Judaism: Practices

What you'll learn

This revision guide covers all testable content on Judaism: Practices for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies. You'll master the key practices that shape Jewish life, including worship in the home and synagogue, observance of festivals, dietary laws, and rites of passage. The content aligns directly with the Edexcel specification and includes exam-style questions to build your confidence.

Key terms and definitions

Shabbat — the Jewish day of rest, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, commemorating God's rest after creation

Synagogue — a Jewish house of worship and community centre where prayer, study and communal gatherings take place

Torah — the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (also called the Written Law), the most sacred text in Judaism

Kosher — food that is permitted under Jewish dietary laws; also refers to the laws themselves (kashrut)

Bar Mitzvah — a ceremony marking a Jewish boy's coming of age at 13, when he becomes responsible for observing the commandments

Bat Mitzvah — a ceremony marking a Jewish girl's coming of age, typically at 12 (Orthodox) or 13 (Reform), when she becomes responsible for observing the commandments

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

Aron Hakodesh — the ark or cupboard in a synagogue where Torah scrolls are kept, the holiest part of the synagogue

Core concepts

Worship in the home and synagogue

Shabbat observance

Shabbat is the weekly day of rest, running from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. It commemorates both God's rest after creation and the Exodus from Egypt.

Friday evening (Erev Shabbat):

• The home is cleaned and food prepared before Shabbat begins
• The mother lights at least two candles 18 minutes before sunset, reciting a blessing
• Families attend synagogue for Friday evening service
• Kiddush (blessing over wine) is recited at home
• Two loaves of challah (plaited bread) are blessed, representing the double portion of manna in the wilderness
• A festive meal is shared

Saturday:

• Morning service at synagogue, the longest of the week
• Torah portion is read and discussed
• Afternoon rest and study
• Havdalah ceremony marks the end of Shabbat, using wine, spices and a braided candle

Orthodox Jews observe 39 categories of forbidden work (melachot), including writing, cooking, using electricity, and travelling. Reform Jews interpret these restrictions more flexibly, focusing on the spiritual rest rather than technical prohibitions.

The synagogue

The synagogue serves three main functions: Bet ha-Knesset (house of assembly), Bet ha-Midrash (house of study), and Bet ha-Tefillah (house of prayer).

Key features:

• Aron Hakodesh — the ark containing Torah scrolls, positioned on the wall facing Jerusalem
• Ner Tamid — the eternal light above the ark, symbolising God's presence
• Bimah — raised platform where the Torah is read
• Seating — in Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately (often with a mechitzah dividing them); Reform synagogues have mixed seating
• No images of God — reflecting the Second Commandment prohibiting idolatry

Prayer services:

• Jews are required to pray three times daily: Shacharit (morning), Minchah (afternoon), Ma'ariv (evening)
• A minyan (quorum of ten adult males in Orthodox Judaism, ten adults in Reform) is required for certain prayers
• Men wear tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin (leather boxes containing scripture) during weekday morning prayers
• All males wear a kippah (head covering) as a sign of respect for God

Festivals and commemorations

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance:

• Falls in September/October (1-2 Tishrei)
• The shofar (ram's horn) is blown to call people to repentance
• Symbolic foods are eaten: apples dipped in honey (sweet new year), pomegranate (many good deeds)
• Tashlich ceremony involves casting breadcrumbs into water, symbolising casting away sins

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar:

• Falls ten days after Rosh Hashanah (10 Tishrei)
• A 25-hour fast from all food and drink
• Five prayer services, including Kol Nidre (evening) and Ne'ilah (closing)
• Wearing white clothes symbolises purity
• Day devoted to repentance, prayer and reconciliation with God and others

Pesach (Passover)

Pesach commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, when God freed the Israelites from slavery.

Preparation:

• All chametz (leavened products) must be removed from the home
• Special Pesach dishes and utensils are used

The Seder meal:

• Held on the first night (and second night outside Israel for Orthodox Jews)
• The Haggadah (telling) recounts the Exodus story
• Seder plate contains symbolic foods:
  • Maror (bitter herbs) — bitterness of slavery
  • Charoset (apple and nut mixture) — mortar used in building
  • Karpas (green vegetable) — new life
  • Zeroa (roasted lamb bone) — Passover sacrifice
  • Beitzah (roasted egg) — Temple sacrifices
• Four cups of wine represent four expressions of redemption
• Matzah (unleavened bread) recalls hasty departure from Egypt
• The youngest child asks the Four Questions beginning "Why is this night different?"

Dietary laws (Kashrut)

Kosher literally means "fit" or "proper." The dietary laws derive from Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

Permitted animals:

• Land animals must have split hooves and chew the cud (e.g., cows, sheep, goats)
• Fish must have fins and scales (e.g., salmon, cod; no shellfish)
• Specific birds are permitted (most domestic poultry)

Forbidden foods:

• Pork and pork products
• Shellfish and seafood without fins/scales
• Birds of prey
• Insects (except certain locusts)
• Blood in any form

Meat and milk separation:

• Meat (fleishig) and dairy (milchig) products cannot be eaten together
• Separate utensils, pots, and often separate sinks are used
• Waiting period between eating meat and dairy (varies: 1-6 hours)
• Pareve foods (neither meat nor dairy) can be eaten with either

Slaughter:

• Shechita — ritual slaughter performed by trained shochet
• Swift cut to throat severs major blood vessels
• Designed to minimise animal suffering
• Blood must be fully drained

Reasons for observance:

• Obedience to God's commandments
• Maintains Jewish identity and discipline
• Promotes ethical treatment of animals
• Sanctifies everyday acts of eating

Reform Jews may observe kashrut partially or focus on ethical principles rather than technical details. Orthodox Jews maintain strict observance.

Rituals and ceremonies

Brit Milah (Circumcision)

• Performed on eighth day after birth for boys
• Circumcision represents the covenant between God and Abraham
• Mohel (trained circumciser) performs the procedure
• Baby is given his Hebrew name
• Celebratory meal follows

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Bar Mitzvah (son of the commandment):

• Boy turns 13 (lunar calendar age)
• First time called to read from Torah in synagogue
• Reads maftir (final Torah portion) and haftarah (prophetic portion)
• Takes on responsibility for observing mitzvot (commandments)
• Celebration often follows

Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the commandment):

• Girls at 12 (Orthodox) or 13 (Reform)
• Orthodox: celebration varies by community; may give a speech or lead prayers
• Reform: full participation in Torah service like boys
• Marks religious maturity and responsibility

Both ceremonies signify the young person's entry into adult Jewish community, able to be counted in a minyan and personally responsible for their actions.

Marriage

Preparation:

• Ketubah (marriage contract) is signed before ceremony
• Documents groom's responsibilities to bride

The ceremony:

• Takes place under a chuppah (wedding canopy) symbolising the couple's new home
• Seven blessings (Sheva Brachot) are recited
• Bride and groom share wine
• Ring is placed on bride's finger (and groom's in Reform ceremonies)
• Groom breaks a glass, commemorating the destruction of the Temple

Beliefs about marriage:

• Union is sacred, commanded by God
• Procreation fulfils the first commandment to "be fruitful and multiply"
• Companionship and mutual support
• Orthodox: marriage is between man and woman only
• Reform/Liberal: some communities perform same-sex marriages

Mourning rituals

Immediate mourning:

• Upon death, body is ritually washed (tahara) by Chevra Kadisha (burial society)
• Burial should occur within 24 hours where possible
• Body dressed in simple white shroud
• Plain wooden coffin (Orthodox)

Shiva:

• Seven-day mourning period for immediate family
• Mourners stay at home, sit on low chairs
• Mirrors are covered
• Community visits to offer comfort
• Daily prayer services held in the home

Ongoing mourning:

• Shloshim — 30 days of lesser mourning
• Kaddish (mourner's prayer) recited for 11 months for parents
• Yahrzeit — anniversary of death commemorated annually

Social and moral responsibilities

Tzedakah (Charity)

Tzedakah means "righteousness" or "justice," not charity:

• Obligatory, not optional — a religious duty

• Maimonides' Eight Levels of Tzedakah (highest to lowest):

  1. Helping someone become self-sufficient
  2. Giving anonymously to unknown recipient
  3. Giving anonymously to known recipient
  4. Giving publicly to unknown recipient
  5. Giving before being asked
  6. Giving adequately after being asked
  7. Giving less than adequate but cheerfully
  8. Giving grudgingly

• Traditional to give 10% of income

• Many synagogues have collection boxes (pushke)

• Jewish charities support both Jewish and non-Jewish causes

Gemilut Hasadim (Acts of loving kindness)

Goes beyond financial giving:

• Visiting the sick (bikur cholim)
• Welcoming guests (hachnasat orchim)
• Comforting mourners
• Providing for brides
• Accompanying the dead to burial

Considered superior to tzedakah because it involves personal effort and can benefit rich and poor alike.

Tikkun Olam (Repairing the world)

• Concept emphasising Jewish responsibility to improve the world
• Particularly emphasised in Reform/Liberal Judaism
• Includes environmental stewardship, social justice, human rights
• Applied to contemporary issues: poverty, refugees, climate change
• Motivates Jewish involvement in interfaith dialogue and community service

Worked examples

Example 1: 4-mark question

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

Model answer: One way Shabbat is celebrated is through the lighting of candles by the mother of the household at least 18 minutes before sunset on Friday evening. She recites a blessing as she lights at least two candles, which welcomes Shabbat into the home and marks the beginning of the day of rest. This ritual is significant because it transforms the home into a sacred space and represents the woman's central role in Jewish domestic life.

Another way Shabbat is celebrated is through the Kiddush blessing over wine and the blessing over two challah loaves during the Friday evening meal. The wine sanctifies the day, while the two loaves represent the double portion of manna that fell in the wilderness. This practice connects the family to the Exodus narrative and God's provision for the Jewish people.

Mark scheme notes:

• Each way clearly identified (1 mark each)
• Development/explanation showing understanding (1 mark each)
• Reference to specific practices and their meanings demonstrates good knowledge

Example 2: 5-mark question

Question: Explain two Jewish beliefs about marriage. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Jewish belief and teaching in your answer. (5 marks)

Model answer: One Jewish belief is that marriage is a sacred covenant commanded by God. In Genesis 2:24, it states "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." This shows that marriage is part of God's plan for humanity from creation, making it a holy union rather than merely a social contract. Jews believe that husband and wife complete each other, forming a partnership in serving God.

Another belief is that procreation is a central purpose of marriage. The first commandment in the Torah is "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28), which Jews understand as an obligation to have children. Marriage provides the proper framework for raising children within the Jewish faith and passing on Jewish traditions and values to the next generation. This ensures the continuation of the Jewish people and their covenant with God.

Mark scheme notes:

• Two beliefs clearly stated (2 marks)
• Each belief developed with explanation (2 marks)
• Accurate reference to sacred texts (1 mark)
• Total: 5 marks

Example 3: 12-mark evaluation question

Question: "The dietary laws are the most important Jewish practice." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should:

• Refer to Jewish teaching
• Give developed arguments to support this statement
• Give developed arguments to support a different point of view
• Reach a justified conclusion. (12 marks)

Model answer structure:

Arguments in support: Some Jews would agree because dietary laws affect daily life constantly. Keeping kosher requires discipline three times a day, making every meal an act of obedience to God's commandments in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. This constant practice sanctifies ordinary activities and maintains Jewish identity, especially in diaspora communities where Jews live among non-Jews. Observing kashrut creates a distinctive lifestyle that reinforces commitment to Judaism and separates Jews from assimilation. Furthermore, the dietary laws demonstrate complete submission to God's will, even when reasons are not fully understood, which is a fundamental principle in Orthodox Judaism.

Arguments against: However, other Jews would argue that Shabbat observance is more important because it commemorates both creation and the Exodus, the two foundational events in Jewish theology. The Fourth Commandment explicitly requires Shabbat observance, making it one of the Ten Commandments, whereas dietary laws appear elsewhere in Torah. Shabbat provides structured time for family, community, prayer and Torah study, which strengthen Jewish faith and identity more comprehensively than food restrictions. Additionally, Shabbat is observed by nearly all religious Jews, whereas some Reform and Liberal Jews do not keep strictly kosher but still maintain strong Jewish identity through Shabbat observance.

Others might argue that prayer and Torah study are most important, as they maintain the direct relationship with God and preserve Jewish learning. The synagogue serves primarily as a house of prayer and study, suggesting these activities are central to Jewish practice.

Conclusion: In conclusion, while dietary laws are significant in maintaining daily Jewish observance and identity, Shabbat observance is arguably more important because it is explicitly commanded in the Ten Commandments, affects the entire community, and creates dedicated time for the spiritual practices that define Jewish life. However, importance may vary among different Jewish movements, with Orthodox Jews placing greater emphasis on kashrut than Reform communities.

Mark scheme notes:

• AO1 (knowledge): 3 marks for accurate use of Jewish teachings
• AO2 (evaluation): 9 marks for developed arguments, alternative views, and justified conclusion
• Look for balanced arguments, religious terminology, and clear reasoning

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing different festivals — Don't mix up Rosh Hashanah (New Year) with Pesach (Passover). Create a clear timeline of festivals in your notes and learn their specific purposes and practices.

• Vague descriptions of kosher laws — Avoid saying "Jews don't eat certain foods." Be specific: state which animals are permitted (split hooves and chew cud), forbidden foods (pork, shellfish), and the separation of meat and milk.

• Forgetting to cite sources in 5-mark questions — The question specifically asks for "sacred writings or another source." Always include at least one reference to Torah, Tenakh, or rabbinic teaching with specific book/verse if possible.

• Not showing differences between Orthodox and Reform — Recognise that Jewish practice varies. For example, mention that Orthodox Jews maintain strict Shabbat restrictions while Reform Jews interpret them more flexibly, or that women's participation in services differs between movements.

• Weak evaluation in 12-mark questions — Don't just list points. Develop each argument with explanation and connect it to Jewish beliefs. Always present both sides even if you personally agree with one view, and ensure your conclusion follows logically from your arguments.

• Confusing Bar/Bat Mitzvah with confirmation — Bar/Bat Mitzvah occurs at 12/13 and marks religious majority. Some Reform communities also have confirmation at 15-16, but these are distinct ceremonies. Use correct ages and descriptions.

Exam technique for "Judaism: Practices"

• Master command words: "Explain" (4-5 marks) requires you to give reasons why/how something is important with development. "Evaluate" (12 marks) requires balanced arguments for and against a statement, with a justified conclusion.

• Use the mark scheme structure: For 4-mark questions, give two clear points with one development each. For 5-mark questions, give two beliefs/teachings with development PLUS a scriptural reference. For 12-mark questions, write 3-4 paragraphs: arguments for, arguments against, alternative view, conclusion.

• Deploy specific terminology accurately: Use correct terms like Aron Hakodesh, kashrut, shechita, minyan. This demonstrates knowledge and earns AO1 marks. Define terms briefly if using them for the first time in an answer.

• Plan your 12-mark answers: Spend 2 minutes planning before writing. Note down one argument for each side, a religious teaching to reference, and your conclusion. This ensures balanced, structured responses and prevents running out of time.

Quick revision summary

Jewish practices centre on worship (Shabbat, synagogue services with Torah reading), annual festivals (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach), dietary laws (kosher animals, meat/milk separation, shechita), and lifecycle events (Brit Milah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, mourning). These practices fulfil mitzvot (commandments), maintain covenant relationship with God, strengthen Jewish identity, and transmit faith across generations. Orthodox and Reform Jews interpret and observe practices differently, with Orthodox maintaining stricter traditional observance. Understanding both the rituals themselves and their theological significance is essential for exam success.