How Jewish Service Differs Depending on the Week Day - Essay Example

Sur Judaism I noticed that Jewish service is different depending on the day of the week. The biggest event considered is during “Shabbat.” Services are held at synagogues. During observation, I saw that it begins with a traditional morning prayer just like services during weekdays. Shabbat happens during Friday evening and Saturday. After the morning prayer, “Shema,” or the declaration of faith, is done. It is followed by the prayer “Amidah.” I observed that the reading of the Jewish Holy Book or “Torah” is done after this. The sermon and conclusion comes after the reading of the Torah. When I was there during the services, it lasted somewhere between three to four hours. During their normal services, I saw that people wear the usual daily attire, but during Shabbat, people wear suits and ties. The women wear long dresses or long skirts and sleeves. I was told that the person who leads the service is called a “Rabbi.” He is the one who does the sermon on the “Parasha” (Torah reading) and also on some important events that happened during the week. It is noticeable that men and women are separated during services. I noticed this practice on both Orthodox and Modern Orthodox Judaism services. One of the very obvious things that I observed was that women do not glance at male worshippers during Surname 2 the service. I was later informed that it is a common practice , and doing otherwise is considered a great disrespect. I did further research and observation, occasionally asking questions to worshippers. I was told that the vestments the Rabbis wear have ancient origins. I was cited a verse from the Torah by one of the worshippers to help me understand the historical association of the Rabbi’s garments. God had told Moses in Exodus 28:2-4 “You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. These are the garments which they shall make: a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a girdle. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve Me as priests. They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet stuff, and fine twined linen.” It can also be found in Exodus 39:1 “Of the blue and purple and scarlet stuff they made finely wrought garments, for ministering in the holy place; they made the holy garments for Aaron, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” Therefore, the concept of the vestments goes all the way back to Aaron. I noticed that in synagogues, there is a tabernacle that holds the Torah scrolls. It is very similar to the Christian tabernacle, with the candle at the side. Further research told me that this practice goes all the way back to Moses when God said in Exodus 40:35 “The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.” Some devout worshippers told me that the steady candle beside the tabernacle inside the synagogue reminds them that God is inside. One noticeable practice I observed too, is that when the Torah Surname 3 is taken from the Ark (the place where it is kept), it is paraded around and people either kiss their prayer shawls or books and touch the Torah with these. As the service begins, the Rabbi walks along the center aisle while people begin singing some passages from Psalms. I noticed that much of the liturgy is chanted. The Torah readings come halfway through the service. There is no kneeling that happened during my observations, although I was informed that during special events, some Rabbis prostate themselves while worshippers bow during a certain prayer called the “Bar-a-ko.” Before or after the reading of the Torah, the Rabbi gives a speech about the meaning of that portion of the Torah, and sometimes relate it to relevant and recent issues. Announcement usually happen towards the end, done by the congregation president or another official. In all of the services I observed in sunagogues, there are always food afterwards. Wine and grape juice is passed around, along with bread, while people say a blessing over it. The bread is some sort of a honey egg bread. In the more conservative or orthodox synagogues I went to, I noticed that instruments were never used. However, in some reformed synagogues, instruments were allowed during chanting. As an observer, I was given several hints and rules to follow while inside the synagogue. I was informed that women visitors should wear head coverings, but should not wear prayer shawls. It was normal for some people to stand and stretch during the whole duration of the service. Some even go to the rest room, but silence is mostly observed all throughout the service. Talking about personal matters is looked down. Once inside, people will be asked if they are Jewish or not. I was told to answer honestly because the service cannot start without Surname 4 ten Jews present. In Orthodox synagogues, they require ten male Jews to be present before starting the service. It is best to answer honestly too because there are some parts of the service when worshippers are asked to assist or do something, and only Jews are allowed to take part. I also observed that most of the early part of the prayers are for Jews and God alone. After the reading of the Torah, the prayers were more of for everyone, even for non-Jews. I observed that lot of standing was done during the whole service, especially in Orthodox and Conservative. Lesser time of standing is done in most Reformed congregations. They have strict rules regarding food. It should go within the Kosher standards, and one should never bring food inside the synagogue kitchen if it is not Kosher. I was informed that it is totally unacceptable. As a personal experience, the worshippers felt free to discuss the event before and after the Shabbat service. One information I gathered is that no taking down of notes is allowed during Shabbat service because it is according to Jewish laws. Mobile phones are also prohibited to be used inside the synagogue. References Allender, Dan B. Sabbath. Nashville, Tenn: Thomas Nelson, 2009. Print. Forty-four Questions. Indianapolis, Ind: Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 1990. Print. Read More