Judaism

1. You shall not have any other gods before me.

2. You shall not make yourself an idol.

3. you shall not misuse the name of the LORD your god.

4. Remeber the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.      

5. Honour your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.     

7. You shall not commit adultery.            

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not give false testimony aginst your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet.

Shabbat is the Jewish holy day every week. It begins on Friday evening and lasts until Saturday evening. Jewish people see it as God’s commandment to keep the day holy. The idea of a day of rest comes from the story of creation in the Torah (Jewish holy book). The Torah says that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. All work will have been finished before sunset on Friday. The two Shabbat candles are lit at the start of Shabbat by a woman in the household. After this, Jewish families will drink wine from a cup known as a
Kiddush Cup. Challah, a traditional braided bread is also eaten.

Why is Shabbat seen as important?

1) Shabbat is a deal between God and the Jewish people so is a reminder of the promise
and a celebration of God’s kept promises.

2) It is a gift – Many Jewish people look forward to Shabbat as a rest.
3) Shabbat is family time where people should visit and spend quality time with their family.

Many Jewish people follow food laws. Many of these are found in the Torah. If food is allowed, it is called Kosher. If it is forbidden it is called Treyfah.

Ritually slaughtered beef, sheep, goats and deer with no flaws or diseases.

Chcicken, turkey, quail and geese

Salmon, tuna, carp, herring, cod (all fish that have fins and scales.)

Meat eaten separatly from dairy

Wine or grape juice made under jewish supervision

Soft cheese and kosher hard cheese

Stained glass windows: Often show Jewish symbols like the Star of David. God is never shown, as this was an instruction in the 10 Commandments.

The Bimah: This is a platform in the synagogue where the Torah is read or sung from. A yad or pointer is used to follow the text.

The Ark: The Ark is the focal point of the synagogue and it is where the Torah is kept, usually in long handwritten scrolls.

Ner Tamid: The eternal light which is constantly on to show God is always present and keeps his relationship with the world.

Kippah: It is seen as a symbol of respect for men to cover their heads in a synagogue – Even visitors.

Jewish people suffered terribly in the Second World War in an event known as the holocaust where 6 million Jews were murdered in concentration camps. This has led to many Jewish leaders thinking about suffering and why people may suffer at times in life:

1. Some see suffering as a test of faith by God.

2. God cannot always stop suffering because of free will – People are given the choice of how to act and behave and this can have negative consequences.

3.Some see suffering as part of God’s plan

4.People can not understand good if they do not know what evil is as well.

Why? Remembers the events when the Jews, who were slaves in Egypt, were freed under the leadership of Moses. How? On the evening before a special Seder Meal is made with the family. It is made to remember the story + read from the Haggadah

Bitter herbs, the bitter times as slaves.

Matzah (unleavened bread) as there was no time in the escape to let it rise.

Lamb bone, the sacrifice on the last night.

Salt water, the tears of the slaves.

Charoset (apple, cinnamon, nuts and wine) the morter used making bricks as slaves.

Parsley, a spring vegetable and a sign of new life.

Roasted egg, a new life after Egypt.