Judaism

Tradition has an important place in Jewish life. The degree of observance will vary from person to person. Orthodox and Progressive (including reform and liberal) Jews differ in their interpretation of tradition. Among the Orthodox, a person is considered to be Jewish if born of a Jewish mother. Progressive Jews accept the status where either parent is Jewish. However, proselytes are accepted after arigorous training programme.

Many of the rituals happen in the home - a weekly celebration of the creation of the world on Shabbat (Sabbath) involves lighting of candles and blessing of wine and bread to welcome the sabbath and partaking in a special meal. Kiddush is made when wine and bread are blessed. Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday and lasts for 25 hours. During that time an Orthodox family may rest together, not working but enjoying quality family time.

A sense of community is strong. Friday evenings and Saturday mornings are times when important services are held. On these occasions, and at other times, the community is gathered before the Ark in which are stored the Torah scrolls.

The Torah is the law revealed to Moses and contains 613 commandments for Jews to follow. At the heart of the Torah is the belief expressed in the Shema - "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one." These words, in Hebrew, are also written on a small scroll called a 'mezuzah' (pl. mezuzot). They are attached to each of the doors of a Jewish home as a constant reminder of the belief in the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. A Jewish home may be recognised by thepresence of a mezuzah on the front door.

Jewish men remind themselves of this belief by wearing a cappel (or yarmulke, or kippah, or skull cap.) For many Jews, it is a mark of respect to keep the head covered at all times, even indoors, and especially in the presence of the Torah scroll and when praying.

The requirement to maintain a 'kosher' way of life is the responsibility of the Jewish family. The Torah establishes which foods shall be eaten and the way that they are prepared. The law identifies the type of meat and fish to be eaten and the way it is to be slaughtered. Meat and dairy products are not to be eaten within two hours of each other. When kosher meat (from animals that chew thecud and have cloven hooves) or fish (any with scales) are not available vegetarian ('parev') food is eaten. When in doubt, ask for any dietary requirements or serve vegetarian food as a general rule. Most Jews eat no pork or shellfish.

The observance of a Jewish way of life may have an impact on life based on non-Jewish principles.

  • Activities on a Friday afternoon that prevent the Jewish participant reaching home before sunset may affect attendance.
  • Some Jewish men may wish to wear a yarmulke at all times.
  • Some festivals require leave from work or may make attendance at meetings difficult. During Autumn, there are a number of important festivals. The NewYear (Rosh Hashanah) is a two day festival beginning the 'Ten Days of Awe'which culminates in the holiest day of the year for Jewish people - Yom Kippur.
  • Because the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the dates of these festivals vary in relation to the Gregorian calendar from year to year. Precisedates are available on the Devon County Council website at www.devon.gov.uk/diversity .

Holy Book: The Tenakh (The Law, the Prophets and the Writings) include books adopted by Christians, who know them as the 'Old Testament'. Other text are also important and include the Talmud and Mishnah.These books written over the last two millennia, codify the Jewish way oflife in all matters (also known as Oral Law)

Main Religious Festivals:Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah,Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Pesach (Passover)

Holy Days: Saturday.The Sabbath starts on Friday sunset and lasts until Saturday sunset. In Jewish thought, the new day begins withthe setting of the sun

Language: Hebrew,Yiddish or the language of the country of origin

Community Contact:

Exeter Hebrew Congregation
Synagogue Place
Mary Arches Street
Exeter
EX4 3BA

Tel: 01392 251529

http://www.exetersynagogue.org.uk