Questions about Judaism, for information not for debate.

afishamongmany · Jan 14, 2016

As a christian I should know a lot more about Judaism than I do. I'm hoping that knowledgeable people will give me and any others with questions a better understanding of Judaism past and present.
For instance, I'd like to know about scrolls.
Do synagogues have the scriptures in scroll form? Are they read from in the original Hebrew? Or are they there only symbolically and readings are from a book?
I know that there were no chapters or verses until sometime in the 1400s but I assume that the original text was ordered in someway, sentences, paragraphs?
Does Hebrew do upper and lower case letters?
Thanking you in anticipation
><>

LoAmmi · Jan 14, 2016

We use scrolls for the Torah readings and it is recited in Hebrew. The other readings have been in books anywhere I've been but it is also in Hebrew.

Books with the local translations are usually available for people to read along with.

There are some natural breaks in the text like other languages and the books of the Torah are broken up. Their names come from the first word in the book.

There is no upper or lower case in Hebrew.

PapaZoom · Jan 14, 2016

I had never heard of a Cantor before until I was in The Fiddler on the Roof at college. I was the Rabbi and went to see a Cantor. He taught me a Jewish prayer. I still remember it and found it on Wikipedia:
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh ha'olam, shehakol nih'ye bidvaro.

Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, through Whose word everything comes into being."

I used this prayer over the sewing machine in the play. The visit to the Cantor was a highlight of my experience at college.

mnorian · Jan 14, 2016

afishamongmany said:
As a christian I should know a lot more about Judaism than I do. I'm hoping that knowledgeable people will give me and any others with questions a better understanding of Judaism past and present.
For instance, I'd like to know about scrolls.
Do synagogues have the scriptures in scroll form? Are they read from in the original Hebrew? Or are they there only symbolically and readings are from a book?
I know that there were no chapters or verses until sometime in the 1400s but I assume that the original text was ordered in someway, sentences, paragraphs?
Does Hebrew do upper and lower case letters?
Thanking you in anticipation
><>

Hi Fisha; I've had many questions like this since I've been on CF and have done many searches and done hrs and hrs of reading and find it gets complicated; especially from a Christian perspective; as the Jewish people don't use the same terminology or look at things the way we do.
Just the questions you have here could fill volumes of Hard-drives. Here is one on the scroll; or Sefer Torah; from the Wiki; there are better Jewish based sites; but this is just an example:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sefer_Torah

Aryeh Jay · Jan 14, 2016

LoAmmi said:
We use scrolls for the Torah readings and it is recited in Hebrew. The other readings have been in books anywhere I've been but it is also in Hebrew.

Books with the local translations are usually available for people to read along with.

There are some natural breaks in the text like other languages and the books of the Torah are broken up. Their names come from the first word in the book.

There is no upper or lower case in Hebrew.

No vowels either!! Oy!

Aryeh Jay · Jan 14, 2016

afishamongmany said:
As a christian I should know a lot more about Judaism than I do. I'm hoping that knowledgeable people will give me and any others with questions a better understanding of Judaism past and present.
For instance, I'd like to know about scrolls.
Do synagogues have the scriptures in scroll form? Are they read from in the original Hebrew? Or are they there only symbolically and readings are from a book?
I know that there were no chapters or verses until sometime in the 1400s but I assume that the original text was ordered in someway, sentences, paragraphs?
Does Hebrew do upper and lower case letters?
Thanking you in anticipation
><>

The scriptures are read from a scroll, but the congregation all has books with Hebrew on one side and the English or whatever translation on the other side. The book is called a Chumash and is pronounced “who-maash”

mnorian · Jan 14, 2016

mnorian said:
Hi Fisha; I've had many questions like this since I've been on CF and have done many searches and done hrs and hrs of reading and find it gets complicated; especially from a Christian perspective; as the Jewish people don't use the same terminology or look at things the way we do.
Just the questions you have here could fill volumes of Hard-drives. Here is one on the scroll; or Sefer Torah; from the Wiki; there are better Jewish based sites; but this is just an example:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sefer_Torah

Well; that's the trouble with internet searches; you get way more information then you need; glad those who know; came on-board.

Chesterton · Jan 15, 2016

I attended a service once, I don't remember what it was called, I think it was a typical weekly service, at what would be called an orthodox or conservative place. While the rabbi was speaking people in the congregation would at various times stand up and start reading or praying aloud. It seemed kind of disruptive because at times 3 or 4 people would be speaking at once. Like, with no rhyme or reason I could tell, someone who was sitting quietly would stand up and start reciting, then sit back down for a while. Do you know what was going on with this?

LoAmmi · Jan 15, 2016

Chesterton said:
I attended a service once, I don't remember what it was called, I think it was a typical weekly service, at what would be called an orthodox or conservative place. While the rabbi was speaking people in the congregation would at various times stand up and start reading or praying aloud. It seemed kind of disruptive because at times 3 or 4 people would be speaking at once. Like, with no rhyme or reason I could tell, someone who was sitting quietly would stand up and start reciting, then sit back down for a while. Do you know what was going on with this?

What was the rabbi talking about? Like giving what Christians would call a sermon?

Also, I'm assuming this wasn't on a Friday night or Saturday morning, right?

Chesterton · Jan 15, 2016

LoAmmi said:
What was the rabbi talking about? Like giving what Christians would call a sermon?

Also, I'm assuming this wasn't on a Friday night or Saturday morning, right?

I'm pretty sure it was a Saturday morning. It was many years ago, as best I can remember the rabbi was mostly speaking/reading Hebrew (which I don't know) during that part. It wasn't during the sermon because the part which seemed similar to a sermon came later and was in English, and people were just listening then.

LoAmmi · Jan 15, 2016

Chesterton said:
I'm pretty sure it was a Saturday morning. It was many years ago, as best I can remember the rabbi was mostly speaking/reading Hebrew (which I don't know) during that part. It wasn't during the sermon because the part which seemed similar to a sermon came later and was in English, and people were just listening then.

All the places I've been have been a lot more coordinated than that for lack of a better term. There are parts where we stand, there are parts where we bow, and so forth, but we do it in unison. The prayer services are supposed to, in some way, mirror the old Temple services which were ordered. So, it isn't something I've experienced. Maybe Jay has?

Aryeh Jay · Jan 15, 2016

Why, yes I have. It sounds like some of the orthodox services I have attended in the past. Sometimes people arrive late and they try to make up for the missed portions at their own speed.

LoAmmi · Jan 15, 2016

Aryeh Jay said:
Why, yes I have. It sounds like some of the orthodox services I have attended in the past. Sometimes people arrive late and they try to make up for the missed portions at their own speed.

You know I was thinking that but the people I see come in late are very quiet about it.

Aryeh Jay · Jan 15, 2016

LoAmmi said:
You know I was thinking that but the people I see come in late are very quiet about it.

I also haven’t seen it much lately, but then, the current Jewish community where I live is three people.

Steve Petersen · Jan 15, 2016

Chesterton said:
I attended a service once, I don't remember what it was called, I think it was a typical weekly service, at what would be called an orthodox or conservative place. While the rabbi was speaking people in the congregation would at various times stand up and start reading or praying aloud. It seemed kind of disruptive because at times 3 or 4 people would be speaking at once. Like, with no rhyme or reason I could tell, someone who was sitting quietly would stand up and start reciting, then sit back down for a while. Do you know what was going on with this?

Wondering if you were seeing the Mourner's Kaddish. Typically, if you are in the period of mourning, the cantor and the mourners repeat certain prayers antiphonally. The mourner's stand while the rest of the congregation are seated.

Chesterton · Jan 15, 2016

I think it may have been what Jay said about people arriving late, because now that I think about it, it tended to be people who weren't there from the beginning.

ScripturalReasoning · Jan 15, 2016

There are a lot of really excellent introductions to Jewish history and belief, from Norman Solomon's "Judaism: A Very Short Introduction" to the various entries in the "Encyclopaedia Judaica".

One thing I've found really helpful to getting an insight into the soul of the Jewish people is reading the siddur (the prayer book) of the different streams within Judaism from Orthodox to Conservative to Reform - you can learn a lot from the prayer and liturgy of a people. While it obviously helps if you have some Hebrew, there are good explanatory notes in English.

There is no substitute however for having the privilege of meeting and talking to Jewish people, going to a family seder during Passover, or joining a study circle and most shuls are generally very welcoming.

afishamongmany · Jan 16, 2016

LoAmmi said:
We use scrolls for the Torah readings and it is recited in Hebrew. The other readings have been in books anywhere I've been but it is also in Hebrew.

Books with the local translations are usually available for people to read along with.

There are some natural breaks in the text like other languages and the books of the Torah are broken up. Their names come from the first word in the book.

There is no upper or lower case in Hebrew.

OK thanks,
So the natural breaks, that would be just like a gap, no special mark or number? I'm just wondering how one finds the portion one is looking for in what must be some very long scrolls?
><>

afishamongmany · Jan 16, 2016

mnorian said:
Well; that's the trouble with internet searches; you get way more information then you need; glad those who know; came on-board.

Yo Mnorian,
Thanks for the link. A lot of interesting detail especially about the accuracy of the copying. I don't want to make a research project out of this but there are things that I'd like to know about and hear from the 'horse's mouth' so to speak .
><>

afishamongmany · Jan 16, 2016

ScripturalReasoning said:
There are a lot of really excellent introductions to Jewish history and belief, from Norman Solomon's "Judaism: A Very Short Introduction" to the various entries in the "Encyclopaedia Judaica".

One thing I've found really helpful to getting an insight into the soul of the Jewish people is reading the siddur (the prayer book) of the different streams within Judaism from Orthodox to Conservative to Reform - you can learn a lot from the prayer and liturgy of a people. While it obviously helps if you have some Hebrew, there are good explanatory notes in English.

There is no substitute however for having the privilege of meeting and talking to Jewish people, going to a family seder during Passover, or joining a study circle and most shuls are generally very welcoming.

Hello SR welcome,
I never have been to a Synagogue service so your post causes me to ask such questions as,
Are the services always structured? Is there ever extemporaneous praying? Is there ever prayer for physical healing? I know the scriptures are sung by a Cantor but are there the equivalent of hymns sung by everyone? If I walked in as a gentile stranger off the street would people feel uncomfortable with me just being there but not actually taking part? Think that's enough for the moment
Peace
><>

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