Synagogue: Orthodox vs Reform

• Amidah is the central prayer in Judaism, recited three times daily.
• A minyan, a group of 10 men, is required for a prayer service to take place.
• The Aron Hakodesh (ark) is the holiest part of the synagogue, houses the Torah scrolls, and represents the original Ark of the Covenant.
• The Aron Hakodesh always faces towards Jerusalem.
• The Ner Tamid is the eternal light in the synagogue.
• The Bimah is a raised platform where the Torah is read, usually located in the center of the synagogue to enhance audibility and visibility.

Synagogue: Orthodox vs Reform

• Orthodox synagogues have daily services primarily in Hebrew.

• In Orthodox synagogues, the leader faces the Ark, with their back to the congregation.

• Orthodox synagogues have separate seating for men and women.

• In Orthodox synagogues, men always wear a kippah, and married women cover their heads with a hat or scarf.

• Reform synagogues have mixed seating.

• Tallit is a prayer shawl with fringes known as tzitzit, which represent mitzvot (commandments).

• Tzitzit are the fringes of the Tallit and represent mitzvot.

• Tefillin are leather boxes containing scripture, worn in line with the heart, following the teaching in Deuteronomy.

• Service includes opening prayers, the Shema, the Amidah, and final prayers.

• A Kippeh is a head covering worn by men.

• Siddur is the daily prayer book.

Shabbat Importance

• Shabbat is important as it is written: "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy,"
• Shabbat celebrates the creation story, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the world in six days.
• During Shabbat services the ark is opened while the congregation stands, reminiscent of Jews at Mount Sinai when Moses received the Ten Commandments.
• The Torah is held and paraded through the synagogue, symbolizing the journey through the wilderness with the Ark from Mount Sinai to Jerusalem.
• When the torah passes through the synagogue, members touch the torah and then their lips, following the teaching in Ezekiel to consume God's word as "sweet like honey".

Shabbat @ home

• All preparations for Shabbat are completed beforehand.
• Two candles are lit to remember and observe Shabbat.
• Two challah breads are placed on the table, commemorating the food provided for the Jews in the wilderness.
• Wine is used to represent joy and celebration.
• The female member of the family lights the Shabbat candles before sunset on Friday, offering a prayer for God's blessing.
• Following the Friday evening service, families share a meal.
• The Havdalah service marks the end of Shabbat with blessings over a cup of wine.

Naming Ceremony in Synagogue

• A baby's first Shabbat is marked with a naming ceremony.
• The father recites a Torah blessing and asks God for the good health of his wife and baby.
• The baby girl's name is announced during the ceremony.
• The baby is formally introduced to the community and to God.
• Brit Milah (circumcision) is for boys at 8 days old.
• The Mohel places the baby on the Sandek's lap (companion of child).
• A blessing is said, baby named and circumcised.
• Circumcision is a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people as it says: "the sign of the covenant between Me and you" (Genesis).
• Redemption of the firstborn son involves redeeming the firstborn son 31 days after birth with a small amount of money.

Life

• Olam Ha-Ze refers to life here and now.
• Olam Ha-Ba refers to the life to come.
• Gan Eden means paradise.
• Sheol is understood as waiting.
• Abraham's covenant entails circumcision.
• Moses received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.
• Tikkun Olam means healing the world.
• Bar Mitzvah is a coming-of-age ritual for boys at 13.
• After the Bar Mitzvah, Boys start to strictly follow Jewish law.
• During the Bar Mitzvah, the boy reads from the Torah, after preparing for this occasion.
• During the Bar Mitzvah, the boy wears a tallit for the first time.
• At a Bar Mitzvah, the father thanks God for bringing his son to maturity.
• Bat Mitzvah is a coming-of-age ritual practiced in Reform Judaism for girls at 12.
• Betrothal is an engagement period that lasts around a year.

Wedding

• During a wedding, the bride and groom stand under a chuppah.
• The chuppah symbolizes the couple's home.
• A Ketubah is signed with a witness.
• The ketubah details the husband's duties to his wife, emphasizing the spiritual.
• The bride circles the groom seven times, which represent the seven blessings .
• The groom breaks a glass under his heel to represent regret for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
• "Mazel Tov!" (congratulations).
• Marriage brings two people together: "Hence a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so that they become one flesh" - Genesis
• Ketubah is the marriage contract that outlines the bride's rights.
• Chuppah is the wedding canopy that symbolises home.

Mourning

• Making a tear in cloth is a sign of mourning as it is written: "Jacob tore his garments" - Genesis
• Burial happens within 24 hours, accompanied by family.
• Shiva is a 7-day intense mourning period where the Kaddish prayer is recited.
• Shloshim is a 30-day mourning period.
• A formal period of mourning lasts 12 months, during which parties, etc are avoided.
• Formal mourning ends after a year, and the anniversary of a parent's death is marked by lighting a candle for 24 hours.
• Honoring the Dead is known as Kavod Hamet.

Funeral

• Before a funeral, the body is washed and wrapped in a linen cloth, or a tallit for men.
• A simple coffin is used to symbolize equality in death.
• Funerals are not held in a synagogue, as it is a place for the living.
• After the funeral, attendees wash their hands to symbolically leave death behind.
• A tombstone is placed.
• Shiva is a 7 days intense mourning.
• Kaddish is prayer received in 12 month mourning period.
• Trefah is a term for forbidden food.
• Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and the day of judgment for the past year.
• Prayers of forgiveness are said during the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah.
• Sweet food is eaten on Rosh Hashanah to signify a sweet new year.
• Shofar is blown daily in the month before Rosh Hashanah, and 100 times on Rosh Hashanah itself.
• Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, occurs 10 days after Rosh Hashanah, involving fasting and wearing white.
• Yom Kippur is a day that "Atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins" - Tenakh.
• The final Yom Kippur service, the ark is closed which seals God's judgment.
• Pesach lasts 7 to 8 days.
• Pesach celebrates the Jews' escape from slavery in Egypt.
• During Pesach, Yeast is removed from the home to show how the Jews didn't have time to let bread rise when they escaped from Egypt.
• On the first evening of Pesach, families celebrate with the Passover Seder.
• Seder contains: Red wine represents the lambs' blood marked on doors and Unleavened bread also called matzah as it fulfills God command "For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast." - Exodus
• The Passover Seder uses a green vegetable to convey new life in promised land.
• Salt water is used during the Passover Seder to remember the tears shed in slavery.
• Bitter herbs are included during the Passover Seder to signify the bitterness of slavery.
• Sweet charoset is included during the Passover Seder to represent that life is now sweeter.
• Egg and lamb bone are included during the Passover Seder to signify sacrifices made toward the temple of Jerusalem.