Judaism Assignment - 3.10.13

Kiaya Nickens

Mr. Sanchez

Christian in the World – p.8

March 11, 2013

Judaism Questions:

 

1. What are the three functions of a synagogue?

The three functions of a synagogue are the following :

-          1.House of Assembly- Here Jews use this as a meeting place. Within Judaism there are strong roots of a communal society. The synagogue is the place where people meet to pray, study, celebrate, mourn, and socialize. Jews receive support and guidance through the advice of the community, this foundation begins in synagogues.

-           2.House of Study- The main function of a synagogue is used as a place to study. In synagogues Jews study the Torah.

-          3. 3.House of Prayer- Here individuals meet for prayer, Judaism requires prayer three times a day.

2. What does the layout of a synagogue look like? Check out the various items and then identify the purpose and location of the following:

Ark- The aron ha-kodesh (the holy ark) serves as the replacement for when the Torah is not used. The Holy ark also serves as the focal point while an individual is praying. Above the ark stands an eternal light that represents the eternal light of the Temple. The ark can be decorated in many ways and come in many different sizes, shapes, and materials. The core of the ark is a cabinet that contains the Torah scrolls.

Torah Scrolls-usually has a parokhet or curtain covering it. For specific holidays some Torah Scrolls are decorated with white cloth to recognize its purity. But ordinarily the Torah Scrolls are decorated with elaborate jewels and rhinestones.

Ten Commandments-  Located below the Torah Scrolls

3. What is a rabbi?

In the Jewish community, a rabbi is viewed not only as a spiritual leader but as a counselor, a role model and an educator. Rabbi literally means teacher.

-          How does a Jew become a rabbi?

To become a rabbi one would usually train for about five years at seminaries such as Hebrew Union College (Reform) or The Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative). Orthodox rabbis will usually train at Orthodox seminaries called yeshivot.

-          How does a rabbi differ from a clergyman?

Rabbi’s differ from clergymen because clergymen guide the members of the community while rabbi’s teach members of the community.

-          What is the rabbi’s role?

A rabbi is viewed not only as a spiritual leader but as a counselor, a role model and an educator.

 4. What is the nature Shabbat? (also called Sabbath) When does it occur?

The nature of the Sabbath is a day of prayer spent in synagogues. But the nature of the Sabbath is to devote one day out of the entire week and focus on the more important things in life other than work and school primarily for one’s faith and observance. The Sabbath occurs on the seventh day of the week, which is Saturday.

 

 5. What is the Torah? What is the Talmud?

 

-          Torah - Torah" refers to the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. But the word "torah" can also be used to refer to the entire Jewish bible. To Jews, there is no "Old Testament." The books that Christians call the New Testament are not part of Jewish scripture.

-          Talmud – the Talmud is the Oral Torah. There is a tradition explaining what the above scriptures mean and how to interpret them and apply the Laws.

6. There are different branches of Judaism. Describe the following…

Orthodox: They believe God gave the whole Torah to Moses at Mt. Sinai,  Orthodox are sometimes called "modern" Orthodox

Reform: German rabbi Abraham Geiger suggested reforming Judaism by underplaying traditional beliefs, and have a greater focus instead on the acceptance and promotion of moral law and monotheism. These ideas eventually led to the start what is now referred to as  Reform Judaism

Conservative: Conservative Judaism believes that while sacred Jewish writings did come from God, there was a human component. Although Jewish law should be obeyed, it must adapt.

Zionist: While a few secular and some Orthodox Jews remain anti-Zionist, support for Israel is now overwhelming.

 

7. What is Hebrew?

It was the language of the early Jews, but from 586 BC it started to be replaced by Aramaic.

 

8. What is Yiddish?

Yiddish was the primary language of Ashkenazic Jews in the shtetl, found throughout eastern and central Europe.

 

 9. Define the following Yiddish terms:

Mazal Tov: "good luck/fortune" in Hebrew and has been incorporated into Yiddish, and is now used in English as well. It is often used in place of "congratulations."

                                                                                                

Shalom: Shalom means"peace." Peace is only one small part of the meaning. "Shalom" is used to both greet people and to bid them farewell, and it means much more than "peace, hello or goodbye.

 

Mitzvah: a precept or commandment of the Jewish law.

 

10. Rites of Passage – Use this link to define and describe the following:

 

Brit Milah (Bris): A part of Jewish birth is the ceremony of circumcision.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah: From the age of 13 and a day onward, a Jew is counted as part of a minyan [the quorum required for public prayer], eligible to read Torah publicly, and obligated to fulfill the dictates of Jewish life.

Jewish Marriage: Originally, a Jewish marriage was proposed in two stages: Kiddushin (betrothal) and Nisu'in (marriage). Through the Talmudic period, these two stages,  were acted one year apart; by the Middle Ages, they had been combined, as they are today. According to the Mishnah, a Jewish marriage is a legal contract which can be formed in three ways. Which are the following: (1) with money (as when a man hands a woman an object of value for the purpose of contracted marriage, and in the presence of two witnesses, and she accepts); (2) through a written contract; (3) or by sexual intercourse, a method strongly discouraged by the Sages.

 

11. Holidays –

Rosh Hoshanah- Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year

Yom Kippur- Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri.

Hanukah- Hanukah is Jewish Christmas, which mirrors many many of the Christmas customs, such as exchanging gift and various decoration.

Passover- Pesach begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan.

 

12. What is something you knew about Jewish traditions that this confirmed?

Something that is confirmed about the Jewish traditions that this lesson confirms is the practice of the Sabbath. I heard that the Sabbath was on Sundays but sometimes I heard it was on Saturdays, and this lesson confirms the conflict.

 

 13. What is the most interesting or surprising information out of all of this?

The most interesting/ surprising information about all of this lesson is the intricate process that Jews go through during their marriage process.

 

 14. What is one aspect of Jewish tradition which is similar to a tradition in your life?

One aspect of Jewish tradition that is similar to a tradition in my life specifically is the tradition of Jewish Bar Mitzvah’s. This is similar to my family tradition of when an individual in my family turns 16. My family throws a large family party and highlights how much that 16 year old has grown and how they are at the starting point of adulthood.

 

15. What is one aspect of Jewish tradition that is different from a tradition in your life?

One aspect of Jewish tradition that is different from my traditional way of life is their marriage system. It’s much more intricate than my traditional views of marriage.