Chapter Three: Religious affiliations - Supreme Court of WA

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3.2.5 Judaism Judaism is one of the world’s oldest religions. Any person whose mother was Jewish is considered to be Jewish. However, progressive communities also accept descent through the father if the child is being brought up as Jewish. Conversion to Judaism is possible after a rigorous course of instruction. People often convert to Judaism to ally themselves with the family they are marrying into or have married into. In Australia, there are many different Jewish congregations, ranging from progressive to ultraorthodox. The Jewish Community Council of Western Australia (Inc) advises that the great majority of the WA Jewish community is affiliated with Orthodox Judaism, but a smaller number in the community is associated with the reform or progressive practice of Judaism, which varies from orthodox practice in a number of respects. 41 Jewish people believe in a single God who created the universe and who continues to govern it. Moses received the Ten Commandments and the Torah from God on Mt Sinai. The Torah revealed the way God wished to be served, the basic principles of Judaism and instructions on how Jewish people should live. 3.2.5.1 Main beliefs Judaism is based upon 13 principles of faith: 1. God created all things. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. There is only one God. God has no bodily form. God is eternal. We must pray only to God. All the words of the prophets are true. Moses was the greatest of the prophets. The Torah we have is the same as that given to Moses. The Torah will never change. God knows human deeds and thoughts. God rewards good and punishes evil. The Messiah will come to redeem Israel and the world. 13. There will be a resurrection of the dead. However, the more progressive Jewish traditions may dispute many of these principles. 3.2.5.2 The Sabbath The Sabbath or Shabbat is a holy day for Jewish people, extending from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday (or with the appearance of three stars). Observing Sabbath involves attending synagogue services on Friday evenings and family gatherings at home. The Jewish Community Council of Western Australia (Inc) advises that, in keeping the Sabbath, more 41 Jewish Community Council of Western australia (inc), Culture and Religion Information Sheet — Judaism (2005) 1, available at: www.omi.wa.gov.au/omi_guidelines.asp?choice=5 (accessed 17 June 2009). 3.2.20 Religious affiliations novembeR 2009 - fiRst edition
eligiously observant Jews are required to prepare early on Friday afternoon. 42 Observant Jews are not allowed to work on the Sabbath or perform many non-arduous secular activities, including using any forms of electricity, transport or writing materials. Kashrut (from the Hebrew meaning “fit, proper or correct”) states which foods can be eaten and how food is to be prepared. For example, meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy, and must be prepared and served with separate utensils. Kosher describes food prepared according to these standards. Observant Jews eat only kosher food: • • 43 Certain animals must not be eaten — including, the flesh, organs, and milk of pork, birds of prey and their eggs, insects and shellfish. The permitted animals, birds and fish must be killed in accordance with Jewish law. This involves slaughtering by a qualified person in a manner that is as pain-free as possible. Certain parts of permitted animals must not be eaten. 3.2.5.3 Holy books and scriptures Mitzvot are the 613 commandments contained in the Torah (the five Books of Moses), and include the Ten Commandments. The Mitzvot have been expanded through interpretations by Jewish spiritual leaders. Jewish law (Halakhah) comprises the Torah and the interpretations, and covers theology, ethics, marriage, food, clothing, education, work and holy days. 3.2.5.4 Religious leaders 44 In Orthodox Judaism, only men can become rabbis; Liberal and progressive Jews allow women to become rabbis and cantors (prayer leaders). The rabbi’s authority comes from extensive study, and a rabbi is considered to be a teacher rather than an anointed priest. A cantor is used to read the Torah, as few modern Jews can read the poetic Hebrew. 3.2.5.5 Forms of worship and festivals Observant Jews pray three times a day — morning, afternoon and evening — although spontaneous prayer may be offered at any time. Most Jews manage to fit these prayer times into their normal work schedule. However, Sabbath and festival observances require special arrangements and consideration. As indicated earlier, the first holy day for Jews (when praying is most important) extends from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. Festivals may occur on any day of the week, and the observance of these also extends from sunset to nightfall, or the appearance of three stars. Sabbath and festival worship is performed congregationally in a synagogue, where prayer takes place facing Jerusalem. In an Orthodox synagogue men and women are separated — the women sit upstairs or behind a partition or grille — and services are conducted by males in Hebrew. In liberal and progressive synagogues, men and women sit together. 42 submission from the Jewish Community Council of Western australia (inc) (14 august 2007). 43 “any animal that does not both chew its cud and possess a cloven hoof can not be eaten”: submission from the Jewish society (Wa) (24 september 2008). 44 australasian Police multicultural advisory bureau, A Practical Reference to Religious Diversity for Operational Police and Emergency Services (2nd ed) (2002) 62, available at: http://web.archive.org/web/20050619070219/www.apmab.gov.au/guide/religious2/religious_guide.pdf (accessed 17 June 2009). novembeR 2009 - fiRst edition Religious affiliations 3.2.21
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Chapter Three: Religious affiliations - Supreme Court of WA

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