... for in five ways. The house is cleaned and tidied by the children and the table is set with the best cutlery, crockery and candlesticks. Wine and challot (Shabbat loaves, which are plaited and represent the manna given to the ...

... sport on a Sunday, you are working but also causing others to. Nevertheless, in principle even if you are working, it is your choice, and if it may require others to work as well, then that cannot be blamed on ...

... central to Judaism and it is traditionally she who looks after it. This Shabbat tradition is derived from the Berachah of God "King of the universe, who hast hallowed us by the commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Sabbath ...

... and after this there is another service called 'musaf'. Back at home they have a midday meal and the Kiddush is again recited. After the dinner the children go over their Jewish studies and younger children go to a Shabbat ...

... for them to get a weekend job where they would only work on Sunday. If they couldn't find an employer willing to do this, they might not have the extra money that their peers might and they would have less ...

... stronger and their bonds of love and loyalty tighter. When they take part in festivals however, they are not only spending time with family members but also with God. The importance of the family in Judaism is shown by the ...

... enjoy themselves and it seems somewhat unfair to push the event upon them. Many of these festivals involve detailed preparations that are hard work and could cause tensions between family members. Some people doubt whether all of the festivals and ...

... the men in the family who perform the rituals. The reciting of the Kiddush may unify the family as they are sharing a holy moment and all focusing on thanking God for giving Jews Shabbat. In Liberal households, where ...

... do not have this time together often and when they do (e.g. Christmas), the family do not always like it; lawyers stating that their busiest time of year is just after Christmas with lots of divorces after families being forced ...

... teachings, and a meeting place. The Layout of a Synagogue When they pray, Jews face towards Jerusalem. In the wall which faces towards Jerusalem there is the Ark of the Covenant, the Aron Kodesh, which contains the Sefer Torah or ...

... be deemed kosher, the animal must be slaughtered properly according to the laws of Shechita. This does not apply to the killing of fish. It is performed by a Shochet who is a Jew and knows the religious laws well. ...

... synagogue is rectangular and although you will not realise it, but the whole synagogue is built facing Israel, if possible, Jerusalem. There will be a sink where the congregation will wash their hands and feet before praying or worshipping. You ...

... of the Messiah. Passover concentrates not only on the history of Judaism but on the present and future as these times are all equally important in the Jewish faith. After Joseph, a wise and influential Jewish character, and his brother's ...

... open like a book to display the scroll. In Ashkenazi communities, the scroll is kept bound with a linen binder over which a velvet or silk cover placed. Often they also have a metal breastplate, which is decorated with Jewish ...

... Chametz involving the children making the festivities fun. Rites of passage in the home include the Brit Millah and Marriage. These are very important rites the first showing the entrance into the covenant of Judaism and the second the joining ...

... is read from right to left. "Torah" is usually translated as "Law," but this is not at all accurate. "Torah" comes from a root which means "Teaching" and Sefer Torah should be rendered "The Scroll of Teaching." The Bimah In the ...

... blood of Christ) so they go to church every week to receive the Eucharist. However Marks Gospel tells us that Jesus himself went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day so Roman Catholics believe along with other Christians that it ...

... so much up to his people, the Jewish people believe they must try and give back and live their lives in accordance to the Covenant relationship that Jews are believed to have with God. On the other hand, Reform Jews regard ...

... it is more difficult to buy food and to eat out although a lot of supermarkets now cater for kosher food, together with many specialist shops. Now that some shops open twenty-four hours a day it is easier to buy ...

... Also some of the practices that Orthodox Jews have to follow may be hard to fulfil in many modern jobs. Shabbat is one such of those festivals. Some bosses would not be understanding enough to allow their Orthodox Jewish workers ...

... the whole house is cleaned as though the family are preparing for a party. On the Friday evening, the Sabbath candles are lit and the blessing of the father to the children is made, this must be done no later ...

... the spirit of the Sabbath. The first and last three blessings of the Amidah are the same as the weekday one but the 13 benedictions in the middle are replaced with a passage describing the holiness of the Sabbath. Kiddush ...

... of Shabbat and other festivals. The wine drank at the Kiddush is used to symbolise a sweet and joyful day ahead and a blessing is said over challot. The challot reminds us of the time when a double portion of ...

... service of MAARIV, the first of the 3 services in the synagogue. This is to welcome the Sabbath but only fathers and boys over 13 attend, women and other children stay at home and prepare the Kiddush (meal) and the ...

... 20:8-10). This is why Jews have made resting on the seventh day of the week a tradition in commemoration of God resting on the seventh day of creation. Shabbat is a holy day for them concerned with both remembering (zachor) ...