the Torah: (the Teaching, the Law) the first 5 books a.k.a. the Pentateuch the Nevi’im: the Prophets the Ketuvim: the wisdom writings The Talmud: commentaries on the mishna (commandments) Babylonian Talmud Palestinian Talmud 1. (בראשית / Bereshit) - Genesis 2. (שמות / Shemot) - Exodus 3. (ויקרא / Vayikra) - Leviticus 4. (במדבר / Bamidbar) - Numbers 5. (דברים / Devarim) - Deuteronomy Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Hosea, Amos, Jonah etc Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah

Tabernacle Model of the tabernacle in Timna Park, Israel : Hebrew: mishkan A portable dwelling place for the holy. (tent)

Ark with Torah scrolls inside Image from wildworldofreligion.wordpress.com

View from the bimah with the ark in the background

Birth/Naming Boys are circumcised on the eighth day after birth in accordance with Jewish law and as a sign of entrance into the community. Naming rites for girls usually take place at a synagogue during a Sabbath service. Bar/Bat Mitzvah (“son/daughter of the commandment”): coming of age ritual celebrated on or near 13 th birthday (for boys and at 12 for girls) that marks participation in Jewish ritual life.

Boy at his bar mitzvah reading from the Torah scroll using a yad (pointer)

Atonement for defilement, transgression, sin Escaping violence or maintaining peace by transferring aggression outside of the community Scapegoat Syria, Greece, Israel

5 th Century BC8 th century BC p. 196

Jewish traditions, rituals and customs

Marriage: celebrates the couple as embodying the ideal human relationship. Rituals include the marrying couple standing under a huppah, and breaking a glass underfoot (symbolizing the difficulties that may be part of this relationship).

Multi-stage process The first lasts to burial, which optimally occurs the same day as death. Stage two runs for seven days after the burial and is called Shiva. The family receives mourners at the home. “sitting shiva” Stage three lasts for a month and while a normal routine is re- established, celebrations are avoided. The final stage (usually for close relatives) lasts until the anniversary of death.

begins at sunset on Friday and is a day of rest in remembrance of the 7 th day of creation when God rested. Jews avoid work, which can include driving, answering the phone, and switching on a light. Sabbath observance usually involves Torah study and religious services and family meals that celebrate fellowship

Shabbat candles, challah, kiddush cup with wine

Celebrates the new year (creation of the world) It is solemn in that it is a time of reflection on the past year and need for penitence It begins a 10 day observance called the Days of Awe The ram’s horn or shofar is blown to commence this observance and remind Jews of their spiritual needs. (Jewish New Year)

Apples and honey are traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah. The shofar,or ram’s horn, is used to call the community to penance and to attend to its spiritual needs.

The Day of Atonement Stresses repentance and involves prayer and fasting Ends the 10 day period known as the “Days of Awe” Often wear white and no leather shoes Fall Holy Day “May you have an easy fast.”

a joyful eight-day holiday celebrated in spring Sometimes called the Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorates the Exodus event and the beginning of the harvest season the main event of the festival is the Seder meal during which the Exodus story is recited Main text at Seder is called the Haggadah the meal includes traditional foods, such as matzoh (unleavened bread).

Seder plate with traditional items: hard boiled egg, charoset (apples, red wine, and walnuts), roasted bone, horseradish root, karpas (often parsley dipped in salty water), chazeret (bitter herbs, often lettuce)

Prayer shawl (tallit) Man wearing tefillin on his arm and head as well as a kippah (yarmulke)

Mezuzah marking the entrance to a Jewish home