Jewish faith

The essence of Judaism

According to traditional Jewish belief, the God who created the world revealed his laws and commandments to the people of Israel in the form of the Torah. The practice of Judaism is devoted to the study and observance of these laws. Jewish houses of prayer and study are known as Synagogues and scholars, or Rabbis, are charged with answering the questions of the congregation. The Torah (meaning 'teaching') refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Practicing the faith

There are differing ideologies within the Jewish faith and the main groups within Bury include Orthodox, Reform and Liberal. Orthodox Judaism states that an individual should exercise an informed view on which laws to observe. Liberal Judaism uses a more inclusive form of worship with men and women sitting together and expresses more liberal views. Devout Jews pray three times a day and face towards the direction of Jerusalem.

The most important time of the week is Shabbat (the Sabbath), which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday. The Sabbath is a day of rest and is usually shared within the family with candles blessings and food.

Significant features of Judaism

Jews place significant importance on food which must be 'kosher'; related to ritual purity and holiness, as well as health. Kosher food includes animals that do not eat other animals and fish (not seafood). A kippah is a thin cloth skullcap worn by observant male Jews and many men have beards. Women adhere to modest standards and wear long skirts, high necklines and a form of head covering when married (scarves, snoods, hats, or wigs).

Rites of passage occur throughout a Jew's life that serve to strengthen their identity and bind communities. The Brit Milah is a religious ceremony which welcomes male babies into the religion through the rite of circumcision on their eighth day of life. Bat Mitzvah (for girls) and Bar Mitzvah (for boys) is a coming of age ceremony followed by great celebration. Following the ceremony, the Jew is expected to be responsible for their actions and fulfil the duties of Judaism.

Marriage is also an extremely important lifecycle event. A wedding takes place under a chupah, or wedding canopy, which symbolizes a happy house.

Judaism in Bury

There are approximately 14 million Jews Worldwide with an estimated 267,000 in Britain.. Almost 5% of the Bury population are stated as Jewish and there are large Jewish communities in various districts of the Borough.

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