Modern Judaism is expressed through a variety of denominations and interpretations, but the Jewish faith as a whole shares certain fundamental beliefs, several of which appear in This Is Where I Leave You. Jewish teachings are based on the Hebrew Bible (what Christians call the Old Testament). The holiest of books, the Torah, are the first five books of the Bible that were given to Moses through divine revelation. In the synagogue, the house of worship (which may also be referred to as “temple” or “shul”), the Torah is preserved on handwritten scrolls that are kept in a cabinet or container called an ark, which is opened on certain holy occasions. As a sign of respect, many Jewish congregants don a covering when entering the synagogue. Women cover their hair and limbs with a scarf, shawl, and skirt, and men might wear a prayer shawl and a small, brimless cap called a yarmulke. In some congregations, women and children sit apart from the men. A rabbi leads worship services.

Most Jewish prayers are meant to be recited in Hebrew, which Jewish children are encouraged to study. While prayer infuses the observant Jew’s life as a daily practice, certain prayers are meant to be recited by a group, specifically a minyan comprised of 10 Jewish men.