Jewish Practices

Holidays Tevet 10 Tu B’Shevat Purim Pesach Sheni Lag BaOmer Hanukkah Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Passover Bar Mitzvah: Boys becoming men Bat Mitzvah: Girls becoming women

Who’s Jew? Moderate Jews Moderate Jews Similar to other people who are not as observant Similar to other people who are not as observant Around the world Around the world Not usually too strict in the US Not usually too strict in the US Lifestyle, society, and environment Lifestyle, society, and environment

Living Well Mitzvahs: acts of righteousness Mitzvahs: acts of righteousness Good deeds bring you closer to G-d Good deeds bring you closer to G-d Sabbath: “Holy Feast Day” Sabbath: “Holy Feast Day” A day of reflection, rest, and relaxation A day of reflection, rest, and relaxation

Living Well Cont. Synagogue: Jewish sanctuary for prayer Synagogue: Jewish sanctuary for prayer Siddur: prayer book Siddur: prayer book Observant Jews visit more often and are expected to pray 3 times a day and more on holidays/Sabbath Observant Jews visit more often and are expected to pray 3 times a day and more on holidays/Sabbath

Important Commandments Honor family: spouse, parents, kids Honor family: spouse, parents, kids It is a Jew’s responsibility to contribute positively to his or her family It is a Jew’s responsibility to contribute positively to his or her family Family is valued, each must protect the other Family is valued, each must protect the other

Kosher Kosher: “fit for ritual” Kosher food labeled specially with symbols only kosher blessed and prepared food is consumed (very strict) only kosher blessed and prepared food is consumed (very strict)

Tefillin A tradition using two small black leather boxes with long straps that are wrapped around the participant’s head and arm who reads Hebrew texts.

The Mezuzah Mezuzah: “G-d’s watchful care over the home and its dwellers” Mezuzah: “G-d’s watchful care over the home and its dwellers” A scroll affixed on the inside right of doorposts A scroll affixed on the inside right of doorposts Residents protected whether inside or outside Residents protected whether inside or outside

Tallit Tallit or Tzitzit: a prayer shawl Tallit or Tzitzit: a prayer shawl four cornered garments with fringe and knots four cornered garments with fringe and knots Act as a reminder to obligation to G-d and fellow followers Act as a reminder to obligation to G-d and fellow followers

Shemitah Similar to Sabbath Similar to Sabbath 6 years of work, the 7 th reserved for rest 6 years of work, the 7 th reserved for rest The year is dedicated to strengthening one’s relationship with G-d and increasing spirituality The year is dedicated to strengthening one’s relationship with G-d and increasing spirituality Sept. 13 th Sept. 29 th 2008 Sept. 13 th Sept. 29 th 2008