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They pray.

The length of prayer and various rituals depend on the type of congregation, the time of day and date.

Reform Jews for example usually only have the sabbath (Saturday) and holiday services, mostly in English or the language of the country where they are held, while Orthodox Jews hold services three times a day (actually usually twice a day, connecting the afternoon and evening services together), and only in Hebrew (actually with a mixture of Arameic).

Jews from Europe have typical rituals while the Jews from Arab countries have others. For example Jews of Yemen pray with men only, and chant the prayers together loudly.

All Jewish services have a "silent prayer" period, where part of the prayer is said standing (and usually swaying).

In the weekday mornings the Teffilin are put on along with the Talit (Google for those). In the Sabbath, Holiday, and twice a week, the Torah scrolls are read from. There are special rituals for holidays, like blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, or waving the palm leaves and surrounding the center table on Succot. There are fast days, and happy days (such as Purim where most communities dress up with masks).

Most of the prayer is chanted, but some is sung to tunes. For example the Friday evening prayers (the Hebrew sabbath begins at sun down of the Friday, and ends at sun down of Saturday) are usually done with singing.

In many Synagogues there is a "sermon" by the Rabbi at some point during the prayer. Young boys (and in non-Orthodox Synagogues or 'Temples' the girls too) receive a present, and read the Torah or from the Prophets books, for the first time. This is called a Bar Mitzva or Bat Mitzva. When the reading is over, the boy or girl are showered with candy and singing. In the Eastern cultures a 'Hallelu' curdling sound, similar to 'Indian (Native American) war cries' is called out by the women.

Some services are "held" by a "Cantor" who sings the prayers, along with a choir. In the Western European synagogues this sounds much like opera music, with a mixture of Eastern European tunes and modern day - especially Israeli music.

On some of the holidays, and by some Hassidic communities even after every prayer, there are also ritual dances.

If you ask the question more specifically, I can give you a better idea of what happens at "a Jewish" service. As you now understand there are many different types of Jewish services.

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14y ago

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