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.

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

Rites of Passage

• Ritual events marking life’s major changes

• 2 purposes 1. Reflect the inevitable

changes of life2. Define the

responsibilities of each stage of life

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

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

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

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

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

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 one’s 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

Jewish Symbol: the Mezuza• Attached to the right of the door to people’s homes

on the outside• Contains a scroll with the Shema

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

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

Kosher • Means ritually

correct• Applies to food

preparation and consumption• All blood is

sacred to God• It gives life

• Pork and shellfish are forbidden