Judaism - Traditions

1. The Sabbath or Shabbat is a Jewish holy day that begins one hour before sunset on Friday and ends on Saturday evening.

2. Shabbat is a day of rest, all chores such as, shopping, cleaning and cooking must be finished the night before.

3. The Jewish people were told in the Ten Commandments that they must keep the Sabbath holy.

4. Celebrating Shabbat is a tradition to remember the Covenant between God and the Jewish people.

5. Families come together, wearing their best clothes.

6. They gather for meals, prayer and relaxation.

7. Special candles are lit and people drink Shabbat wine and eat challah, a soft rich bread.

8. On the Saturday many families go to the synagogue for a special service.

9. Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies are a Jewish tradition to celebrate the coming of age of young Jews.

10. For boys, this takes place at the age of thirteen and for girls at the age of twelve.

11. Bar Mitzvah means son of the commandments and Bat Mitzvah, daughter of the commandments.

12. At the ceremony, the young person is called up to the Torah on the first Shabbat after their birthday.

13. They will recite part of the Torah, or lead part, or all, of the prayer service.

14. Often the family will hold a special party afterwards to celebrate.

15. The shema is recited every morning and evening.

16. The door posts of Jewish homes usually have a mezuzah, a small, decorative box, attached to them.

17. They have the words of the shema inside.

18. Very religious Jews will kiss the fingers of their right hand and then touch the mezuzah when they go into the room.

19. While praying, Jewish men and boys will often cover their heads with a small, round cap called a kippah.

20. They may also wear a prayer shawl or tallit whilst praying.

21. All Jewish food has to be kosher, meaning fit or right, and prepared according to Jewish law.

22. Jews must not mix dairy and meat, must not eat pork, or pork products or shell fish.

23. Some Jewish people may visit the Wailing Wall, which is a site of pilgrimage for Jews.

24. The Wall is the last remaining part of the original temple that Jesus knew.

25. It is said that this part avoided destruction in AD 70 because the Holy Spirit lived there.

26. People pray aloud at the wall.

27. When visiting the wall there is a tradition of writing prayers on pieces of paper and wedging them between the stones.