Terms From The Shabbat Service
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Terms From The Shabbat Service In order for you to more fully understand and enjoy the service, here is a brief “glossary” of some of our phrases and customs:
Aliyah (“Going Up”) - the honor of being called to the Torah (plural: Aliyot). Several family members and friends receive this honor, reciting the special prayers that precede and follow the reading of the Torah portion.
Ark (aron hakodesh): The sacred enclosure where the Torah scrolls are kept.
Bimah - the raised platform where the service is conducted.
Haftarah: a selection from the prophets on a theme related to the Torah portion.
Kipah (Yarmulke) - the head covering worn during prayer and study as a sign of reverence.
Mitzvah: The commandments that Jews do in order to live a Jewish life and to sanctify life.
Ner Tamid: The Eternal Light which hangs over the ark. It symbolizes God’s eternal presence in the synagogue.
Shabbat: The Hebrew word for the Sabbath, the day of sacred rest. It begins Friday evening at sundown and concludes with sunset on Saturday.
Siddur - the prayer book used by our congregation. Since Hebrew is read from right to left, the sequence of pages is the opposite of that found in English text.
Tallit - the fringed prayer shawl worn by Jewish people who have reached thirteen years of age. It is worn during morning prayers and Torah services.
Tefilah: The Hebrew word for prayer. Also the second section of the service.
Torah: Literally, “teaching” or “direction,” the Five Books of Moses or Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). During each Shabbat service and on some holidays, the portion is read directly from the Torah scroll.
Torah Service - consists of three parts: removing the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) from the Ark, study of the week’s Torah portion, and returning the Torah to the Ark. Following the Torah service, a corresponding selection from the Haftarah (Book of Prophets) is read.
Written by Rabbi Daniel Gropper, of the Community Synagogue of Rye, http://comsynrye.org
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