Trip to

Israel

The Tanakh

Pesach

Mezuzah

The Tanakh consists of the core

teachings of Jewish faith in the
form of a story. It is the Hewbrew
word for the sacred writings of
Judaism. The Tanakh is the most
important of the Jewish sacred
writings.

Also known as Passover, it is one

of the most important holy days of
the Jewish year. It is celebrated
during the first month of the year,
on the fifteenth day of Nisan,
around the first full moon after the
spring equinox. It celebrates the
freedom won by Jewish slaves
when they escaped from the
Egyptian Pharaoh 3000 years ago.

It is a case affixed to the doorposts

of Jewish homes, inside is a scroll
with the words of Shema and on the
other side the name of God. This
serves as a constant reminder of
God. When you pass through the
door, you touch the mezuzah and
then kiss the fingers; this shows
your love and respect for God.

The Torah
The Torah is the most important
part of the Tanakh. It is the basis
of Israels faith in God. To nonJews, the Torah would consist of
the stories in the Old Testament.

The Talmud

Hugo Cheung
HRT3U1

The Talmud is the second most

important set of writings and
contains many Jewish civil,
religious, and ethical laws and
teachings.

Shavuot
Also known as Pentecost, Shavuot
is celebrated 50 days after Pesach.
This is during the of the wheat
harvest and it celebrates the
giving of the Torah from God.

Succot
Succot occurs on Tishri 15 and is
one of the most joyous occasions
in Jewish faith. It is a harvest
festival and commemorates the
forty-year period where the
children of Israel wandered the
desert.

Menorah
There is a seven-branched menorah
used in the Temple, the central place
of worship in Jerusalem. There is
also a nine-branched one used only
for Hanukkah. There is a continual
light in synagogues, which
symbolizes the original menorah,
that was destroyed along with the
Temple. It is a tradition to not
duplicate religious objects.

Kippah

Western Wall

Mezuzah Cases

Also known as a yarmulke, it is a head

covering that most Jewish people
wear as a sign of their religion and
acknowledging God. It is not a
commandment to wear it at all times
but rather a custom, which is why
some people take it off for situations
with more of a secular environment.

The Western Wall is the final standing

wall left of the Temple that Herod the
Great built. It is a symbol of glory and
the past and is a symbol of the love and
devotion that Jewish people have to the
holy city of Jerusalem.

The case that houses the sacred

scroll of the mezuzah is decorated
to serve as a reminder of God.

Kosher Foods
Magen David
The shield or Star of David is a
symbol that is commonly associated
with Judaism. There is no real
evidence that shows it has any
religious significance and it is usually
seen on synagogues to identify them
as Jewish houses of worship.

The general rules of kashrut are:

1. Only cattle with cloven hooves
and that chew on cud can be
eaten.
2. Of the birds and mammals that
can be eaten, they must be killed
in accordance with Jewish law.
3. All blood must be drained out
before eating.
4. Any insects or bugs cannot be
eaten.
5. Meat and dairy cannot be eaten
together
6. There needs to be separate
utensils and plates for meat and
dairy.

Dome of the Rock

It is a shrine located on the site of the
Second Jewish Temple, which was
destroyed when the Romans took over
Jerusalem. It is one of the most
recognizable landmarks located in
Jerusalem.

Menorah
The menorahs used in synagogues
and other places of worship to
symbolize the original in the
destroyed Temple are decorated
differently.