Religious practices of Judaism

    WJEC
    GCSE

    Examine the manifestation of the Covenant through the rigorous observance of Halakhah (Jewish Law) in both public and private spheres. Analysis must cover the synagogue's function as a Beit Tefillah (House of Prayer), Beit Midrash (House of Study), and Beit Knesset (House of Assembly), alongside the centrality of the home for Shabbat and Kashrut observance. Differentiate critically between Orthodox and Reform approaches to rituals, specifically regarding gender roles in worship, the binding nature of Mitzvot, and the execution of rites of passage including Brit Milah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and mourning practices (Avelut).

    5
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • The specific role of the Mohel during Brit Milah and the recitation of the Kiddush.
    • The distinction between the Menorah (Temple) and the Chanukiah (Chanukah).
    • The requirements of Kosher food: separation of milk and meat (Exodus 23:19), shechitah slaughter.
    • The structure of the Amidah prayer and its centrality in daily worship.
    • The symbolism of the Sukkah and the Four Species (Lulav and Etrog) during Sukkot.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have described the ritual well; now explain *why* it is important to the Jewish community today."
    • "Include a specific reference to a Source of Wisdom (Torah/Talmud) to validate your explanation."
    • "Your evaluation is one-sided; you must consider the Reform perspective to achieve the highest band."
    • "Use correct terminology: replace 'church' with 'synagogue' and 'priest' with 'Rabbi' or 'Chazan'."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Credit accurate use of Hebrew terminology (e.g., Aron Kodesh, Ner Tamid, Bimah) when describing synagogue features.
    • Award marks for explicit connections between rituals (e.g., Brit Milah) and the Covenant of Abraham (Genesis 17).
    • Responses must differentiate between Orthodox and Reform practices, particularly regarding gender roles in worship and strictness of Kashrut observance.
    • Evaluation in 'Discuss' questions must analyze the significance of practices (e.g., why Yom Kippur is the holiest day) rather than merely listing events.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡When asked about 'Sources of Wisdom', explicitly quote or paraphrase the Shema or specific Mitzvot rather than making general assertions.
    • 💡For 5-mark 'Describe' questions, provide three distinct points or a detailed description of one aspect with development.
    • 💡In 8-mark 'Explain' questions, use the 'Point, Evidence, Explanation' structure twice to ensure depth.
    • 💡Allocate 20-25 minutes for the final 15-mark 'Discuss' question; it carries the highest weight and requires balanced evaluation.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating the specific observances of Rosh Hashanah (shofar, judgment) with Yom Kippur (fasting, atonement).
    • Referencing 'The Bible' generically instead of specifying the Tenakh, Torah, or Talmud.
    • Describing Shabbat solely as a day of rest without explaining the prohibition of 'Melachah' (work) or the positive commandments (Kiddush, Havdalah).
    • Failing to provide a counter-argument or alternative view in the 15-mark evaluation question.

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

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