Jewish practices

Jewish practice expresses faith through worship, observance of mitzvot, festivals and rites of passage. AQA expects you to know synagogue worship, prayer, Shabbat, the major festivals, rites of passage and kashrut.

The synagogue

A synagogue (Hebrew Beit Knesset — "House of Assembly") is a Jewish place of worship, study and community. Key features:

• Ark (Aron Kodesh) — cabinet on the eastern wall holding the Torah scrolls.
• Bimah — raised platform from which the Torah is read.
• Eternal Light (Ner Tamid) — perpetually lit lamp above the Ark; symbolises God's presence.
• Star of David and other Jewish symbols.

Prayer

• Three daily services — Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), Maariv (evening). Orthodox Jews aim for all three; Reform Jews may attend Shabbat only.
• The Shema — "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deut. 6:4). Recited daily.
• The Amidah — "the standing prayer" — 19 blessings recited silently while standing.
• Tallit — prayer shawl with fringes (tzitzit).
• Tefillin — small leather boxes containing scripture, worn on the arm and head during weekday morning prayers.
• Kippah / yarmulke — head covering worn out of respect for God.

Shabbat

The weekly day of rest, from sundown Friday to Saturday night. The fourth commandment: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8).

• Friday evening: candles lit by the woman of the house; kiddush (blessing over wine); challah bread; Shabbat meal.
• Saturday: synagogue service; Torah read; festive lunch.
• Saturday night: Havdalah ceremony with wine, spices and a braided candle ends Shabbat.
• 39 categories of work prohibited (e.g. cooking, writing, using money, driving — Orthodox; Reform Jews are more flexible).

Festivals

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)

• Two-day festival in September/October.
• Shofar (ram's horn) blown to call repentance.
• Sweet foods (apples in honey) symbolise hope for a sweet year.

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

• Holiest day of the year, ten days after Rosh Hashanah.
• 25-hour fast (no food or water).
• Long synagogue services; final Ne'ilah prayer at sunset.
• Asking forgiveness from those wronged AND from God.

Pesach (Passover)

• Eight-day spring festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.
• Seder meal on the first evening — symbolic foods (matzah, bitter herbs, lamb shank) and the Haggadah retelling the Exodus.
• No leaven (chametz) eaten for the eight days.

Sukkot (Tabernacles)

• Seven-day autumn festival commemorating the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness.
• Families eat (and traditionally sleep) in a sukkah — a temporary outdoor booth.
• Four species (lulav) waved in worship.

Rites of passage

• Brit milah — circumcision of male babies on the 8th day. Sign of the Abrahamic covenant.
• Bar Mitzvah — boy aged 13 becomes responsible for keeping the mitzvot. Reads from the Torah in the synagogue.
• Bat Mitzvah — girl aged 12 (Orthodox) or 13 (Reform). Reform Bat Mitzvah includes Torah reading; Orthodox traditionally smaller.
• Marriage — Chuppah (canopy), seven blessings, breaking a glass to remember Temple destruction.
• Mourning — Shiva: 7 days of mourning at home; Kaddish prayer recited for 11 months.

Kashrut (Dietary laws)

The laws of kashrut govern what may be eaten:

• Permitted (kosher): animals with cloven hooves AND that chew the cud (cattle, sheep). Fish with fins AND scales.
• Forbidden (treif): pork, shellfish, mixing meat with dairy.
• Animals must be slaughtered humanely (shechita).
• Separate utensils and dishwashing for meat and dairy.

These laws connect daily life to faith — a Jew is reminded of God at every meal.

Examiner tips

• Always distinguish Orthodox and Reform practices (e.g. driving on Shabbat, women's roles).
• Cite at least one festival in detail with rituals and meaning.
• For 12-mark questions on Shabbat or kashrut, weigh whether observance is "essential" or "optional" — both views supported.