WJEC A Level Religious Studies - Judaism
Theme 4: Religious Practices that Shape Religious Identity (Parts 1-2) -
Flashcard Set
193 independently written question-and-answer cards
Question Answer
What are some key features of The congregation prays facing Jerusalem. The Aron Kodesh
a synagogue? houses the Torah scrolls, the bimah is the platform for
reading, and the Ner Tamid is the eternal light placed near
the ark.
What is the Hebrew name for Aron Kodesh.
the Ark?
What does the word ‘to gather together’.
‘synagogue’ mean?
How long have Jews been 2500 years.
attending synagogues?
How long did the Second Traditional rabbinic chronology gives 420 years. In
Temple stand in Jerusalem? conventional historical dating, it stood from around 516 BCE
until its destruction in 70 CE.
Why is the temple so Very centre of Jewish life as Jewish law states that certain
important? important religious rituals, such as animal sacrifices, can only
take part in the temple.
Quote by Anderson on “The most serious adjustment that the Jews of Babylonia had
synagogue’s importance. to make was a religious one.” “The greatest danger was that
in time the Jewish faith, torn from these historical moorings,
would be drowned in the sea of Babylonian culture.”
How long did the Babylonian From the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE until the
exile last? Persian decree permitting return in 538 BCE—approximately
48 years.
Quote from Deut. 4:27. “you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and all
your soul”
Why are the lay-out of many They were never meant to replace the Temple, but acted as
synagogues reminiscent of the temporary places of worship until the Temple in Jerusalem
Temple? could be rebuilt.
What is the inner chamber of The Holy of Holies.
the sanctuary known as?
What are the two ways in which • 1) It was brought into camp in 1 Samuel 4, in the hope of
Anderson says we must ensuring victory. This suggests that the ark represents
consider to analyse the mighty presence of God.
religious significance of the • 2) Later it was thought as the throne of the incorporeal
ark? God. It was firmly believed that God’s invisible presence
travelled with the Israelites and showed himself as leader.
What is the ark referred to in The vessel for the stone tablets (Ten Sayings), hence the title
Deuteronomy 10:5? ‘Ark of the Covenant’.
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
, Question Answer
How is the Ark a reminder of • Built the temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon modelled it on
the temple? the Sanctuary.
• Western synagogues place the Aron Kodesh in the east
wall.
• Contains the Sefer Torah scroll.
How is the Holy Ark treated? • Forbidden to make secular use.
• Cannot be destroyed.
• Cannot sell it.
• Rabbi Jacob Halevi would bow 3 times to it!
What are the 3 social • Bet k’nesset: house of meeting.
roles/names of the synagogue? • Bet Midrash: house of study.
• Shul: school.
Quote by Unterman on how the “the bet k’nesset which is the synagogue proper used for
halakhic status of two types of prayers and other liturgical rites, and the bet midrash…
building differs. which is used for study as well as regular services.”
Quote on importance of “you shall teach them diligently to your children” Deut 6:6-7.
education.
Which festivals and holy days Synagogue worship is central to Shabbat, Pesach, Rosh
are marked in the synagogue? Hashanah, Yom Kippur and other festivals, although many
celebrations also take place in the home.
Quote by Wright on the “Collectively, these festivals are fundamental to the
religious role of the synagogue. experience of being Jewish.”
What are the three daily • Shacharit (morning).
services in the Synagogue? • Minchah (afternoon).
• Arvit (evening).
What is an example of a ritual Mikveh.
regarding spiritual purity?
Quote by Maimonides on “It is plain and manifest that the laws about uncleanness and
spiritual cleanliness. cleanness are decrees laid down by Scripture”
What is the Hebrew term for a Bet din.
house of judgement?
What are the 2 primary • Making judgements on civil disputes between Jewish Holy
functions of the Bet Din? Law.
• Ruling on religious matters.
Quote by Court Judge Dawn “…just determining Jewish law for a host of areas to do with
Freedman on Synagogue’s Sabbath observance, medical ethics and the like.”
legal status.
Quote of the biblical origins of “The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the
the Bet Din? people...” Exodus 18:13.
What is the word for a panel of Dayanim.
3 judges?
How long is Pesach observed? Seven days in Israel and traditionally eight days in the
diaspora.
What is Pesach also known as? The festival of the unleavened bread.
What is the main meal in The Seder meal.
Pesach?
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
Theme 4: Religious Practices that Shape Religious Identity (Parts 1-2) -
Flashcard Set
193 independently written question-and-answer cards
Question Answer
What are some key features of The congregation prays facing Jerusalem. The Aron Kodesh
a synagogue? houses the Torah scrolls, the bimah is the platform for
reading, and the Ner Tamid is the eternal light placed near
the ark.
What is the Hebrew name for Aron Kodesh.
the Ark?
What does the word ‘to gather together’.
‘synagogue’ mean?
How long have Jews been 2500 years.
attending synagogues?
How long did the Second Traditional rabbinic chronology gives 420 years. In
Temple stand in Jerusalem? conventional historical dating, it stood from around 516 BCE
until its destruction in 70 CE.
Why is the temple so Very centre of Jewish life as Jewish law states that certain
important? important religious rituals, such as animal sacrifices, can only
take part in the temple.
Quote by Anderson on “The most serious adjustment that the Jews of Babylonia had
synagogue’s importance. to make was a religious one.” “The greatest danger was that
in time the Jewish faith, torn from these historical moorings,
would be drowned in the sea of Babylonian culture.”
How long did the Babylonian From the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE until the
exile last? Persian decree permitting return in 538 BCE—approximately
48 years.
Quote from Deut. 4:27. “you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and all
your soul”
Why are the lay-out of many They were never meant to replace the Temple, but acted as
synagogues reminiscent of the temporary places of worship until the Temple in Jerusalem
Temple? could be rebuilt.
What is the inner chamber of The Holy of Holies.
the sanctuary known as?
What are the two ways in which • 1) It was brought into camp in 1 Samuel 4, in the hope of
Anderson says we must ensuring victory. This suggests that the ark represents
consider to analyse the mighty presence of God.
religious significance of the • 2) Later it was thought as the throne of the incorporeal
ark? God. It was firmly believed that God’s invisible presence
travelled with the Israelites and showed himself as leader.
What is the ark referred to in The vessel for the stone tablets (Ten Sayings), hence the title
Deuteronomy 10:5? ‘Ark of the Covenant’.
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
, Question Answer
How is the Ark a reminder of • Built the temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon modelled it on
the temple? the Sanctuary.
• Western synagogues place the Aron Kodesh in the east
wall.
• Contains the Sefer Torah scroll.
How is the Holy Ark treated? • Forbidden to make secular use.
• Cannot be destroyed.
• Cannot sell it.
• Rabbi Jacob Halevi would bow 3 times to it!
What are the 3 social • Bet k’nesset: house of meeting.
roles/names of the synagogue? • Bet Midrash: house of study.
• Shul: school.
Quote by Unterman on how the “the bet k’nesset which is the synagogue proper used for
halakhic status of two types of prayers and other liturgical rites, and the bet midrash…
building differs. which is used for study as well as regular services.”
Quote on importance of “you shall teach them diligently to your children” Deut 6:6-7.
education.
Which festivals and holy days Synagogue worship is central to Shabbat, Pesach, Rosh
are marked in the synagogue? Hashanah, Yom Kippur and other festivals, although many
celebrations also take place in the home.
Quote by Wright on the “Collectively, these festivals are fundamental to the
religious role of the synagogue. experience of being Jewish.”
What are the three daily • Shacharit (morning).
services in the Synagogue? • Minchah (afternoon).
• Arvit (evening).
What is an example of a ritual Mikveh.
regarding spiritual purity?
Quote by Maimonides on “It is plain and manifest that the laws about uncleanness and
spiritual cleanliness. cleanness are decrees laid down by Scripture”
What is the Hebrew term for a Bet din.
house of judgement?
What are the 2 primary • Making judgements on civil disputes between Jewish Holy
functions of the Bet Din? Law.
• Ruling on religious matters.
Quote by Court Judge Dawn “…just determining Jewish law for a host of areas to do with
Freedman on Synagogue’s Sabbath observance, medical ethics and the like.”
legal status.
Quote of the biblical origins of “The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the
the Bet Din? people...” Exodus 18:13.
What is the word for a panel of Dayanim.
3 judges?
How long is Pesach observed? Seven days in Israel and traditionally eight days in the
diaspora.
What is Pesach also known as? The festival of the unleavened bread.
What is the main meal in The Seder meal.
Pesach?
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
