Jewish Practices and Symbols

1
Jewish Practices and Symbols
2
Observer of the Commandment

• Judaism focuses on how to worship God
• It could be said that for Jews, spiritual
  perfection is mainly a matter of perfect
  observance
• Observing Torah requires not only worshiping God
  but also leading an ethical life.

3
Daily worship through prayer

• Prayer worship is mandatory only for males age 13
  and older
• Women are traditionally excused because of their
  household responsibilities
• Males alone are required to wear certain ritual
  accessories
• Skullcap aka yarmulke- God is higher than humans
• Tefillin- A set of 2 small boxes containing
  biblical passages secured to the forehead and to
  the left arm near the mind and the heart
• The Talit or prayer shawl- can be drawn over the
  head for privacy. And it signifies humility in
  the sight of God
• Prayers are said 3 times a day
• Morning, afternoon, and evening
• Prayers are usually recited at home but in public
  synagogues as well
• Home and synagogue are the two centers of Jewish
  worship

4
Rites of Passage

• Ritual events marking lifes major changes
• 2 purposes
• Reflect the inevitable changes of life
• Define the responsibilities of each stage of life

5
Birth and Naming

• The rite of passage marking the birth of a child
  involves circumcision for boys, and naming for
  both boys and girls
• Boys are circumcised and named in a ceremony that
  takes place on the 8th day of life
• The ceremony takes place in the house of the
  parents
• girls are named at the synagogue during a
  Sabbath service

6
Coming of Age

• Bar mitzvah son of the commandment
• Boys read from the Torah
• Bat mitzvah daughter of the commandment
• Girls also read from the Torah
• Orthodox Jewish girls do not observe bat mitzvah
• The coming of age is the rituals in which boys
  and girls take on the religious responsibilities
  of an adult

7
Marriage

• The bride and groom stand beneath the huppah or
  bridal canopy
• Seven blessing are read over a cup of wine
• The ceremony concludes when the groom breaks a
  wine glass beneath his foot
• Ancient tradition- symbol of the destruction of
  the two Temples in Jerusalem
• It reminds the married couple that marriage
  brings difficulties and pain along with joy

8
Death and mourning

• Several distinct stages of mourning are
  prescribed
• Stage 1 Lasts from death to burial
• Family members rip their clothes and recite verse
  when they find out that a family member died
• The mourners are restricted from certain
  activities- shaving and wearing leather
• They are relieved of many of the normal
  requirements- daily prayer
• The deceased is buried in a plain wooden coffin

9
Death and mourning- stage 2

• The second stage begins after burial with the
  recital of the kaddish
• A prayer of mourning
• This stage lasts for seven days
• During this time community members visit the
  family
• Conversation is limited to good comments about
  the one who has died
• Upon departing, the visitors recite a special
  prayer of comfort

10
Death and mourning- stages 3 4

• A third stage lasts until 30 days after burial
• Normal activities are resumed
• But social gathering and celebrations are avoided
• A fourth stage follows if the deceased is ones
  parent
• It lasts until the first anniversary of the death
• The mourners avoid their usual seats at the
  synagogue
• Recite the kaddish during services and on the
  anniversary of the death

11
Jewish Symbol the Mezuza

• Attached to the right of the door to peoples
  homes on the outside
• Contains a scroll with the Shema

12
Jewish Symbols Shofar

• Shofar
• Represents call to action
• Recalls
• The act of creation
• The sound of trumpets on Mt. Sinai
• Joshua at the battle of Jericho
• Used on Yom Kippur to call people to repentance
• Used on Rosh Hashanah to readiness for a new year

13
Jewish symbols Menorah

• Menorah
• Celebrates the miracle of the oil lamp that
  lasted 7 days longer than expected
• occurred at the rededication of the Temple in
  Jerusalem after the Greeks had defiled it

14
Kosher

• Means ritually correct
• Applies to food preparation and consumption
• All blood is sacred to God
• It gives life
• Pork and shellfish are forbidden