When Jews go to the synagogue there is always the knowledge of learning. The process is always on going and every Jew accepts that they themselves cannot be the perfect Jew. They can never know everything to do with the Jewish religion. So when Jews go to the synagogue they don't just worship G-d, but also to learn more about him, to learn their faith and giving themselves a new dimension to their lifestyle. During the morning service there are lots of prayers that will teach a Jew something new every time, something to build their faith on.
To find out exactly what is involved in this, I will split up every segment and go through what differences these parts will make to a Jew's lifestyle.At the beginning of the service there are the morning blessings. This is the "social" section to the service. People will stand around talking and chatting as they are greeted to the service.
This is because Jews are part of a bigger group and therefore are there to talk about their lives and problems. On the same level, it is a very important part of Judaism to be able to face others problems together. The morning blessings will be said and these include covering the aspects of:* Health - so that you take care of yourself in such a way as if you were taking care of the religion freedom.* Freedom - which covers the freeing of the Israelites from slavery* Torah - which itself tells you how to live and act as the law* Family - where you are to aim to be a Jewish family and to follow all the laws.
After all the morning blessings have been said the psalms are recited. The Hallel Psalms are specially to praise G-d. Almost all of them are in the Jewish prayer book - The Siddur. When said these psalms are more sung than said. This form is a good way of showing affection and Jews wish to do this for G-d.
The psalms place a lot of emphasis on life being made by G-d as a life worth living.Then the Shema takes place The Shema is a complete and utter statement that worship of G-d is ultimate. The Shema basically says that there is only one G-d and he is the only G-d, nothing can match his importance. If this is said with meaning and seriousness then you are basically saying that you love your lord G-d with everything that you have got, that your mind, body and soul believe it.
The Shema will tell a Jew "You will be holy for I the lord G-d am holy". This also tells Jews to follow G-d's example as closely as they possibly can.Jews find that this prayer is so important to them and their religion, their faith that when they lay down and as this is such an important part many many Jews feel that this is the last thing that they wish to say before they die, and many Jews do this. A Jews lifestyle is almost based around the Shema and they are under obligation to learn and teach for all eternity so all this telling Jews how to live their life or at least helping them in the right direction.
The eighteen benedictions, or should I say nineteen, is the next on the list. This is also called the Amidah but on the Sabbath only six of these are said because these are the ones that praise and thank G-d. The Jews use this to strengthen their faith, as you would not thank something that is in your mind but to proclaim thanks to something obviously shows belief in it. Using this, a Jews confidence will grow with every service.Once these have been said, then the most important part of the service will commence.
This is the reading of the Torah. Now as the Torah is G-d's law it is rather obvious that every person in the synagogue will be paying attention to absolutely nothing else and they will be learning about G-d more and more. A Jews lifestyle is always being changed and updated by this part of the service. When the Torah is being read people will concentrate on the reading and if a mistake is made then it will be shouted out and the reader will have to read that part again.This is believed to be the way that G-d reveals himself to people and if you are not listening or paying attention at this stage then you need to reconsider your beliefs. When God reveals himself in the Torah he is saying that his covenant is the basis for Jew's beliefs and lifestyles.
Obviously it is an honour to read the Torah in front of the entire synagogue. To read God's word in front of many many people and to help people learn the coveneant is a large part of many Jews wants.The next part of the Musaf, which is a very big part for the Jews to learn from. The readings tell of how the synagogue used to be and how their ancestors used the temple. The underlying stressed point was that it was the same God that led the ancestors all those thousands of years ago. God is eternal and so are his teachings.
God will always be there for anybody who graces themselves with the belief of God and that Jews are not alone and they will never be. The fact that God has acted in history and that he has seen his Jews through the exodus and all the events in between gives Jews in the Sabbath morning service a sense of past, a sense of family, a sense of the entire religion.The final section of the service is the Almena, which is to emphasise the Shema and to stress how powerful their God is. It goes over how God chose the Jews as his people because of their responsibility and loyalty.
This helps the Jews to feel like a special race that has earned God's respect. This is something that will affect their lifestyle, to know how God is pleased with their race and therefore its individuals. The Aleyna goes on to say that God is for everyone and that the Jews should look forward to the time referred to as the time of 'God's kingdom on earth'. This will promote feelings that Jews have been taught about the Messianic age and when God will rule all of the earth.
When God comes he will cure all ailments and problems we suffer from. He will show us how to share our belongings and our lives. Once the Aleyna has been said the Kiddish is completed.The Kiddish, which is the drinking of the wine and the eating of the bread, is a part of most festivals and rituals in the Jewish religion. Once the service is finished a Jew will have to remember everything they have learnt about their religion, people and themselves. Even though they will never be the perfect Jew they can aim to be by learning about and remembering God.
