen cupboards to remind them how to cook and store food properly.
Bimah
-This is a special platform called a bimah where the Torah, the Jewish holy book, is read during services. It is up high so that everyone can see it and hear what is read and because the reading of the Torah is the most important part of the service in a synagogue. Services take place on Saturdays, which Jews call Shabbat.
SYMBOLIC CARVINGS
-These twelve carvings around the ark show some symbols and objects special to Judaism. Each one is carved onto a Torah scroll. As each picture shows, click on it to reveal the next one.
This first carving shows a mezuzah. This little box is placed on the doorposts of Jewish homes and contains the words of the Shema. You can read this prayer at the start of the tour when you click on the doorframe of the entrance to the synagogue.
ETERNAL LIGHT (NER TAMID)
-This light symbolises God's presence in the synagogue, and is never extinguished. It is called the Ner Tamid. In the temple of Old Testament times, the lamp would have been a real flame, but synagogues today have an electric light, often shaped like a flame, as this one is.
ARK
-This is a special cupboard, called the Ark, where the Torah and other scrolls are kept. There are two doors to the Ark to keep the Torah safe. Many synagogues have very old scrolls rescued from synagogues in Eastern Europe that were destroyed by the Nazis at the time of the Holocaust.
SHABBAT CANDLES
-These candles are lit at the start of Shabbat on Friday night. A special prayer called a blessing is said. Jews look forward to Shabbat each week. There are two candles to show that it is more special than other days of the week.
CHALLAH LOAF
-Jews eat this plaited bread called challah as part of their family meal on Shabbat. It is plaited to make it look different from ordinary bread.
KIDDUSH CUP
-On Shabbat, Jews drink wine from a special cup called a kiddush cup. Another blessing is said over the wine.
Judaism
Origins:
o Judaism is a one of the three Prophetic Monotheistic Religions in the world, the other two are Christianity and Islam.
o It is Prophetic as there were numerous Prophets who predicted the coming of a Messiah, Monotheistic as they believe in one God – mono (one) Theology (belief/ study of God.)
History:
o Jews are an ancient people of around 3000 years old, their history is told in the Bible and is traced back to Abraham of around 1900 BC (before common time era).
o The Jews have been known as Jews, Israelites and Hebrews. (Jesus was a Jew, however the Jews accept Jesus as wise man, but not the chosen Messiah as Christians believe, hence Judaism predates and heavily influences Christianity, but is not part of Christianity.)
Abraham:
o Abraham is one of the first recorded leaders of the Hebrews in the Bible. He was a wealthy man who was called by God to leave his land and move from Ur to Canaan, or Israel as it is called today.
o Abraham heard the call of the Lord top stop believing in Pagan Gods (like God of wind, God of Mountain, etc) and he followed God’s request and led his people from Mesopotamia to Canaan. This journey is recorder in the book of Genesis. We can map his journey here: http://www.biblemap.org/Haran
Religion Homework!
A Summary Of The Simpson’s Episode We Watched In Class: “Adam and Eve.”
Homer Simpson represents Adam and Marge Simpson represents Eve, and the two couple in love, live quite happily in the garden, they quote “Ahhhh, It’s just another day in paradise”. Until… God (acted out by Flanders) sends a message through the clouds asking if Adam and Eve would like to stay in the heavenly garden, if so then they must not eat the fruit off of one of the trees, (pointed out). So, of course Adam can’t help himself, as he is tempted by the snake, and his tempting words. Then suddenly Eve can’t resist. Next thing you know they are both feeling so awful and bad, the fact that they have disobeyed God and his orders, after he has provided a paradise for them to live in and created them in the first place. All God asked them to do was one simple thing and they could not do that. He provided free food, water and happiness for them. Once thrown out of the garden Adam and Eve are never to return, and they have to survive in the real world, with only each other’s company.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Judaism
Origins:
o Judaism is a one of the three Prophetic Monotheistic Religions in the world, the other two are Christianity and Islam.
o It is Prophetic as there were numerous Prophets who predicted the coming of a Messiah, Monotheistic as they believe in one God – mono (one) Theology (belief/ study of God.)
History:
o Jews are an ancient people of around 3000 years old, their history is told in the Bible and is traced back to Abraham of around 1900 BC (before common time era).
o The Jews have been known as Jews, Israelites and Hebrews. (Jesus was a Jew, however the Jews accept Jesus as wise man, but not the chosen Messiah as Christians believe, hence Judaism predates and heavily influences Christianity, but is not part of Christianity.)
Abraham:
o Abraham is one of the first recorded leaders of the Hebrews in the Bible. He was a wealthy man who was called by God to leave his land and move from Ur to Canaan, or Israel as it is called today.
o Abraham heard the call of the Lord top stop believing in Pagan Gods (like God of wind, God of Mountain, etc) and he followed God’s request and led his people from Mesopotamia to Canaan. This journey is recorder in the book of Genesis. We can map his journey here: http://www.biblemap.org/Haran
o Who is Abraham?
o What did Abraham believe? How was it different to the people of the time?
o What do you think a Covenant is, what Covenant did God make with Abraham?
A covenant is an agreement between two people. God promised to take the Jews from slavery and deliver them to Israel. God accepted his people to understand his commandments.
o What sacrifice was Abraham requested to make? Why did God ask this of Abraham?
o Search the site for the word Patriarchs? What does this mean?
1. What language do the Jewish people speak?
Hebrew.
2. How do the Jewish people read Hebrew?
From right to left.
3. Why is Israel important to the Jewish people?
They believe that God gave that land to them, as the promised land.
4. When was the present state of Israel formed?
It was created in 1948.
5. What makes it unique in the world?
It is the only Jewish state and because the Jewish people believe that God gave them this land.
6. Who is the chosen Prophet if Judaism?
Abraham was the chosen Prophet.
7. What do the Jews believe God thinks of their people?
The Jews believe that they are the chosen ones to look after the holy land.
8. How do the three main religions differ in their view of Jesus?
Well Christianity believes that God is the son of god and has power within the Holy trinity but the Jews believe that Jesus was only the messenger of God.
9. Why do the Jewish people not celebrate Christmas?
The Jews do not believe that Jesus was the son of God, therefore they do not celebrate Christmas.
10. What festival do they celebrate instead?
Instead they celebrate Hanukah.
11. What event is celebrated at this festival ad what is significance of the number 8?
This is the celebration of the Lights. Number eight is significant because the oil burnt for eight days instead of one.
12. What is the name of the sacred text of the Jewish people? It is the Torah.
13. How is their text similar to the Christian bible?
It is the books of the old testaments.
14. How many commandments do the Jewish people have to follow?
There is 613 commandments.
15. What is the name of the leader of the Jewish religion?
16. What is a Tallis?
17. What is a Kippah?
The little skull cap.
18. What is the world used to describe the food Jewish people eat?
Kosher.
19. Where is the only kosher McDonalds?
In Israel.
20. Why is a cheese burger not Kosher?
It has meat and dairy in it, in the same meal.
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