Judaism: Practices

What you'll learn

This guide covers all the Jewish practices you need for AQA GCSE Religious Studies Paper 2. You'll explore how Jews worship both at home and in the synagogue, the significance of Shabbat and key festivals, and important ceremonies that mark stages in Jewish life. Understanding these practices will help you answer questions worth up to 12 marks on beliefs and teachings.

Key terms and definitions

Shabbat — The Jewish day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, remembering God's rest after creation

Synagogue — The Jewish place of worship and community gathering (also called shul or temple by some communities)

Torah — The five books of Moses (Genesis to Deuteronomy), the most sacred text in Judaism, handwritten on scrolls

Kashrut — Jewish dietary laws that determine which foods are permitted (kosher) and how food must be prepared

Mitzvot — The 613 commandments in the Torah that guide Jewish life and practice

Bar/Bat Mitzvah — Coming-of-age ceremony when a boy (13) or girl (12) becomes responsible for following Jewish law

Tenakh — The Hebrew Bible consisting of Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)

Aron Hakodesh — The ark in the synagogue where Torah scrolls are kept, the holiest part of the building

Core concepts

Worship in the home and synagogue

Jewish worship occurs in both private (home) and public (synagogue) settings, with equal importance placed on both.

Home worship:

• Daily prayers said three times: Shacharit (morning), Minchah (afternoon), Ma'ariv (evening)
• Mezuzah fixed to doorposts containing the Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
• Tefillin (phylacteries) worn by Orthodox men during weekday morning prayers — leather boxes containing Torah verses strapped to forehead and arm
• Prayer shawl (tallit) worn during morning prayers with tzitzit (fringes) as commanded in Numbers 15:38-40

Synagogue worship:

• Services led by a rabbi (teacher) or chazan (cantor)
• Requires a minyan (quorum of 10 adult men in Orthodox Judaism, 10 adults in Reform/Liberal Judaism)
• The Aron Hakodesh faces Jerusalem and contains Torah scrolls dressed in covers
• Bimah — raised platform where Torah is read
• Ner Tamid — eternal light burning above the ark symbolising God's presence
• Gender separation in Orthodox synagogues (men and women sit separately)
• Mixed seating in Reform and Liberal synagogues
• Services conducted mainly in Hebrew, though Reform communities may use more English

Why synagogues matter:

• Community centre for education and social events
• Place of study (Bet Midrash)
• Strengthens Jewish identity and connection to tradition
• Allows collective worship more powerful than individual prayer

Shabbat observance

Shabbat is the most important weekly observance in Judaism, rooted in the Fourth Commandment and God's rest after creation.

Preparation (before sunset Friday):

• House cleaned and food prepared in advance
• No work permitted during Shabbat itself
• Table set with challah bread (plaited loaves), wine, and best dishes
• Orthodox families prepare 39 categories of "work" are forbidden including cooking, writing, using electricity, and travelling

Friday evening (Erev Shabbat):

• Woman of the house lights two candles 18 minutes before sunset
• Blessing recited: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles"
• Family attends synagogue service (Kabbalat Shabbat)
• Kiddush prayer recited over wine blessing God for creating the fruit of the vine
• Challah blessed and shared (recalls manna in the wilderness)
• Special family meal with singing and discussion of Torah

Saturday:

• Morning synagogue service including Torah reading
• Afternoon rest, study, family time
• Three meals eaten during Shabbat
• Havdalah ceremony ends Shabbat after nightfall (when three stars visible)
• Havdalah uses braided candle, wine, and spice box to mark separation between sacred and ordinary time

Different approaches:

• Orthodox Jews strictly observe all prohibitions
• Reform Jews may drive to synagogue and use electricity
• Cultural Jews might observe some traditions like Friday meal without full restrictions
• Core principle remains: rest, family, and focus on spiritual rather than material

Festivals (High Holy Days)

Rosh Hashanah (New Year):

• Celebrated in September/October for two days
• Begins the Ten Days of Repentance
• Shofar (ram's horn) blown in synagogue as wake-up call to repentance
• Sweet foods eaten (apples dipped in honey) symbolising hope for a sweet new year
• Tashlich ceremony — symbolic casting of sins into flowing water
• Beginning of period of self-examination and asking forgiveness

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement):

• Ten days after Rosh Hashanah
• Holiest and most solemn day in Jewish calendar
• 25-hour fast for adults (no food or drink)
• Five synagogue services including Kol Nidre (evening service)
• Wearing white symbolises purity
• No leather shoes worn (sign of affliction and humility)
• Focuses on repentance, prayer, and charity
• Final shofar blast signals end of fast
• Belief that God seals judgement for the coming year

Differences in observance:

• Orthodox communities maintain strict fasting and multiple services
• Reform communities may hold shorter services with more English
• All movements recognise the spiritual significance

Festivals (Pilgrim Festivals)

Pesach (Passover):

• Eight days (seven in Israel) in March/April
• Commemorates Exodus from Egypt and freedom from slavery
• Seder meal on first two nights following set order (Haggadah)
• Seder plate contains symbolic foods:
  • Maror (bitter herbs) — bitterness of slavery
  • Charoset (apple, nut, wine mixture) — mortar for bricks
  • Zeroa (roasted lamb bone) — Passover sacrifice
  • Beitzah (egg) — new life and festival offering
  • Karpas (vegetable) — new growth, dipped in salt water (tears)
• Four cups of wine representing stages of redemption
• Matzah (unleavened bread) — bread of affliction eaten because Israelites left Egypt in haste
• All leaven (chametz) removed from home before Pesach
• Four questions asked by youngest child about why night is different
• Story retold through Haggadah readings and songs

Sukkot (Tabernacles):

• Seven days in September/October
• Remembers 40 years wandering in wilderness
• Sukkah (temporary shelter) built and decorated
• Meals eaten in sukkah, some sleep there
• Roof must allow stars to be seen through
• Four species waved: palm, myrtle, willow, citron (etrog)
• Celebrates harvest and God's protection

Shavuot (Weeks/Pentecost):

• Seven weeks after Pesach
• Commemorates receiving Torah at Mount Sinai
• All-night Torah study in some communities
• Dairy foods eaten (various explanations including Torah being like milk and honey)
• Synagogues decorated with flowers and greenery
• Book of Ruth read in synagogue

Dietary laws and their significance

Kashrut regulates what Jews eat and how food is prepared, based on Levitical law.

Permitted foods (kosher):

• Animals that chew cud and have split hooves (cattle, sheep, goats, deer)
• Fish with fins and scales (salmon, tuna, cod)
• Poultry traditionally eaten (chicken, turkey, duck)
• Fruit, vegetables, and grains

Forbidden foods (treifah):

• Pork and pork products
• Shellfish and seafood without scales
• Birds of prey
• Meat and dairy together in same meal
• Blood (must be drained from meat)

Preparation requirements:

• Shochet (trained slaughterer) performs shechita (ritual slaughter)
• Animal killed with single cut to throat (considered most humane)
• Meat soaked and salted to remove blood
• Separate utensils, dishes, and preparation areas for meat and dairy
• Waiting period between eating meat and dairy (varies by tradition: 1-6 hours)
• Pareve foods (neither meat nor dairy) can be eaten with both

Reasons for observance:

• Obedience to God's commandments
• Maintains Jewish identity and distinctiveness
• Discipline and self-control
• Promotes mindful eating
• Creates community bonds through shared practice
• Health benefits (though not the primary reason)

Variations:

• Orthodox Jews strictly observe all laws
• Conservative Jews generally keep kosher at home
• Reform Jews may observe selectively or not at all
• Many non-observant Jews still avoid pork

Life cycle rituals

Brit Milah (Circumcision):

• Male infants circumcised on 8th day after birth (unless health concerns)
• Fulfils covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17)
• Performed by mohel (trained circumciser)
• Baby given Hebrew name during ceremony
• Celebration meal follows
• Girls named in synagogue service

Bar/Bat Mitzvah:

• Boy becomes Bar Mitzvah at 13, girl Bat Mitzvah at 12
• Now obligated to follow mitzvot
• Boy reads from Torah in synagogue for first time
• Orthodox communities may not have full Bat Mitzvah ceremonies
• Reform and Liberal communities have equal ceremonies for girls
• Celebration often includes party but religious ceremony is essential part
• Marks transition to adult religious responsibility

Marriage:

• Takes place under chuppah (wedding canopy) symbolising new home
• Can occur anywhere, often in synagogue or outdoor venue
• Seven blessings (Sheva Brachot) recited over wine
• Groom places ring on bride's finger with declaration in Hebrew
• Ketubah (marriage contract) outlines husband's responsibilities
• Groom breaks glass under foot (recalls destruction of Temple)
• Followed by celebration meal and dancing

Mourning:

• Burial should occur within 24 hours where possible
• Body washed and dressed in simple white shroud (tachrichim)
• Coffin plain wood without adornment (all equal in death)
• Seven-day mourning period (shiva) at home
• Mourners sit on low stools, mirrors covered
• Community brings food and visits to comfort
• Kaddish prayer recited for 11 months
• Yahrzeit (anniversary) observed annually with candle

Worked examples

Question 1: "Explain two ways in which Shabbat is celebrated in the home." (4 marks)

Model answer: One way Shabbat is celebrated is through lighting candles before sunset on Friday evening. The woman of the house lights two candles and recites a blessing, which marks the beginning of the holy day and represents bringing light and peace into the home.

Another way is through the Kiddush blessing over wine. The head of the household recites this prayer, thanking God for the fruit of the vine and for making Shabbat holy, which sanctifies the meal and the entire day.

Examiner note: Each way needs to be clearly identified and then explained. One mark for identifying the practice, one mark for development/explanation. Total 2+2=4 marks.

Question 2: "Explain two reasons why the Pesach Seder is important for Jews." (4 marks)

Model answer: The Pesach Seder is important because it fulfils the commandment to retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Through reading the Haggadah and using symbolic foods, Jewish families pass down their history and identity to the next generation, ensuring children understand their heritage.

Additionally, the Seder is important because it reminds Jews of God's power and faithfulness in delivering their ancestors from slavery. This strengthens their faith and relationship with God, reminding them that God continues to act in history.

Examiner note: Clear reasons given with development. Links belief to practice and explains significance.

Question 3: "Which is more important for Jews: worship in the home or worship in the synagogue?" (12 marks)

Model answer structure:

Introduction: Both home and synagogue worship are important in Judaism, though different movements might emphasise one more than the other.

Paragraph 1 - Synagogue important: Synagogue worship is important because it allows for communal prayer, which is considered more powerful than individual prayer. A minyan of 10 people is required for certain prayers, showing the value placed on community. The Torah reading can only occur with proper ceremony in synagogue, connecting Jews to their most sacred text.

Paragraph 2 - Home important: However, home worship could be considered more important because it occurs daily, not just on Shabbat. The home is called a "mikdash me'at" (small sanctuary), and practices like mezuzah, Shabbat meals, and daily prayers mean the entire life is sanctified, not just one day per week. Many commandments are specifically designed for home observance.

Paragraph 3 - Different views: Orthodox Jews might argue synagogue worship is essential because certain prayers require a minyan and full observance requires community. Reform Jews might emphasise personal meaning and home practice as equally valid. Liberal Jews often see the home as the foundation of Jewish life.

Conclusion: While both are important, home worship may have greater significance because it permeates daily life and can be maintained even without a nearby synagogue. However, the ideal is balancing both, as together they create a complete Jewish life.

Examiner note: For 12-mark questions, present both sides with evidence, include different viewpoints, and reach a justified conclusion. Use specific examples and terminology.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing festivals: Don't mix up Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur — Rosh Hashanah is New Year (shofar, sweet foods), Yom Kippur is fasting and atonement. Remember the 10 days between them.

• Vague descriptions: Avoid saying "Jews pray in synagogue." Instead, specify which prayers, when they occur, or what makes the service distinctive (Hebrew language, Torah reading, minyan requirement).

• Ignoring diversity: Don't write "all Jews believe/do..." — acknowledge Orthodox, Reform, and Liberal differences. For example, mention that only Orthodox communities require gender separation in synagogues.

• Missing explanations in 4-mark questions: Identifying a practice earns 1 mark, but you need development for the second mark. Don't just list two things — explain why they matter or how they're performed.

• No evaluation in 12-mark questions: These require argument, not just description. Present different viewpoints, weigh them against each other, and reach a reasoned conclusion with justification.

• Forgetting scriptural/theological basis: Link practices to beliefs. For example, connect Shabbat to the Fourth Commandment and creation narrative, or kashrut to obedience to Torah.

Exam technique for "Judaism: Practices"

• Know your command words: "Describe" (just say what happens), "Explain" (say what and why), "Evaluate/Assess" (argue different viewpoints with evidence and conclusion)

• Use the mark scheme strategically: 1-mark questions need a simple point; 2-mark questions need a point with brief development; 4-mark questions need two separate points each developed; 12-mark questions need sustained argument with multiple perspectives

• Deploy specialist terminology: Use terms like mitzvot, kashrut, Aron Hakodesh, Shema, minyan, and tachrichim — this demonstrates knowledge and earns marks for "use of specialist language"

• Structure 12-mark answers carefully: Introduction stating your position, two-three paragraphs with different viewpoints (use "However..." and "On the other hand..."), specific examples throughout, conclusion that clearly answers the question

Quick revision summary

Judaism's practices centre on home and synagogue worship, weekly Shabbat observance, and annual festivals marking historical events and agricultural cycles. High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) focus on repentance, while Pilgrim Festivals (Pesach, Sukkot, Shavuot) celebrate deliverance and revelation. Dietary laws (kashrut) regulate food, and life cycle rituals mark birth, adulthood, marriage, and death. Orthodox, Reform, and Liberal movements interpret these practices differently, but all maintain core traditions linking contemporary Jews to their ancestral covenant.