INTRODUCTIONLiving in the world that contains lots of religion, respect is a priority. In order to create greater respect, one must try to understand those religions. One of the Semitic religions in the world is Judaism; Judaism has been described as a religion, a race, a culture, and a nation. While the people who believe in this religion are called the Jews. We will discuss more about Judaism in the discussion.Besides, every religion has their rituals and worship that will be conducted by the followers. The term ritual can be regarded as the prescribed form of religious ceremony and worship means the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. There are certain symbols in Judaism that must be known.

This hexagram is known as Star of David. We can see that today the flag with this symbol is displayed in Israel. It is actually inspired by the shape of protective amulets before the 17th century

This is Hebrew letters which can be pronouncing as chet and vod (chai) that means life. In 18th century, these letters were adopted as a symbol.OBJECTIVE

1. To discuss about Judaism.2. To discuss the role of Moses, David, and their scriptures.3. To learn about the rituals and worship in Judaism.

DISCUSSION:JUDAISMBesides Hinduism, Judaism is also known as one of the oldest religions all around the world. It is a monotheistic religion in which they (the Jews) believe in one God only since Abraham (the holy man for Jews) did so. They also believe that God then told Abraham to go somewhere called holy land by leaving his family and the city.The descendants of Abraham were then delivered to others by Moses. In order to deliver those descendants, Moses challenged Pharaoh and his army. He fights to bring the Jews out of the slavery (freedom). The descendant is what we call Hebrews. Besides, Moses also tries to bring the people at that time back to the Promised Land. Moses then wrote The Torah and he claims that it is inspired by what The God spoke to him. The Torah then considered as important text for them.Torah means law or teaching and is the first five books of the Bible. There are said to be about 613 commandments can be found in Torah (Mitzvots). None of The Jews had touched Torah with their hand as it is so holy can be found written on animal skin in Hebrew. The Torah then becomes one of the first five books that made up the Tanakh. The Prophets and their Writings are included in the Tanakh.In daily routine, The Jews belief that they must pray for 3 times a day as an expression of their worship to God. Moreover, in order to rest in peace on the Sabbath, The Jews have an obligation to give away part of their income to the need. This is called as Tzedekah. In the Judaism itself, there are three branches. First is orthodox which means that the commandments received is directly from the God. Secondly is conservative referring to most of the command must be followed while rest can be ignored. Third branch is reform. In reform, some of the commandments are not need to be followed and not needed. Even that, most Jews shares same part of many of those cultural traits and behaviour. In Judaism, there are certain places that were believed to be holy places which are Synagogue, Western Wall, and Jerusalem. Synagogue is an education and community centre. The Rabbi who is a religious leader can be spotted here to speak about the Torah. The Jews will come to this place to chant prayers (sings) that can be read from The Torah. Thus, this place is called the house of worship. The Western Wall becomes the most sacred spot in Judaism. Geographically located in Old City of Jerusalem, it has become supporting wall of the Temple Mount. While Jerusalem itself become The Holy City for the Jews. It is capital of Israel. There are thirteen principles in Judaism. First, God alone is the Creator. Everything in this world is created by none other than God. Secondly, God is unique and one. As Judaism is a monotheism religion, they believe that there is only one God and the God has a unique feature. Third, God is incorporeal and incomparable. God is so unique and the greatest. Thus there is nothing can be defined as same as the God.Fourth principle is God is the first and last. Since God is the one who created everything in the world, thus he become the first and will also become the last as God can destroy everything that he created. Fifth, the Jews are to pray to God alone. God is the one who decide your fate. In order to change the fate, human need ask from the God through prayers. Sixth is the words of the Hebrew Prophets are true. As Prophets received the taught that is spoken by the god to himself, all of the content that delivered by him is true and cannot be denied.Seventh, Moses is the Chief Prophet. Moses is the first one to receive The Torah that is spoken by God, thus he become the Chief of Prophet. Eighth is The Torah has been divinely preserved. As Torah is a Holy book, it is well preserved. Ninth, Torah cannot be changed. Although time evolves, the content in Torah will not be changed by anyone any mean. Tenth, God know all the things. Nothing in this world is missed from the knowledge of God. Eleventh, God rewards the righteous. Every good deed that is done by human will be paid off in the form of reward. Same goes to wrong doings that will be punished. Twelfth, The Messiah will come. The time will come for the Messiah to make an appearance. Lastly, the Dead will be resurrected. The dead will come back to life for incarnation.It is important to understand about Judaism before knowing in depth about the scriptures, rituals, and worships as it will help you to understand better at later phase.

Holy Scriptures for Jewish PeopleAccording to (Molly, 2008, pp. 296-298) we must understand the structure of their Holy Scriptures to examine the laws and history of the Hebrew People for us to consider the Jewish belief, practice and influence. The scriptures offered a firm basis for Jewish rabbis (teachers) to offer their midrash (interpretation) of biblical laws and practises the books outlined the Ten Commandments and other ethical teachings; they established the major yearly festivals that would guide and sanctify their lives of Jews; and they contained the psalms that become prayers of Jews every day.Judaism is associated with its important book named the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible is divided into three sections which are the Torah (the teaching) , Neviim ( the Prophets) and Ketuvim (the Writings). Hebrew Bible also call Tanakh which consider it as a whole. The word Tanakh is made up from acronym of the first letter for the three sections: Torah (T) , Neviim (N) and Ketuvim (K). Books of the Hebrew Bible : TORAH The Teaching Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers DeuteronomyNEVIIM The Prophets Joshua ( Yehoshua) Judges ( Shofetim) Samuel ( Shemuel) Kings ( Melakhim) Isaiah (Yeshayahu) Jeremiah ( Yirmeyahu) Ezekiel (Yehazaqel) Book of the twelve (Tere Asar ) : Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nachum Habakkuk Zephaniah MalachiKETHUVIM The Writings Psalms ( Tehilim) Proverbs ( Mishlei) Job ( Iyyov) Song of Songs ( Shir Hashirim) Ruth Lamentations ( Eikhah) Ecclesiastes ( Qoheleth) Esther Daniel Ezra Nehemiah (Ezra Nechemyah) Chronicles ( Divre Hayamim) Another important Jewish text is the TALMUD, a collection of rabbinical writings that interpret, explain and apply the Torah scriptures. The Talmud was written between the second and fifth century CE, but Orthodox Jews believe it was revealed to Moses along with the Torah and preserved orally until it was written down. The Talmud is thus known as the Oral Torah (Jewish Sacred Text, 2014) . The Talmud is the source from which the code of JewishHalakhah(law) is derived. It is made up of the Mishnah and the Gemara. The Mishnah is the original written version of the oral law and the Gemara is the record of the rabbinic discussions following this writing down. It includes their differences of view.The Talmud can also be known by the name Shas. This is a Hebrew abbreviation for the expressionShishah Sedarimor the six orders of the Mishnah.

The Mishnah (original oral law written down) is divided into six parts which are called Sedarim, the Hebrew word for orders. Zera'im (Seeds), is about the laws on agriculture, prayer, and tithes Mo'ed (Festival), is about the sabbath and the festivals Nashim (Women), is about marriage, divorce and contracts oaths Nezikin (Damages), is about the civil and criminal laws, the way courts operate and some further laws on oath Kodashim (Holy Things), is about sacrificing and the laws of the Temple and the dietary law Toharot (Purities), is about the laws of ritual purity and impurity. (The Talmud, 2009)

USE OF THE PSALMS IN JEWISH RITUAL

Psalms pervade the established Jewish liturgy of morning, afternoon, and evening prayer services. OnFestival daysand Sabbaths, instead of concluding the morning service, it precedes theMussafservice. Psalms 9599, 29, 92, and 93, along with some later readings, comprise the introduction ("Kabbalat Shabbat") to the Friday night service.Traditionally, a different "Psalm for the Day" is read after themorning serviceeach day of the week starting on Sunday as described in theMishnah which is the initial codification of the Jewishoral tradition in the tractate "Tamid". According to the Talmud, these daily Psalms were originally recited on that day of the week by the Levites in the Temple in Jerusalem. FromRosh ChodeshEluluntilHoshanah Rabbah, Psalm 27 is recited twice daily following the morning and evening services. When aJewdies, a watch is kept over the body and Tehillim (Psalms) are recited constantly by sun or candlelight, until the burial service. Historically, this watch would be carried out by the immediate family usually in shifts but in contemporary practice, this service is provided by an employee of the funeral home or Chevra kadisha.Many Jews complete the Book of Psalms on a weekly or monthly basis. Each week, some also say a Psalm connected to that week's events or theTorah portion read during that week. In addition, many Jews read the entire Book of Psalms prior to the morning service, on theSabbath precedingthecalculated appearance of the new moon.The reading of psalms is viewed in Jewish tradition as a vehicle for gaining God's favor. They are thus often specially recited in times of trouble, such as poverty, disease, or physical danger; in many synagogues.

MOSES AND HIS SCRIPTURE , TORAH The story of the existence of Jews in Egypt began with Prophet Joseph being sold to an assistant of Pharaoh by his own brothers. They told their father, Prophet Jacob that Joseph had been eaten by wild animals. Jacob was very sad.Many years later, Josephs brothers went to Egypt to get food. Their families were starving because there was no food in Canaan. When they saw the man in charge of food, they all bowed. They didnt know that he was their brother Joseph. Josephs dream had come true. Joseph invited his whole family to come to Egypt, where there was enough food for everyone. Since then, the community of Jews in Egypt has grown bigger. Almost 450 years later, the descendants of Jacob had lived in Egypt, and they started to grow into a nation. The Egyptians under the rule of Pharaoh started to see them as a threat, and tightened the control over them, forcing them to work as slaves. Pharaoh ordered that every newborn of Israelites to be drown in the river. In order to escape the execution, Mosess mother placed him in the basket after gave birth to him, and set him adrift along the Nile River. She left his fate up to God's will. The God had destined that the infant Moses was rescued by the Pharaoh's daughter and brought up in the palace as a royal prince. As an adult, Moses reacted against the unfair treatment of his own people and killed an Egyptian guard. Moses was then forced to flee from the wrath of the Pharaoh. He was driven into exile in the land of Midian. He married Zipporah, the daughter of the Priest of Midian, and worked as a shepherd for forty years. The Beginning of A ReligionOne day, when he was in the desert, Moses heard the voice of God speaking to him through a bush which flamed but did not burn. God asked Moses to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Moses was at first reluctant, thinking that the Israelites would not believe he had heard the word of God. God then gave Moses special powers and inspired by this, Moses returned to Egypt and demanded freedom for his people. At first, the Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites leave, and then God unleashed ten plagues on the Egyptians. It was the tenth plague , the death plague of the firstborn - which eventually persuaded the Pharaoh to let them go.The Ten Plagues of Egypt1. The first plague - river water turned to blood.2. The second plague frogs attack.3. The third plague gnats attack.4. The fourth plague flies attack.5. The fifth plague - death of livestock.6. The sixth plague boil disease.7. The seventh plague hailstorm.8. The eighth plague locusts attack.9. The ninth plague darkness at day and night.10. The tenth plague - death of the firstborn.The Pharaoh then changed his mind, and sent his army in pursuit of the Israelites. 600 chariots pursued them, but famously, the waters of the Red Sea parted; the Israelites walked through, then the waters returned and destroyed the Pharaoh's army.After travelling through the desert for nearly three months, the Israelites camped before Mount Sinai. There, God appeared to Moses and made an agreement or covenant with him. God declared that the Israelites were his own people and that they must listen to God and obey His laws. These laws were the Ten Commandments which were given to Moses on two stone tablets, and they set out the basic principles that would govern the Israelites lives.On behalf of Israel, Moses receivedTorah, traditionally translated 'law'. This is not law in the modern sense but rather authoritative teaching,instruction, orguidance. The most famous of these commandments are the Ten Commandments. But there are actually 613 commandments covering every aspect of life including law, family, and personal hygiene and diet.

The Ten CommandmentsIn the Ten Commandments, Moses outlined a basis for morality which has lasted over 3,000 years and been embraced by two-thirds of the world's population. The most common form of the Ten Commandments is given in Exodus chapter 20 and Deuteronomy chapter 5.1. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.2. You shall not make for yourself a carved imageany likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.5. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.6. You shall not murder.7. You shall not commit adultery.8. You shall not steal.9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.10. You shall not covet your neighbors house; you shall not covet your neighbors wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbors.

Scriptures of Moses

WORSHIPS AND RITUAL IN JUDAISMAccording to Oxford Online Dictionaries, the word worship is defined with the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. In Judaism, the worships are classified into few categories. They are sacred time, sacred space, worship and devotion in daily life.

SACRED TIME Shabbat and Its ServicesThe Jewish holy day is called Shabbat which is a weekly day of worship that commemorates Gods rest on the seventh day of creation (Fieser & Powers, 2008, p. 276). According to Jewish Virtual Library, Shabbat is derived from Hebrew verb which means ease or rest. This means Jews are prohibited to do any kind of Melacha (In English, it is translated as work) as commanded by God and this one day of a week, they need to spend time with family and contemplate the spiritual aspects of life.) It starts at sunset on Friday and ends at the nightfall on the next day, Saturday.

There are three traditional elements of Shabbat which are challah (breaded, sweet egg-loaf), candles and wine. It is begun with the lighting and blessing of candles at home, a Friday evening service known as Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming of the Sabbath), and a festive family meal. The Friday night meal is initiated with a blessing known as Kiddush (sanctification). It is recited at the dinner table over a goblet of wine, followed by the ceremonial breaking and sharing the challah.

During the Shabbat, there are three services held on Shabbat eve (Friday night), Shabbat morning (Saturday morning) and late Shabbat afternoon (Saturday afternoon). Jews will attend the synagogue for those services. Then it comes the Havdalah as the bidding farewell to Shabbat. According to Jewish Virtual Library, Havdalah is a ceremony recited at the termination of Shabbat and holidays. Its blessings emphasize the distinction between the sacred and the ordinary, particularly in regard to the holy day that is departing and the ordinary weekend is coming. After the appearance of three stars in the sky, the Havdalah blessings are done over a goblet of wine and with the use of fragrant spices and a candle (usually braided). Almost all of these restrictions in Shabbat also apply to the first and last Holy Days of the three biblical pilgrimage festivals (Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot) and to the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur)

PesachIt is mostly known as Passover is celebrated as a commemoration of Jews liberation by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. The Passover begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan and lasts for seven days. The first and last days of the Passover just like the Shabbat, no work is permitted on that days. However, in between those days, it is allowed for its followers and it is called as Chol Ha-Moed. Based on Jewish Virtual Library website, it is also known by other names such as Chag he-Aviv (the Spring Festval), Chag ha-Matzoth (the Festival of Matzoth) and Zeman Herutenu (the Time of Our Freedom).

During the Passover, Jews are strictly warned not to eat Chametz and anything related to its benefit (including use it to feed pet) is also prohibited. Chametz is anything made from the five major grains (wheat, rye, barley, oat and spelt) that has not been cooked within 18 minutes after it is in contact with water. Furthermore, they have to sell the remaining leavened products including the utensils used to cook the Chametz, just before the Passover begins.

For the firstborn males, they have to fast a day before the Passover as to honor the firstborn Jewish males in Egypt who were not killed during the final plague. Thwn on the first night of the Passover, Jews will have their meal with family with some rituals (Seder) as to remind the significance of the day. Seder is not an ordinary holiday meal and it consists of fourteen parts; Kaddesh (Sanctification), Urechatz (Washing), Karpas (Vegetables), Yachatz (Breaking), Maggid (The Story), Rachtzah (Washing), Motzi Matzah (Blessings), Maror (Bitter Herbs), Korech (Sandwich), Shulcan Orech (Diner), Tzafun (Dessert), Barech (Grace), Hallel (Song) and Nirtzah (Closing).

ShavuotIts English name is Pentecost which is celebrated to commemorate Moses receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai (Fieser & Powers, 2008, p. 276) . It is one-day festival and taking place on seven weeks after Pesach. It is usually referred as the Day of the Torahs Presentation) according to rabbinic literature and in the holidays liturgy. Like the most of Jewish festivals, Shavuot also prohibits the Jews from working on that day and it is a tradition to stay up for the whole first night of Shavuot to study Torah, then pray as early as possible in the morning. It is a custom for the Jews to eat a dairy meal at least once during Shavuot as a reminder of the promise the land of Israel is the land flowing with milk and honey. However, there is another view on the reason for the Jews to eat dairy meal because their ancestors received the Torah and the dietary laws in it on that day.

Rosh Hashanah It is Jewish New Years Day which is the beginning of the Jewish year. It is commenced with the Ten Days of Penitence and will be concluded with Yom Kippur. It is celebrated as to give a commemoration to the worlds creation and it is done with very long prayer services that acknowledge the God as Creator and Ruler of the Universe as well as the One Who gives the forgiveness to the sins committed. The services recited during Rosh Hashanah also as a reminder of the ram sacrificed when it replaced Isaac, whom his father Abraham was willing to offer to God.

Yom Kippur Or Day of Atonement is celebrated the days after Rosh Hashanah and it is to salute the Jewish peoples wanderings in the desert (Fieser & Powers, 2008, p. 276). Jews have to fast during the Yom Kippur which begins from sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur until nightfall on the next day. They are restricted to do in many things such as no eating, no drinking, no bathing, no sexual relations, no anointing in body oils and creams as well as no wearing any leather garments including shoes.

Sukkot It is also known as Festival of Booths which is to commemorate the Israelites living in booths after their exodus from Egypt (Fieser & Powers, 2008, p. 276) It is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur and last for seven days. On the first day, it is a Shabbat-like holiday because work is forbidden. Reading of Torah every day, reciting the Mussaf service after morning prayers, reciting Hallel and adding special additions to the Amidah and Birkat Hamazon (Grace after Meals) are the routines during Sukkot holiday.

SACRED SPACE Shacharit, Mincha and MaarivThese three terms refer to prayers which differ in time. Shacharit is morning prayers, Mincha is afternoon prayers while Maariv or Arvit is evening prayers.

Shacharit is said to be started by Abraham, as Genesis 22:3 stated that, Abraham arose early in the morning. That means traditionally it was the first Shacarit. Shacharit is derived from Hebrew root which means dawn. Observant Jews, which is understood by the meaning of Jews who abide by their religions law or duty, say the prayer upon arising and upon donning the tzitzit, tallit and tefillin.

A tallit is worn by Jews during morning services, both on weekdays and on Shabbat and also on the night of Yom Kippur (The most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. It occurs on the 10th day of Tishri). Whilst tefillin is worn during morning services on weekdays only. When donning a tallit or laying a tefillin, the Jews will say the prayer which is followed by the blessings for the Torah and readings from Biblical and Rabbinic writings, then they will say the Shema Yisrael (the first two words of a section of Torah Hear, [O] Israel.

After reciting the blessings, they will say the main pieces of prayers which is Pesukei Dzimrah. It is consisting of numerous psalms, hymns and prayers which is said as a praise to God before making any request.

Then, Barechu which is the formal public call to prayer, is recited with the prayers relating to the main recitation of Shema Yisrael before the Amidah or Shemoneh Esreh begins. The Amidah is a series of 19 prayers. The next part of the morning prayers is Tachanun (a collection of passages from Tanakh) which the Jews will put their head rested on their arm during the recitation. On Mondays and Thursdays, a longer version of it will be recited but not on the other days.

Mincha is an afternoon prayer which was originated by Isaac according to the Talmud. It was described in Genesis 24:63 which stated Isaac went out to converse in the field. Since Mincha is recited during the middle of secular day, so many workplaces have formed Mincha groups and other places where many Jews are present during the day to do the prayer together. Mincha prayers consist of Ashrei, Uva Letzion (on Shabbat and Yom Tov only), Torah reading (on Shabbat and public fast days only), Amidah, Tachanum (skipped on Shabbat, Yom Tov and certain other festive days), Tzidkatcha Tzedek (on Shabbat only and skipped on days when Tachanum would be omitted if it were a weekday) and Aleinu.

Sephardim (According to Jewish Virtual Library, Sephardim refers to the descendants of Jews who left Spain or Portugal after the 1492 expulsion) and Italkim (Italian Jews) will start saying it with Psalm 84 and Korbanot, then usually continue with the Pittum Hakketoret. Malachi 3:4 is recited during the opening section. Unlike Sephardim and Italkim, Ashkenaz (German Jews) and Poin (non-Hasidic Polish Jews) will begin the Mincha with a Ribon HaOlamim, then a Ribon HaOlam, then Korban HaTamid and then the Ashrei.

Maariv, also known as Arvit is an evening prayers of Jews which can be first recited as soon as reciting Mincha ends. There are varies of opinions of the time to recite the Maariv. Some say it shoul not begin before one and a quarter hours before sunset while others delay it until after sunset. However, in many congregations, Micha and Maarive are recited back-to-back to avoid people from having to attend the synagogue twice.It begins with Barechu then followed by Hashkiveinu (Lay us down to sleep, Adonai, our God, in peace, raise us erect, our King, to life, and spread over us the shelter of Your peace.). Then after that, they will continue the prayer with Half-Kaddish and the Shemoneh Esreh (Amidah), bracketed with the full Kaddish.

However, the prayer service is quite different in Ashkenazis Maariv. After reciting Hashkiveinu, they will add a series of other blessings which made from a tapestry of biblical verses. Whilst Sephardim after bracketing with the full Kaddish, they will repeat the Barechu and say the Mourners Kaddish before ending it with the Aleinu. On the other hand, Ashkenzi do not repaeat the Barechu after saying the full Kaddish, but they continue with Aleinu and conclude with Mourners Kaddish.

SynagogueAccording to Jewish Virtual Library, synagogue is the Jewish equivalent of a church and acts as the center of the Jewish religious community like a place of prayer, study and education, social and charitable work as well as a social center. Sometimes it is also called a shul or temple. It is run by laypeople and financed by membership dues. The Temple is the ancient center of Jewish worship where sacrifices were performed.

The most important feature of sanctuary (The portion of the synagogue where prayer services are performed) is the Ark. Ark which derived from Hebrew words Aron Kodesh, means holy cabinet. The Ark is a cabinet or recession in the wall and used to hold the Torah scrolls. It is placed in front of the room on the side towards the Jerusalem. Another ritual item in synagogue is the Eternal Lamp which is called as Ner Tamid. It is located in front of and slightly above the Ark and it symbolizes the commandment to keep a light burning in the Tabernacle (Online Merriam-webster Dictionary states that it is a small, movable tent that was used as a place of worship by the ancient Israelites) outside of the curtain surrounding the Ark of the Covenant. The Torah scrolls will be placed on a Bimah when they are read. Bimah is a pedestal that usually located in the center of the room or in the front. Sometimes it is used as a podium for leading services.

During the ancient time, The Temple which was in Jerusalem, was the center of Jewish religion from time of Solomon to its destruction by the Romans in 70 C.E. It was the only place where sacrifices and certain other religion rituals took place. It was partially destroyed and then the rebuilt was known as the Second Temple. Traditional Jews do have faith that The Temple will be rebuilt when Moshiach (Messiah) comes. (Jewish Virtual Library)WORSHIP AND DEVOTION IN DAILY LIFE

Modeh Ani and Ha-MapilLike any other religions, as soon as Jews wake up from sleep, they would wash their hands and recite the prayer Modeh Ani as to thank God for restoring the soul and then followed by the Shema Yisrael (Hear O Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is One). When they about to sleep, they will say a prayer known as Ha-Mapril, requesting God to grant them a peaceful sleep. This also followed by Shema Yisrael. BerakhotIn rabbinical law, Jews are obligated to insert the recitation of benedictions whenever they have any occasion and personal experience. These benedictions known as Berakhot which is Baruch ata Adonai Elohenu Melekh ha-Olam (Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the Universe). Every single service they want to do, they have to recite the Berakhot and conclude them either by acknowledging gratitude to God for divine involvement in every aspect of the believing Jews lives or for the opportunity to fulfill Gods commandments. For example to thank God for granting sight or even to thank God for maintaining the proper functioning of the bodys organs.

Aside from having to recite the blessings for occasion, there are also blessings when witnessing beautiful natural events (such as rainbow or meeting up scholars). However, the blessing does not limit till that. Upon hearing any tragedies or hardships such as the death, Jews have to bless God as The Judge who deals truthfully. On the other hand, they have to bless the God as Dealing thus with His world upon hearing news of any great tragedy. Whenever they see a severely disabled person, they have to say a praise to Lord who varies His Creatures.

Kosher and KashrutThe most well-known Jewish religious practice is that eating only food that are kosher. Kosher here means good or proper. Whilst Kashrut is the Jewish Dietary Law that lines all the kosher and non-kosher food. Jews need to keep kosher as the symbol of obedience to God and preserving Jewish unity and identity. Among of Kosher food are ritually slaughtered beef, sheep, goats and deer with no flaws or diseases, chicken, turkey, quail, geese, salmon, tuna, carp, herring, cod, meat (eaten separately from dairy), wine or grape juice (made under Jewish supervision), soft cheese and kosher hard cheese.

On the other hand, the Trayf (forbidden) food are pork, camel, rabbit, rodents, reptiles and any animal that died of natural causes, eagle, hawk, vulture, crab, lobster, octopus, clam, swordfish, sturgeon, meat with dairy (such as cheeseburger, chicken cordon bleu, etc), any other wine or grape juice and most hard cheese.

These restrictions are stated in Torah with specific instructions, primarily in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Then rabbis interpreted these instructions and modified them as Jews encountered new cultures and environments.

Hanukkah Hanukkah and also called as The Feast of Dedication, is an early winter festival full of joy. Often called the Feast of Lights, it is a welcome celebration during the growing gloom of winter. Each day, over an eight day period, one more candle is lit on a nine branched candelabrum (a special form of menorah) until at the end of the festival, all are alight. The festival commemorates the time in 165 B.C.E when after a period of desecration by the Syrian forces of Antiochus 4, the second Temple was rededicated. Tradition says that oil that should have lasted only one day miraculously kept burning for eight days. Consequently, over an eight day period, families gather in the evening, light the Hanukkah candles, and play traditional games with children. Children also receive small gifts each night.

Brit MilahBrit Milah or called as circumcision is a ritual for a Jews baby when the child is eight days old but can be delayed because of medical reasons. Any child born to a Jewish mother considered as a Jew. A Jewish girl does not have to go through the same ceremony as the baby boy. Circumcision is a religious obligation on Jews recalling the covenant that Abraham made with God. This ritual is usually attended by men. The child is placed on the lap of a male friend or relatives that have an honour of being the Sandek. He has the responsibility to hold the child while the Brit Milah is performed by Mohel.

KiddushinKiddushin commonly translated as betrothal, the act of promising to marry someone. According to Torah law, there are three ways to betroth a woman. First is by money transaction, the man gives to the woman money or any object of value. Second is by document, the man gives the woman a marriage document which states his intention to marry her. Thirdly is by sexual intercourse with the intention that it consummates the marriage. Unfortunately the rabbis forbade betrothing through intercourse, making it a punishable offense. In order for the betrothal to take effect, the transaction must be witnessed by two kosher witnesses.