Chapter 4 Lesson 3: Israelite Traditions & Holidays

One of the most common ways that Jewish people follow the laws of the Torah today is by keeping kosher. This means only eating food that is kosher, or proper, according to the dietary laws in the Torah.

​ To be a kosher animal, the animal has to have cloven, or split hooves, and chew the cud. This means that pork is definitely not kosher. Another major rule is that a calf cannot be cooked by boiling it in it's mother's milk. According to rabbis, this means that kosher food cannot serve a meal with both meat and dairy.

Even further, some holidays have additional requirements, like Passover. During Passover, no leaven or yeast is allowed in the house. That means most breads have to be thrown out.​

Kosher laws can be complex, and rabbis have to oversee parts of the process.

Keeping Kosher

​Traditions & Holy Days

​One Jewish tradition is celebrated by Hanukkah, which falls in December. It honors a historical event. The ancient Jews wanted to celebrate a victory that had convinced their rulers to let them keep their religion. According to legend, though, the Jews did not have enough lamp oil to celebrate at the temple. Miraculously, the oil they had—enough for only one day—burned for eight full days.

​Traditions & Holy Days

​More important to Jews than Hanukkah, Passover is celebrated in March or April. During Passover, Jews honor the Exodus, the journey of the Israelites out of slavery.

​According to Jewish tradition, the Israelites left Egypt so quickly that bakers did not have time to let their bread rise. Therefore, during Passover, Jews eat only matzo, a flat, unrisen bread. They also celebrate the holiday with ceremonies.

​The two most sacred of all Jewish holidays are the High Holy Days. They take place in September or October. The first two days of celebration, Rosh Hashanah, celebrate the start of a new year in the Jewish calendar.

Multiple Choice

Which holiday is known as the Jewish New Year?

• Shavuot

• Purim

• Sukkot

• Rosh Hashanah

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the weekly Jewish day of rest that begins on Friday at sundown until sundown on Saturday?

• Synagogue day

• Saturday plus

• Passover

• Sabbath

Multiple Choice

Three sections—the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings—make up the:

• Christian Bible

• Talmud

• Q'uran

• Hebrew Bible

Multiple Choice

Which of these foods are NOT kosher?

• Bacon and shrimp

• Steak and potatoes

• Turkey and lamb

• Salmon and bagels