Synagogue layout and services
The synagogue is the Jewish place of worship, but is also used as a place to study, and often as a community centre as well. Orthodox Jews often use the Yiddish word shul (pronounced shool) to refer to their synagogue. In the USA, synagogues are often called temples.
Then, What is a minyan at a Shiva?
Minyan during shiva
A minyan is traditionally a quorum of ten or more adult males. Often in Conservative or Reform communities, a minyan is composed of a mix of ten or more adult males and females. During shiva, a minyan will gather at the home of those in mourning for services.
Why do Hasidic Jews shave their heads? While some women chose merely to cover their hair with a cloth or sheitel, or wig, the most zealous shave their heads beneath to ensure that their hair is never seen by others. “There is a certain energy to the hair, and after you get married it can hurt you instead of benefiting you,” said Ms. Hazan, now 49.
Keeping this in consideration, Can I wear jeans to a shiva?
Though there is no specific shiva attire, when attending a shiva you should dress respectfully. Men should wear long pants and women should dress conservatively. … If you will be participating in the prayers at the shiva, you should wear a kippah or yarmulke, the traditional Jewish skullcap.
Why do Jews touch the door?
Any Jew can recite the blessing, provided they are old enough to understand the significance of the mitzvah. After the blessing, the mezuzah is attached. Whenever passing through the doorway, many people touch a finger to the mezuzah as a way of showing respect to God.
Why do Jews cover their kitchen in foil?
The tradition of covering kitchen surfaces with foil during the Passover, or Pesach, all has to do with ensuring the surfaces upon which food is prepared during the Passover week are free of chametz. Chametz refers to foods with leavening agents, which are forbidden during Pesach.
Can you bring flowers to a shiva?
Send a card or food-a shiva gift basket. Never send flowers! Shiva gifts should be foods that are well liked by many (don’t forget young kids, if they are part of the mourning family) and easy to serve.
What can you not say at a shiva house?
For the greater good of future mourners, I offer these examples of what not to say during shiva:
- “How are you?” …
- “You look tired.” …
- “Did you know, I have a kind of cancer that’s really similar to what your mom had?” …
- “We just went through something similar.” …
- “The husbands should all be rewarded for missing the Super Bowl.”
How long should you stay at a shiva?
After the interment, mourners return home to sit Shiva for seven days. Shiva is a Hebrew word for seven. During the Shiva week, mourners are expected to remain at home. There are seven relatives for whom a Jew is required to observe Shiva: father, mother, brother or sister, son, daughter, or spouse.
Why do Orthodox Jews have curls?
Payot are worn by some men and boys in the Orthodox Jewish community based on an interpretation of the Tenach injunction against shaving the “sides” of one’s head. Literally, pe’ah means “corner, side, edge”. There are different styles of payot among Haredi or Hasidic, Yemenite, and Chardal Jews.
Why do Jews Rock when they pray?
Many people have asked why religious Jews sway back and forth while praying. This very old custom is called shuckling in Yiddish and means to rock, shake, or swing. … Another explanation explains rhythmic movement as a way to concentrate on praying and learning, and ward off distracting thoughts.
Why is mezuzah at an angle?
This is done to accommodate the variant opinions of the medieval Rabbis Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam as to whether it should be placed horizontally or vertically, and also to imply that God and the Torah (which the mezuzah symbolizes) are entering the room.
Why do Jews wear hats?
Most Jews will cover their heads when praying, attending the synagogue or at a religious event or festival. Wearing a skullcap is seen as a sign of devoutness. Women also cover their heads by wearing a scarf or a hat. The most common reason (for covering the head) is a sign of respect and fear of God.
Why do Orthodox Jews wear wigs?
Orthodox women do not show their hair in public after their wedding. With a headscarf or a wig – referred to in Yiddish as a sheitel – they signal to their surroundings that they are married and that they comply with traditional notions of propriety.
Do you bring anything to a shiva?
Shiva baskets typically contain baked goods, dried fruit, nuts, fresh fruits and/or chocolates. The food items in a shiva basket are designed to provide nourishment and energy to those sitting shiva for the entire seven days. This is a traditional shiva gift and is appropriate to give to a Jewish family in mourning.
What is a shiva platter?
(Shiva means seven in Hebrew.) … During this time, mourners receive family and friends into their home for visits. A thoughtful way to bring physical comfort to those in mourning is to bring a shiva platter along with you on a visit, or to send one, if you cannot be there in person.
What is appropriate to bring to a shiva?
Shiva baskets typically contain baked goods, dried fruit, nuts, fresh fruits and/or chocolates. The food items in a shiva basket are designed to provide nourishment and energy to those sitting shiva for the entire seven days. This is a traditional shiva gift and is appropriate to give to a Jewish family in mourning.
What do you say to someone at a Shiva?
WHAT TO SAY
- “I am very sorry for your loss.” (Simple is sometimes the best)
- “May his memory be a blessing.”
- “We loved her and she will be missed.”
- “I am here for you if you need someone to listen.”
- “He was very important to me.”
- “I learned so much from her.”
- “Our whole community has suffered a loss.”
Can Jews be cremated?
In Jewish law, the human body belongs to God, not to the individual. Jewish law and tradition consider cremation as destruction of property. Jewish mysticism, or Kabbalah, also holds that the soul does not immediately depart the body.
Why do Orthodox Jews wear black?
The hat of manhood Sign of seriousness: When an orthodox Jewish boy dons the customary black hat at age 13, it is a sign that he is accepting the obligations of adulthood — and a fashion statement.
What do Orthodox Jews wear?
A kippah or yarmulke (also called a kappel or skull cap) is a thin, slightly-rounded skullcap traditionally worn at all times by Orthodox Jewish men, and sometimes by both men and women in Conservative and Reform communities. Its use is associated with demonstrating respect and reverence for God.
Why do Jews break glass?
The reason Jews break a glass during the wedding ceremony is to remember two of the most important and tragic events of Jewish history: the destruction of the Jewish temples. In an otherwise joyous occasion, it’s a ritual that tempers that happiness and allows for a moment of reflection.
Why do Jews wear black?
Though a symbol of strict adherence to Jewish law, the wearing of a black hat is custom and not law. In the United States, it was almost exclusively the domain of rabbis and yeshiva students until about 40 years ago. And it is no small statement of fashion, even among a people taught to value modesty and humility.
Do you kiss the mezuzah?
It is customary for religious Jews to touch the mezuzah every time they pass through a door and kiss the fingers that touched it. However, kissing the mezuzah has also become customary for many secular Jews who think of the mezuzah as a good luck charm.
Can a woman hang a mezuzah?
Can a woman hang a mezuzah? Yes, a woman can and should make the bracha (blessing) and put up the mezuzah herself.
What is written on a mezuzah?
The blessing said while hanging a mezuzah: Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, asher keedishanu b’meetzvotav v’tzeevanu leek’boa mezuzah. Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with God’s commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.