Jewish Rituals Jewish Rituals

And CelebrationsAnd Celebrations

In this SectionIn this Section

Discussion on the following:Discussion on the following:– Life itself as a ceremony within the Jewish Life itself as a ceremony within the Jewish

TraditionTradition– Jewish RitualsJewish Rituals– Jewish ObservancesJewish Observances– Jewish HolidaysJewish Holidays

Life: The Ultimate Religious Life: The Ultimate Religious CeremonyCeremony

Judaism Beliefs on lifeJudaism Beliefs on life

Jewish traditions reflect daily spirituality Jewish traditions reflect daily spirituality within the members of a community.within the members of a community.

The basic aim of Jewish worship is to see The basic aim of Jewish worship is to see all of life as liturgyall of life as liturgy

Liturgy – Public worship or ritualLiturgy – Public worship or ritual

LifeLife

All of life should be a All of life should be a ritual in honor of the ritual in honor of the Creator.Creator.

All movements agree All movements agree this is essential.this is essential.

Jewish beliefsJewish beliefs

Orthodox – specific prayers are to be said Orthodox – specific prayers are to be said in certain situations.in certain situations.

Conservative – less formalized. Rituals Conservative – less formalized. Rituals should express values.should express values.

Reform – Action itself is a form of prayerReform – Action itself is a form of prayer

What happens in the Service?What happens in the Service?

PrayerPrayer

Group Prayer is Group Prayer is extremely important in the extremely important in the Jewish TraditionJewish Tradition

The number, complexity, The number, complexity, and purpose of the and purpose of the prayers recited during a prayers recited during a service at a synagogue service at a synagogue vary.vary.

Vary in accordance to Vary in accordance to hour of the day, day of hour of the day, day of month, and branch of month, and branch of Judaism.Judaism.

Prayer ServicesPrayer Services

Hebrew is Hebrew is incorporated in all incorporated in all services. (Sacred services. (Sacred Language)Language)

Reform and Reform and Reconstruction are Reconstruction are the shortest.the shortest.

Fundamentals to a ServiceFundamentals to a Service

At least 10 adults must be present.At least 10 adults must be present.

AmidahAmidah – a group of grateful salutations and – a group of grateful salutations and prayers of praise to God.prayers of praise to God.

Sh’maSh’ma – a pledge of faith, “Hear O Israel, the – a pledge of faith, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”

AliyahAliyah – public reading from the Torah. – public reading from the Torah. AliyahAliyah means being summoned to read this (honorable)means being summoned to read this (honorable)

YarmulkeYarmulke

Required to be worn Required to be worn at all Jewish at all Jewish congregations.congregations.

Even males of other Even males of other faiths.faiths.

Worn to show respect Worn to show respect to the presence of the to the presence of the divine power.divine power.

MinyanMinyan

To be considered a To be considered a Jewish ceremony Jewish ceremony must be 10 adultsmust be 10 adults

Most Orthodox and Most Orthodox and Conservative require Conservative require 10 men.10 men.

ShabbatShabbat

Also known as the Sabbath, or “repose”Also known as the Sabbath, or “repose”

Rest on the 7Rest on the 7thth day day

Friday at sunset – nightfall SaturdayFriday at sunset – nightfall Saturday

Work is prohibitedWork is prohibited

Jewish ObservancesJewish Observances