World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide

©2018 Achieve Page 53 of 96 Jewish holidays are special days that Jews celebrate. There are central themes in the relationship with God, such as creation, revelation, and redemption. These days appear on the Jewish calendar. Jewish religious observances are grounded in Jewish Law (halakhah), or the path one walks. This is an elaborate framework of the divine (mitzvoth) commandments with rabbinic laws and traditions. Halakhah does not just govern religious life, but day-to-day life. One learns how to dress, what to eat, and how to help the poor. One shows gratitude to God by observing halakhah. There are several practices in Jewish life that are important. The Mitzvah are “commandments”. Sometimes the word is used to refer to rabbinic (Talmudic) law or it can be general good deeds. Mitzvot is the plural found of Mitzvah. The 613 Commandments Maimonides, the Jewish philosopher, made a list of 613 commandments, which he found in the Jewish Bible. In addition to the 613 mitzvot, there is a large body of rabbinical rules and laws, and they are just as binding as the mitzvoth. Punishments are less severe. Rabbinic law can be changed, though it is not often done. The rabbinical part of the halakhah is divided into three groups: gezeirah, takkanah, and minhag. The Synagogue A Jewish house of worship is called a synagogue. The use of the synagogue predates the destruction of the second temple. After the temple was lost, the synagogue replaced ritual sacrifice with Torah readings, teaching, and praying. Religious Clothing A rounded brimless skullcap is worn by many Jews while they pray, eat, recite blessings, and study Jewish texts, it is called a kippah. Some Jewish men wear them all the time. In Orthodox denominations and communities, only men wear the kippot. However, in some communities, women also wear the kippot. The kippot ranges in sizes that include a small, round beanie that covers the back of the head to a large, snug cap that covers the entire crown of the individual. A prayer shawl is called a tallit. The tallit may have knotted fringe or tassels on the four corners called tzitzit. A prayer shawl is worn bymen andwomen during prayer services. In the Sephardi community, boys who have been through bar mitzvah can wear the prayer shawl. In Ashkenazi, it is customary to wear a prayer shawl after marriage. A small tallit, or a tallit katan, is a fringed garment worn under the clothing during the day; sometimes, the fringe hangs freely outside the clothing. Two square leather boxes containing biblical verses (Tefillin) are worn with one box attached to the forehead and the other straps is wound around the left arm. Jewish men and some Jewish women wear it during the morning prayers. Jewish holidays