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JUDAISM
| Judaism
is the religion of the Jewish people. The first
Jew was Abraham, who lived in the Middle East
more than 4,000 years ago and he is called the
father of the Jewish people. He belonged to a
group of nomadic, or wandering, people called
Hebrews and believed that there was only one God.
He spoke to God and made a covenant with Him promising
to worship and obey Him. In return, God promised
to make Abraham and his family His Chosen People.
He guided Abaham's descendants to a new land called
Canaan. |
Jews
believe in one God who is the creator and Lord
of the universe. They believe that God has a special
relationship, the covenant, with the Jewish people.
If they are faithful and live by God's laws, He
will promise them a place in perfect future world.
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Jews worship
in synagogues led by a rabbi. Rabbi is a Hebrew
word that means 'master'. Their holy period, Shabbat,
lasts from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Some
synagogues have services every day. In some, men
and women sit apart, while in others they sit
together. |
The
holy book of the Jews is the Bible, written in
Hebrew. It is divided into three sections, the
most important being the Torah. The Torah is written
on scrolls and contains the teachings that God
gave to the prophet Moses. Among them are the
Ten Commandments. The yad is a metal pointer used
by the reader to follow the Hebrew text. In the
synagogue, the Torah is kept in a special cupboard,
the Ark. |
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| Passover, in
March or April, celebrates the time when the Israelites
escaped from slavery in Egypt. The festival lasts
eight days, beginning with a special meal called
Seder. Jews eat a flat bread called Matzah like
their ancestors did.
Rosh Hoshanah, in September, is the Jewish New
Year. The shofar, a ram's horn, is blown in the
synagogue every morning to remind people of the
things they did wrong the previous year.
Sukkot, in October, is the harvest festival.
Yom Kippur, in September or October, is the Jews'
day of repentance when they say sorry to God and
each other for what they have done wrong. |
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The
six pointed Star
of David is the most recognized symbol
of Judaism. Jewish legend says that David
went into battle with the hexagram on his
shield. Later, when Jews were minorities in
Christian and Muslim nations, they were forced
to wear the star on their clothing to identify
themselves. Today you will see the hexagram
used to identify synagogues and Jewish organizations.
The symbol that was once used to separate
Jews from the rest of society is now flown
on the flag of Judaism's homeland, Israel.
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| The
Mezuzah literally means doorpost, but
is used to describe a small, slim container
attached to the doorpost of some Jewish homes.
It is a box with a tiny scroll containing
the most important prayer called the shema,
outlining Jewish belief. |
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Some
Jewish men wear special clothes to pray. The
Kippah, or skull cap, covers the head.
The Tallit
is a fringed prayer shawl. Tefillin
are tiny boxes with scrolls about the Torah,
strapped to the forehead and arm. The Star
of David is worn on a chain around
the neck. |
The
Chailah Cover is used to cover the
loaves eaten at the Shabbat meal. It is usually
decorated with symbols of the Shabbat including
wine, candles and the plaited loaves themselves. |
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A
Hannukiaft is a candle stick used during
the eight days of the festival of Hannukkah.
It has spaces for eight lights or candles,
with an extra space for the shammas which
must light the rest - one on the first night,
two on the second etc. It is usual to start
on the right, working towards the left as
the festival progresses. The candles should
not be blown out, but allowed to burn away.
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A
Havdatah is a plaited candle, the name
of which means 'distinction'. It is used in
the ritual which brings Shabbat to an end
and symbolises the drawing together of the
different threads of that celebration. |
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A
Shofar is a musical instrument made
from an animal horn and is blown on many occasions,
but particularly at Rosh Hashanah. |
| Websites
to Visit |
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| Judaism
for Children |
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Jewish
Pilgrimages
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- Hampton Hill | Site
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