Jewish Communities

Name a title that is given to a religious leader in the world religion of Judaism.

Rabbi.

Describe two examples of the work of a leader in Judaism that you have named above.

• Synagogue service.
• The rabbi is not a priest.
• A rabbi is usually a male, and has great depth of knowledge about the religion of Judaism and the sacred texts.
• At the synagogue services, the rabbi leads the service and reads from the Tenakh in Hebrew with a yad.
• For example, on Rosh Hashanah, the rabbi tells the story of Abraham and Moses.
• The yad is used to protect the delicate scrolls of the Torah.
• The rabbi also gives a sermon or a homily at the service.
• He leads the prayers, and works at the synagogue.
• The rabbi works in the synagogue as a teacher.
• Children can go to the synagogue to learn Hebrew.
• Hebrew is the traditional language of the Jews.
• The rabbi works in special classrooms to teach the Law and help people apply it to their daily lives.
• He prepares couples for marriages and difficulties at wedding ceremonies.
• He conducts funerals and comforts those that are grieving.
• He prepares young people for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
• He advises Gentiles about Jewish affairs and forms a bet din (Jewish court) with two other rabbis.

Outline the way in which the community is structured in the religion of Judaism.

• Community structure is the way a community of faith is organised.
• Each role contributes to helping the community to function properly.
• The chief rabbi is the most senior leader of the Jewish community in a certain country.
• The chief rabbi rules and advises on important issues of the Jewish people.
• The rabbi leads services and teaches the Law to Jews and helps the Jews apply it to their daily lives.
• The cantor chants prayers at synagogue services on the Sabbath and during festivals.
• The scribe copies the Torah scrolls by hand.
• The mohel circumcises the baby boy when he turns eight days old.
• The shochet slaughters animals because Jews eat kosher food (food suitable for Jews).

State the name given to the building where members of the Jewish religion regularly gather for prayer.

Synagogue.

Describe two ways in which the place you have named above helps believers to pray.

• There is a synagogue service on every Sabbath.
• Members of the Jewish community are welcome to attend this synagogue service.
• At the service, the Jews pray and the prayers are led by the rabbi.
• The prayers are in Hebrew which is the traditional language of the Jewish people.
• The synagogue helps Jews to pray because it is a place of communal prayer.
• The community gathers together to pray together.
• Praying together reminds Jews they are all the chosen people of God.