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values life cycle cycle of the year in a nutshell judaism in a nutshell FOUNDA I Thank youforjoiningus.We hopeyouenjoythecourse! children tostudyathometogether,asourpeoplehavedone forthousandsofyears... publication byourveryownAvrohomZeidman)Itis hopethatthiswillallowparentsand graphic stylethatis“adult-useful-child-friendly”.(Thedrawings havebeendrawnspeciallyforthis This folderhasbeendesignedwiththefamilyinmind.After muchdeliberationwehaveadopteda back toJewishlearning. No longer.Incombinationwiththelectures,Foundations offersauniquerefresherandanaccess we havethequestions! inhibited -theirknowledgesurpassesours!Sometimeswe areunsure-theyhavetheanswersand engage withthem“Jewishly”,participatinginaprocessof transmission.Yetsometimesweare home fromschoolandcheder,brimmingwithknowledge. Thisoffersabeautifulopportunityto Ultimately thispublicationhasbeendesignedasaresourceforJewishparents.Ourchildrencome the linkbetweenclassroomandhome.“Educateaparent,youcreateteacher.” years therehasbeenenormousinvestmentinJewishprimaryschools.Ourgoalistostrengthen seed cooperation atitsbest! jewishpathways.com hasbeenverygenerousinthesharingofmaterialwhenwehaveneededit; to awholenewlevel,complementingdirect-educationprogrammesthroughouttheworld. Thank youtotheteamatJewishpathways.com.Jewishpathways.comtakes“web-education” longstanding andloyalfriendsof and adeepsenseofresponsibilitytotheworldaroundthem.TheDagulFamilyhavebeen indeed afittingtributetoJewishmotherwhoclearlyimbuedherchildrenwithloveofJudaism This booklethasbeendedicatedbytheDagulFamilyinmemoryofMrsJennyDagul.is have beengiventheopportunitytorecreateitinaformatsuitableforwiderpublic. compiled an informal course on basic Judaism to share with others. We feel privileged to determined battle against the forces of assimilation. Many years ago, on their own spiritual journey, on basic Judaism. Jonathan and Sharon Faith are well known in the field of philanthropy, fronting a It was Mr Jonathan Faith who first proposed the concept of a “down to earth” user-friendly course professional partnerofover25years. with meticulouscaretocheckandeditthismaterial,togetherMrYitzchokSilkin–my template whichisbothsophisticatedandaccessible.Inaddition,RabbiAviLazarushasworked combination ofintellectandcreativitytoproducethiswork.Sarihasintroducedadesign Sari Bordon,togetherwithRabbiMalcolmHerman.Avrohomhasutilisedhisformidable is theresultofmanymonthsconscientiousworkfromRabbiAvrohomZeidmanand t iswithasenseofpleasureandpridethatwepresentyoutheFoundationsFolder.This ’s specialtyisthefamily,withafocusonparentsofyoungchildren.Inlasttwentyfive TIONS seed andweappreciateourongoingpartnership. National Director Rabbi JoeyGrunfeld seed UK

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell NUTSHELL JUDAISM INA

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell This opening presentation is the “foundation” the of presentation Foundations. is opening This own. our guide still lives whose with long gonepersonalities, fleetingly shoulders rub and context. in to give the meaning of practice Judaism. We events encounter a code of law and a and code of conduct people placing narrative, En route we the pause momentarily a to concept highlight or review to an episode accentuate that will we then and terminology In this first session we take a whistle-stop tour through the through tour whistle-stop a take we session first this In tomystical. the ordinary G-d by dictated was It Howeverthe communicated. G-d whom with vision prophetic of continues beyond that in the subsequent books of the Bible. These were bywritten people from c from The word ourselves. we discover columns its Within G-d. with connection living a for mandate a Peopleand our of history the is it surface, the Beneath other. of interwovenone the laws, with acollection and astory it is surface On the why . reason we the It are is from heaven sole to the earth. It communication is For scroll. ordinary no is teachings. its to preserve limb and life this Jews have risked of years, thousands then But journey. the triggered that itself scroll the to the have “scroll”- the travelled, Introduction W e have often been called the “The People of the Book”. It is an apt title, although although title, apt Jews Wherever an appropriate. more even is be would It Scroll” the Peopleof “The Book”. perhaps the of People “The the called been often have e reation until the death of on the edge of the Promised Land. The story story The Land. Promised the of edge the on Moses of death the until reation , meaning “five” as in the five books. It details the history of the Jewish People Jewish the of history the details It books. five the in as “five” meaning , itself means “instruction”. G-d’s manual for We life. refer manual tothe it also as G-d’s “instruction”. means itself Himself Torah to Moses. By definition it is multi-layered, spanning the spanning multi-layered, is it definition By Moses. to has come has ittoo with them. often, adherence was All Torah Torah . First we establish establish we First . is one grade up. grade one is 1

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell TORAH

WRITTEN LAW ORAL LAW Torah Shebichtav Torah Sheba'al Peh א TeNaKh Bible z m ו ohar edrash Torah The Five Books Nevi'im of Moses Prophets writings written by 'Tana'im' MISHNA (the teachers) circa 70-200 CE ב almud ז t Bamidbar Devarim Joshua Psalms Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy written by 'Amora'im' Judges Proverbs (the 'quoters') circa 200-550 CE

Samuel Job ג Bereshit Shemot Vayikra Bamidbar Devarim 'Megillot: written by ' 5 ח Kings Va'era Va'etchanan 1ST SET OF commentaries (the Great Ones) circa 550 -1050 CE Isaiah Song of Songs Lech Lecha Beha'alotcha Ekev

Jeremiah Ruth Vayera Tazriah Shelach Re'eh written by '' Early Scholars) circa 1050 -1500 CE) ד Ezekiel Lamentations 2ND SET OF commentaries ט Chayei Shoftim Korach

The 12 Minor Ecclesiastes Toldot Chukat Ki Tetzei prophets written by 'Achronim' Esther Vayetzei Balak 3RD SET OF commentaries (Later Scholars) circa 1500 -TODAY ה Daniel י Pinchas Nitzavim Ezra Ki Tiso Mattot Nehemiah Vayakhel Massei Ha'azinu Book of Vezot Chronicles Habracha Vayechi 70BE0 3760 BCE 7415 NoahBorn 1056 2704 8214 Born 1948 1812 722048 1712 6220 Born 2108 1652 5816 1229 Tribes Born 2192-2199 1568-1561 5223 12 Tribes descend to Egypt 2238 1522 3224 Jews leave Egypt andreceive the Torah at Sinai 2448 1312 2228 JewishNation enters 2488 1272 0 84David b 2854 907 848 2913 Born Solomon 2913 848 3 98First Temple Built 2928 832 796 2964 Kingdom Divided Kingdom 2964 796 555 3205 Northern Kingdom destroyed; Kingdom 10 Northern Tribes exiled 3205 555 2 38First Temple Destroyed 3338 422 2-5 3830 Babylonian Exile 3338-3408 422-352 5 41Purim Events 3401 355 5 48Second Temple built 3408 352 3 62Chanukah 3622 139 8C 88Second Temple destroyed 3828 68 CE .1020c 9040 Compilation ofMishna c. 3900-4000 c. 150-200 .0 .00JewishCentre to Babylon shifts c.4000 c.200 .0 30Gemaracompiled 4300 c.500 1040-1105 4800-4865 's Life Rashi's 4800-4865 1040-1105 0645 First Crusade 4856 1096 1135-1204 4895-4965 ' (Rambam) life (Rambam) Maimonides' 4895-4965 1135-1204 4255 ExpulsionofSpanish Jewry 5252 1492 6816 4852 BaalShem Tov's Life /Chassidism 5458-5520 1698-1760 835563 1803 8018 5054 Life Israel Salanter/Mussar ofRabbi 5570-5643 1810-1883 994 6950 Holocaust 5699-5705 1939-45 9850 State ofIsrael born 5708 1948 Common Jewish HistoryinaNutshell Date Jewish Date Adam &Eve Born " V olozhin" (First Modern ) created orn Event Monotheism of The Birth Revelation Egypt, Exodus & The First Temple Temple andExile ofthe1st Decline The Mishna Mishna and Gemara Development of Medieval PeriodMedieval Movements and Modernity Era 7

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell . have We team. Torah (Shabbat)

itself and introduce the six Torah you will see that it reads as a synthesis Torah reation. In short, this is happened what The sky. The seas, dry land, and vegetation. The sun, stars, moon, and planets. Living creatures the sky of and sea. Mammals that walk the land; man and woman. G-d blessed the seventh day and “rested”. Heaven and earth, Light and darkness. and Light earth, and Heaven n the beginning G-d (Gen. 1:1) created the heavens and the earth…” his is a whistle stop tour of the storyline of the deliberately chosen a narrativedeliberatelya chosenstyle interspersed occasionalwith reation as year 0. We are asreation currently year 0. We in the year 5770*.) Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day 7: Creation The Narrative of the Torah! of the Narrative The Day 1: “I These famous words open the days C of T quotes to give a flavour of quotesrealthe give a flavour to thing. These are the stories that are taught from earliest ages. Of course, they are more than just stories. This is our messagehistory; and meaning. An instructionreplete living. for with When you open the of of narrative and law. Whilst the first book isnarrative, almostthe second begins exclusively thatThe way and thenlaw! quickly exclusively almostbecomes is a book third The both. of combination fourth and fifth are againwe captureblend. Here a the narrative. (The dates used in this section are the “Jewish dates” which place C A * Much discussion is needed to explain the relationship between scientific chronology and creation! There are four four are There of Creation: categories objects:Inanimate but no life-force. form and Plant life: A form to enough life-force not to but reproduce sufficiently. move Animal life: A form and enough life-force to reproduce, to act and to by move, instinct. Humanity: Humanity has a Divine soul and of speech, the power which sets it above and apart the from of Creation. rest Did you know? Did you The fabric of this chapter has been seed the from elaborations with author; the and Press reprinted Targum from permission with from "Foundations of Judaism" by Akiva Aaronson, 8

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Tree you bad may not ofand eat”. Knowledge good G-d told them, “Of every tree of the garden you may eat, but from the definition, their existence was “other worldly”,albeit on this earth. ByEve there.and Adam placed and Eden in garden planteda G-d people. is Hebrew name herIn Eve. wife his called Adam Adam. for wife a created human years to a maximum of 120. to amaximum years human longer. Sadly,reduced gradually they and privilege abused this G-d longevity gaveand powerhumanity G-d and people lived for much Initially place. different very worlda the was existence, human of and Adam his wife had another son Seth. In called those early days of wandering. alife with him punished and Cain cursed G-d The Ten Generations from Adam to Noah Abel’s offering. only accepted G-d but G-d, to offerings brought Abel and Cain Both ground. the of Abel. son named second Cain. him named and son a bore and conceived Eve paradise. of no earthly could the longerThey in live Eden. Garden the from them banished G-d and communicate Knowledge, of Tree could that Eve and fromthe ate Adam toAdam. serpent fruit the offered turn in she a was and tree the from Eveeat to persuaded there serpent The miraculously. garden the In A The ofMankind Beginning walked with G-d.” G-d.” with walked “Noah was in generation;faultless his Noah it says: as righteous, remained Noah Only common. was theft idolatry,and Noah’s generation, the world was corrupt and evil. People practised Japheth. and sons: In Shem, Cham, three for had Noah 950 years. life on all the destroy earth. that would flood a tofor bring He intended ark, an build must he that Noah told G-d T o rn t te r oe ar f l non- all of pair one ark the to bring to After ten After generations, in the year 1056, Noah was born. He lived Eve. and Adam of descendants the by populated was world he G-d G-d “earth”. meaning Adam, called was he so and ground, the of earth the from him created G-d man. first the was dam Chava Chava (“life giver”) because she was the mother of all all of mother the was she because giver”) (“life (Gen. 6:9) (Gen.

Abel became a and shepherd Abel became G-d told Noah G-d

In jealousy, Cain killed Abel. killed Cain jealousy, In (Gen. 2:17-18)

C She bore a bore She ain a tiller a ain tiller

9

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell , and all Ideologically, he he Hebrew”. he The Hebrew”. Noahide Laws

His mission demanded

Seven anaan. C (Tower of Confusion). of of Confusion). Tower Babel (Tower G-d then told Abraham to leave HaranleaveAbrahamG-dtoldtothen

(Gen. 12:2) Literally this means “t are known as the Ha’Ivri. Mitzvot braham left his birthplace Terakh.father,andhiswith travelled to Haran, together braham was born in the year 1948 after Creation and the Jewish of father people. was the Later, AbrahamLater, underwent (circumcision). The Command to Abraham and and Abraham to Command The Journey Abraham’s A The Ten Generations from Noah to to Noah from Generations Ten The Abraham kosher creatures,kosher a male and a female, and seven pairs allof kosher creatures, so that life could be replenished after the Flood. In the year 1656 after Creation, the Flood came and destroyedthe from allrainfell the and up, opened deep the fountainsof The life. the before yearfull a took It nights.forty and days forty for heavens earth was habitable again. The ark came to rest on the mountains andfamily his Noah, survived– ark the in those only Ararat,and of the animals. After the Flood, the wasworld repopulated through thechildren Noah. of G-d gave mankind seven laws as the basis life. for In essence these constitute civilisation of the fabric and a moral society. These seven mankindof is required maintain to them. and to journey to the landthat he leaveof the past behind. G-d promised Abraham: “I will make you into a greatmake name your great.” nation, and I will bless you and A At At the time of Abraham the people were evil together and they to gathered build a tower confused them by to causing them to speak reach different languages. and The became known conquer asTower the heaven. G-d In this impossible situation, the construction had to stop, and the dispersed were people across the region. Abrahamhad set himself apart was He the rest from the world. of called Abraham word word also means “the one from the other side”. stood on one side, while the rest of the world stood on the other. preached andHe monotheism they practised paganism. he Seven Noahide he Seven Laws are: Laws 1. Do not murder 2. Do not steal 3. Do not worship false gods 4. Do not be sexually immoral 5. Do a limb not eat a live from removed animal 6. Do not curse G-d 7. Set up courts and to bring offenders justice T Did you know? Did you 10

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values at the age of 13. age the at a had ofworld. the Arab ancestor Ishmael - the to gaveIshmael Hagar. birth wife named Hagar A The Three Patriarchs On the second occasion encourages Jacob to present present to Jacob encourages Rebecca occasion second the On food. some for birthright the his exchange to him from with away barters he episode first responsibility the In brother. the take to moves Jacob episodes separate two In did. Rebecca but activities disreputable Esau’s of did not Isaac have not a candidate. appreciation an appropriate full clearly was he But family. the of head eldest the become to the entitled as was Esau paper, On aggression. for inclination an with personality father wild a was his hand, other of the on Esau, heir grandfather. and spiritual the was Jacob personalities. different Jacob sons, twin Esau. to birth and gives Rebecca Rebecca. marries Isaac and sensitivity. After some discussion it transpires that she is is she that transpires it of Sarah. a niece discussion some After generosity sensitivity. and unusual and with past water for walks request Eliezer’s Rebecca to before responds prayer, He his kindness. finished her hardly display had lady young and the this that in Abraham, G-d of him asks household Eliezer the assist of to motif the water, is of well Altruism a task. by match. G-d suitable a to find Abraham to prays Eliezer Eliezer Isaac. servant son his trusted for his wife a dispatches select to time was it Now that this was place in It offering son. of his an as ram a brought affiliations. Abraham life. his personal defined all transcended faith him. his that G-d time stops in all for G-d moment demonstrating test, last the the passed had He At demand. with ahead remarkable go to ready this Abraham was Abraham Isaac. instructed son his G-d sacrifice to Isaac. of binding the – the was test ultimate The G-d. in than belief of less model a role no as time all for faith stands the He his times. ten tested become to G-d was People. faith, what Jewish of of man father the of founding the excellence par example Isaac. the named they whom their in age, son a old Abraham bore Sarah Miraculously, and she encouraged her husband to take a second second a take to husband her encouraged she and for braham’s many years was childless wife, Sarah,

Esau was the older of the two. They were very very were They two. the of older the was Esau

Abraham was was Abraham Brit Milah Milah Brit Akeidah Akeidah 11

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell

Later,when

JosephPharaohtold

Eventually, the butler the Eventually,

In prison, correctly

interpreted the baker.hisandbutler Pharaoh’s dreams of two other inmates: wasreleased, butthe baker was hanged. Pharaoh himself had two dreams that no one could interpret, the butler suggested that Joseph be takenprisonof outinterpret to them. the meaning of his dreams seven – years that there of would plenty be famine followed in Egypt. by seven years of After twentyyears one Isaac returns theway On home. Joseph sparked the jealousy of his brothers. He had

n Egypt, Joseph became a servant in the house of Potiphar, one of of one Egypt, n became Joseph servant a Potiphar, inof house the Pharaoh’s leading officers. Potiphar grew rich through Joseph’s I G-d had blessed Joseph, and he was successfulwas allthat he inand Joseph, enterprise.G-dblessedhad did.he Joseph was wrongly accused of acting improperly withof the wife Potiphar and was imprisoned. Pharaoh realised appointed that Joseph G-d viceroy wasPharaoh. over Joseph allordered with the storing of Joseph,of Egypt,grain in preparation and second for only Pharaoh to himselfIsaacto asthoughwas Esau, he receive to critical blessings from him. Isaac was poor-sighted and does not realise the switch of sons. Although, once it became clear to him hewhat happened,does not retract the blessings them.- on the contrary he endorsed But Esau nurtures resentment, forcing his brother has In Jacob En route, ladder”. his a dream, to dream “Jacob’s sees he flee home. a ladder extending earth from with angelsheaven to ascending and descending. Jacobhad four wives. theyTogether gave birth totwelve sons and daughter.oneLater theon,twelve sons Tribes became theTwelve Israel.of recurring dreams that they would eventually bow down to him. Joseph’s brothers came together and sold him as a slave to traders travellingEgypt.to They theirtold father that hadhe been killed a wildby animal. he is attacked by an angel representing hisdefends himselfbrother successfully.Esau. Jacob One of the youngest sons of old Jacob age. was Joseph, the son of his Joseph Becomes Viceroy in Egypt in Egypt Viceroy Joseph Becomes Technically, Arabs are are Arabs Technically, also Semites. descended are They Shem (Sem) from the son of Noah and of Abraham. ancestor Did you know? Did you 12

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values A New KinginEgypt Jochebed. Moses was brought to Pharaoh’s Pharaoh’s to brought was Moses palace. mother own Jochebed. his fetched she Moses, nurse after Hebrew look a to fetch to eye offered she an and to keeping him on was Nile Miriam the sister to Moses’ down bathe. come had who daughter, she made a reed basket for him and placed him him placed by and rescued was He Nile. him River the on for basket reed a made she him. hiding by Egyptians the from him saved mother His greatness. light. spiritual with filled house whole the At this time Moses was born, from the tribe of of Jews. the saviour the be would who born be to about was a boy that him informed the killing of all newborn Jewish males. Jewish newborn all of killing the decreed Pharaoh and continued slavery, their despite number, in to increase the However, Ramses. and Pisom of cities storage the build to them the ordered of and them enslaved He dislike - unlike. threat a as them saw king new the and number, With that, the period of exile in Egypt had begun. had Egypt in of exile period the that, With of famine. years the where were they to survive Pharaoh gave them the fertile suburb of Goshen 70 total. people in numbering indentifies Joseph father, Jacob, joins in The him Egypt. wholethere, resettles and family brother their Then Joseph’s reunion. elderly by to them. a There tearful is himself stood they time This the of lessons the learnt past. had they that understands Joseph Benjamin and defends valiantly one Judah crime. Benjamin, the of brothers, accuses the of and goblet own his of theft identity. a his frames reveals He he before other each to loyalty their test to decides Joseph left. he since passed had years twenty Over him. food. buy to whole the affected famine the region. and began, famine of years The of famine. years seven the T he generation of Joseph died, and a new king came to the the to came king Egypt. new a in and throne died, Joseph of generation he

Eventually Joseph’s own brothers came down to Egypt Egypt to down came brothers own Joseph’s Eventually

When she could no longer hide him, him, hide longer no could she When Joseph recognised them, but they did not recognise recognise not did they but them, recognised Joseph

The Israelites had increased rapidly in in rapidly increased had Israelites The

He was clearly destined for for destined clearly was He p haraoh’s haraoh’s

His astronomers had had astronomers His Levi in in which to dwell, .

At his birth birth At his 13

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell hildren of Israel out of of Israelout Children of

(Exod. 3:6-10)

Then G-d said: “I am the G-d of your father, Abraham, the G-d the of G-d of Jacob…now go Isaac, to the Pharaoh and G-d you the people My take shall of Egypt.” and the bush from G-d called him. to G-d said: “Take off your shoes for the which place you upon are standing is holy ground.” (Exod. 3:5) Moses and his Pharaoh, brother but Pharaoh refused went Israelites to to let go the and burden. instead increased their oses grew up in the palace of Pharaoh. He was an Israelite by birth,wasan Egyptian This dichotomy upbringing. by prince Moses resolved one day when Moses sees day when anone resolved Egyptian taskmaster striking a Hebrew slave. Moses steps in encounter is and public killsknowledge and the Moses flees taskmaster. Pharaoh escaping to The Midian. In Midian Moses married Zipporah, the daughter of a spiritual leader named Jethro. One day Moses was shepherding the Jethro in the sheep wilderness – of when he saw hisa bush burning father-in-law with fire, yet it was not consumed. Moses turned aside to look at the bush, In the final resort, PlaguesTen G-dbrought the againstEgypt and revealed His Kingship the entire world. over M 14

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values The Ten Plagues sacred animal in ancient Egypt. This sacrificea waslamb The leave. toready washaste,great ina night eatenthatdemonstrationhad of a theywhich slaughteredafternoonand thatIsraeliteshad thewhich Thiswas the blood of the sacrifice lamb– a or young goat – where the Israelites had marked their doorpostskilling andall firstbornbeams with males blood. of manand animal alike, exceptOn the in night the of thehouses tenth and final plague,G-d passed through Egypt, : of the Death Darkness: Locusts: Hail: Boils: Epidemic: Wild Animals: Lice: Frogs: Blood: household died. Egyptian each of firstborn male The lived. where region the Israelites the in except over Egypt, darkness thick was There Egypt. in trees and plants the all ate Locusts Egypt. throughout vegetation and men,beasts, destroyed Hail livestock. of people and on bodies the appeared Boils of livestock. death the caused epidemic An Egypt. people throughout attacked animals Wild beast. and man attacking lice, into turned Egypt in dust The Egypt. in Frogs were everywhere to blood. turned Egypt other water in all and Nile The

15

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell

, th Matzot night in the Seder Children of Israel walked , in the year It 2448. must have been a (Exod. 14:16) Moses stretched his hand sea and G-d out split the sea - over an unparalleled the miracle! The through the sea dry on land, and the water side. Theeither them,on wall a formed for The Egyptian army gave Children Israel of chase cried G-d. to out and the G-d Moses: told “Lift up out your your staff arm and over stretch the sea.” Nissan in the year 2448, over 3,300 inover yearyearsthe 2448, G-d’s ago. presence reator of heaven and heaven earth of reator as their of champion cause! Nissan of oses led the Israelites out of Egypt on the morning of the 15 remarkable sight to witness. (A slave nation emerging nation triumphant,slave witness. (A sightto remarkable with the C Egyptions pursued them in great haste – every horse of Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen. G-d said Moses: to “Stretch out your return, hand coming down over on Egypt, its the chariots, and sea, its horsemen.” and the waters shall travelled them before by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a week One by day night.and pillar fire, travel could that they so of after the start of the Exodus, the Israelites reached the Reed tragedyBut loomed. Sea. (Exod. 14:26) M The Exodus The complete rejection of Egypt and all it represented. It was also a test of of test a also was It represented. it all and Egypt of rejection complete taskmaster. former the towards defiance of act an - faith The plague generated a huge ordered Moses and the cryIsraelites to leave. The throughout Israelites asked for Egypt. gold Pharaoh and silver from the Egyptians as Moses had instructed them - this was small reparation for decades haste, the Israelites of did time have not to let their slave dough rise before labour. In their they left. Their dough baked into unleavened bread called which they had also eaten as slaves in Egypt. This was the night of the tenth and finalplague inEgypt – the first history the Jewish of people. The Israelites, numbering at least three million people, left Egypt in the month of Although an exile of exile an Although had been 400 years G-d prophesied, Hispeople brought after out of Egypt Some 210 years. commentators the that explain an came to exile end earlier because of the the degree of the suffering so was Israelites great. Did you know? Did you 16

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values On the 6 the On on Sni n h Sni eet Ti ws n h 1 the on was This desert. Sinai the in Sinai Mount reached the Israelites ofSea, the Reed the crossing Five after weeks to G-d. praise of song a sang also women the all and Aaron, and Moses of sister forty days in the land. Butthe in days land. ten forty of the twelve spent spies Twelve Israelites mission. the spy a Israel, out sent of land the to Close G-d. of presence the observe literally could One was a place of intense holiness and wilderness.It spirituality. the in wandering of years the Thiswas the centre of Divine worship during portable,mini, Temple G-d. instructedbyas a built Israelites The the of Tablets the carrying from descended Moses nights, forty and days forty After - Sea” of the at the sea - celebrating their salvation. song This “The is called Song a sang songfor Moses and the of to Israelites the praise G-d miracle 13:30-31) (Exod. Moses.” servant His in and G-d in faith had they and G-d, feared saw andthe people Egypt, Israel against inflicted had seashore. that G-d hand the great the on dead Egyptians the saw Israelites the and ofEgypt, from hand the Israelites the saved day,“On that G-d empire. of Defeat an man. to returned waters the and army,down on them the to crashing normal, Egyptian drowning a sea, the over hand his raised Moses of the Ten Tablets on 10 the of set second a with returning time third a for the forpeople.Jewish heLater ascended The next day he Mount to ascended again Sinai pray for forgiveness smashed. they and the cast Moses calf, golden the seeing On tragedy. spiritual a was This a . made had the Israelites absence his in that him the entire Torah entire the him taught G-d and Sinai, Mount ascended Moses day, following The voice the of G-d. heard child woman and worldin unique was history. Itrevelation. a was Everymass man, th of C (Exod. 15:1-19) (Exod. ommandments to the entire Jewish people. This event people. to Jewish This the entire ommandments Sivan th of , in Divine Revelation, G-d spoke the first two first the spoke G-d Revelation, Divine in , – the Written –the Mishkan Mishkan Tishrei Tishrei . Afterwards, Miriam the prophetess, the the prophetess, the Miriam Afterwards, . ( ()a - Torah C ovenant. However, he found he However, ovenant. and the Oral the and ).

t ablets from his hands hands his from ablets Torah st of . Sivan

. 17

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell aleb. aleb. The C (Deut. 34:10) To illustrate our rich heritage and portray illustrate the To importance of the transmission - interview a family tree Compile old photos look at grandparents,

Activity: Aim: Aim: parents’ assistant parents’ Joshua becameJoshua the leader of the Jewish people after Moses, and led Promised the into Jordan River the acrossIsrael of generation new a Land. returned with a gloomy report, expressing a lack of faith in G-d’s ability to conquer the land. Sadly their view prevailed, despite the protestations of the two righteous spies, Joshua and Jewish people lost hope. G-d then decreed that all those between years20ages the60years theto of their righthadenter forfeited to those only yearsandforty for wander now would people The land. inheritepisode thethe would time of the at yearstwenty old below land. This spies. was with the honourable two the of exception There were several incidents of forty years. There note was the rebellion of Korah, thata cousin of Moses. took place He maintained that he inhad been passed inover the distribution of those honours and he mustered a There mutiny. was also the attempted cursing of the Israelites by the non-Jewish prophet Bilaam. turned his curse rich to blessing. G-d follow quite didn’t andoccasion one himself on Mosesfact,erred In the instruction of G-d. thisFor he was not permitted to enter the LandIsrael. of Nonetheless,receives he ultimatethe obituary from G-d himself: “There againnever arose in Israel, like a prophet Mosesknew who G-d face face.” to n Joshua was not the Joshua was son of Moses but his closest disciple. to He is compared the moon against Moses as the sun. I he most other words the “reflected” closely of the master, light as the moon reflects the sun. Did you know? Did you 18

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values We would liketo thankwww.headcoverings-by-devorah.com for to permission usematerial inthecompletion ofthischart. iii Expulsionfrom Garden ii The sinofeating from i Sixdays ofcreation ii Jacob hisfamily brings i iii Joseph sold into slavery ii Joseph’s dreams i iii Jacob marries ii Jacob meetsRachel i iii IsaacandRebecca ii The purchase ofcave of i iv The Covenant withG-d iii Abram battles the kings ii Pharaoh takesSarai i The ofBereshit Book 11 Abram journeys to Canaan Josephreveals himself to Jacob settlesinCanaan Jacob’s ladder Sarah dies 7 5 9 3 1 his brothers the Tree ofKnowledge to Egypt Machpelah Lech Lecha Vayeshev Vayigash Vayetzei Bereshit vii vi Abram’s &Sarai’s name v v Decree ofdestruction iv Abel Cain kills iv Effectsofthefamine iii The familysettlesin v iv Judahand Tamar v ofeleven iv Birth Tribes v iv Abraham dies Joseph imprisoned in Josephimprisoned Jacob’s home journey Descendants ofIshmael The birth ofIshmael The birth of Eden Egypt are listed on Egypt Goshen change Circumcision iii Curse ofCanaan ii Covenant i The Flood iii Jacob’s blessingofthe ii Jacob’s blessingof i iv ofBenjamin The birth iii Jacob has “Israel” addedto ii Dinah’s kidnap i iv toiii SarahIsaac gives birth ii Abimelech takesSarah i ii i ii Jacob buys Esau’s i 10 12 Confrontation with Esau Joseph’s promise to Jacob destroyedSodom Josephinterprets ofJacob and The birth 6 8 4 2 Ephraim andManasseh Pharaoh’s dreams birthright Esau Joseph becomes the viceroy his name Ishmael expelled Vayishlach Vayechi Miketz Vayera Toldot Noach Kings ofEdom vii Kings vi Esau’s andSeir’s v v iv The Tower ofBabel vii vi v iv Jacob’s death v v iv Joseph’s brothers are iii Famine strikes iii Jacob takesthe Isaacdies

Joseph’s death and Ten generations to Benjamin arrested Benjamin Covenant withAbimelech descendants Abram promise Twelve Tribes accused asspies blessing ofEsau Binding ofIsaac

Rebecca isborn 19

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell ncense Altar ncense Tabernacle Priests and the Altar Priests serpent Pharaoh from heaven V Manna from VI Shabbat laws a rock from Water VII attacks VIII Amalek III Construction the of The I The IV The staff becomes a staff becomes The IV begin Plagues Ten The V Va'era Vayakel Tetzaveh Beshalach Mishpatim Sinai the Tabernacle the mission 4 6 8 2 10 Escape from Egypt I Escape from II Splitting of the Reed Sea III Song the Sea at waters IV Bitter I Social laws II Sealing the Covenant III Moses Mount ascends the Menorah I Oil for clothing Priest’s The II of the III Consecration Shabbat The I building II Materials for Moses protests the I Moses protests genealogy II Moses’s Moses to returns III ing the Tabernacle ing the descends firstborn receives The Ten Ten The receives Commandments Tabernacle (Tablets) Pharaoh Plea for Divine mercy for Plea The Jewish nation Jewish nation The III IV Other laws The Cloud of GloryThe IV V Thirteen Attributes The VI Second Luchot The VII IV Sanctificationthe of The burning bush The IV V Moses to is sent response VI Pharaoh’s Bo

Yitro Ki Tisa Shemot Pekudei Terumah Shemot alf olden c nstructions build- for building the Taber- building the Temple) nacle (Mini ing the Torah Moses judges appoints the Priests Jewish people Contributions for for I Contributions II I 9 7 5 3 1 On the advice of Jethro, of Jethro, I On the advice Pharaoh enslaves the enslaves Pharaoh The half-Shekel for census half-Shekel for The 11 The Book Shemot of The Preparation for receiv- for II Preparation Placements into the into III Placements The Jews are counted counted are Jews The I II Making the garments of I Shabbat The II g The III the Luchot IV Moses breaks iI Birth of Moses flee to iII Moses is forced plagues I Final Seder first Pesach The II Egypt from Exodus The III i 20

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values II The sellingandredemp- I The Sabbatical year II Laws for theFirst Fruits I Laws for aHolynation II Laws ofthediseaseson I Purification from the III The Peace-offerings II The Meal-offerings I The Burnt-offerings II DeathofAaron’s sons: The of Book (Shmitta) diseases oftheskin I 9 5 3 1 7 ) ( ) (Mincha tion oflandinIsrael houses Nadab andAbihu Tabernacle nauguration ofthe Kedoshim Vayikra Metzora Shemini Behar IV Laws ofslaves III Laws oflendingmoney III The consequences of III The laws and ofpurity V IV The Mistake-offerings IV Laws ofkosher animals III Priests are warned The Guilt-offerings and fish against drinking tionships and forbidden rela- forbidden practices impurity V ayikra II ofthe The portion I Additional offerings II Endowment evaluations I Reward andpunishment II Laws oftheKohen Gadol I Laws ofPriests II Prohibition againsteat- I The Yom service Kippur II Laws ofthediseases I Childbirth 10 ) (Musaf 2 8 6 4 (High Priest)(High the skin Priests ing blood Acharei Mot Bechukotai Emor Tzav III I III The Festivals III Forbidden relation- III Laws ofthediseaseson clothing Priests ships nstallation ofthe 21

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Sihon and Og nter-tribal marriage nter-tribal (The Sotah) sacrifices years of offerings laws The III Shabbat violator The IV division of Israel The IV of inheritance laws The V VI Daily and holiday cities of refuge The V VI I Aaron dies V Aaron with Canaan war The VI VII Snakes with VIII Confrontation Suspected adulteress IV Suspected adulteress The V Leader’s dedication offering dedication VI Leader’s Naso Massei Chukat Shelach Pinchas responsibilities spies zealousness Heifer) responsibilities 6 8 4 2 Camp purification III Camp 10 Moses sends the twelve I Moses sends the twelve of forty decree The II (Red Adumah Parah The I of Moses death The II III Moses hits the rock with Edom IV Near war for reward I Pinchas’ Midian attack to II Orders III A new census of Israel I Journeys of Israel borders The II III New leaders cities Levitical The IV The Gershon family’s Gershon family’s The I Merari family’s The II uail) Q curse becomes a curse becomes blessing firstborn and Levites ( S’lav Sinai Shares of the Priests and and Priests the of Shares srael is lured by Moab by is lured IV Israel Bilaam’s attempted attempted III Bilaam’s IV Redemption of the Responsibilities of Priests Priests of Responsibilities IV V Complaints and the V Complaints VI Miriam is quarantined request Transjordan request Balak Mattot Korach Bamidbar Beha'alotcha duties of Levites nauguration of Levites nauguration staff to him to curse Israel rebellion 9 7 5 3 1 The rebellion of Korah rebellion The The Book Bamidbar of The Laws of vows I Laws against Midian war The II III Reuben and Gad Balak hires Bilaam to Bilaam to I Balak hires donkey speaks II Balaam’s I the for punishment The II almond-blossoming The III III Pesach IV Departure Mount from The census The I camp arrangement The II and the census The III I Menorah II I 22

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values II Blessingsandcurses I ) (Bikkurim ofevents,I Recollection King to readII King Deuter- I Newleadership II Warning against I Reward for obedience II Moses’ death blessesthe I Moses Tribes IV Priestly Gifts III Kings II Penalty for idolatry I Establishingjudgesand The ofDevarim Book 11 weeks ofhislife by inthefinal Moses encounters andvictories, 7 3 9 5 1 onomy to allofIsrael overconfidence police Vezot Habracha Vayelech Devarim Ki Tavo Shoftim Ekev III Moses’ final words III Final preparations for IV Following G-d III Warnings IX Unsolved murders toVIII Going war VII Conspiring witnesses VI Cities ofrefuge V Prophecy entering Israel I IV III II Setting upthecitiesof III Setting II Loyalty to G-d I Moses’ plea Moses toldII Moses to ascend I Moses’ song IV Kosher andnon-kosher III Idolatrous prophet andcity meatII Non-sacrificial I The choice 10 Female captives Returning to G-d II Returning I The Covenant withG-d 2 4 8 6 Firstborn’s inheritance The rebellious son Marital Laws Marital right Mount Nebo Mount animals refuge Va'etchanan Nitzavim Ki Tetzei Ha'azinu Re'eh VIII VII VI V VII The Exodus VI Warnings V The Shema(HearOIsrael) IV The VII Festivals VII Firstborn animals VI Sabbatical year V Tithes III Life’s choice Laws ofemployees Widows andorphans Gifts for Gifts thepoor Amalek 23

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell deal for children *Ideal for – Ephraim Waxman – Ephraim Rabbi Berel Wein – Rabbi Berel – Rabbi Berel Wein – Rabbi Berel – Jerome Hahn – Jerome – Benjamin Blech – Akiva Aaronson Ganz Yaffa – – Rabbi Chaim Schloss Eisen Yosef – Rabbi – Rabbi Nachman Zakon Wein – Rabbi Berel The StoryThe 1650-1995 of the Jews in the Modern Era

The story of the Jews in the medieval era 750-1650 story era The of the Jews in the medieval

anach” T imeline” T diot’s Guide to Jewish Jewish Guide to Idiot’s he Complete of Judaism” he Foundation Years” 2000 Experience: he Jewish riumph of Survival” T T T T “ History and Culture” History” of Jewish Years “2000 “Bible Basics” “ “ (2 volumes) “Sand and Stars” “Dor L’Dor Advanced Journey”“Miraculous “ 350 BCE-750 story The era of the Jews in the classical of Glory” “Echoes of Destiny”“Herald Basic Chumash” Stone “Artscroll Stone “Artscroll Suggested reading: Suggested 24

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values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell the festivals the reference to all easy an covering as designed have been approach, materials brush broad a take we session this In newcomers. excited the and life-experienced - the is for many highlight The ) ׳ It is our challenge as parents to transform the the transform to parents as challenge our is It home. for Jewish vibrant the ideas practical we suggest and of life rush the in overlooked often so days special these of significance deeper the on touch also Wewill The sitting. one in year Introduction T identity. the Around encounter. definitive a Study of the festivals dominates the educational life of our children as they come home come they m home-made their as clutching from school and children our of life educational the dominates festivals the of Study of proximity, terms in to or from, measured is itself of year the In our are homesseasons replaced with the the seasons”.agricultural “festival The progress itself. of life amicrocosm it is respects many In he Jewish year is a rich tapestry of moods and emotions. From the solemnity of the the of solemnity the From Neilah emotions. and moods of tapestry rich a is year Jewish he service, to the singing of the tosinging the service, Seder night - the songs span generations, linking old and young young oldand linking generations, span songs the - night table we give our children their Jewish Jewish their children our give we table Tov Yom party. c rm “utrl eprec to experience “cultural” a from hagim enorah or mini- Pesach c ! or Rosh Hashana. hagim ) practices. ) practices.

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values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Month Dates Event Theme Night of Bedikat Chametz Search for Chametz around the house with a candle and feather 14th (Search for Chametz) Ta’anit Bechorot Day of 14th Firstborn males fast or participate in a Siyum (Fast of Firstborn) Nissan Freedom from Egyptian slavery 15th-22nd Festival- Pesach (Passover) The Jewish Year Seder nights and Haggadah story 16th Nissan- Sefirat Ha’omer Countdown to 6th Sivan (Counting of the Omer) Modern- Yom Hazikaron 4th Remembering fallen soldiers who died fighting for Israel (Day of Remembrance) Modern Holiday- Yom Ha’atzma’ut 5th Celebration of Israel’s independence Iyar (Independence Day) issan 18th Lag Ba’omer Celebrating the hidden spiritual depth contained in the Torah r/ N Modern Holiday- Celebrating the recapture of and the during a i 28th d en Pesach: Iy Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) the Six Day war A Sh Yom a ar Hazikaron: r Giving of the Torah d Sivan 6th - 7th Festival- Shavuot (Pentecost) A Yom Custom to learn all night and to eat cheese-cake Ha’atzma’ut: nd Purim: Commemoration of five tragedies including the breaching of the 2 Temple walls Lag Shavuot: 17th Fast day- Shiva Asar B'Tammuz t S Tammuz This day also marks the commencement of “the Three Weeks” when a Ba’o i v Omer: Yom mer: v we don’t listen to music or cut hair etc. e Yerushalayim: a A day of national mourning - five tragedies occurred including the n 9th Fast Day- Tisha B’av h Av destruction of both Temples S

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values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell

Rosh Bircat Bircat clothes. and in Psalms Kiddush Levana. . Shabbat Mevarchim. Amida Rosh Chodesh) (lit. “Additional”) . Rosh Chodesh d’s d’s presence will soon fillall the earth and called Musaf ‑ Rosh Chodesh is called Rosh Chodesh will occur during the week ahead. Amida which is a celebratory prayer of of prayer is a celebratory which before Veyavo after (Grace called Meals) Ya’aleh (“Blessing for the month”). Shabbat Mevarchim we recite a special prayer called Shabbat we: Rosh Chodesh nce a month, there is a special blessing called nce a month, there is a special blessing The moon has the most obvious monthly cycle of all the stars Birchat HaChodesh the new month is announced, as well as the iddush Levana is usually recited on the Saturday night after Chodesh as one leaves the synagogue, dressed in Shabbat On he Hamazon Add Add a special prayer of blessing in the n Practice:

Add a special▪ Add Recite ▪ Recite (Although it can be said up to 15 days after I K Kiddush Levana (“Sanctification of the Kiddush Levana moon”) Jewish Meaning: O Shabbat Mevarchim (“Shabbat on which we which we on (“Shabbat Mevarchim Shabbat bless”) T If the last month had 29 days: had last month If the day month has one The NEXT On ▪ and planets, so we take the occasion of its renewal to make a blessing blessing a make to renewal its of occasion the take we so planets, and for the entire masterpiece. Blessing the moon on its reappearance is a way trust that the of light of G renewing our in The soon very our time. exile, from be will redeemed our people celebration in dancing and songs with concluded therefore is blessing and joy. HaChodesh In day(s) on which blessings with filled be should month coming the that pray also We for all of us. Sources: ( Sanhedrin 42a) (Talmud Anyone who blesses the month in its time, is as if he is the Divine greeting Presence 4

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Festivals Aim: To bring the Jewish year alive and create anticipation for festivals.

Activity 1: Create your own basic Jewish family calendar judaism in a nutshell and mark off the days leading up to your “favourite” festivals. Each member can designate their “favourite” festival and write

parents' assistant parents' their name by it in their chosen colour! Activity 2: For each festival, make a simple recipe of fun food with the children. E.g. Oily popcorn for Chanukah, Matzah pizza for Pesach etc. Key Facts: cycle of the year In Judaism, a new day begins at night. 1(Just like Shabbat starts on Friday night) The festivals of Pesach and Sukkot are each a blend of Yom Tov and 2Chol Hamo’ed. Yom Tov means a fully-fledged festival day. On Pesach and Sukkot, their days of fully-fledged Yom Tov are surrounded by days known as Chol Hamo’ed (lit. “Pseudo festival”). As the term suggests, they are festive days without all of the festival prohibitions.

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M d gh e search the house for clean it away. i ay he community comes together to hear a special lecture, reviewing lecture, special a hear to together comes community he the Pesach laws. used or eaten. This includes food made from the following rom this point until the end of end the until point this rom irstborn males fast, as a reminder of the 10th plague where G-d killed G-d where plague 10th the of reminder a as fast, males irstborn the Egyptian male firstborns but saved the Jews. Alternatively, Mi D N Shabba grains: wheat, rye, barley, oats, and spelt; this includes foods such as biscuits, cakes, cereals, pasta, crackers and bread. Liquids made from grain alcohols are also forbidden. those who attend a emoval of Chametz) Bi’ur (Removal Chametz F W of Firstborn”) “Fast (The Bechorot Ta’anit F Shabbat HaGadol Shabbat) (TheShabbat Great T Chametz) for Bedikat (Searching Chametz Nissan Any expensive Any non Jew for the duration of Pesach. This is arranged by the local Rabbi. study of a volume of Jewish text) are not required to fast. A is generally organised in 6

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values 15th Pesach (Passover)

Duration: judaism in a nutshell Outside Israel: Lasts for 8 days (2 days Yom Tov, 4 days Chol Hamo’ed, 2 Sources: days Yom Tov) ‘And on the fifteenth Israel: Lasts for 7 days day of this month is the Festival of (1 day Yom Tov, 5 days Chol Hamo’ed, 1 day Matzot to Hashem; Yom Tov) you shall eat Matzot for a seven-day Names: period.’ Pesach (Passover) (Lev. 23:6) cycle of the year (The angel of G-d “passed over” the homes of the Jews while smiting the firstborn Egyptians.) Chag HaMatzot (Festival of Unleavened Bread) Z’man Cheruteinu (Time of Our Freedom) Chag Ha’Aviv (Festival of Spring) Jewish Meaning: esach is the first of the Shalosh Regalim (Three Pilgrim Festivals) Pwhen during the Temple era, Jews travelled from all over Israel to the . life cycle Pesach commemorates the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt under the leadership of Moses over 3,300 years ago. During their hasty departure, the Jews did not have time to fully bake their bread and allow it to rise. The result was the creation of Matzah which we eat on Pesach as a reminder of that Egyptian slavery. In Practice: esach is marked by an elaborate Seder (lit. “order”) on the first two Pnights. (In Israel, on the first night only). TheSeder is designed to give each Jew the experience of “going from slavery into freedom.” The text used during the Seder is synagogue called the Haggadah (lit. “The Narration”) - it tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt. On the Shabbat during Pesach, we read Shir Hashirim (“The Song of Songs”) in Shul. This is a Megilla (book in scroll form) written by King Solomon. The book is a “love song” expressing the relationship between

7 values ,

Pesach sacrifice in Marror/Matzah Pesach A reminder of times. the Temple A reminder the festival of sacrifice. A reminder of the bitter times we had in slavery. Jewish the by used cement the Resembling slaves to make bricks for the pyramids. Egyptian Dipped into salt water, symbolising the tears the Jewish of slaves. To be used to make the sandwich Sometimes under put the main plate. we drink 4 cups of wine to remind us of G-d’s of usremind to wine of cupsdrink 4 we Yom Yom Tov with the incumbent restrictions on : : : Seder are a marked the beginning of the “courtship” between G-d between “courtship” the of beginning the marked plate there plate is a: : (Mixture of (Extra egetable) V ( (Bitter herbs) (Bitter Pesach Pesach is a time of redemption. We hope Elijah will come and hree Matzot: hree leaves) Marror Charoset Charoset Karpas Chazeret T Bone: Egg: Marror chopped nuts, apples, apples, chopped nuts, wine and cinnamon) Pesach four promisesfour salvation. of a fifth out put Elijahof for wine Prophet. cup We the ( announce the future redemption and building the Temple.) of Also duringAlsothe work (only the seventh day for those the seventh living day for (only inwork Israel). SederThe : On the Seder G-d and the Jews. It is especially appropriate to read this on Seven days after the Exodus from Egypt, the Jews arrivedReed at Seathe with Pharaoh in allowing pursuit. the Jews to The walk through sea on dry land, miraculously and then the split, closed,sea drowning the Egyptian soldiers. The seventh and days eighth of and the Jews before they finally became “wedded” at Mount Sinai. Mount at “wedded” became finally they before Jews the and because because Names Why do we lean? do we Why

he Oral law tells tells law he Oral he Four Questions he Four 2. Language 3. Dress asked during the asked Seder are: Matzah, not Why 1. bread? herbs? bitter Why 2. dip our do we Why 3. twice? food 4. T the Jews us that redemption merited because Egypt from preserved their they Jewish: 1. T Did you know? Did you Did you know? Did you 8

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values 16th Sefirat Ha’Omer (Counting of the Omer) Sources: Jewish Meaning: ‘You shall count for yourselves - from the judaism in a nutshell n the second night of Pesach, we begin counting the Omer. morrow of the rest O day, from the day In the days of the Holy Temple, the Jewish people would bring when you bring the a barley offering on the second day of Pesach. This was called Omer of the waving- the Omer (lit. “sheaf”) and in practical terms would permit the seven weeks, they consumption of recently-harvested grains. shall be complete. Until the morrow The counting of the Omer is for 49 days from Pesach leading up to of the seventh week Shavuot. We were freed from Egypt only in order to receive the you shall count, fifty Torah and to fulfil it; thus we count from the second day of Pesach days…’ until the day that the Torah was given - to show how greatly we (Lev. 23:15-16) desire the Torah. This is also an important period of growth and cycle of the year introspection, in preparation for the holiday of Shavuot. Did you know? The Talmud tells us that In Practice: the famous sage Rabbi Akiva (1st century) had he Omer is counted every evening after nightfall. We count both 24,000 students who Tthe days and the weeks. For example, on day 31, we say “Today tragically died during is the 31st day, which is 4 weeks and 3 days of the Omer.” the Omer period, When the Omer is counted in the evening, it is said with a blessing. because they did not treat each other with If you forget to count one evening, all is not lost! Count the

sufficient respect. life cycle following daytime, but without a blessing. Then continue the next Therefore, for 33 days evening with a blessing. If you miss an entire day, continue without from Pesach until Lag a blessing. Ba’Omer, we observe the following signs of The blessing for the Omer is: mourning: 1. no weddings ּבָרּוְךַאּתָה ה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶךהָעֹולָם אֲׁשֶר קִּדְׁשָנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיווְצִּוָנּו עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹומֶר׃ 2. not listening to Baruch Ata Adonoy, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu instrumental music b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al s’firat ha’omer. (vocal music is Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who sanctified permitted)

us with His Mitzvot, and commanded us to count the Omer. 3. no haircuts or synagogue Today is ‘X’ days, which is X weeks and X days of the Omer. shaving, unless for business purposes (Customs vary regarding the exact start and finish of the 33 days)

9 values Talmudic sages, h h h Yahrtzeit of one of the greatest om Ha’atzma’ut (Independence (Independence om Ha’atzma’ut om Hazikaron (Day of (Day om Hazikaron 18t 5t 4t Lag Ba’Omer (33rd Day of the Omer) Day (33rd Lag Ba’Omer Y Day) Y Remembrance) May 1948, after 2,000 years of exile. This was the his day commemorates sovereign the government creationin the Land of of Israel a on Jewishthe th T climax of a long struggle to re-establish the in pioneers early the with beginning “Palestine” in a Jewish state 1880s. We give thanks miracle.to G-dIn Israelfor andthis throughoutmodern there are parties and celebrations. the dayJewish World, 5 , the primary book of Jewish mysticism () on his marks the Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. It is a day of great celebration. his day honours the memory of the Israeli soldiers who gave their gave who soldiers Israeli the of memory the honours day his lives in defence of the Jewish people. It is a day of sadness and According to our tradition, Rabbi Shimon revealed the secrets of the his deathbed. Iyar T

T poignancy. We, who enjoy the land, can only walk its streets because streets its walk only can land, the enjoy who We, poignancy. others sacrificed themselves for the Jewish People. Memorial and prayer ceremonies are held. 10

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Many visit the tomb of Rabbi Shimon in the Galilee town of Did you know? Meiron. It is customary to light bonfires to commemorate the great mystical illuminations revealed by Rabbi Shimon. On Lag Ba’Omer, Rabbi Akiva’s students stopped 28th dying. There is no mourning on this day. Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) judaism in a nutshell

his day commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem in the 1967 TSix Day War. We celebrate by remembering the significance of our Holy City, which has stood as the capital of the Jewish nation for nearly 3,000 years. cycle of the year life cycle synagogue

11 values ) Torah at Mount Sinai, (Three Pilgrim , it is known is it Pesach, Torah Shalosh Regalim Yom Tov) (Weeks) (Season of the Giving of the (Festival of First Fruits) (Harvest Festival) h ) (2 days Yom Tov (1 day 6t Shavuot (Pentecost) Shavuot occurs 50 days after the first day of day first the after days 50 occurs Israel: Lasts for 1 day is the second of the is the culmination the“counting of the of seven-week-long Shavuot ”. ”. It commemorates the giving of the havuot Festivals) when, during the era,Temple Jews travelled from all Shavuot up to the Sinai experience. In recognition of the weeks of anticipation leading Z'man Matan Torateinu Chag HaBikkurim Chag HaKatzir in English as “Pentecost”, a Greek word meaning “the holiday of 50 of holiday “the meaning word Greek a “Pentecost”, as English in days”.) Jewish Meaning: S Names: (Since Duration: Duration: Lasts for 2 days Outside Israel: over Israel to the Temple in Jerusalem. Israelover the to Temple Shavuot Omer fifty days after the ExodusEgypt. from Sivan (Lev. 23:16,21) (Lev. Sources: ‘Until the morrow of seventh the week, you shall count fifty shall days... You gather on this very day- shall be there a holy gathering yourselves- for you shall do no laborious it work; is an eternal decree in your dwelling yourplaces for generations.’ 12

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values In Practice: n Shavuot, it is customary to decorate the Shul with branches Oand flowers. The reason for this is because Mount Sinai blossomed with flowers on the day the Torah was given. Shavuot is also associated with the harvest of wheat and fruits. From Shavuot through to Sukkot, farmers from across the country would bring the judaism in a nutshell Bikkurim (first fruits) of the season to the Temple as an expression of gratitude to G-d. Only fruits from the “seven select species” of Israel were brought. There is a universal tradition of eating dairy foods on Shavuot. Many sources for this have been suggested, such as the verse in “Song of Songs” (4:11) which refers to Torah as: “It drips from your lips, like honey and milk under your tongue”. Others say that upon receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, the Jews became obligated to keep the laws of . Since it took time to prepare cycle of the year Kosher meat, they ate dairy temporarily. There is a widespread custom to stay up the entire first night learning Torah. On the second day of Shavuot, (first day in Israel) we read the story of Ruth in Shul. This is a Megilla (book in scroll form). Ruth was a non-Jew whose love for G-d and Torah led her to convert to Judaism and to accept the Torah as we did at Sinai. On a deeper level, the souls of eventual converts were also present at Sinai, as it says: “I am making (the covenant) both life cycle with those here today before the Lord our G-d, and also with those not here today”. (Deut. 29:13) Did you know? Ruth has a further connection to Shavuot, in that she was the ancestor of King , who was born on Shavuot, and died on Judaism does not actively encourage Shavuot. conversion. Righteous Gentiles have a place in the World to Come. In fact Naomi, (Ruth’s mother-in-law) tried several times to synagogue dissuade Ruth from converting but Ruth was persistent. She stands as an example par excellence of sincerity and integrity.

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). ). of th Av Tammuz of of ] and 10 th of th scroll - setting a Tishrei Torah of rd Tisha B’Av (9th of ammuz (17 T Tzom Tzom Gedalia [3 , Av h is a fast day inaugurating a three-week period is one of four fast days linked to the destructionthe linked to days fast four of one is of th ammuz) 17t alf. Shiva Asar B’ Asar Shiva T Tammuz Tammuz of of of of th th ) the Golden C the Babylonian Jerusalem siege of in BCE. 423 theto destruction the Second of Temple. precedent for the horrifying burning of Jewish books throughout books Jewish horrifying burningof the for precedent the centuries. - a brazen act and blasphemy desecration. of Temple of of national mourning, culminating in he 17 The daily offerings in the First were Temple suspended during Moses broke the tablets at Mount Sinai Mount intabletsat responsethe- sin the of to Mosesbroke The Roman general Apostamos burned a An idolatrous image was placed in the Sanctuary of the Holy Jerusalem’s wallsJerusalem’s were breached by the Romans in 70 CE, prior These are known as “The Three Weeks”. 17 The of Jewishof sovereignty. (The others are 9 Tammuz The purpose of these fast days is to awaken our sense of loss over the over loss of sense our awaken to is days fastthese of purpose The - and the subsequent Jewish journeydestroyed into exile. Temple catastrophes17 occurred the history JewishFive in on Tevet Jewish Meaning: T across the Milennia: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 14

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values The Three Weeks Jewish Meaning: he Three Weeks” between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of “TAv have historically been days of misfortune and calamity for

the Jewish people. During these days, both the First and Second judaism in a nutshell Temples were destroyed, as well as many other terrible tragedies.

In Practice: uring “the three weeks”, various mourning practices are Dobserved by the entire nation.

These include the following:

1. No weddings are held. cycle of the year (However, engagement ceremonies are permitted) 2. We do not listen to music. 3. No haircuts or shaving. The final nine days of the three weeks have more restrictions. (See the month of Av) life cycle synagogue

15 values : (Ta’anit 26) (Ta’anit ). dictum: inth of Av) inth he N Rosh Rosh Chodesh Av is called the “The T begins, we reduce our joy.” begins, reduce we our joy.” Av h isha B’Av ( isha B’Av 9t T is a fast day. It is the saddest day of the Jewish year ine Days theslanderous report thespies.Their of punishment was die to generation next the only and desert the in wander 40-year a during The generation of the Jewish people who left Egypt, accepted Nine Days”. During these days, a stricter level of mourning is he he period commencing with i sha B’Av the entire mourns nation when the the Temples. two loss of Observe restrictions on laundering and wearing fresh clothes (excluding underwear). wine (excluding Shabbat a Seudat or he N Abstain from eating meat (including poultry) and from drinking n addition the to restrictions also: “The we Three of Weeks” n Practice: Av Jewish Meaning: T T T I I Avoid bathing pleasure. for ▪ Avoid ▪ Avoid purchasing luxury▪ Avoid items. improvements. ▪ Suspend home scheduling a court▪ Avoid action if at all possible. ▪ Five national calamitiesFive occurred in Jewish history Tisha on B’Av 1. observed, in accordance with the Talmudic “When of the month 16

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values were privileged to enter the land of Israel. (1312 BCE) 2. The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and millions more exiled. (586 BCE) 3. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus.

Approximately two million Jews died, and another one million judaism in a nutshell were exiled. (70 CE) 4. The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. The city of Betar, the Jews’ last stand against the Romans, was captured and liquidated. Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered. (135 CE) 5. The Temple area and its surroundings were ploughed under by the Roman general Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city- renamed Aelia Capitolina- and access was forbidden to Jews. cycle of the year Other grave misfortunes throughout Jewish history occurred during these nine days, such as: ▪ The Jews were expelled from England in 1290 (18th July/2nd Av). ▪ The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of Jews from Spain 1492 (1st August/9th Av). ▪ The First World War escalated into its “World War” status on the eve of Tisha B’Av in 1914 (1st August) when Germany declared war on Russia.

▪ On the eve of Tisha B’Av 1942 (23rd July), the mass deportation life cycle began of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.

In Practice: We act like mourners: ▪ No eating or drinking until nightfall the following evening. synagogue ▪ No bathing or washing. ▪ No marital relations. ▪ No leather shoes. ▪ We do not study Torah texts, other than those relevant to Tisha B’Av and mourning.

17 values (Lamentations) is read . They are worn insteadThey are . worn Eicha Eicha Shacharit the fast is postponed until Saturdayuntil postponed is fast the Shabbat leads the prayers in a mournfullow, voice. are dimmed andcurtain the from isremoved Shul are not worn at worn are not Chazan (lit. “mournful prayers”) are recited throughout the (book in scroll form) of , once certain, once mourning restrictions been have lifted. Kinot Kinot which is Jeremiah the Prophet’s poetic lament over the falls on on falls B'Av Tisha and Megilla Shul casual conversation. We refraingreeting from givingothers, We gifts, leisureactivities and The in destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple. It is read at night communities(some also read during it the day). Special morning. When at Mincha night. We focus our minds on the theme of the day, avoiding domestic and domestic avoiding day, the of theme the minds on our focus We distractionsprofessional as as much possible. lightsThe in the the Ark. The We sit on low stools until low on sit midday. ▪ We ▪ (Talmud, Ta’anit 30b) Ta’anit (Talmud, says: Talmud The who mourns “Anyone will Jerusalem for merit and see her happiness” Did you know? Did you 18

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Ellul judaism in a nutshell

he Hebrew month preceding Rosh Hashana is an important Tprelude to the The High Holy days. It is a time for reflection and an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with G-d. Another year has flown by and once again we prepare to stand before the Almighty, with life in the balance. No-one can assume that the blessings of last year are next year’s rights. No-one should assume that the pain of last year has no resolution. It is a time of new beginnings and justifies introspection. cycle of the year It is customary to blow the Shofar every morning after prayers during Ellul. Historically, it was on the 1st of Ellul that Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive a new, second set of stone tablets, following the sin of the Golden Calf. Forty days later, Moses returned to the People with tablets in hand, signalling a repair of the breach between the Jewish people and G-d. Several days before Rosh Hashana, life cycle preparations for The High Holy days intensify. We recite (lit. “Forgiveness prayers”) before Shacharit. synagogue

19 values , we Yamim ) Shofar (lit. “cycle” as in Rosh Rosh Hashana ear) Y Machzor (Head of the Year) (Day of Blowing of the (Day of Remembrance) (Day of Judgment)

t ) (2 days Yom Tov (2 days Yom Tov) Yom , Kippur this period is known as the is the Jewish New Year. It also commemorates 1s osh Hashana (New (New Rosh Hashana Israel: Lasts for 2 days (Days of Awe). Some refer to these days as “The High osh osh Hashana the creation of mankind - Adam and Eve. On this day we are use a special prayer book called a ince there are so many unique prayers on Rosh Hashana Yom Terua Yom Hazikkaron Yom HaDin n Practice: judged afresh. Each human being hasand livelihoodhis/her determinedallotment for of the cominglife year. standWe before G-d and petition to be “created anew”- i.e. granted life.of another year Names: Tishrei S Jewish Meaning: R I Together with Duration: Duration: Lasts for 2 days Outside Israel: Noraim Holy days”. (Lev. 23:24) (Lev. Sources: ‘Speak to the ofchildren Israel, “In the saying, seventh month, ofon the first the month, shall be for you a [day of] rest, ofa remembrance the sounding [of the Shofar], a holy assembly”’ On the morning Rosh Hashana, before the have many performpractice to Nedarim – a Hatarat which annuls process (Thisvows. does one of not absolve made to promises enter We individuals). with a Year the New clean slate. Did you know? Did you 20

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values “year cycle”). On Rosh Hashana the morning is spent praying in the Shul. During the Days of Awe, the curtain on the ark is replaced with a white one, to symbolise our hopes that “although your sins are as red as scarlet, they should become as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).

The Shofar (ram’s horn) is sounded on Rosh Hashana. We blow Did you know? judaism in a nutshell a total of 100 notes. The Shofar is compared to a “spiritual By dipping the apple alarm clock” that beckons us to change and become better in the honey we human beings. The Shofar is also mindful of the biblical story express our dreams of Abraham binding his son Isaac when a ram was caught in the for a “good year”. We thicket and sacrificed in Isaac’s stead. This event occurred on also ask that “being the 1st of Tishrei, the date of Rosh Hashana. (The Shofar is not good” should be blown when Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbat). sweet too! (i.e. we should ENJOY being At the evening meals we dip the Challa into honey. Then, we good.) dip apple into honey, symbolising our hopes for a sweet New

Year. We continue to eat a number of cycle of the year foods that symbolise good tidings for the year ahead. It is customary to greet others with the words: Shana tova - “May you have a good year” and many people send Rosh Hashana cards prior to the festival to family and friends. The Tashlich prayer is said on the first afternoon of Rosh Hashana, near a pool of water. Tashlich means to “cast away”. life cycle The prayers request that G-d “discard” our transgressions into the depths.

The Aseret Y’mei Teshuva (The Ten Days of Did you know? Repentence) There is a three he verdict for another year of life is “written” on Rosh Hashana stage process to Tbut is not “sealed” until Yom Kippur. The 10 days from Rosh judgment: Hashana to Yom Kippur are a crucial period - judgment “hangs in On Rosh Hashana the the balance”. To tip the scales in our favour we engage in intense judgment is written. synagogue introspection. It is a time to be extra-careful with our speech, On Yom Kippur the actions and Mitzvah observance. judgment is sealed. On Hoshana Raba (the 7th day of Sukkot) the judgment is posted.

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Shul has a Yom Kippur Kippur marks the Fast of Gedalia, one of the om . Y of of “Returning” to G-d. The Rabbi of the h (1 day Yom Tov) Rosh Rosh Hashana om Kippur (Day of Atonement) om Kippur (Day before is the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the 10t

Y Shabbat alf. that From day forward, every C (1 day Yom Tov) d om Kippur Jewish year. Historically, this is the day that Moses came “minor fast days”. This fast“minor fast days”. commemorates the tragic murder of his is the gives a special sermon, inspiring all to reconnect with G-d, in he he day after Shabbat 3r Israel: Lasts for 1 day metaphysical power to rectify our andmistakes, collectively. both individually downfrom Mount Sinai with the second set of Tablets, provingthat G-d had forgivenGolden the Jewish people for the sin of the Jewish Meaning: Y Duration: Duration: Outside Israel: Lasts for 1 day Shabbat Shuva (Shabbat of Return) (Shabbat Shuva Shabbat T Tzom Gedalia (Fast of Gedalia) Gedalia (Fast Tzom T Gedalia. He was an important leader of the Jewish people afterGedalia. people the Jewishanimportant was the He leaderof destruction of the killedFirst Temple, by his opponents. This led Jewish of the settlementto end in Israel many years.for evening the in ends and dawn, at morning early the in begins fast The at nightfall. Kippur Yom anticipation of (Lev. 23:27) (Lev. Sources: “On the tenth day“On the tenth of this seventh daymonth is a of atonement. It shall you(day a for of) be holy assembly and you shall deprive yourselves” 22

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values In Practice: n the afternoon before Yom Kippur, it is a special Mitzvah to eat Oa festive meal. Yom Kippur has the same restrictions as Shabbat. The day is spent in prayer and reflection, and we disconnect from the distractions of physical routine. judaism in a nutshell There are five specific areas of abstention: 1. eating and drinking 2. washing 3. wearing leather shoes 4. applying oils or lotions to the skin 5. marital relations Did you know? Although Yom Kippur atones for

The Yom Kippur fast begins at sundown, and extends 25 hours until transgressions cycle of the year the following nightfall. The primary purpose of Yom Kippur is to against G-d, it is not acknowledge our mistakes, express our regret, and resolve not to effective for wrongs repeat them again. committed against our fellow human There are FIVE services on Yom Kippur called: beings. It is therefore ▪ Ma’ariv - Evening service advisable, sometime ▪ Shacharit - Morning service before Yom Kippur, to request forgiveness ▪ Musaf - Additonal service from those whom we ▪ Mincha - Afternoon service may have harmed over the past year. ▪ Ne’ila - Closing service life cycle

At Mincha, we read the story of “Jonah and the big fish” illustrating Did you know? the potency of sincere repentance. Usually when saying The Shema we Jonah was a prophet who was instructed by G-d to travel to the metropolis of whisper the line Ninveh and to admonish them for their wicked ways. He did not want to go Baruch Shem… and attempted to “flee” G-d by sea. G-d sent a raging storm. Jonah admitted –“Blessed is His name…” This is a to the sailors that he was the cause of the storm and he was cast overboard. prayer uttered by In the sea, Jonah was swallowed by a large fish. He realised his mistake and angels, not really prayed to G-d. Eventually he was spewed out and completed his assignment. fitting for a human. synagogue Upon hearing Jonah’s admonishment, the people of Ninveh were motivated However, on Yom to sincere repentance. Kippur we say it aloud; on this day we As Yom Kippur ends, we break the fast with a sense of joy, confident can attain, and even that G-d has forgiven us. We approach the new year with a restored overtake, the spiritual level of angels! soul.

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’s ’s Sukkot Sukkah and purchasing the (ThreePilgrimFestivals)

Sukkah

Shalosh Regalim Regalim Shalosh are filled with activity; building and he he days immediately preceding G-d is our ultimate protection - just as He G-d protection is our ultimate material possessions are transient protected protected the Israelites in the desert with clouds the of “Clouds (Miraculous Glory” that travelled with the Israelites wilderness). in the n Practice: (Booths) (Day of Ingathering) (The Holiday) (Day of Rejoicing) decorating the I T ▪ ▪ Israelites lived in huts during the 40 years of 40 years the during in huts lived Israelites wandering in the desert. Further, the flimsy construction reminds us that: h , 2 days days 2 Chol Hamo’ed, Tov, 5 days Yom (2 days Tov) Yom day 1 , Chol Hamo’ed Tov, 6 days (1 day Yom Tov) Yom 15t Sukkot (Tabernacles ) ending with ) ending (Tabernacles Sukkot Atzeret Shmini : (a booth with a roof made of branches) reminds us that the the that us reminds branches) of made roof a with booth (a Israel: Lasts for 8 days is the third of the thirdof the is is a festival expressof immense We our complete trustjoy. Sukkah ukkot when during the Temple era, Jews travelled from all over Israel to Israelto allover from travelled Jews era, Temple duringthe when Chag HaAsif HeChag Z'man Simchateinu Sukkot Jewish Meaning: S Names: Duration Lasts for 9 days Outside Israel: the Temple in Jerusalem. the Temple Sukkot in G-d, and celebrate our confidence in a“good judgment” for the coming year. The (Lev. 23:34, 40, 42) (Lev. Sources: ‘Speak to the ofChildren Israel, saying: “On the 15th day of this seventh month is the ofFestival Sukkot, a sevenday period shall G-d. You for take yourselves, for the day, on the first fruit of tree, a citron the branches of date palms, twigs of a plaited tree, and willows;brook and you shall rejoice Hashem, your before a sevenG-d, for day shall period. You dwell in booths for a seven day period; every native in Israel shall dwell in booths”’ 24

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Four Species. Throughout the week of Sukkot the Sukkah becomes our home. We eat and live in a Sukkah. The Four Species comprise: One (Palm leaf) judaism in a nutshell One (Citron) Three Hadassim twigs (Myrtle) Two Aravot twigs (Willow) The Four Species are taken each day of Sukkot (except for Shabbat) and waved in a special way. an additional part of the prayer service called Hoshanot is recited and everyone circles the Bimah, holding their four species. On the Shabbat during Sukkot, we read Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) in Shul. This is a Megilla (book in scroll form) written by King Solomon. It is a cycle of the year philosophical work contemplating the purpose of the Divine gift of life. The seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshana Rabba (“Great Salvation”). It is the last day of Chol Hamo’ed Sukkot. Special prayers are said. Hoshana Rabba is the final day of the judgment process which began on Rosh Hashana. It is our last chance to appeal for a good year and to ask G-d to save us from anything threatening. We walk around the Bimah seven times holding the Four Species. Did you know?

The Kabbalists say that the four species represent four different types of Did you know? life cycle Jews: We gather these 1. Etrog = Taste & Fragrance = Jew with both wisdom (Torah learning) and four species, bind good deeds. them, and wave 2. Hadas = Inedible & Fragrant = Jew who has good deeds, but lacks wisdom. them all together. 3. Lulav = Taste & No smell = Jew with wisdom, but without good deeds. The Four Species are only Kosher if taken 4. = Inedible & No smell = Jew with neither good deeds nor Torah learning. together. If any On Sukkot we all come together. one of the species The “Sefer Bahir,” a 2000 year old Kabbalistic work gives an alternative is missing, the set is perspective. It describes the four species as four parts of the human being: invalid. 1. The Etrog represents the heart, the seat of our emotions. This teaches that synagogue 2. The Hadas has leaves shaped like an eye. we must look at the Jewish people as 3. The Lulav represents the spine, from where our actions emanate. an indivisible unit, 4. The Aravah represents the lips, our speech. working together. The four species must be taken together as a unit. So too, we serve G-d with Every Jew is all our faculties. important.

25 values . . Sukkot . reading . (In Israel,(In . - see below). - see below). Torah means “eighth”, means“eighth”, Torah

scrolls are taken Torah

is the person “called Torah Simchat is the person “called up” Simchat are both on the same day) celebrates the completion Bereshit Torah

, all the is calledis Torah

Shul Chatan Chatan Simchat and beginning of the annual cycle. special are men chosen for honours: Two The to complete the reading complete to the Torah of The up” to start to up” the cycle again. In the Ark,andcongregationthe thedances of out seven circuits with great and joy song. Shmini Atzeret d Shmini Atzeret Shmini and is actually a separate festival at the end of 23r Simchat Torah Simchat means“holding After heightenedback”. thisof month Torah

Atzeret

d Atzeret he second day of of day second he Simchat In Israel it is one day with(combined hmini 22n Outside Israelthese are separate two days. Shmini and back”us“holds and go us letG-dconnection, Divinereluctant to is celebrateto an additional day. T Shmini Atzeret Shmini S 26

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Cheshvan judaism in a nutshell

his month is also known as “Mar Cheshvan”. The prefix Mar T(which means bitter) is attached to the name of the month because it has no festivals or days of rejoicing. Mar also means “drop” and refers to the first rains (theYoreh ), which fall in Cheshvan. Also during this month, G-d brought the Flood and drowned the world (except for Noah and those with him on the ark.)

On a more positive note, we are taught that it is “reserved” for cycle of the year the time of Mashiach, who will inaugurate the in Cheshvan. life cycle synagogue

27 values . . to to , under Menorah Menorah / Torah Chanukiah Lasts for 8 days

abandon Judaism and (Hellenistic) life. of way adopt the Greek When the Greeks challenged the Jews sacrifice to piga toleader a Greek god, named a Jewish Matityahu organising responded a revolt. by smallhisbattlingand odds, unbelievable he After many years army drove back the Greek enemies recaptured and the Temple. They found only one flask of oil for the Temple’s commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days. This small amount burned eight days. for of oil miraculously Today, we light a h 25t Chanukah celebrates the of victory the over the mighty Maccabees celebrates , performing circumcision, and studying Greek army, and their rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Jerusalem. in Temple Holy hanukah the of rededication their and army, Greek C Duration: Duration: Israel: Outside Israel and Jewish Meaning: penalty of death. Under such pressures, many Jews chose to In the second century BCE, conqueringthe not Greekonly thearmies Jewish statewere but intentalsoThey thedestroyedon Jewish spirit.the Temple in Jerusalema houseand of idolatry.converted They italso intoforbade the Jews fromShabbat observing Kislev 28

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values In Practice: o publicise the Chanukah miracle, Jews light a Menorah on the Teight nights of Chanukah. One extra light is lit each night of Chanukah. The Menorah should be lit immediately at nightfall, or as soon as the members of the household are present. The candles must burn judaism in a nutshell for at least 30 minutes (different timings apply to the Friday night of Chanukah). In addition to the main eight lights, the Menorah has an extra “helper candle” called the Shamash. Since the Shamash does not count as one of the regular eight lights, it should be set apart in some way- either placed higher than the other candles, or notably to the side. There is a preference for using olive oil since the miracle of the Maccabees occurred with olive oil.

On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right (as you face cycle of the year the Menorah). On the second night, two candles are placed in the two far-right positions- and the left one is lit first. Follow this same procedure each night of Chanukah.

st On the 1 Night:

On the 2nd Night:

rd

On the 3 Night: life cycle

On the 4th Night:

On the 5th Night:

On the 6th Night:

On the 7th Night:

On the 8th Night: synagogue

Another candle is placed for the Shamash, which is used to light the others.

29 values ” : חֲנֻּכָה׃

Hanerot sufganiyot

Al Al Hanisim included is should should be lit outside ing follow

blessing ” and “Grace after meals”.

the Menorah

tra Amida ex

te reci an

, , : is : then

! only ). is should should be lit in a window facing the street. , we insert a special prayer called “ blessing

Menorah הַּזֶה׃ לַּזְמַן וְהִּגִיעָנּו וְקִּיְמָנּו ׁשֶהֶחֱיָנּו הָעֹולָם מֶלְֶך אֱֹלהֵינּו ּבָרּוְך ַאּתָה ה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם ׁשֶהֶחֱיָנּו וְקִּיְמָנּו וְהִּגִיעָנּו לַּזְמַן הַּזֶה׃ : blessing Shamash

t night first

Chanukah the

Ma’oz Tzur and Ma’oz is added in our to prayers the morning. First Second ׁשֶ ל נֵר לְהַדְלִיק וְצִּוָנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיו קִּדְׁשָנּו אֲׁשֶר הָעֹולָם מֶלְֶך אֱֹלהֵינּו ּבָרּוְך ַאּתָה ה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם אֲׁשֶר קִּדְׁשָנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיו וְצִּוָנּו לְהַדְלִיק נֵר ׁשֶ ל the

הַּזֶה׃ ּבַּזְמַן הָהֵם ּבַּיָמִים לַאֲבֹותֵינּו נִּסִים ׁשֶעָׂשָה הָעֹולָם מֶלְֶך אֱֹלהֵינּו ּבָרּוְך ַאּתָה ה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם ׁשֶעָׂשָה נִּסִים לַאֲבֹותֵינּו ּבַּיָמִים הָהֵם ּבַּזְמַן הַּזֶה׃ The Baruch Ata Adonoy, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu Baruch Ata Adonoy, lehadlik ner shel Chanukah. b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who sanctified us to kindle the , and commanded Chanukah us with His Mitzvot lights. blessings (doughnuts), in commemoration of the miracle of in commemoration (doughnuts), the oil. of On The Light Baruch Ata Adonoy, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, She’asa nisim la’avoteinu, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, She’asa nisim Baruch Ata Adonoy, bayamim ha’haim bazman ha’zeh. the universe, Who made Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of at this season. miracles for our forefathers, in those days she’hecheyanu vi’kiyimanu Baruch Ata Adonoy, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, vi’higiyanu lazman ha’zeh. the universe, Who has kept us Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of occasion. alive, sustained us, and brought us to this Eating “oily” foods like fried potato latkes (pancakes) and(pancakes) latkes potato fried like foods “oily” Eating Hallel customs other A number of developed, have including: ▪ Now lightNow the Menorah publicise To the miracle, ideally the not thisIfis entering. when sideleft the on house, your of door the feasible, the This ispractice the common outside Israel. isIt customary sing to songstwo celebrating the festival. ( Halalu During (lit. “On the miracles”) into the “ srael, the last n Israel, n times of What is the origin of is the origin What the Dreidel? I persecution when study was Torah Jewish forbidden, would children anyway. study Torah soldiers When investigate, would would the children pull out a Dreidel be to and pretend playing. on the letters The Nun, Dreidel are Shin - Hey, Gimmel, of Nes the first letters Sham Gadol Haya Miracle Great “A - There”. Happened (I “Here.”) - is a Pey letter There is no Jewish There presents for source !!! on Chanukah Did you know? Did you Did you know? Did you 30

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values ▪ Giving Chanukah Gelt (coins) to children. ▪ Spinning the Dreidel, a four-sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side (Sevivon in Hebrew). judaism in a nutshell

How to play Dreidel? The classic game of Dreidel is where players use pennies, nuts, raisins, or chocolate coins as tokens or chips. Each player puts an equal share into the “pot” . The first player takes a turn spinning the Dreidel. When the Dreidel stops, the letter facing cycle of the year up determines the result:

parents’ assistant parents’ ▪ Nun - nothing happens; the next player spins the Dreidel ▪ Gimmel - the spinner takes the pot and every player puts in another token. ▪ Hey - the spinner takes half the pot ▪ Shin - the spinner puts one into the pot The game ends when one player has all the tokens. life cycle synagogue

31 values ewish j . irst Temple irstTemple f consecutively Tevet were subsumed were th Tevet Tevet and 9 th days of th . Tevet and 10 th of of th , 9 th , King Ptolemy of Egypt forced 70 Jewish h is one of the four fast days mentioned in the marks the onset of the siege of Jerusalem by Tevet 10t Asara B’Tevet (The 10th of B’Tevet Asara Tevet) Tevet EzraTevet the Scribe died. Tevet Tevet Tevet Tevet of of of th of th of records that when thistranslation“darkness becamewhen recordsthatpublic th th further aided the advance of the agenda of the Hellenist Jews

he 10 Prophets commemorating dark times in Jewish history. The fastThe commemoratingdark timeshistory. Jewishin Prophets It It eventually became the basis for the Old Testament section of It scholars to gather and translate into Greek. Bible the TheHebrew Talmud descended the world”. on This translation was called the Septuagint (lit. “70” as 70 Since fasting on the 8 Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon. This was the beginning of battleultimatelythatthe destroyedJerusalem andthe On the 8 sending into the the Jews 70-year Babylonian Exile. Other calamitous events happened in of the month into the fast day the 10 of Tevet Jewish Meaning: T scholars translated it). ▪ the Christian centuries a few bible later. ▪ to to bring Greek culture into Jewish life, and to attempt to in the image Greek values of and lifestyle. On the 9 would be unreasonable,be 8 the would of events the begins at dawn andends at nightfall. The 10 32

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Shevat judaism in a nutshell

15th Tu B’Shvat (New Year for Trees)

Jewish Meaning: u B’Shvat is the New Year for the Trees. It is technically the day when trees stop absorbing water from the ground, and instead T cycle of the year draw nourishment from their sap. In Jewish law, tithes were given from the annual produce to the Kohanim, the poor and others. Tu B’shvat represented the cut off point between one year and the next, rather like a tax year. Fruit that had blossomed prior to the 15th of Shevat could not be used as tithe for fruit that blossomed after that date.

In Practice: he custom on Tu B’Shvat is to eat fifteen fruits, especially fruits Tfrom the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: life cycle “...a land of wheat and barley and (grape) vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and (date) honey” (Deut. 8:8) We eat fifteen fruits because of the date of Tu B’Shvat (15th Shevat). On Tu B’Shvat, it is also customary to eat a “new fruit” (a seasonal fruit that you have not yet tasted this cycle), and to say the She’hecheyanu blessing.

ּבָרּוְךַאּתָה ה׳אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם ׁשֶהֶחֱיָנּו וְקִּיְמָנּו וְהִּגִיעָנּו לַּזְמַן הַּזֶה׃ Baruch Ata Adonoy, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, she’hecheyanu vi’kiyimanu synagogue vi’higiyanu lazman ha’zeh. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this occasion.

Some have the custom to plant trees in Israel.

33 values portion about Amalek. Amalek Amalek. about portion Torah Purim Between the destruction of the First Temple and the building of the Second Temple, Jews are almost destroyed. the In the capital city of Queen Shushan,of Persia, Vashti, therefused to of obeythe Kingthe of orderPersia, Ahasuerus, beforeto appear his guests. Thethe country King for a then new queen. searched From amonghundreds of applicants, Mordechai the Jew, is Esther, chosen. cousin of The King’s Prime Minister was an evil man is a fast day, recalling how the Jews fasted and fasted Jews the how recalling day, fast a is story was an Amalekite. Purim story was an Amalekite.

h we read the read we Purim before 14t Purim

Shabbat h urim commemorates the dramatic turn-around 2,300Persia years ago. of events in was the first nation to attack the Israelites when we cameout of n this n he day before day he of decree Haman’s against defence their for preparation in prayed

Shabbat 13t Egypt. Haman in the Egypt. Haman in Adar P T Jewish Meaning: Shabbat Zachor (Shabbat of Remembrance) Zachor (Shabbat Shabbat O of Esther) Esther (Fast Ta’anit annihilation. nightfall. The fast begins at dawn and ends at t is for t is for The name Megillat The Esther actually means the “Revealing every Unlike hidden”. other book in the Megillat Esther Bible, G-d’s mentions never of events The name. spanned over Purim On years. several the surface they are with no haphazard, divine plan. apparent Only with hindsight WHOLE see the do we identifying picture, the hand of G-d in every aspect of the I story. Purim that too this reason up and wear dress we recognising masks, G-dthat is hidden too behind the mask of nature! Did you know? Did you 34

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values named Haman. Haman, (a descendant of the tribe of Amalek), hated Did you know? the Jews and decided to kill them. He convinced King Ahasuerus to issue an edict ordering the total destruction of the Jews. It says in the Talmud Mordechai pleads with Esther to save the Jewish people by talking to the ‘A person is obligated to King. At the risk of her own life, Esther appears before the King without become inebriated on being summoned. She reveals her own Jewish identity to the King and Purim until he doesn’t know the difference judaism in a nutshell exposes Haman’s evil plans. between “cursed is The King is outraged at Haman. He turns the tables. Haman and his Haman” and “blessed is sons are killed, and the Jews are saved. Mordechai”’. (Talmud Megilla 7b) In Practice: Why is this permitted, let alone encouraged here are four Mitzvot on Purim: - it seems to be such T an unholy, un-Jewish ▪ Reading the Megilla evening & morning (Scroll of Esther) practice? Judaism’s goal is to help

▪ Festive meal (the Seuda) cycle of the year us attain the greatest ▪ Sending 2 food items to a friend (Mishloach Manot) possible spiritual ▪ Giving charity to 2 poor people (Matanot La’evyonim) heights. Purim is not a “day off” from achieving It is customary to wear fancy dress that goal. The Mystics It is also customary to eat “Hamantashen” tell us that Yom Kippur is called Yom KiPurim – “A day only like Purim”. In a sense, Purim has the 15th potential to be even Shushan Purim holier than Yom Kippur.

On Yom Kippur, we life cycle he Megilla (Esther 9:20-22) says that the Jews conquered their enemies distance ourselves from Ton the 13th of Adar, and on the 14th they feasted to celebrate the the physical. On Purim victory. But in Shushan the capital, the battle lasted another day we submerge ourselves and the festival was not celebrated until the 15th. in physicality with the aim of achieving the When the Sages instituted Purim, they made the following utmost in spirituality. stipulation: While most cities celebrate Purim on the 14th of Adar, The theme of Purim cities which were walled at the time of Joshua should celebrate a is the revelation of special Purim called Shushan Purim on the 15th of Adar. that which is normally The only city that was definitely walled at the time of Joshua is concealed. It is a Jerusalem. fundamental belief of Judaism that each of synagogue us has an inner core of spirituality. Used correctly, alcohol reduces our inhibitions allowing us to “reveal” that inner self.

35 values (lit. is which is Sheni. These

month

Purim Purim KatanPurim a Adar , etc. extr

is calledis years). years). th ear Y Adar is doubled. Bar Mitzvah , and 19 th r this r yea (“2nd Adar”)

Adar

, 17 th of the “first”the of , 14 leap th

th a . Some measure of celebrations are observed are celebrations of measure Some Sheni.

, 11 th are observed in a Leap Year in n In added ”) ”) - to differentiate it from the “real” , memorial days, Purim in a Leap in a Leap Purim , 8 Adar th ear, the 14 the ear, Adar y , 6 rd Purim eap l leap year in the Jewish calendar is one in which a thirteen a month which in one calendarisJewish the in year leap is added to the usual twelve, in order to align the Jewish lunar Adar Sheni Adar include Purim on thison day also, example, eulogies for and fasting are prohibited. “Minor in celebrated In these years of the month All the commandments and customs month of normally observed in the a In

A year which has 354 days with the agricultural seasons of the solar year. occurs TheLeap Year seven times in every nineteencycle of years, (in the 3 36

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values “Whys Whats andHows” T inHalacha”“Seasons Advanced www.torahtots.com “Gateway to Judaism” “You Mitzrayim” Left “Awesome Days” “A Purim Story” “A Story” Chanukah “Pathway to Prayer: Shalosh R and Yom Kippur” “Pathway to Prayer: R “Guidelines” “ Basic Suggested reading: T here arevolumes festival, alsoindividualArtscroll onevery combining the he Book of Our Heritage” ofOur he Book (Availableon:Pesach, Purim, TheThree Weeks, Sukkot, Yamim Chanukah and Yom Tov) Elozor –Rabbi Barclay, Rabbi Yitzchok Jaeger osh Hashanah egalim” – Rabbi Mayer– Rabbi Birnbaum – Rabbi Pinchos– Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis – LindaDavis – LindaDavis Mayer– Rabbi Birnbaum – Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov – Rabbi *Ideal for children Mordechai Becher – Rabbi SimchaGroffman – Rabbi SimchaGroffman – Rabbi *Ideal for children *Ideal for children

*Ideal for children *Ideal for children N oraim, 37

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell

life Cy cle

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell This is the goal of this session. of this goal the is This significance. and home the into to endow depth and life’s with occasions here. After all, the goal is to give parents the wherewithal Judaism to introduce meaningful wethat it havedecided does discussion appropriate an some place After animated syllabus. session notdoes this belong to speaking in the a Strictly dedicated schoolseries and mourning. of the Jewish practice the both through relationship the and memory perpetuate We own. our beyond worlds in on lives soul The demise. the not of the ushers a of arrival new soul – the Birth soul. but experienced is Death the departure life. of cycle eternal the also it is Judaism In of life. cycle eternal the It is to offer hope. and memories to share to pay respect, for occasions more those poignant return they yes, And have flown”. about years the “how wedding the at reminisce They for Bar/Bat the Mitzvah crowd again They around Brit the we that were making only yesterday like seems “It already!” can’t she's“I that believe walking tothere shower blessings. the by accompanied is newborn a of arrival The Introduction T step off the world the off evaluate. and to step briefly moments”. to us force They “life-defining those with punctuated is cycle life Jewish he b . or or rit Kiddush ” . Family and friends are are friends and Family . c heder 1

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Life Cycles

Life Event Jewish Significance In Practice

We acknowledge that the Soul brought down into physical Birth miracle of a new life is G-d- 1 world given

Friends and family come on Shalom Zachor Boy's 1st Shabbat Friday night to welcome the 2 (Welcome Male) baby into the world

A healthy eight-day-old boy is Boy Circumcised and Brit Milah / Brit / Bris circumcised thus entering him 3 Named (Covenant of Circumcision) into a covenant with G-d as a member of the Jewish nation

Kiddush / Simchat Bat / Zeved Bat The father of the baby names Naming a Girl her in Shul after being called up 4 (Celebration of a daughter) to the Torah

A firstborn baby boy is redeemed from his obligation Boy "Redeemed" of priesthood 5 (Redemption of the son) Father gives 5 silver coins to a As the young person becomes Bat/Bar Mitzvah an adult, we celebrate this Girl/Boy Matures into milestone and the additional 6 Adulthood (Daughter/Son of Mitzvah) obligations and responsibilities (Mitzvot) that it brings

Vort Family and friends are invited Engagement Party to celebrate the couple’s verbal 7 (Giving one’s...word) commitment to marry

Aufruf The groom is ‘called up’ to the Groom called to the Torah on the Shabbat before his 8 Torah (Call up…to the Torah) wedding

Bride and Groom are married under a which 9 Marriage (Sanctification) symbolises the open home they hope to build together

The body is accorded great Soul taken back into the spiritual Death respect between death and 10 world burial

Levaya After eulogies, the body is 11 Funeral (accompanying …to final resting escorted to its final resting place) place

This prayer aknowledges G-d’s greatness and creates a Saying the mourner’s Saying heightened awareness of His 12 Prayer Divine presence. This merit elevates the soul of the departed These 7 days allow the mourner(s) to focus on their Shivah 7 Days of Mourning grief without distractions. 13 (Seven …days of mourning) Visitors come to comfort the mourners A lower intensity of mourning Sheloshim extending to 30 days allows the 14 1st Month of Mourning (Thirty…days of mourning) mourner to gradually used to life without the departed

Matzeivah Relatives and friends gather to 15 Stone Setting (Monument) pray to G-d at the grave

Some aspects of mourning for Shana a deceased parent are practised 16 1st Year of Mourning (Year) for twelve months - after this time, all signs of mourning end

The mourner lights a 24 hour candle and Kaddish is recited Annual Anniversary of Yahrtzeit (Time of year) 17 death once again for the merit of the deceased life intoanexcitingworld! new ushering Himself, partners Almighty for the are with We responsible heritage. soul”, a transmitting “parents”, a become of we “custodians moment this At forever! changes life certainly and miracle a comfortable. I I I Jewish Meaning: n Practice: kept usalive,sustainedus,andbroughttothisoccasion. Blessed areYou,LordourG-d,Kingoftheuniverse, Whohas vi’kiyimanu vi’higiyanulazmanhazeh. Baruch AtaAdonoy,EloheinuMelechha’olam,she’hecheyanu good andbeneficient. Blessed areYou,LordourG-d,Kingoftheuniverse,Whois Baruch AtaAdonoy,EloheinuMelechha’olam,hatovv’ha’meitiv. of new life, we come closest to witnessing to closest come we life, new of arrival the with that said been often has t occasion is marked with a blessing, once mother and baby are are baby and mother once blessing, a with marked is occasion the that surprise no as come will t U U pon pon

the the

ּבָרּוְךַאּתָהה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם ׁשֶ הֶחֱיָנּווְקִּיְמָנּו וְהִּגִיעָנּו לַּזְמַןהַּזֶה׃ b b i i rth rth

of of

a a 1.

baby baby Birth ּבָרּוְך ַאּתָהה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם הַּטֹוב וְהַּמֵטִיב׃

g boy i rl , , say say

the

the

bless

bless i ng i ng : : it…”’ andsubdue earth and multiply, fillthe them, “Befruitful and G-dsaidto ‘G-d blessedthem Sources: (Gen. 1:28) 3

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell if he if . Torah . However, However, Torah. Brit Milah Brit Yitzchak which . Life is a journey Shalom Zachor on the (Welcome to the male) to (Welcome Torah

becomes rooted in our deeper deeper our in rooted becomes Torah to have the . There is a special association between (Exod. 20:8) does not sound like a reason to Shalom a like reason Zachor sound not does and sing songs; welcoming the newborn and Shabbat Torah in the womb, the in Torah and the capacity to remember. to sanctify it.” “Remember the day of as soon as he enters the air of this world, an angel comes and strikes strikes and comes angel an world, this of air the enters he as soon as hen a baby is in the womb, he is taught the entire the taught is he womb, the in is baby a hen Shalom Zachor Shalom first Friday night after the birth of a boy.

t is customary for Ashkenazim n Practice: of re-discovery. Indeed it is the very effort achievement. Now that’s a celebration! that personalises the consciousness and the effect remains. Life is therefore about retrieving retrieving about therefore is Life remains. effect the and consciousness for the unknown. that which is latent, rather than searching The word ” “Zachor also means “remember”. This is why we hold this ceremony on Shabbat is going to forget it all at birth? learning By Shabbat Jewish Meaning: W 2. I I meal.night Friday the after newborn, the of home the at done is it Often Light refreshments are served, but not a full meal. Guests drop by to convey their “Mazel Tov ”, share have words of a bite to eat, This occasion is a statement of our belief that the Jewish baby has an intrinsic pre-birth connection with thanking G-d for the birth. Sephardim have a similar celebration called a takes place instead on the evening preceding the celebrate! The baby has lost all of this incredible knowledge and is akin akin is and knowledge incredible this of all lost has baby The celebrate! child. We come and visit to “comfort” the to a mourner! Of course, there is more. entire the child unborn the teaching of point the is What him on his mouth, causing him to forget eveything he's learnt. At first first At learnt. he's eveything forget to him causing mouth, his on him sight, the reason for a Yoreh De’ah 265:12) Yoreh (Code of Law, Jewish Sources: ‘It is customary to make a festive meal on the Shabbat eve after the birth of a this and . . babyboy. meal is a Mitzvah’ Chickpeas are customarily served because they are a round-shaped food eaten mourners by they symbolise(as the cyclical nature of life) Did you know? Did you 4

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values E I A Jewish Meaning: eighth day even if it is it if even day eighth opie o bd ad ol or ie ol s o or ol o win body. to the over soul dominance our for struggle for the is goal life our soul; and body of comprised The person a distinguished bytheir or grandfather a to given often is great honour This circumcision. the during baby the holds pre-designated the of lap the to passed is he there from and Prophet The baby is then placed on a special chair of Elijah the from persontoincludeothers intheMitzvah) royal-lookingpillow. (In some circles the baby is passed room until everything is ready. TheUsually, baby is the “guestthe babyof honour” is andtransported is therefore noton brought a intolargeperformed intheafternoonbutnotatnight. the important this fulfil to eagerness a Usually at thefirstpossibleopportunity,butnotonaShabbatorYom Tov. have his trained, heappoints the responsibility of the father. Since most fathers are not completed byhumaneffort. body should be a distinctly human act. Spiritual perfection must be our of perfection and touch” “finishing final this that desired G-d procreation andcreativity. the organ of the ultimate physical drive which is harnessing the “sensual” for the “spiritual”: G-d’s “sign” is placed on n Practice: counting the day of his birth as day one. We perform the perform We one. day as birth his of day the counting life, of circumcised eighth day his should healthy be very boy on Brit literallymeansa“covenant”.Itreferstotheeverlasting oeat ht od te eih epe o -. uas are Humans G-d. to people Jewish the bonds that covenant Mitzvah Brit on the eighth day (for any reason), he should be circumcised s oe n h mrig Ti dmntae our demonstrates This morning. the in done is Brit f efrig the performing of . The sandek. or Shabbat Torah ashisemissary. 3. Brit Milah /BritBris BritMilah is the person who person the is sandek knowledge. Yom Tov.However, Yom if aboy did not s culy the actually is Brit Mitzvah . If necessary, it may be may it necessary, If . Brit Milah Brit also the means for is an act of act an is Brit on the generations...” ’ generations...” throughout the shall be circumcised- male among you eight days every of At theage you. between Me and signthe Covenantof - that shall be the shall be circumcised male among you generations…Every throughout their offspring after you - you and your keep My Covenant for you, you shall Abraham, “And as ‘G-d said to shall becircumcised.’ flesh his of foreskin ‘On the eighth day, the Sources:

(Circumcision) (Gen.17:9-14) (Lev. 12:3) 5

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell

ohel M father ָאבִינּו׃ ַאבְרָהָם ָאבִינּו

: the , the , on i on i s i s i : rcumc i rcumc i c

say c

the

the

then

ng i guests

טֹובִים׃ ּולְמַעֲׂשִים ּולְחֻּפָה לְתֹורָה יִּכָנֵס ּכֵן לַּבְרִית, ׁשֶּנִכְנַס ּכְׁשֵם ׁשֶּנִכְנַס לַּבְרִית, ּכֵן יִּכָנֵס לְתֹורָה ּולְחֻּפָה ּולְמַעֲׂשִים טֹובִים - performs the circumcision carry that to - couple baby in (Mother gives the baby her husband) to who passes the baby k'vatter female puts the who the honouree to chair of Elijah) refers - (lit. on the Chair of Elijah baby off the Chair of Elijah who takes the baby - the honouree on his lap during the actual- holds the baby circumcision; the highest honour the Sandek after from the circumcision - takes the baby the who recites the honouree to blessing) refers - (lit. name the baby’s blessings and announces of the blessings during the recitation - holds the baby performs , and commanded us to bring him into the , and commanded us covenant , and commanded us regarding circumcision. , and commanded us

perform

ohel mitzvot mitzvot : : M , to marriage and good deeds. הַּמִילָה׃ עַל וְצִּוָנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיו קִּדְׁשָנּו אֲׁשֶר הָעֹולָם מֶלְֶך אֱֹלהֵינּו ּבָרּוְך ַאּתָה ה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם אֲׁשֶר קִּדְׁשָנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיו וְצִּוָנּו עַל הַּמִילָה

before

assembled

the

ust recites recites As J K'shem she-nikhnas labrit, ken yikanes I'Torah, U'l'hupah u'l'maasim K'shem she-nikhnas labrit, ken yikanes I'Torah, tovim. study Just as he entered the Covenant, so may he be introduced to the of Torah Baruch Ata Adonoy, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu Baruch Ata Adonoy, l’hachnito bivrito shel Avraham Avinu. b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu sanctified us our G-d, King of the universe, Who Blessed are You, Lord with His of Abraham, our forefather. Baruch Ata Adonoy, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu Melech ha’olam, asher Adonoy, Eloheinu Baruch Ata v’tzivanu al hamilah. b’mitzvotav us Who sanctified King of the universe, You, Lord our G-d, Blessed are with His The Mohel K’vatter Kisei Shel Eliyahu M’HaKisei Sandek M’HaSandek Brachot L’Brachot ׁשֶ ל ּבִבְרִיתֹו לְהַכְנִיסֹו וְצִּוָנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיו קִּדְׁשָנּו אֲׁשֶר הָעֹולָם מֶלְֶך אֱֹלהֵינּו ּבָרּוְך ַאּתָה ה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם אֲׁשֶר קִּדְׁשָנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיו וְצִּוָנּו לְהַכְנִיסֹו ּבִבְרִיתֹו ׁשֶ ל The following a list is of honours be that may given out the at Brit Terminology: Mazel Tov! Finally, the baby is held for a series of blessings which include the meal. naming. This is followed by a festive are often are K’vatters Most start babies crying as soon is as the nappy the before removed The circumsision. actual procedure takes under 20 seconds. Did you know? Did you Did you know? Did you The The a married who couple children do not have as the of their own perfomance of this is a good omen role children. having for 6

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values n msia lvl te erw ae evs s h spiritual the In otherwords,aperson’snamecaptureshisorheressence. as life. serves in path and name specialness, character, - Hebrew person the of designation the level, mystical a On “naming”. the with coincides ceremonies these of timing the Often the rejoicinginblessingwithothers”andalwaysfood! following “sharing of concept the is each of essence ways, The traditions. held long different in daughter a of “arrival” the celebrate s ikd o h pbi raig f the of reading public the to linked is In the the before official namingceremony. name the reveal to not customary is It merit ofthedeceasedandcontinuetheirgoodwork. the from benefit will child the that hoped is It alive. longer no is who someone after only child a name relative a who is still alive, whereas the after child a name to is custom Sephardi A and understandingJewishwomanofgoodnessgreatness. and a prayer that this new Jewish daughter should grow to be a wise name baby’s the of giving the with continues and health mother’s the for prayer a with begins blessing The said. is blessing Sheberach the to up “called gets baby the of father I I T Jewish Meaning: ceremony called aSimchatBatorZevedHabat . the from verses certain recite to is custom Sephardi The food, speakwordsofTorah good share to gather relatives and Friends girl. baby a of honour in n Practice: Most often, a child is named after a relative. The relative. a after named is child a often, Most t isimportanttochooseanamethatmeaningful. Habat term he kiddush Ashkenazi communities the naming ceremony en “it f duhe” Dfeet communities Different daughter”. a of “gift means is traditionally held on a on held traditionally is simchat en “eerto o a daughter”, a of “celebration means bat 4. NamingaGirl , andsharethefamily’sprofound joy. Ashkenazi custom is to shabbat Torah Torah shortly after the birth the after shortly The . ” and a special a and ” Torah Zeved ( Kiddush/Simchat Bat/ ) in a in Mi Did youDid know? (Talmud, Brachot 7b) aname! picking when of prophecy receive one-sixtieth us that parents The Talmud tells Hebrew name.Hebrew until receiving a soul measure of receive his full A person doesnot (Zohar, LechLecha93a) Sources: 7

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell

has Kohen is as is paid 5 is paid Kohen (Priests) of the the of (Priests) alf they became became they alf Kohen C Pidyon Haben is , the Pidyon Haben only applies only boys. to Kohanim edemption of the firstborn) edemption (R , a subset of whom became the the became whom of subset a ,

Yom Tov Yom day following birth. However, However, birth. following day . st or taking his place. The The place. his taking takes place during a meal. meal. a duringplace takesHabenPidyon Shabbat Kohen The redemption is equivalent performed with value the shekels, of which is estimated as 100 grams fiveof biblical silver. Sometimes people use fiveUS silver silver dollars. After the the ceremony, the right keep return to or the money. The procedure for follows: The for wash guests assembledto invitedare The bread and then the proceedings begin. day falls on st . Subsequently the firstborns lost the privilege of priesthood, priesthood, of privilege the lost firstborns the . Subsequently the obligation. Thus a firstborn male has to be “redeemed” from from “redeemed” be to has male firstborn a Thus obligation. the not Pidyon Haben Pidyon he ceremony takes place on the 31 the on place takes ceremony he if the 31 n Judaism we celebrate firsts. From firstborn sons to first fruits of the of fruits first to sons firstborn From firsts. celebrate we Judaism n season. “Firsts” accentuate gifts. gifts life’s And life’s are G-d given. n Practice: postponed until day. the following Our first task isG-d's to recognise generosity. that we Our acknowledgement. are right the So beneficiaries to we “redeem” of receive the earthrepresentativeon firstborn – the Kohenthe gift the from Firstborn”, gift G-dthe of “Killing via follows the of His plague thisthe in addition, In all for time This was firstborn a perished. dangerous males Egyptian males. were spared and they owed The particular firstborns Jewish allegianceG-d. to G-d intendedthebe to them 5. T I Jewish Meaning: I Jewish people. However, at the incident of the Golden Golden the of incident the at However, people. Jewish ininvolved that tragic transgression and henceforth they lost the status. It was handed insteadKohanim to the Levites but his obligation through a silver coins. this is It for reasonthat the Mitzvah (Num. 18:15-16) Sources: ‘...but you‘...but shall surely the redeem firstborn of man… Those that are one from redeemed- month shall you to according redeem the valuation, five silver shekels by the shekel…’sacred 8

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values holding the five silver coins, he recites the twothe blessings: recites he five the coins, silver holding whilst then, and affirmative the in responds father The child. the To show one’s love of the before the the before baby the places father The jewellery. with decorated tray silver a The The enjoys thefestivemeal. to the father, and then recites the blessing over wine. Then, everyone The sanctified uswithhis Blessed areYou,LordourG-d,Kingoftheuniverse,whohas b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanualpidyonhaben. Baruch ataAdonoyEloheinumelechha-olam,asherkidishanu father alive, sustainedus,andbroughtustothisoccasion. Blessed areYou,LordourG-d,Kingoftheuniverse,Whohaskeptus vi’higiyanu lazmanhazeh. Baruch AtaAdonoy,EloheinuMelechha’olam,she’hecheyanuvi’kiyimanu redemption ofthefirstbornson. Kohen accepts the money from the father, hands the baby back Kohen ּבָרּוְךַאּתָהה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָם ר אֲׁשֶ נּוקִּדְׁשָ ּבְמִצְֹותָיווְצִּוָנּו עַל ּפִדְיֹון הַּבֵן׃

says ceremonially asks the father if he chooses to redeem redeem to chooses he if father the asks ceremonially K ohen ּבָרּוְךַאּתָה ה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶךהָעֹולָם ׁשֶ הֶחֱיָנּו וְקִּיְמָנּו וְהִּגִיעָנּו לַזְמַןהַּזֶה׃

during and declares that this baby is his firstborn son. firstborn his is baby this that declares and mitzvot Pidyon Mitzvah andcommandeduswiththe Haben , the baby brought is usually in on :

Mitzvah of Did youDid know? uncommon! quiteHaben make aPidyon These conditions Kohen orLevi. ▪ Neitherparent isa this birth. prior tomiscarriages or no abortions ▪ The motherhad Caesarean. way,normal notvia delivered inthe ▪The baby was female. before, maleor never hadababy Jewish, andshehas ▪ The motheris toHaben take place: foraPidyonapply conditions must The following 9

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell

Bar to the the to of the . At theAt . abbalistic liyah k a itzvot m (even if he was Torah (a quorum (a ten men). of ) is awakened at the time and/or the Haftarah inyan boy is oftenispeltedboy Mitzvah Bar eshama Bar Mitzvah is the purchase of n Torah become a daily, weekday obligation. itzvah following his 13th birthday, the ) M during the course of the week). In some ewish manhood. The young man joins the 45b) j Tefillin Shabbat boy is called up to the . This level gives a person the ability to make Nida Bar/Bat Mitzvah Bar/Bat celebration, the celebrant gives , Torah . He is now a fully fledged member of the community community the of member fledged fully a now is He . Torah and can a m be counted for a speech which highlightsunderstandingthishis/herwhich speech of a occasion as they join the ranks our People. of the age, of years 13 reaching after opportunity first the At an for up” “called be should Bar Mitzvah boy On the At At the Mitzvah Talmud ( . (It is very important to buy these from a reputable source) like any other adult. (In general, girls tend to mature earlier Bar/Bat Bar/Bat Bar/Bat Bar/Bat Mitzvah literally translates as “son/daughter of obligation” obligation” of “son/daughter translatesliterallyas Mitzvah ar/Bat - i.e. the person is now obligated to follow the celebration is on the day of of day the on is celebration Mitzvah besthe Bar/Bat a time hold to This birthday. the Hebrew calculation the Jewish calendar. follows n Practice: 6. I T Jewish Meaning: Meaning: Jewish B Torah than boys. Tefillin From the age of 13, One One of the great excitements of They are the mark of At this stage of teenage life as their bodies are growing and changing,and growing are bodies their as life teenage of stagethis At so too their souls are growing and changing. The rank our people. of tradition tells usspiritual that a person’s being has several levels of soul. A new level of soul (called called up to the of conscious, rational decisions. communities, he reads from the reads from communities, he blessing, final the his of conclusion with sweets! cripture; a cripture; (Mishna, Avot 5:25) (Mishna, Avot Sources: ‘He (Yehudah (Yehudah ‘He to used Tema) ben old year five A say: begins s begins old year ten thirteen a Mishna; becomes old year observe to obligated commandments; the old year fifteen a begins the study of eighteen an Gemara; the to goes old year canopy;… marriage livelihood, 20 40 strength, 30 50 understanding, seniority, 60 counsel, age, old ripe 70 strength, shows 80 as 100 stooped, 90 if the from ceased world.’ 10

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values parents’ assistantActivity: Aim: (Check before withaRabbi you bookany halls!) ayear!two birthdays dates!Mitzvah This way you canalsocelebrate website hebcal.com andworkbat outtheirbar/ Look upyour children’s onthe Hebrew birthday To encourage anticipation offuture simchas Did youDid know? is acelebration. whether ornotthere at age12 Bat Mitzvah years old, andagirl, 13 when heturns becomes BarMitzvah boy automatically truth, aJewish , in Bat Mitzvah to “having” aBar/ commonly refer Although we 11

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell (lit. a “word”), ort v . This symbolises. the ort v t is an “arranged date”. Close friends Close or date”. “arranged t is an . It reminds us that isthe Temple not yet Chuppah ustomarily, ustomarily, the couple’s mothers are the ones who the plate is final, sotoo theengagement is “final”and easilynot terminated. Breaking the plate also tempers the intense joy of the occasion, similar to the glass which the is broken under rebuilt. C break the plate. the plate Theytogether and hold drop a hard onto surface.it weddingthe instead on this do to custom the have Some day at the reception. hen a coupledecidehena marry,to thefamilies often announce the occasion with a reception, known as a Vort/Engagement Party Vort/Engagement here is a custom to break a plate at the at plate breaka custom a to is here seriousness of their commitment to each other: just as breaking Shidduchim/Dating: is not an accurate marriage” “arranged the term popular belief, Contrary to I “”. description of the term purpose The they meet. suggest that man or woman, of the young relatives if they are determine to bride and groom the prospective of the meeting is for on discussion of issues that meetings usually focus The indeed compatible. Many goals and values. life such as shared marriages, underpin successful often short are term. But interests startrelationships interests. with shared been this basis has Once life-long relationships. goals create Only shared and the couple grow to light” “green has the the relationship established, physical The relationship. albeit without a physical knowget to each other, on the other side of the Chuppah. begins relationship Did you know? Did you n Practice: 7. Jewish Meaning: W I T symbolising the verbal commitment marry. to There is a custom to to is a custom There make a necklace for the the bride from of the pieces broken Others give plate. to pieces the broken as “singles” eligible a plate “may say if to for soon be broken you”. Did you know? Did you 12

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values wedding. to have a have to Some separation. their through of the wedding their to anticipation enhance order in other, each seeing stop groom wedding, and bride the the before week one that customary is It the share will bride the Traditionally her friends in a celebration called Shabbat acelebration called in her friends I I n Practice: up) the to t is customary for the groom to have an Shabbat Chattan Shabbat Torah on the the on 8. have the custom custom the have Sephardim Shabbat Aufruf on the the on before the wedding. wedding. before the Shabbat Aufruf (calling Shabbat Kallah after the the after (Call upto the with with . T orah) Did youDid know? I life. to hismarried start symbolise asweet at thegroom, to almonds andsweets ladies throw raisins, communities, the n someSephardic 13

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell for . huppah Yom Kippur allah not to see each other greetguestsallah separately. k and a nd k (some call the groom’s reception (Groom). Onthis (Groom). day all their past hatan hatan c c even Blessings)even - (Reception) sources reveal that the souls of a predestined Kabbalat Panim allah fast dawn from until after the C (Bride) and Chatan - (Wedding canopy) - (Veiling the bride) of - (Marriage Contract) - (The Festive Meal) and k Kabbalistic Kallah Marriage he weddinghe can ceremony be divided into 9 parts: he husbandsameandthe wifesource. stem from Marriage issimply hatan n Practice: 9. Kabbalat Panim (Reception) Panim Kabbalat It is customary thefor I T Jewish Meaning: Jewish T ▪ Breaking the glass ▪ Yichud - (Seclusion) ▪ Seudah ▪ Kabbalat Panim ▪ Badeken ▪ Chuppah ▪ Giving the ring of ▪ ▪ Sheva - (The Brachot s bringing them back to their natural state - two halves of a whole, like the original Adam and Eve. The wedding day itself is considered a personal for one week precedingthe ceremony, thewedding wedding. Therefore, prior to the mistakes soul. complete are as forgiven they merge into a new, In fact it is a long established custom c (with exceptions) that the the This is called (Talmud, Sotah 2a). (Talmud, Sources: At the time of conception, a heavenlyvoice declares and emerges “the daughter of so- and-so is destined to marry this person” 14

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values in memory of the destruction of the the of destruction the of memory in the the groom’s forehead, prior to the on discreetly ash some place to custom the of purity the the event. spiritual Many have symbolises too, this gown, wedding white a in long dressed white is robe known groom as a the circles some In Jewish tradition likens the couple to a king and queen. The The queen. the and king a to couple Chatan the likens tradition Jewish “ The wedding ceremony takes place place takes ceremony the under wedding The Chuppah (Wedding canopy) a of record first The the illustrates and custom ancient an is The This face. overher the entourage. places groom, her by surrounded chair a throne-like like a sits, on She queen, guests. her receiving is bride the where room the The howno attractive. matter - appearance external the than important more is person inner the The veil symbolises the idea of modesty and conveys the concept that the comes Next Badeken (Veiling of the bride) his children shall be “as the stars of the the of stars the that heavens” “as be Abraham shall patriarch children his the to G-d by given blessing the of sign a as heavens, the Isaac. before marrying signed. and the reception, this At The The hospitality. relatives unconditional in and friends welcome to sides all at open tent as their had just Sarah by and sides, Abraham shared all on and open is It built couple. be the to home the of t he he Kallah c Chuppah t hatan isch is surrounded by guests who sing and toast him, while while him, toast and sing who guests by surrounded is (Gen. 15:9) (Gen. will be seated on a“throne” her to receive guests. seated be will ” – lit. “the table”).” –lit. is accompanied by musicians and the male guests to guests male the and musicians by accompanied is c is often held outside, under under outside, held often is huppah c hatan b adeken . (canopy), a symbol symbol a (canopy), ’s commitment to clothe and protect his wife. ’s wife. his protect to clothe commitment and b adeken k , the veiling of the the of veiling the , etubah k was when Rebecca covered her face face her covered Rebecca when was ittel (marriage document) is witnessed witnessed is document) (marriage . . the Like Chuppah

k by the the by allah c hatan . Did youDid know? with fervent tears. andgroomsee bride I blessings. love, Torah-study and home filledwith are praying for a moving time. They auspicious and as itisaparticularly have specialpower under theChuppah andgroombride The prayers ofa t isnotunusualto 15

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell she allah Sheva k takes the huppah c hatan c (circa 170 CE) and either by his parents, , two cups of wine are aw arriage contract). allah wear no jewellery l k m ( huppah huppah and c c ! etubah Mishnaic later in the ceremony. hatan c וְיִׂשְרָאֵל׃ מׁשֶה ּכְדַת זּו, ּבְטַּבַעַת לִי, מְקֻּדֶׁשֶת הֲרֵי ַאּתְ מְקֻּדֶׁשֶת לִי, ּבְטַּבַעַת זּו, ּכְדַת מׁשֶה וְיִׂשְרָאֵל : circles the groom seven times. The world was built in seven days, andthe now When the bride arrives at the is figuratively building new world. couple’s the walls of the Under the blessings the accompanies cup first The used. made the Kiddushin for betrothal). (the The second cup Brachot accompanies the ontract) . Their mutual commitment is based on who says

, accompanied either by her parents, or by her he

huppah c huppah , written in Aramaic, details the husband’s duties to his c in the view witnesses. two of etubah afterwards Haray at mekudeshet lee b'taba'at zu k'dat Moshe v'Yisrael. Haray at mekudeshet lee b'taba'at zu k'dat to me with this ring according Behold, you are sanctified (betrothed) to the laws of Moses and Israel. This contract is ordained by according to some authorities dates back k to Biblical times. The They married! are now Mazal Tov c (Marriage Ketubah the comes readingNow the k of Giving of the ring the of Giving The ring should bepieceblemishes one without ornamentation, or symbolising a marriage of simple beauty. The wedding ring and places it on the tip of the right forefingerof the Kallah wife: food, clothing and financial marital responsibilities relations. in It the result also of includes a marriage his breakdown, Temple in Jerusalem.Temple The or by his father and father-in-law. to the The bride is then motherescorted and mother-in-law. they are any as on material not people, possessions. the accompaniedis to groom The under the

n both Kiddushin A marriage is called called is marriage A root (same Kiddushin “Kiddush” as the word on make we that which night) Friday “Holy”. as translates I we and Kiddush is Wine use wine. of potent most the it use we yet drinks, holiness. of acts for teaches Judaism and physicality that don’t spirituality on – contradict our contrary; the to is challenge physical the transform us around world imbuing it withby Marriage spirituality. intimacy and holy. becomes Did you know? Did you 16

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values of the blessings said at the conclusion of each of these festive festive these of each of conclusion the meals. at said blessings the of throughout their marriage. their throughout and k and and and The c The families wish to honour. After the seventh blessing, the the blessing, seventh the After honour. to wish families The agreement. binding legally k a is It her. predeceases he if or During the week following the wedding, it is customary for for customary is it wedding, the friends and relatives to following host festive meals in honour week of the the During groom. and bride the the in the again joins everyone the with ends meal The and band the Their dancing. later. bit kick-starts a celebration the entrance rejoin groom and bride The Seudah Festive (The Meal) couple. only for amarried reserved room together, intimacy an Now that the couple they may are married now be alone in a closed Yichud (Seclusion) guests the and plays band the of cries with dancing out into break glass, usually the of breaking the With always of should one joy, destruction of old. remember Jerusalem immense the of at times felt at Even sadness Temple. the the symbolises and CE) 500 to back dates thecustom This and foot. his floor the on placed is glass A Breaking the glass the by recited are blessings The wine. of cup second the over recited now are Blessings Seven The s (The etubah k drink some of wine. the drink allah hatan allah is the property of the the is property are recited over wine, shared afterwards by afterwards over recited shared Brachot are wine, Sheva Ti i cle te ek of week the called is This . and Kallah and even blessings) then proceed toy the proceed then (Grace After Meals), and and Meals), After (Grace Hamazon Bircat k and she must have access to it she haveand must access allah r abbi or other people that the the that people other or abbi Talmudic hv Brachot Sheva c Mazal Mazal hatan ichud times (circa 300- 300- (circa times breaks it with with it breaks room. t ov ! Mazal Mazal , because because , c c hatan hatan t ov !

17

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell ). ). in the presence of the inpresenceof the Olam HaNeshamot Torah he Little Leaf” (published by Hechai) (published by he Little Leaf” T (pre-burial mourning). During this time, ninut a o teach the life concept the life o teach T Buy and read “ Buy and read - a old and upwards 5 years from children, with your cycle". of the"life the concept beautiful introduction to (lit. purification). Death

Aim: Aim: Activity: ssistant A -d created man physical and spiritual - body and soul. He placed He -dspiritualcreated manandsoul.physicaland body - theseradically two unit coherent different intoone components parents’ body is considered sacred even after death. It was after casingall of a the holy soul and must be treated with reverence. It is ahara n Practice: Death is the start of a new process in which body is separate from the soul. the place abilityto Humanitysoul. the has choice. free create to order the in from separate is body which soul in charge the vice body of or versa. in process new a of start the is Death After death, the body returns “home” and turns to dust, Souls of andsoul returns ( the to World “home” the The soul is now physicality. For freethe person who has from lived a the fulfilled life, limitations not a Histragedy. death /her soul is entering is a place of serenity basking and challenges of in the radiance the Almighty. of 10. I A Jewish Meaning: Jewish G disrespectfulstudy even or eat,pray to corpse, is it permissible but recite to Psalms. of the From death moment until the burial, the corpse all may not at be body the with remain must adult Jewish one least At alone. left times. This respect of is departed,to the out almost like a guard of as known process a in cleaned and bathed then is body The honour. t immediateburial,untilthe passesaway person a that time the From relatives (parents, children, siblings and spouse are in of a state the of deceased) they should devote all their time and expeditious funeral energy and burial the deceased. of to the proper and 18

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values C place. burial to its At the conclusion of the eulogies, the body is solemnly accompanied Tov colleagues, neighbours and members of members community. the and neighbours colleagues, is a comfort great forto by be family,the escorted deceased friends, andthe thetosoul world. next place It resting tothe body its final returning home. no hand, each on times (three cup a with Anyone who comes within eight feet of a grave must wash his hands have thechance. do still can and alive are who We inappropriate. are two latter These of agrave. ▪ pray, study ▪ haveTzitzit ▪ greetsomeonewithineightfeetofagrave ▪ steponanygraves ▪ walkorleanonatombstone ▪ smoke ▪ eatordrink Since thecemeteryissacred,itforbiddento: T I “ Jewish Meaning: n Practice: remation is strictly forbidden. strictly remation is L is said unless the funeral is held on: Friday afternoon, e held on: is Friday afternoon, funeral the unless said is he must funeral take place as soon as possible. Normally a eulogy mitzvot , the entire month entire , the of Mitzvah evaya ” - literally means “escorting procession”. It is an important should not flaunt them before the dead who no longer no who dead the before them flaunt not should to attend a funeral service. The living solemnly escort escort solemnly living The service. funeral a attend to Torah exposedwithinacemetery or even hold a holy book within close proximity 11. Nissan Levaya and other festive dates. dates. other festive and is recited) before recited) is bracha

(Funeral) rev

Yom 19

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell , a different a , in his parents' Kaddish . . Kaddish for the departed for soul is . It is very importantveryis the thatIt . Kaddish is the proclamation that through inyan m (Mourner’s prayer) (Mourner’s

Kaddish has a direct impact the on soul in these ethereal memory. If there are no sons to say say to sons no are there If memory. very male is obligated to say he he mystical impact of beyond measure in spiritual spheres and beyond the addish n Practice: I E T realms. The theme of thing one universe,the the inchanging conditionsallthe that remains steadfast is G-d’s undiminished grandeur. scope theseof pages.“existence” Suffice does not to say, end with death. In many respects it just begins. There is an unseen world of the Divine and the recitation k of is only recited with a recitedwith only is Kaddish Kaddish male family member should be should appointed Kaddish say to someone take it upon himself. Otherwise, mourner makes every effort recite to Kaddish 12. Jewish Meaning: Jewish Although the Although importance of Kaddish is reciting family immeasurable, and friends of the can also deceased the spiritual elevate of a soul by level and studying Torah performing Mitzvot. deeds testify Their the deceased that be a to continues of inspiration source the living. to Did you know? Did you 20

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values A candle should be lit for lit should s be entire the A candle done. to be need that errands of any care should take once the the once the funeral, the of is focus on conclusion the primary appropriate ofHowever,care the deceased. the until death of time the From healthy. and necessary is stage every at place takes that healing spiritual and emotional, psychological, the but forever, is loss The world. the into back them eases gradually and spouse) return to a home called the “ the called home a to return spouse) After the burial, the immediate relatives (parents, children, siblings and provide for needs. and them tojob comfort their is community's the and grief, intense of week a experience mourners by friends and family with short visits referred to as “ to as referred visits short with family and by friends seven. week “ This means is called mourning. intense of period rcs wih r wl dcmne. h theme The documented. well throughout are is a focus on bereavement which and loss. process mourning the to appertain that laws many are There s rounded, like the cycle of life). (bothlentils orAll othereggboiled hard meals and life) during(sustenanceof the bread include should It others. provided by beshould burial the after mourners the by eaten meal first The sitting home the he which is in the place where the departed lived Although one may sit or died. The mourner should not leave T I J Jewish Meaning: n Practice: hiva This structure guides mourners through the tragic loss and pain pain and loss tragic the through mourners guides mourning. structure This to approach structured sensitive, a provides udaism until the morning of the seventh day. he s should be prepared by others. prepared should be hiva period begins immediately after the burial and continues s hiva begins, the focus shifts to the mourners. The The mourners. the to shifts focus the begins, s hiva 13. wherever convenient, it is preferable to do so in Shiva Shiva s hiva sitting comes from the word the from comes , unless absolutely necessary. Others s hiva hiva

s hiva period.

house ”, mourners are comforted (7days ofmourning) ,”to begin aseven day s hiva s

calls heva .” , which, 21

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell

hiva s

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(Isaiah 60:20) s if a ood morning” ood those i

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rev so that a person has time to to time has person a that so Hebrew hiva mourner e

s ontrary to popular belief it is popularit beliefontrary to or

C , it is counted as one of the seven seven the of as one , is it counted the

(Isaiah 66:13) is observed only briefly. After the the After briefly. only is observed scroll should be brought to the Shabbat of hiva :

s hiva s Torah ing follow say

English

call” is to give the mourner the cathartic וִיְרּוׁשָלַיִם׃ צִיׂון ַאבֵלֵי שָָׁאר ּבְתׂוְך אֶתְכֶם יְנַחֵם הַמָקוׂם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם ּבְתׂוְך שָָׁאר ַאבֵלֵי צִיׂון וִיְרּוׁשָלַיִם

terminate on home

. the

then hiva

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s

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in ng to a

falls during the vi overrides public mourning. These signs of mourning are are mourning of signs These mourning. public overrides service, the mourners sit low again for a short time. Then Then time. short a for again low sit mourners the service, shiv lea

Shabbat Shabbat comforters house publicly for the first for house publicly time.

Shacharit efore sitting customary The B No more will your sun set, nor your moon be darkened, for G-d will be be will G-d for darkened, be moon your nor set, sun your will more No shall end. an eternal light for you, and your days of mourning Like a man whose mother consoles him, so shall I console you, and you shall be consoled in Jerusalem. HaMakom y’nacheim et’chem bi’toch sh’ar avay’lay Tzion HaMakom y’nacheim et’chem bi’toch sh’ar vee’Yerushalayim. the other mourners of Zion May the Omnipresent console you among and Jerusalem. hiva When not to “distract” to not the mourner. “ saying by mourner the greet not does One or any other salutation. In fact, it is best to come in silently sit and down close to them. Take your cue from the mourners whether asthey want to to talk. It is best to speak about the one who has passedand away, if you have any stories or memories to share thiswith the is mourner, the time do to so. Weekday Prayer services are held in the synagogue. If possible, a days of mourning, but one does not mourn publicly. This means that that means This publicly. mourn not does one but no mourning, of wearing days low, sitting mirrors, (covering the mourning of because signs outer the suspended, are etc.) garments, mourner’s wearing make-up, joy of suspended before the beginning of properly prepare (shower, properly dress,prepare (shower, etc.). On The seventh and final dayof last The mourners acknowledge that the s home and lefthome in a safe, respectable place. “Arise”. them, to say mourners the comfort to come have who those opportunity to focus on their grief. grief.their opportunity on focus to The purpose of a “ occurs during the s mourn in their hearts. Saturday On night, the s All of the laws of 22

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values yet elapsed to assume full, normal social relations. social normal full, to assume yet elapsed not has time enough that recognising society,always slowly rejoin after house the leave to encouraged is mourner The The exception is someone mourning the loss of loss the aparent. someone exceptionis The mourning At the conclusion of available. in the “creature comforts” comprehensiveof - life detailed as guides hry as icuig h svn as of days seven the (including days thirty D I A Jewish Meaning: n Practice: lessened intensity of mourning. This period consists of the the of consists period This gradually mourning. a of is there intensity passes, lessened death the from period time the s is still an emphasis on loss and a reduction on the standard standard the on reduction a and loss on emphasis an still is uring uring s heloshim , the laws of mourning are less intense but there there but intense less are mourning of laws the , s heloshim 14. Sheloshim , all , of all the of end. customs mourning s hiva ) following burial. burial. following ) s (Monthofmourning) hiva and to and 23

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell (if there is Kaddish (Stone Setting) (Stone t is an ancient Jewish practice to mark a burial place. When Jacob buried , G-d commanded him to I mark the tomb withmark a monument. the tomb present), eulogise the departed, and recite the memorial Matzeivah Matzeivah inyan There are different customs as to when to erect the tombstone. he tombstone should contain should name tombstone he the the Hebrew deceased. of m n Practice: 15. T Jewish Meaning: Jewish I In some communities, it is done as soon as possible. Others wait until the first of the end year. andfriendsrelatives for erected,isproper is it tombstone the When of the deceased to gather and recite Psalms, say a prayer. A fundamental A fundamental principle of Judaism not may we is that other anyone to pray Thus than G-d. a when offering a gravesite, at prayer it is important to we that remember the to do not pray it is Rather, deceased. ask G-d to proper to the merit of the allow departed benefit to the living. Did you know? Did you 24

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values obligations of mourning apply. oflife. mourning obligations gave child the parents The cease. cease. At the conclusion of the 12 months, of all of the customs mourning wedding, a etc. dinner, including gathering social or occasion festive any attending on restrictions includes year.)nota This and months 12 for lasts mourning the calendar, the to added is month I I W Jewish Meaning: n Practice: continue for 12 months. (Even during a leap year when an extra extra an when year leap a during (Even months. 12 for continue someelements ofmourning parent, departed ofa remembrance n hen one loses a parent, the loss is greatest. Even if the child the child parent, deceased the the with relationship a close not share did if Even greatest. is loss the parent, a loses one hen 16. Shana (1styear ofmourning) b Mitzvah ar 25

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell ) If possible, one ov t . It is customary for om ) y or Yahrtzeit : hul Shabbat (Annual Anniversary of death) (Annual

Shmini Atzeret ( . Shavuot Sukkot ememberance) (R

candlesTov are lit, just the Yom Kippur, before Yom (lit. time (of) year) is observed on the Jewish ahrtzeit means and the occasions, following on “remembrance” a Yahrtzeit Y

izkor special is recited prayer in s izkor n the eve of n the eve of light a memorial candle at home. he anniversary the death. day of of n Practice: n Practice: I Y visitors to leave a pebble or some grass at the grave, to visit. mark the On On these occasions, the Jewish understand nation that arewe here as Jews because celebrates of the commitment of together. generations earlier acknowledge We to fitting is It generations. previous with Yizkor Tov Yom on should should visit the burial place on the Yom Kippur ▪ Yom ▪ The last day Pesach of ▪ The second day of ▪ The eighth day of 17. O

Jewish Meaning: Jewish Y I T Startingprecedingthe from evening, candlea remain should alight should It be allowed theto burnduration the for of day. itself out. (A candle may never be lit on A person’s soul is is soul person’s A flame, a to compared person each since the into light brings one as just And world. flame a from take can candles more light to diminishing without flame, original the can person a too so him/herself, of give lives, many touching beingwithout ever diminished. flame the and wick The to compared also are the body and soul, bond strong the and them. between Did you know? Did you 26

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values give give never been mourners leave the Yizkor Israel. forof theState fighting who died forrecited those who in the Holocaust perished and for the soldiers some In is recited halfway through the the through halfway recited is Shuls - charity in memory of the deceased. of memory deceased. the in -charity bfr te private the before , s hul ). After the Yizkor s hul prayer is said, said, is prayer service (those who(those have service Yom Tov

, one should Yizkor is is 27

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Salomon – Rabbi Yonah Weinrib/Rabbi Yaakov Yaakov Weinrib/Rabbi – RabbiYonah – Rabbi Berel Wein – Rabbi Berel – Rabbi Becher Mordechai Weinberger – Rabbi David Krohn – Rabbi Paysach – Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan – Rabbi Moshe Bamberger Goldberg – Rabbi Chaim Binyomin – Maurice Lamm – Rabbi Nosson Scherman reasury” T : eath and in death ay w : : ah : les: yc mmortality of the Soul”* – Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan C Mil h Mitzva th he Simchah Handbook” he Bar Mitzvah he Jewish he I ourning” T T T T (*This (*This is not recommended for those who have recently suffered a bereavement as it in a philosophical and clinical manner) death discusses “Bris Milah/Circumcision” m “Gateway to Judaism” to “Gateway “ Brit r Ba “ Marriage in Heaven” “Made Berachos” “Sheva Dea “Mourning in Halachah” “ “Kaddish” “ Suggested reading: Suggested Life “Living Jewish” 28

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values SER AND SY THE SY VICE NAGOGUE NAGOGUE

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell is we adults who have to we re–learn. forget,and is adults It requirements. basic fortheir themselves are than morecapable others they that needing dependents, understand They children. our from learn can we perhaps session, this In adult with cynicism. complicated been yet not have lives Their G-d. to speak can they that know they innocence their In prayers the of children. than more touching fewscenes are There more. to learn invitation an ataster, is this to date, In session this we grapple with and much these issues critical more. As with the all sessions ourselves. transform worldswe must but first Prayer, true prayer, real prayer,prayer, meaningful is a forgotten art. Yes, we can transform or or sit? step? Bow,Do we stand straighten bend, language. unfamiliar in cover to pages are There ritual. a becomes many,Forsynagogue petty, maybe needs? my with own personal, universe the need our prayers? Isn’tG-d does Besides, it to somewhat “trouble”arrogant the Creator of of prayer. on process the depends success personal our that to think challenging It is G-d. Infinite an of mind” the can “change beings finite as that we imagine to difficult is It Introduction P “Standing at the pinnacle of the Universe, yet belittled by humanity”. of Universe,yetbelittled the pinnacle the at “Standing as: Judaism classic in described rayer is 1

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Structure of the Prayer Services

Weekday Shacharit Sun, Tues, Morning Introductory Concluding Song of Wed & Fri Blessings Psalms Borchu Shema Amida Repetition Prayers the day

Weekday Shacharit Mon & Morning Introductory Torah Concluding Song of Thurs Blessings Psalms Borchu Shema Amida Repetition Tachanun Reading Prayers Aleinu the day

Weekday Mincha Introductory Psalms Amida Repetition Tachanun Aleinu

Weekday Maariv Borchu Shema Amida Aleinu

Mincha Introductory Psalms Amida Repetition Aleinu

Kabbalat Shabbat Psalms Song Psalms Friday Night

Maariv

Borchu Shema Amida Aleinu Yigdal

Shabbat Morning Morning Introductory Torah Musaf Concluding Anim Song of Adon Blessings Psalms Borchu Shema Amida Repetition Reading (Sermon) Amida Repetition Prayers Zemirot Aleinu the day Olam Structure of Prayer judaism in a nutshell

This is a vast topic and the goal of this session is to provide a key for understanding the broad structure of prayer.

Jewish Meaning: here are three primary prayer services each day: Sources: T Prayer is a daily Shacharit the morning prayer obligation for every ▪ Jew, as it says: cycle of the year ▪ Mincha the afternoon prayer “You shall serve the Lord your G-d with ▪ Ma’ariv the evening prayer all your heart.” (Deut. 11:13) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob instituted the practice of daily prayer. The Talmud Abraham prayed in the morning, Isaac in the afternoon and Jacob explains: “What is in the evening. service of the heart? That is prayer.” The three daily prayers also correspond to the three main daily (Taanit 2a) services in the Holy Temple: ▪ Regular morning sacrifice life cycle ▪ Regular afternoon sacrifice ▪ The sacrificial parts that burned on the altar every evening On Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and all biblical festivals, additional sacrifices were offered. They were called the Musaf offerings (“Additional offerings”). Corresponding to those offerings, on these days we

add an extra prayer service called Musaf. synagogue During the first one thousand years after Sinai, there was no set format for prayer; although there was a Mitzvah to pray on a daily basis, it was spontaneous - people would pray whenever they had something on their mind. After the destruction of the first Temple (586 BCE),

3 values -scholars, -scholars, Torah learns certain laws pertaining to the the to pertaining laws certain learns (Berachot 31a-b) (Berachot Talmud To illustrate that in addition to formalised prayer, prayer, formalised in addition to that illustrate To prayer. spontaneous for is room there teach up in the morning, wake children your When my are “You sing Modeh Ani the tune of them to to sunshine”. every children night! with your Shema Say a short say to children thank you your Encourage can choose They after Shema. night-time at prayer thank G-d. which to for one thing each night

drunk?”) drunk?”) heart”) parents’ assistant parents’ Aim: Aim: Activity1: Activity2: Activity3: One who is drunk may not pray. (“And said to her, how long Eli will said you be to her, One who (“And is drunk may not pray. One must pray with the heart not just with the lips. (“Hanna spoke in her

One may not raise his voice in prayer. (“And her voice was not heard”) was her voice (“And in prayer. his voice not raise One may One who prays must form the words with his lips. (“Only her lips moved”) (“Only with his lips. the words must form One who prays n the first book of Samuel is the story of Hanna (Samuel’s mother). n the first book of Samuel is the story of Hanna (Samuel’s Hanna had no children. She stood in the Temple, her lips moving, inaudibly her lips moving, Temple, in the She stood Hanna had no children. a her for mistook Eli the High G-d the blessing of children. Priest to for praying pouring she was her and that embittered she felt that She explained drunkard. later A year heart her prayer. G-d G-d. her that answer out to Eli told would birth she gave Samuel. to the Hanna, From I (the “Standing prayer”):“Standing Amida (the ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Did you know? Did you teachers and Prophets (120 in all). One of the many critical tasks that they undertook, was formatting the prayers and incorporating depth and mysticism. Many of the prayers are based verses, including the words on of the earlier Prophets and the biblical book of words these give to individual the for remained it course Of Psalms. score the brings who musician the like rather meaning, personalised alive, recognising that the notes are simply the starting point. It is words music…or into notes turns that personality individualised the into prayer. 800 years.brought to completion over the next This process was the Jewish People were exiled for a period of 70 years. Cut off from from off Cut years. 70 of period a for exiled were People Jewish the the spiritual epicentre and now preoccupied with survival, it was more difficult for the layperson to formulate appropriate prayers. known body one-off a together brought time, the at leader the Ezra, included This Assembly”. Great the of Men “The as 4

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values The judaism in a nutshell

Jewish Meaning: rayers are read from a Siddur. Siddur means “order” as it lays out Pthe prayers in a fixed orderly manner. There are some variations in the text of the prayers, based on community custom. All share identical key components and overall structure. Actually, there is an ancient tradition of variety. According to mystical sources, there are in fact 12 heavenly “windows” through cycle of the year which each of the 12 Tribes submitted their entreaties. Thus, the Sages originally composed 12 editions of prayer, corresponding to the differing spiritual makeup of the different segments of the Jewish nation.

In Practice: t present, there are two main Siddurim with English translation on Athe market: life cycle The Artscroll Siddur and The Chief Rabbi’s newly revised edition of the Singers Siddur. Both Siddurim are written in “easy to understand English” and annotated and elucidated. synagogue

5 values

and Tefillin. Tallit Festivals, men wear only and he morning service) T ( hank you T Shabbat Blessings “ The spiritual legacy of our people Morning Shacharit Shacharit for the gifts of life” for Thought: Thought:

orning prayers begin with the recitation of a series of blessings. orning prayers begin with the recitation of a series of blessings. In essence the theme of these blessings is recognition that the he prayer experience is best seen as a spiritual ladder. The longer The ladder. spiritual a as seen best is experience prayer he the service, the more rungs there are. The lowest rung of the or the weekday morning service, men wear a or the weekday morning service, men For the morning service of Restoration of one’s soul rejuvenated after sleeping of one’s soul rejuvenated Restoration Torah study - Using the toilet - Healthy functioning of the body the toilet - Healthy functioning Using

▪ ▪ gifts of life that come with a new day are G-d given. Therefore these Therefore given. G-d are day new a with come that life of gifts include blessings for: ▪ (Refer to the pull-out chart, and read the appropriate elaboration chart, and read the appropriate (Refer to the pull-out on each section) The Prayer Service in Detail Prayer The M F Jewish Meaning: T a Tallit. ladder is simply the recognition of “life’s gifts”. The highest rung is rung highest The gifts”. “life’s of recognition the simply is ladder the yearning for spirituality and Divine connection. Therefore the climax is always where we stand before G-d as individuals. In this skeletal structure of the service we move have we section each from introduce we As section chart. pull–out the to by guided section captures the essence. suggested an appropriate thought that 6

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values These are followed by a series of 15 blessings, thanking G-d for giving us life’s specific necessities throughout the day, for example: ▪ Energy and strength ▪ Wisdom and understanding ▪ Clothes and shoes to wear judaism in a nutshell

Pesukei D’Zimrah (Introductory Psalms) Thought: “I acknowledge G-d through the miracle and the majesty of creation”

hacharit continues with Pesukei D’Zimrah (lit. Verses of song). SThis is a collection of prayers, mostly from Psalms. The prayers focus on G-d’s glory in creation. cycle of the year Pesukei D’Zimrah begins with a prayer that is read standing called: Baruch She’amar (“Blessed is G-d who spoke and the world came into being”) This highlights the fact that G-d created the world with ten statements e.g. “And G-d said ‘let there be light and there was light’” (Bereishit 1:3). The central section of Pesukei D’Zimrah includes: Ashrei (Psalm 145) life cycle (“Happy are those who dwell in the house of G-d”) This particular Psalm has two unusual aspects. Firstly, each line begins with a letter of the alphabet in sequence. This formula expresses the idea of using all of one’s faculties in recognition of G-d. The second aspect of the Psalm that captures our attention is the verse: “You open your hand and satisfy the will of every living thing”. This expresses a recognition that all of our basic needs are G-d

dependent. It is not the sighting of a miracle that links us to G-d, synagogue but the simple appreciation that G-d is the source of all blessing. Pesukei D’Zimrah concludes with the paragraph called: Yish’tabach (“May His great name be praised”) This is a summation of the whole section. We have spent time

7 values (“the is longer Nishmat Shema relating to: ” Shema, on the theme of Pesukei D’Zimrah tion calls the community to pray together Sec Chazan Shema less “B – Borchu Shema section that follows, the focus changes to the srael. is the G-d“G-d of Israel. Thought: as part role I acknowledge of the my people.” Jewish Thought: “Bless G-d, the Thought: of all blessing” source this whole section of , there are two blessings before the , there are two blessings before the , the first blessing changes to a more passionate declaration passionate more a to changes blessing first the , Shabbat Shabbat ntil now the goal of the service was for individuals to connect to connect to individuals for was service the of goal the now ntil G-d. In the Shacharit he central feature of this section is the three paragraphs Shema. of the of G-d’s supremacy. it as allegiance”, of pledge Jewish “the called been has The Shema unity: G-d’s proclaims “Hear O Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord is One.” of three paragraphs: actually consists The full Shema redemption. On ▪ Creation ▪ G-d’s love of the Jewish people A further blessing is said after the publicly. All present bow… presupposing that we have more time. There is an insertion of nine of insertion an is There time. more have we that presupposing historical unique the highlights that prayer extra an plus Psalms extra called G-d and People Jewish the between connection In relationship between G-d and the Jewish People. As an introduction an As People. Jewish the and G-d between relationship to this section the Jewish Meaning: T U contemplating the power of creation. This leads us to recognition that that recognition to us leads This creation. of power the contemplating standing up. paragraph is said creation is a Creator. This behind the On soul of every living being….”). soul of every living One of the 613 613 the of One the recite to Mitzvotis daily. twice Shema morning the in Once the in once and evening. Did you know? Did you 8

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values 1. The 1st paragraph (Deut. 6:4-9) Focuses on the concepts of loving G-d, learning Torah, and passing on of Jewish tradition to our children. These verses also refer to the Mitzvot of Tefillin and . 2. The 2nd paragraph (Deut. 11:13-21) Speaks about the positive consequences of fulfilling the Mitzvot, and the negative consequences of not doing so. judaism in a nutshell 3. The 3rd paragraph (Num. 15:37-41) Speaks about the Exodus from Egypt and the Mitzvah of .

In Practice: hen saying the first line of Shema (in the 1st Wparagraph), we close our eyes, covering them with the right hand. This is done in order to aid concentration. cycle of the year At Shacharit, during the 3rd paragraph of the Shema, it is customary to kiss the Tzitzit at each mention of the word Tzitzit.

When praying without a , we add the following words before saying the Shema: Eil Melech Ne’eman (“G-d, faithful King”) life cycle

Amida (The Standing [Silent] prayer) Thought: “I stand before you G-d the creator, as an individual”

Jewish Meaning: he central part of the morning service is the Amida, which means “standing”. T synagogue This comprises three sections divided as follows: ▪ Praises (3 blessings) ▪ Requests (13 blessings) On Shabbat and most Festivals (1 blessing only) ▪ Thanks (3 blessings)

9 values . Amida , to speak or signal signal or speak to , Amida when we bow: Ya’aleh v’Yavo is added - Amida : , take three steps backward to symbolise to backward steps three take , is said in an undertone. is said in an undertone. , stand with feet together facing the direction direction the facing together feet with stand , , Amida we take three steps backward, and Amida Ata (“are You”) : Amida of Israel. of Israel. Mount in Jerusalem. we face the Temple In Israel, Concentration the interrupt to forbidden is It anyone. to The Amida : : Rosh Chodesh and festivals: In the first two blessings of “Thanks” (“blessed”) Bend the knees when saying Baruch Bow when saying saying the name of G-d - stand straight Upon On In the first two blessings of “Praises” n Practice: Steps: Before beginning the then three steps forward to symbolise “stepping into the presence of G-d”. the completing After There are various seasonal additions to the “leaving G-d’s presence” bowing first to the left, then right, and then and right, then left, the to first bowing presence” G-d’s “leaving forward. steps three taking before moment a for pause to then is practice The forward. Bowing demonstrates humility. Bowing is a form of submission. It There are four instances in the ▪ ▪ The first, second and fourth bows are at the start of a blessing and we bow in the following way: ▪ ▪ ▪ The third bow, we simply bend both life, of gifts the for directly G-d thank we when is This knees. the body without bending the general and personal. Additional inserts ▪ I Direction the saying When 10

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values This is a prayer requesting that our historical association with G-d Did you know? “rise” (ya’aleh) before Him. The Amida is also ▪ On Chanukah and Purim, the paragraph Al HaNisim – (lit. “for known as the the miracles”) is added. Shemoneh Esrei which means 18, as During the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashana and ▪ it used to contain judaism in a nutshell Yom Kippur, extra phrases are added to the Amida in four places, 18 blessings. Later and the text of two blessings is changed. on another blessing ▪ There are also seasonal adjustments to pray for rain and dew, as was added, so it now appropriate for the land of Israel. contains 19 blessings but we still refer to ▪ One may add a personal prayer into the Amida in the blessing of it as the Shemoneh Shema Koleinu (Acceptance of Prayer) and Elokai Netzor, (said after Esrei. the 19th blessing), where one may ask for any needs. Also in the blessing of Refa'enu (Health and Healing), one may specifically ask that someone be healed from their illness. cycle of the year Repetition of the amida

hen a Minyan is present, the Chazan (Shaliach Tzibur) recites Wa repetition of the Amida. This repetition was originally introduced for those within the community who could not read it for themselves. It has now become part of the format of service. life cycle The Chazan’s repetition includes two prayers that are said out loud: They are Kedusha (lit. “Holiness”), which is responsive and Modim D’Rabanan (“We thank you”).

Tachanun

ollowing the Amida, we say Tachanun, a prayer of supplication. synagogue FThis is an impassioned prayer asking for G-d’s forgiveness and mercy. Tachanun consists of three parts, each said in a different pose: 1. Sitting, with one’s forehead resting on the forearm 2. Sitting up

11 values . ( for “reading”) (Yiddish g should be read read be should Torah Shabbat so that no Sedra is read. inin Torah reading for every e for three consecutive consecutive three for Torah / L g in afternoon and Monday and Thursday Thursday and Monday and afternoon 6 people are “called up” to the Torah 7 people are “called up” to the Torah 3 people are “called up” to the Torah 4 people are “called up” to the Torah 5 people are “called up” to the Torah morning the full Tachanun is said on Mondays and Read

Shabbat : ah . r oses oses instituted a public Monday, Thursday and n Shabbat On afternoon, n Practice: To I O M individual will be without be will individual the that instituted also He days. on all the festivals, publicly addressing the theme of the day. Shabbat (Gelila). (Hagba) and a second person is called up to roll Shabbat Shabbat morning Rosh Chodesh Yom Tov: Yom Kippur: Standing On Monday & Thursday: On On & Chol Hamo'ed: On On Jewish Meaning: 3. to G-d in all ways. We appeal A longer version Thursdays. of morning: the first extract from the next week is read as a “trailer” for the next Once the reading has been completed, one person is “called up” to raise the and wrap it 12

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Concluding prayers

n weekdays, Shacharit continues with concluding prayers that

Otouch on a variety of themes to accompany us throughout the judaism in a nutshell day. These include: ▪ The longed-for redemption ▪ The study of Torah ▪ The need to live meaningful lives

Aleinu (lit. “It is for us" to praise G-d) cycle of the year

ll prayer services draw to a close with Aleinu. AAleinu is a declaration of faith with profound significance. It declares that one day all of humanity will recognise G-d’s authority and accept His commandments. This is a reference to the Messianic era.

Song of the day life cycle

hacharit ends off with the “Song of the Day”. In the Temple each Sday, the Levites would sing a different “Psalm of the day” that corresponded to the significance of the particular day of the week.

Mincha (The afternoon service) synagogue

incha begins with the recitation of Ashrei (Psalm 145). M(Ashrei is also said twice during Shacharit) Next, there is a silent Amida, followed by the Chazan’s repetition. Mincha ends with the short version of Tachanun and Aleinu.

13 values . .

Amida Mincha as a bride Borchu - the call . It comprises six comprises It . Shabbat begin with Chazan’s repetition. (lit. “The receiving of Ma'ariv Shul people . There is also an additional he evening service) he evening . There is no Ma’ariv begins with T Shabbat , (

Musaf. Kabbalat Shabbat Amida and the Jewish Lecha Dodi that personifies Minyan called . Torah Ma’ariv is said until the completion of the service, we service, the of completion the until said is Borchu

Shabbat services Shabbat is omitted as it is a sombre prayer, incongruous with Shabbat services are both similar and different. They are similar ”. ”). This is really a “pre-service” to “pre-service” a really is This ”). is followed by n Friday night, the prayers in the Tachanun G-d’s love of habbat in that the overall structure of the services is the same as that to prayer. n the presence of a S service on Shabbat of the weekday. Yet within those structures there are important own its has service each that is which of least not variations, that reflects the themes of and we address G-d inviting Him “to come and greet the bride of Shabbat Psalms which represent the days of the week. This is followed by a by followed is This week. the of days the represent which Psalms beautiful song called Shabbat the joy of Mincha Friday Night & Kabbalat Shabbat & Kabbalat Night Friday O Ma’ariv concludes with “Aleinu”. I Two more blessings are said after the Shema, focusing on: Two more blessings 1) The theme of redemption 2) G-d’s night-time protection Then there is the silent may not talk. on: focus These blessings. is preceded by two In Ma’ariv, the Shema 1) The theme of creation 2) From the time the From 14

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values This pre-service originates in 16th century Tzfat in Northern Israel. In those days Tzfat was the centre of Jewish mysticism and those who lived there would go out into the fields to “greet the Shabbat” and to sing in exalted celebration. Although we don’t go out into the fields, this beautiful “pre-service” has been adopted by communities all over the world. judaism in a nutshell After Lecha Dodi we recite the “Psalm of Shabbat” which is followed by Ma'ariv.

Shabbat Morning

n a Shabbat morning there are two services for the price Oof one! First there is Shacharit. In overall structure it parallels a weekday Shacharit, although it differs in its details. So, for example, the climax is also an Amida but the central cycle of the year theme is about Shabbat and is only one blessing. Shacharit includes the reading of a “full Sedra” (weekly portion of the Torah) plus a “Haftarah” (see below). Then there is the “2nd service” - Musaf (lit.“Additional”)

Haftarah (lit.“Parting”) life cycle

Jewish Meaning: hen the Jewish nation was subjugated by the Greek Empire, Wmany decrees were issued to severely limit Jewish religious freedom. Among these edicts was a prohibition against public Torah reading. During this era, instead of reading from the Torah portion, the Jews temporarily adopted the practice of reading from a passage in the Book of Prophets which was on a related theme. synagogue After the edict was no longer in effect, it became Jewish tradition to continue this reading, following the regular Torah reading. This is known as the Haftarah (lit. “Parting”)

15 values from Aliya , the Rabbi day. Many Sedra). Shuls song of the is first given an – a song about the glory of Haftarah is read are: (lit. “To part with”…the (lit. “To part with”…the Aleinu, and the Anim Zemirot Maftir Haftarah Haftarah with a repetition. The central theme is the , two prayers are usually said: , two prayers are he additional service) T Amida ( is returned to the Ark and in many Haftarah itself called is an Torah service corresponds to the extra sacrifice brought in Temple in brought sacrifice extra the to corresponds service Musaf he times when the he times he Tov and Rosh Chodesh. namely Shabbat, Yom times on special days; mornings Tov mornings Yom morning and Kippur afternoon Yom fast days The afternoons of A prayer forA prayer the and welfare of the Royal Family health

living in Israel prayer for the security of those A n Practice: n Practice: mornings mornings ▪ Shabbat ▪ ▪ ▪ The person “called up” for the Musaf T I T the Torah communities also sing G-d, often sung by a child. Musaf service. Temple and restoration of Temple The service ends off with ▪ ▪ The After the delivers a sermon at this point. 16

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values The Synagogue / Shul judaism in a nutshell

Jewish Meaning: n biblical times, the centre of worship was the Temple in Sources: Jerusalem. After the destruction of the Temple, the Jewish people I G-d declared: were dispersed all over the world. Communities built Shuls as a “Although I have centralised location to pray and modelled them somewhat on the dispersed [the Temple. Jewish people] among the nations Today, every community has the responsibility to build and and scattered them maintain a proper Shul. The Shul is a sacred place that must be amongst the lands, cycle of the year treated with proper respect. I shall remain with them in a small sanctuary in the In Practice: lands to which they he layout of the Shul is as follows: have come.”

T (Ezekiel 11:16) At the front of the Shul is the Aron Hakodesh (lit. “The Holy Ark”) which contains the Torah scrolls. (Just as the stood at the front of the Temple and contained the Golden Ark and the Tablets of Stone)

The Ark is situated in the direction of Jerusalem. life cycle Did you know? Above the Ark is the Ner Tamid (permanent light). (Reminding us of the lights that were lit every day in the Temple on Archaeologists the seven branch Menorah) have uncovered remnants of ancient In the middle of the Shul is the Bimah (platform). in Egypt (When the Torah is brought to the Bimah we are reminded of Mount dating back at least Sinai on which the Torah was given with all the people assembled to the 3rd century round about.) BCE.

The Minyan synagogue

Minyan consists of at least 10 adult, Jewish males, praying Atogether. Once a boy is 13 years old, he qualifies as an adult. Of course, the number 10 is just a minimum. A larger congregation is preferable, as it gives greater honour to G-d.

17 values . Minyan . They include: Kaddish Borchu Priestly Blessing Torah reading of theReading Haftarah

Certain prayers may only be recited in the presence of a Minyan The Sages teach that whenever 10 Jewish men gather to pray together, the Divine Presence descends to join them. Hence the particular importance a praying with attached to ▪ ▪ the of Amida ▪ Repetition ▪ ▪ ▪ 18

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Suggested reading:

SIDDURIM The “Artscroll Siddur” judaism in a nutshell The “Artscroll Interlinear Siddur” The “Artscroll Women’s Siddur” The “Artscroll Children’s Siddur” – Shmuel Blitz The “Hebrew Daily Prayer Book” Siddur – The Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks Basic Commentaries on Prayer: “Pathway to Prayer” - Rabbi Mayer Birnbaum “Touched by a Prayer” - Rabbi Yechiel Spero “Praying With Fire” - Rabbi Heshy Kleinman cycle of the year “Siddur Companion” - Rabbi Harvey Belovski “To Pray as a Jew” - Hayim Halevy Donin “Hidden Beauty of the Shema” - Lisa Aiken Advanced Commentaries on Prayer: “Making the Most of Prayer” - Rabbi Mordechai Potash “Twerski on Prayer” - Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski “Shemoneh Esrei/The Amidah” - Rabbi Avraham Chaim Feuer “” - Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz

“Praise My Soul” - Rabbi Avigdor Miller life cycle "The World of Prayer" - Rabbi Dr. Elie Munk synagogue

19 values values

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell They are the living reality of Judaism. reality living the are They embody perspective. overall that “values” our that see will we framework, the of picture clearer a have we Once us? create G-d did Why life’s is What mission? questions: of basic the with most start we must first So of amission. pursuit in steps are They alone. not do stand values Judaism, In values?” Jewish are “what question the to back come we world!So civilised but the of rest salutes the does so Judaism that values all are These etc. “integrity” “responsibility”, “charity”, as such examples cite wouldpeople most them, list to Asked values? Jewish are what But values”. “Jewish children to our give we aim parents Jewish As certain! is nothing that is whom certainty with state with we can thing only the that those is that itseems, result, The world offending wedisagree. of a fear for in strident, easy appears always that isn’t It anything “values”.“devalues” often children our give to aim we parents, As of it all. “why” the purpose –the we discuss session, Introduction T strands together. Until now, we have been discussing the “what” of Judaism. In this this In Judaism. of “what” the discussing been have now,we Until together. strands the all one fromit sessions to brings four.different very is session respects, his many In 1

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell , Torah alues v (excerpt from the book “If you were you “If book the from (excerpt ewish ewish j . When we study G-d’s “book” – the – “book” G-d’s study we When . Torah s parents we want what is best for our children, so too G-d, our wants what is best for us. “Heavenly Parent”, Structure of of Structure Yet how is it possible for a finite being to “connect” to G-d who is beyond our imagination and comprehension? human with comparison a making by this understand better can We convictions and values same the shares one more The relationships. relationship. with another person, the closer that to are we closer the G-d’s, resemble values our more Therefore, the Him. But how do we know what values are “G-d-like” and which ones are not? When you read a book, you learn about the author. Through his style, he subconsciously reveals his aspirations, ideals and values. the is book G-d’s we absorb G-d’s values. It becomes part of who we are. A To quote a contemporary writer, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan: To quote a contemporary “To the best of our understanding, G-d created the universe as an act of love. It was an act of love so immense that the human mind a as basically world the created G-d it. fathom to begin even cannot He could bestow His good. vehicle upon which But G-d’s love is so the great greatest that good any possible. good Anything He less enough. bestows would must simply not be be But what is the greatest good? What is the ultimate good that G-d can bestow on His creation? If you think for a moment, bestow can the He that good answer greatest The Himself. G-d should is good ultimate be obvious. The is Himself. There is no greater good than unity with the Creator achieving Himself. It is for a this reason that G-d degree gave of Himself.” resemble to ability the man G-d”) 2

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values The Sages teach us that every one of the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) found in His Torah is a “window” through which we can glimpse Sources: a “G-d-like” quality. When we “live” the Mitzvot, we emulate G-d “Rav said, ‘The and the link strengthens. Mitzvot were given to refine humanity’” Now that we have identified the “mission” we can define “Jewish (Bereishit Rabba 44) values”. judaism in a nutshell Jewish values are “the spiritual steps in pursuit of the mission to connect with G-d”. So how do we go about it? Firstly: We have to recognise our own intrinsic worth: we have been created with a soul – a Divine spark. Secondly:

We have to recognise that the Mitzvot create a “commonality” with cycle of the year G-d. There are two types of Mitzvot: 1. Those that focus on relationships between people. 2. Those that focus on the relationship between a person and G-d. Let’s now analyse these two types of Mitzvot individually… life cycle synagogue

3 values This means it’s not realistic not realistic means it’s This should be based on the (lit. a soul) – a spark of f you are unhappy about yourself, it about yourself, unhappy are f you (Lev. 19:18). (Lev. Neshama Neshama instructs us to “Love your neighbour as your “Love instructs us to Torah The yourself” to love your neighbour unless you can first love can first love neighbour unless you your love to I yourself! For the others. verylove becomes to difficult you - within from flow it has to be real, to love outward. Did you know? Did you parentsourtaskencourage is ourchildren to acknowledge this with a healthy sense of self. handed Each to them by characteristic G-d to utilise Our in self islife. worth a tool way we use the tools that given.we have been he soul within) T very human being has a the Divine, within. It is this Divine spark which gives us ( Our own intrinsic worth intrinsic Our own intrinsicworth and our potential for greatness. The foundation of a strong sense of self-esteemabout ourselves. is based on knowing this Thefact stronger our inner self,relate the greaterto otherswill beand ourworth to is abilityof crucial G-d. importance. to We Thushave to believe thebefore in ourselves appreciationwe can build a trueof relationshipone’s “self- withon emphasis great others!a is there Judaism within that follows It development”. There is no greater gift that weunderstanding can give our thatchildren they than arethe G-d.special and unique in the eyes of others. He will never compare them to Each individual has G-d given strengths and weaknesses. As Jewish Meaning: E (Rashi) (Gen. 2:7) (Gen. 1:27) Sources: His body from the the from body His material “physical” the from soul his and “spiritual” ‘And Hashem, G-d G-d Hashem, ‘And of dust man formed ground, the from his into blew He and nostrils the soul of became man and life; being.’ living a ‘So G-d created Man Man created G-d ‘So the in image, His in He of G-d image male him; created created He female and them.’ 4

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Aim: To build self confidence in our children. Sources: Activity 1: Occasionally, when our children wake up, “When a person encourage them to look in the mirror and say evaluates his something positive about themselves - taking uniqueness, he should pleasure in their strengths. begin to shudder! Behold, from all Activity 2: Discuss ways in which their more challenging people living in the judaism in a nutshell parents’ assistant parents’ characteristics can be used productively! world presently, there Encourage them to see all characteristics as tools. is no one that is specifically the same as him. Among all the people who have lived from Adam until today, there is no one that is specifically the same as him; no one with exactly the same talents, energies,

abilities, qualities cycle of the year and weaknesses. This is why man was created as an individual, (and not as part of a herd, like animals) for he must say to himself, ‘It is for me that the world was created! (Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5)’ ” (Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe 1914-2005) life cycle

Sources: “It is tragic when a person does not recognize his weaknesses. But it is horrific when he doesn’t know his strengths!” (Rabbi Yeruchem of Mir 1873-1936). synagogue

5 values

). By . The Tzedaka Kashrut, between (Sota 14a) Hachnasat ). This is a

(Deut. 28:9) Mitzvot Shabbat 31a) ( We will now examples of look at people, two (Charity) namely (Inviting Guests). Orchim and to “Walk in G-d’s ways” between “Man and G-d”, e.g. prayer, Mitzvah ommandmentsthemselves aredivided into twoparts. C questions, how is this possible? It explains that we Mitzvot ome may mistakenly think with that Judaism is only concerned Mitzvot between people between Mitzvot Le’Chaveiro) (Bein Adam Great weight is placed upon Talmud explainsthe importancethat onof thehonesty. individual is: question that will be put to each day The of judgment, the very “Have you dealt honestly in business?” first Jewish Meaning: S Talmud Talmud should emulate the ways of G-d. “Just as He is merciful, so you tooHe gives should to others, be somerciful. you too should Just give to others.as slow to anger, so you too should be slow to anger.” is Just as He . While those are indeed vital, a person’s behaviour vis- behaviour person’s a vital, indeed are those While Shabbat. of parallel importance. à-vis others is TheTen Five relate to “Man and G-d” and five relate– society to “Man andand humanity.Man” There is a A religiousAbusinesshonest personinisspeakswhoand pleasantly Hashem (Kiddush G-d of awareness an generates people, to transgression of the severest spiritualothers from connectingmagnitude, withdiscouraging G-d. contrast, when a he “religious” desecrates the person Divine Name behaves ( dishonourably, (Shabbat 31a) (Shabbat tells of a tells Talmud The who came non-Jew sage, the great to to Hillel, and offered Judaism to convert if Hillel teach would Torah him the entire on while he stood Hillel one foot. this strange to replied saying: by request others “Do not do to which is hateful that is the That you. to ; the rest Torah entire Now is commentary. go and study.” Did you know? Did you 6

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Did you know? Even our enemies have recognised the part played by Judaism in providing a universal ethical code. As Adolf Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf: “It is true we Germans are barbarians; that is an honoured title to us. I free humanity from the shackles of the soul; from the degrading suffering caused by the false vision called conscience and ethics. The Jews have inflicted two wounds judaism in a nutshell on mankind: circumcision on its body and conscience on its soul. They are Jewish inventions. The war for the domination of the world is waged only between these two camps alone, the Germans and the Jews. Everything else is but deception.”

Did you know? Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (1707-1746) in his book “Derech Hashem” (“The Way of G-d”) teaches that every relationship that we have is simultaneously a metaphor for how we can connect to G-d. For example: ▪ The parent-child relationship is a metaphor for the human relationship to

G-d. It serves as a paradigm for how to relate to our Creator – the “Heavenly cycle of the year Parent”. ▪ In our prayers and variously in Jewish thought, G-d is often referred to as “Our Father, our King”. ▪ A husband/wife relationship is a powerful metaphor of intimacy between Israel and G-d. G-d is the husband, the Jewish people are the spouse. We have a duty of devotion and fidelity. life cycle synagogue

7 values Tzedek, starting Tzedakah Tzedakah Tzedakah lists eight Levels of is is derived from the Hebrew word fulfillsone ofG-d’s commandments. Giving is Tzedakah (Charity) (Charity) (1135-1204) Tzedakah Tzedakah ccording to Jewish law, we are encouragedof to giveour one-tenthincome to the poor. This is generally interpreted as Giving where the recipient knows the giver, but the giver Giving where neither the giver nor the recipient know each “justice”. he word Givingwhere the giver knows the recipient, but the recipient n Practice: does not know the giver. 4. does not know the recipient. 5. Giving before being asked. with the most desirable: Giving1. poora person: work/a loan/a present which alleviates his poverty. 2. other. 3. one-tenth of our net who incomeare dependentafter paymenton public of of assistancesubsistencetaxes. or may livingThosegive on less,theythe are butedgeable; musthowever, stillno person give should would togive become sothe a much public extentthat burden he himself. Maimonides Although it is often translated as charity, the nature of nature the charity, as translated often is it Although is very different. The word “charity” suggestsgenerosity, benevolence anda magnanimous for act the by benefit of the the wealthy poor and needy. –and “justice”powerful The word implies that generous,giving magnanimousto the actpoor - isit righteousness, isnot simplyviewed the anperformance asact a ofof a duty,justicedue. giving and the poor their Giving not an extraordinary act, but a commonJew. one expected of every I A T Jewish Meaning:Jewish Exod.) Exod.) (Deut. 15:7,8). (Deut. 15:7,8). Hirsch (1808-1888) Sources: , Commentary on Torah t is not the poor (Rabbi Samson Raphael “If be amongst there you a needy man amongst your from within brethren any of your gates in your land which the Eternal, your G-d gives you, you shall not harden your heart nor close your your hand from You needy brother. definitelymust open your hand to him, definitelyand must lend him sufficient which in need the for he is lacking” “I who need the rich, it is the rich who need the poor.” Did you know? Did you 8

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values 6. Giving after being asked. Did you know? 7. Giving with a smile, yet less than is needed. The general 8. Giving only because you feel forced to do it. population of the (If a person gives begrudgingly, he has not performed the UK give on average 0.8% of their income Mitzvah of Tzedakah! [Code of Jewish Law, Yoreh Deah 249:3]) to charity. “The judaism in a nutshell Chief Executive of the Charities Jewish Law prioritises to whom one should give Tzedakah, Aid Foundation, beginning with the most vital. Although there are many details, the Institute of these are the broad categories within the Jewish community: Philanthropy and The 1. Relatives Giving Campaign has suggested giving 2. Close friends 1.5% of one’s income to charity.” 3. Neighbours 4. People from the same city cycle of the year 5. People living in Israel 6. People living elsewhere life cycle synagogue

9 values of ‘love your Mitzvah to ‘walk in the ways of Mitzvah chim Or t applies to those who are wealthy and to includes feeding the visitor and providing nviting Guests) nviting asa n Hach (I this honours the guest appropriately. individuals or organisations have communities Many that take it upon themselves to ensureaccommodation. visitors have Mitzvah The The host should strive to meet all the needs of the guest, Hachnasat Orchim Even a poor person should strive to host others if possible, One should accompany one’s guest beyond the front door - If the guest is travelling afterwards, the host should prepare Even if one has household help one should tend to the guest nviting guests is included neighbour as in yourself’. the n Practice:

including a place to wash and rest if necessary. ▪ however he foremost. must put himself ▪ and his him food for the way. family, first and ▪ ▪ I I Jewish Meaning:Jewish It is also a fulfilment of the G-d’, which teaches us that actions.we should strive to emulate G-d’s Just as G-d is constantly “hosting” the entirea place world, offeringto sleep us and food toto others. eat, so too must we be hospitable those who are not. Mitzvah of Tzedakah. person we additionally fulfil the Nevertheless, when inviting ▪ a destitute if required. accommodation ▪ themselves. ▪ (Gen. 18: 1-8) (Gen. n some respects, n some respects, I guests is inviting than greater even communicating directly with G-d. The teach this based on the extraordinary hospitality of our Abraham. patriarch, in great was Abraham his pain following G-dcircumcision. Abraham. “visited” interrupted Abraham this prophetic to experience guests three welcome home! his to Did you know? Did you 10

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Relationship between a person and G-d (Bein Adam Le’Makom) judaism in a nutshell

Jewish Meaning: Did you know? -d wants us to connect with Him. In Judaism, greatness G lies in the details A person who is kind and helpful to everyone around, yet is as it does in nature disrespectful, or even rude, to his parents - is clearly deficient or technology. A in behaviour. In a similar vein a “good Jew” who is kind and computer missing one helpful to others yet ignores his relationship with his “Heavenly tiny microchip won’t Parent” is also off the mark. work at all. Try tuning into a radio station As we mentioned in the introduction to this session, it is obvious cycle of the year close but not exactly that the greatest gift that He can offer us, is a connection with on the station. The Himself. result is an awful lot of Like all real relationships it is the details that determine the noise. Spirituality is the quality of the bond. The day-to-day and the hour-by-hour. same. Harmonising Not just the summer holiday. ourselves with spirituality requires We will now look at two examples of Mitzvot between a person that we tune in exactly and G-d, namely Mezuzah and Kashrut. to the right station. It requires a focus on details. The devil is in

the details, but as they life cycle say, so is the spirituality. synagogue

11 values with one’s hand Mezuzah scroll is the Hebrew name of are complex, it is vital to purchase to vital is it complex, are have been written. These contain Mezuzah Mezuzah is to remind us every time we pass through pass we time every us remind to is animal. A specially trained scribe, known scribe, trained specially A animal. Shema Shema is also a symbol of G-d’s watchful care over the over care watchful G-d’s of symbol a also is . is hand-written on genuine parchment, prepared Kosher Mezuzah itself is a small scroll on which the first two uzahMez recalls the Exodus from Egypt, when the lamb’s blood blood lamb’s the when Egypt, from Exodus the recalls Mezuzah Mezuzah . This name is an acronym for “Guardian of the Doors Doors the of “Guardian for acronym an is name This Shad-dai. Mezuzah , carefully writes the words using special black ink and a he paragraphs of the Kosher Mezuzah tois an easy Mitzvah ixing Mezuzot onto our doors perform. In addition to its role as a declaration and reminder of our trust n Practice: in G-d, the G-d, in as a invalidates this missing, letters or mistakes any are there If pen. quill the entire parchment. a writing of laws the Since a Mezuzah from a very trustworthy source. the themes of unity of G-d,for Mitzvot. our love for G-d, and the reward A a of skin the from T I F Jewish Meaning:Jewish home and its inhabitants. home and its inhabitants. On the reverse side of the a doorway that G-d is present. Every room in the home potential for sanctity. has the Some have the custom to lightly kiss the G-d, of Israel”. (Shin, the first letter of this Name, often appears on the Mezuzah case.) passed G-d that The homes Jewish the “identified” doorpost the on smeared the forward, day that From firstborn. of the plague the during over Jewish. being as home a identified always Mezuzah has a of purpose The when passing through the doorway, demonstrating a love for this important Mitzvah 12

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Where to Place a Mezuzah very home or office needs a Mezuzah regardless of whether Eyou are owning or renting. However, if you expect to live in a place for less than 30 days, you do not need to fix a Mezuzah. As well as a Mezuzah on one’s front door, every doorway of the home should have its own Mezuzah. judaism in a nutshell However, a Mezuzah should not be put on the door to a bathroom or toilet. The Mezuzah should be placed at shoulder height. On a typical doorway, it would be at the lower end of the top third. The Mezuzah is always fixed to the doorpost that is on the right side when you are entering the house/room. Sephardim affix the Mezuzah so that it is vertical. The

Ashkenazi custom is to put it on a diagonal, with the top cycle of the year of the Mezuzah facing inward.

How to Put Up a Mezuzah hen placing the Mezuzah in the case and on the wall, be Wsure that the Hebrew word Shad-dai, which is written on the back of the parchment, is facing outwards. Also, make sure that the Mezuzah itself is not upside down! The Mezuzah should be permanently affixed with glue, silicon, nails or screws. Tape that falls off if knocked is too temporary to be life cycle considered “fixed”.

Once the Mezuzah is in position, but before fixing it to the door, say the following blessing: ּבָרּוְךַאּתָה ה׳ אֱֹלהֵינּו מֶלְֶך הָעֹולָםאֲׁשֶר קִּדְׁשָנּו ּבְמִצְֹותָיו וְצִּוָנּו לִקְּבֹעַמְזּוזָה: Baruch Ata Adonoy, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu likbo’a Mezuzah. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His Mitzvot, and commanded us to fix a Mezuzah. synagogue

In the Long Run hen moisture, dust or paint penetrates a Mezuzah, it can Wsometimes ruin it. Thus it is important to have your Mezuzah inspected by an expert scribe twice in seven years.

13 values is a Kosher This is not a Chukim, (Mitzvot Kosher. is not related to health (though literally means “fit”. Foods that are Kosher he following is what makes food a broad overview of n Practice: comprehensive manual. I T kosher andTorah prepared according to Jewish law r oshe K he Hebrew word the by permitted T Jewish Meaning: weimagine that if G-d told us to eat some things and not others, this would also be good for our health). Keeping are Kosher – “fit” for eating. of Kashrut The observance makes a Jewish home “Jewish”. Ultimately, we cannot Kosher”. fathom the For, full as depthKosher than the meets of the saying palate… “Why goes, keep there is The reason for morekeeping to keeping part of the group of commandments called with reasons beyond human comprehension)with which our have sensitivity to do to the physical environment,our own bodies. starting with The prohibition for not eating meat someand milkcommentators is considered as by an actof of thesensitivity. animal usedMeat representsis for the itspart the ownmore self-sustenanceself-centredon the otheraspects andhand, is therefore ofused forthe outer-directednurturing,animal. reflecting Milk, part the giving, of we the show animal. our sensitivity ultimately By to nothas an impact these mixing on our differences own natures. the two, in nature. This 14

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Kosher Species

1. Animals he Torah says that two signs identify an animal as a Kosher Tspecies: fully split hooves and chewing the cud (rumination). judaism in a nutshell Kosher animals are always mammals and herbivores.

2. Birds he Torah enumerates 24 forbidden species of birds which Tincludes, among others, all birds of prey (e.g. vulture, hawk, eagle). In practice today, we eat only those birds for which there is an established Kosher tradition e.g. chicken, turkey, duck and goose. cycle of the year 3. Fish he Torah teaches that a Kosher fish must possess both fins and Tscales. Crustaceans (such as lobster and crab) and other shellfish (such as clams) are not kosher, because they lack scales. Further, all aquatic mammals (e.g. whales and dolphins) are not Kosher.

4. Insects

our species of grasshoppers are actually Kosher, however life cycle Fnowadays we cannot ascertain which ones they are and therefore we do not eat any. All other insects are not Kosher. This means that one must inspect all leafy vegetables and certain fruits (e.g. raspberries and strawberries) to make sure that they are “bug free”.

Kosher Slaughtering

ven a kosher species must be slaughtered in the manner prescribed Eby the Torah (Shechita). Otherwise the meat is not Kosher (Fish synagogue do not require Shechita). In this procedure, a trained slaughterer (Shochet) severs the trachea and esophagus of the animal with a special razor-sharp knife. This also severs the jugular vein, causing near-instantaneous death with minimal pain to the animal. The animal still requires checking, removing of forbidden parts, and salting to draw out the blood, before it can be eaten.

15 values food . osher. Parev Kosher Kosher k Chalav Milchig foods Parev bird; Parev. animal without (meat) and Kosher (meaty) and Kosher Basar creatures are also not also are creatures Fleishig .) through the absorption of taste–particles. taste–particles. of absorption the through eggs must come from a kitchen must have two separate sets of pots, Kosher Kosher Torah forbids eating meat and milk in combination, and even abbinic law requires supervision during to the ensure milking that the process, milk comes from a roducts which come from non-Kosher from come which roducts In other words, can become non-Kosher become can ooking utensils etc. that come into contact with non-Kosher he forbids the act of cooking them together (as well as deriving fish. Kosher fish oil from a Kosher fish. a Kosher animal and milk from foods may be eaten with either dairy or meat products. meat or dairy either with eaten be may foods include: fish, eggs, and everything grown from the soil (vegetables, fruits, grains). (Actually, fish and meat may not be eaten together for reasons aside from Kashrut adulteration. In the UK, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture regulations. Some people, however, elect to eat dairy and certified as kosher. products that have been supervised Additional Prohibitions Additional 3. Derivatives of a Non-Kosher Species 3. Derivatives of a Non-Kosher P 2. Supervised milk R 1. Meat and Milk 1. Meat T These laws are quite complex and will vary factors. depending on many 4. Non-Kosher Vessels C (milky). products. milky eating before meal meat a after wait to necessary is It we However, hours. three is Jewry Anglo in practice common The may eat meat following dairy products as long as other food and drink in between. we have eaten Food that contains neither meat nor milk is called benefit from such a mixture). benefit from such Therefore, a for other the and meat/poultry for one - silverware and plates pans, dairy foods. The Hebrew terms for meat and milk are (milk). In Yiddish, the terms are Honey from bees is Honey from , although the Kosher are bees themselves Beesnot. produce the honey from nectar of flowers. though bees Even bring the honey into it is their bodies, and not only stored, there. produced Did you know? Did you 16

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Kosher Supervision hen shopping for Kosher food, it is not enough to simply W“read the ingredients”. Food processing has become highly sophisticated and labelling practices may be misleading to the Kosher consumer. For example, certain emulsifiers may be manufactured judaism in a nutshell with non-Kosher animal fats. To know which products are Kosher and which ones are not one should buy “The Really Jewish Food Guide” or go to their website www.kosher.org.uk Alternatively, certain products have a “symbol” indicating that the product is Kosher.

(The symbol shown are cycle of the year merely a selection of the many Kosher certification Conclusion: logos that are around)

ewish values are the spiritual steps in pursuit of our connection Jto G-d. It is a way in which we carry out our daily activities and thought processes that builds our spiritual personality – the Neshama. life cycle When we give charity and eat Kosher, for example, these are not just “rituals”: we change as people. We connect with G-d. This is the goal of Judaism. synagogue

17 values – Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Feuer – Rabbi Avrohom – Shimon Apisdorf – Rabbi Moshe Lieber – Rabbi Aryeh Carmell nstruct t’s Program Program t’s ntroductory – The Sage’s Sage’s The – reasury” T – To I To – reasury” llustrated Youth EditionYouth llustrated Gold – Rabbi Avie T zedakah nformed Soul” – I Soul” nformed T nspire he Pirkei Avos Avos he Pirkei he I he – Principles for for – Principles Life” he Committed T T T T “Kosher for the Clueless but Curious” Clueless the for “Kosher encounters with Jewish thoughtencounters “ Living Guide to – RabbiGottleib Dovid Advanced: “ “ and I Basic: – I – Judaism “Masterplan” Meaning & Goals Suggested reading: Suggested PastTimeless Our Good from Living – I Avos" “Pirkei – Esther Jungreis “ 18

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values TERMINOLOGY

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Terminology Aron Ar Aninut Anim Zemirot Esrei Amid Aliy Aleinu Al Akeid Ad Ad Jewish word Borchu Bentching Ham Birc Bim B She’ B B B B Av Aufruf Ashrei im Ashkenaz Asar asar aruch ar/B adeken a ’ avot ar Sheni ar al HaNisim a am a a az a a t K a ah Hakodesh B’ /Shemone oreh t on/ ar Mitzv Tevet ah Usage Literal meaning 1

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Literal meaning Literal Usage m Tzibur orah Hashem T

hagi C m Hamo’ed a Ivri rchi huppah hatan hatan hag/ trog m Hadassi Haftarah b Hag Haggadah Gelila Ha’ Hachnasat O C Dreidel Ellul E Fleishig Chazeret Cheshvan Chillul Chol hatan Bereshit Chatan Chatan Chava Chazzan/ Shaliach Chanukiah/ Menorah Charoset C Brit Yitzchak Brit C Chalav Chametz Chanukah Jewish word Jewish Bracha/ Brachot Milah/Bris Brit 2

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Kiddush Kiddush h Ketuba Kedusha p Kar h Kalla h Kaddis Shabbat Kabbalat Kabbalat Panim h Kabbala I Nedarim Hatarat Hashem Hamantashen Hallel Jewish word L M M M M M M L Levi/ L Lecha L Kriyat Ha Kosher/Kas hrut Kol Cohen/Ko hanim Kislev Kinot Kiddushin yar ulav evaya evaya a’evyonim ag atanot ashia arror aftir a a’ariv/ chzor Nidrei B Levi’im as a’omer Dodi ch Aravit Hashem T h ora Usage Literal meaning 3

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Literal meaning Literal Usage atzot m a ov Haben Ani

ays

D abanan Zimrah R ’ Peticha Pidyon Purim HeNeshamot Parev Pesach Pesukei d’ Nissan Olam Omer D Mohel Musaf Nesham Nine Mitzvah/ Mitzvot Modeh Modim Milchig Minyan Mishkan Mishloach Manot Megilla Menorah Mezuzah/ Mezuzot Jewish word Jewish Matzah/ Matzeivah Mazal T 4

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Shabbat Shabbat Chattan Shabbat Shabbat L Seven Seudat Seudah Sefir Sefer Sephardim Sedr Seder Seder Sandek Rosh Rosh Chodesh Jewish word Shochet Shmini B Shiva Shiva Shidduch/im Shevat Sheva Shema Sheloshim Shechita Shavuot Shana Shamash Regalim Shalosh Shalom Shalia Sha aws ’ T ammuz charit a at Hashanah

plate T Asar Noahide Br ch or A Mitzvah Ha’omer Z tzeret Z K a a ah Tzibur a allah chot chor

chor

Usage Literal meaning 5

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell Literal meaning Literal Usage ’mei ’mei Y at orah v T A ther Esther Hab eret Aseret hree weeks Three

ha B’ s i almud ammuz ashlich a’anit a’anit achanun ahara allit a’anit a’anit huva Teshuva Tisch T Tefillin Tevet The THE T T T Tefila T Bechorot T T T Sofer Sukkah Sukkot T Simchat Simchat Sivan Siyum Slichot han Purim Shushan Siddur/ Siddurim Simchat Bat/ Zeved Jewish word Jewish Shofar Shul 6

judaism in a nutshell cycle of the year life cycles synagogue values Yizkor Yisht Yichud Noraim Yamim Yahrtzei Yad V Tzom Gedalia Tzitzi Tzedakah B’ Tu Sheb’al Peh Torah Shebicht Torah Torah Tishrei Jewish word Z Yerushala Yom Tov Yom Yom Yom Yom ohar ort S Ha’a Kippur n Hazikaro abach hva tzma’ut av t y im

Usage Literal meaning 7

values synagogue life cycle cycle of the year judaism in a nutshell