This is a special honor during the Torah service where a person or persons is called up to bless the Torah.
What is an Aliyah?
100
This prophet said that the Jewish people are to be “a light unto the nations.”
Who was Isaiah?
100
This person was called the greatest prophet and the humble one, and he lived to be 120 years old.
Who is Moses?
100
This is the Hebrew acronym for the Hebrew Bible. The three letters represent the Hebrew words for Torah, Prophets, and Writings.
What is Tanach? תנ"ך
100
This object is used as a pointer when you read from the Torah. It may not be made from any metal that was used for the purposes of war such as iron. The name for the object means “hand” in Hebrew.
What is a yad?
200
This ‘garment’ is worn and signifies the taking on of Jewish responsible living.
What is a Tallit?
200
This prophet said a time of peace will come when the “Lion lies down with the lamb.” Many Religious Jews, Christians and Muslims wait or work for this day.
Who was Isaiah?
200
The most famous Jewish king, known for his writings, and also known for a song we sing with lots of hand motions.
Who is King David?
200
In this one book you will find all of the five books of Moses and the corresponding Haftorot to each weekly portion. In our sanctuary, they are the thick blue books.
What is a Chumash?
200
This braided candle traditionally has 6 wicks to symbolize the six days of the week, separating them from the seventh day of Shabbat.
What is a havdallah candle?
300
This is a Jewish head covering. Its name is a contraction of the Hebrew phrase “yarei m’elokim” which means reverence for God.
What is a Yarmulke?
300
The watchword of Beth Or, which hangs over our ark reads, and was taken from this Biblical book “Light is sown for the Righteous, Gladness for the upright of heart.”
What is Psalms?
300
This Biblical character is known for standing up against an evil plot intended to harm the Jewish people; we read her story on one of our holidays in the early spring.
Who is Esther?
300
In this book, Biblical text is woven together with modern interpretations and used when we pray at services.
What is a Siddur?
300
This object, from which B’nei Mitzvah children read, is a scroll fastened onto two wooden rollers. All of the materials that go into making this must be from the natural world. The holy task of creating this object can sometimes take years.
What is a Torah Scroll?
400
This is central part of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony at which we point we symbolize the Jewish people’s receiving the Torah on top of Mount Sinai.
What is the Torah Service?
400
This watchword of our faith is found in the Deuteronomy 6:4 and reminds us that we are to believe in one God and bear witness to God’s oneness.
What is the Shema?
400
This prophet was the sister of Moses and Aaron and is known for the songs she sang and for a miraculous well that followed the Israelites around the desert.
Who is Miriam?
400
This huge compilation of rabbinic teachings, stories, and laws was written after the Tanakh was canonized (set in place and unchangeable). The work has 63 tractates in all and it is written both in Hebrew and Aramaic.
What is the Talmud?
400
This object contains in it the words of the Shema and the V’ahavta and we affix it to our doorposts and gates.
What is a mezuzah?
500
This is a special blessing over wine that sanctifies the Shabbat.
What is Kiddish?
500
The Jewish people sang these words after they crossed the Red Sea and left Egypt for freedom.
What is the Mi Chamocha?
500
This person ran away when God told him to go to Ninveh, and he was swallowed by a whale (he managed to get away safely).
Who is Jonah?
500
Rashi, the most famous rabbi to produce this genre of writing. It is found in the margins of Talmud and it is also studied alongside Tanakh. The latest contributors to this genre will be YOU, when you deliver your dvar Torah. On the day of your Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
What is commentary?
500
This object contains in it the words of the Shema and the V’ahavta and many Jews wear these objects on their hands and heads each morning other than on Shabbat and holidays.