Participating in rituals allows for an understanding of how patterns- whether they are physical objects or a particular body movement- allow for a uniting of members within the cultural setting. In this essay, I look at the use of kippot and talliot in a Jewish synagogue. Drawing on the views of Emile Durkheim concerning the definition of religion, I argue that, for the members of this community, ‘religion’ is about uniting people together and providing them with their social identities, which is evident with the use of the dress attire required for the ceremony. (citation) I will also look at the use of the Torah in a Jewish synagogue. Drawing on the views of Geertz concerning the definition of religion, I will additionally argue that for
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To begin with, I did not do any research on Judaism and thus walked into the ceremony clueless because I was not aware of any scriptures, dress attire, seating arrangments, etc. Although it was my own doing, with the lack of prior research, I was not aware of their beliefs and ideologies and found myself noting down any unfamiliar names /stories so that I could inform myself who or what they were speaking of. Also, although there was a cabinet containing the kippot and tallitot, I was unsure of whether or not I could grab one without asking. Once I got home, I researched the synagogue and found out that I was in fact allowed to borrow the attire. Therefore with me not fully engaging in the ceremony because I did not wear the symbolic clothing, I did not feel socially connected with the congregation. In addition, I personally go to a catholic church where all seating is facing towards the altar; thus, with there being seating on the side of the altar, and with me being seated there, I felt slightly uncomfortable trying to focus on the teachings while sitting in a new vantage point. Lastly, even though majority of the ceremony was led by the Rabbi, the synagogue was celebrating a child’s one year birthday; thus, they introduced the child’s mother to lead a portion of the ceremony. Although she did not lead it poorly, I believe that because she did not play the guitar and sing as the Rabbi did, I did not get the entire “musical” aspect which I thought would continue the entire
To begin with, I did not do any research on Judaism and thus walked into the ceremony clueless because I was not aware of any scriptures, dress attire, seating arrangments, etc. Although it was my own doing, with the lack of prior research, I was not aware of their beliefs and ideologies and found myself noting down any unfamiliar names /stories so that I could inform myself who or what they were speaking of. Also, although there was a cabinet containing the kippot and tallitot, I was unsure of whether or not I could grab one without asking. Once I got home, I researched the synagogue and found out that I was in fact allowed to borrow the attire. Therefore with me not fully engaging in the ceremony because I did not wear the symbolic clothing, I did not feel socially connected with the congregation. In addition, I personally go to a catholic church where all seating is facing towards the altar; thus, with there being seating on the side of the altar, and with me being seated there, I felt slightly uncomfortable trying to focus on the teachings while sitting in a new vantage point. Lastly, even though majority of the ceremony was led by the Rabbi, the synagogue was celebrating a child’s one year birthday; thus, they introduced the child’s mother to lead a portion of the ceremony. Although she did not lead it poorly, I believe that because she did not play the guitar and sing as the Rabbi did, I did not get the entire “musical” aspect which I thought would continue the entire