Jewish Worship and Community W1

Jewish Worship and Community Information Sheet

What happens during Shabbat?

At around 3pm, the family starts preparing for Shabbat. Everyone will wash and dress in clean clothes. Since work is not allowed during Shabbat, everything that must be made ready is prepared in advance, such as cooking and cleaning.

18 minutes before sunset on Friday, two candles are lit. These candles symbolise remembrance and observance. Lighting the candles is usually the job of the mother of the family. As the candles are lit, a special blessing is said.

The family then share a meal together with wine and a sweet plaited bread called Challah. There are usually two loaves to symbolise the double portion of ‘manah’ that was given by God when the Jews were wandering the desert so that they wouldn’t have to work on the Sabbath.

Blessings are said over the wine by the man of the house. This blessing is called Kiddush. When the meal is finished, another blessing is said.

Most families will then attend a short service at the synagogue where prayers and a section of the Torah are read or sung. When this is over, they return home to relax, play games together or study the Torah.

On Saturday morning, a longer service is held at the synagogue. After this, the family returns home for another meal together. In the afternoon, they might go for a walk, talk, play games or simply relax before a final Shabbat meal. This meal is usually a small, light meal.

Shabbat ends when three stars are visible in the night sky. This is usually around 40 minutes after sunset. A final blessing is said over candles and wine called Havdalah. Then, Shabbat is over for another week.

Name: ______Date: ______Can you describe the significance of each of these items to the Shabbat meal or how the item is used during Shabbat?

Torah Wine

Challah Candles

Name: ______Date: ______

When does Shabbat start and end?

______

What do the two Shabbat candles symbolise?

______

What is Challah?

______

Why are two loaves eaten?

______

What is Kiddush?

______

Name two typical activities a family might do together during Shabbat.

______

When do Jews attend the synagogue during Shabbat?

______

Name: ______Date: ______

Imagine you are Jewish. Write a letter to a non-Jewish friend explaining what you do during Shabbat and why it is an important time for you and your family.

______

What is the What is the How many name of a name of the first commandments Jewish place of five books of the are there in

worship? Jewish Bible? Judaism?

Answer: The Torah The Answer: Answer: 613 613 Answer: wr: Sng e u g Synago : swer n A

What language What is the What is is the Torah Jewish prayer Shabbat?

written in? book called?

ih a r st re f o day wish e J

Answer: The siddur The Answer: Answer: Hebrew Answer: wr: S ba i e h t is abbat Sh : swer n A

When does When does Who did God Shabbat start? Shabbat end? dictate the Torah

to?

aurday Satu Friday

Answer: Moses Answer:

Answer: At sundown on on sundown At Answer: on sundown At Answer:

Who was the What is the Who were the first Jew? name of a three patriarchs Jewish spiritual of Judaism?

leader?

n c b aco J and

Answer: Abraham Answer: Answer: A rabbi A Answer: A n swer : A br aham, Isaac Isaac aham, br A : swer n A