Worship – GCSE Religious Studies A WJEC Revision

Shabbat begins with a service in the synagogue on Friday evening.
The Friday night service starts with the congregants singing psalms as the rabbi enters. There is a recitation of the Shema followed by the Amidah, and the service ends with the Aleinu and Mourner’s Kaddish.
On Saturday morning, the Shabbat continues with the recitation of the Shema, the Amidah, the Torah reading, and the Mussaf service.
A special meal, known as the Shabbat meal, is prepared and eaten at home.
Shabbat ends at nightfall on Saturday with a service called Havdalah, which involves blessings over wine, fragrant spices, and a flame, signifying the separation of the sacred Shabbat from the rest of the week.

Orthodox Jews pray three times a day: the morning (Shacharit), afternoon (Mincha), and evening (Ma’ariv) services.
Reform and Liberal Jews may pray less frequently, and adapt the traditional liturgy to their beliefs.
The Amidah, also known as the ‘Standing prayer’, is central to every service and is said silently.
The Shema, a declaration of faith, is recited twice daily.
Tefillin (small black leather boxes containing scripture) are worn by adult male Orthodox Jews during weekday morning prayers.
Tallit (prayer shawl) and kippah (skullcap) are also worn during prayer.

The synagogue is the Jewish place of worship and study, fostering community.
Many synagogues have a bimah, an elevated platform from where the Torah is read.
The synagogue houses the Aron HaKodesh (‘Holy Ark’), where the Torah scrolls are kept.
Torah Scrolls are handwritten in Hebrew and treated with great reverence.
Men and women sit separately in Orthodox synagogues, whilst they sit together in Reform and most Conservative synagogues.
Typical synagogue services include recitation of prayers, reading from the Torah, and a sermon by the rabbi.
Celebrations, lifecycle events and festivals often occur in the synagogue.

The Western Wall in Jerusalem is a major pilgrimage site, and the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray.
Many Jews feel a deep emotional and spiritual connection to this site, and it is tradition to write prayers or wishes on notes and place them in the wall’s crevices.
The site is often used for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

A large amount of Jewish worship happens in the home and within the family, including Shabbat meals, child-rearing and education.
The mezuzah is affixed to the doorposts of the home as a reminder of faith and God’s presence.
Kosher laws govern the preparation and consumption of food in the Jewish home.
The festival of Passover is largely celebrated in the home with the Seder meal.