Judaism: Beliefs, Teachings, and Practices

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Eduqas Syllabus B revision guide for Component Three: Judaism, covering key concepts, beliefs, and religious practices.

Synagogue

A house of assembly and building used for Jewish public prayer, study, and assembly.

Shekhinah

The place where God’s presence rests and can be physically felt on Earth.

Shabbat

A day of spiritual renewal and rest that begins at sunset on Friday and closes at nightfall on Saturday.

Kosher

Meaning 'fit' or 'proper', this refers to foods permitted by Leviticus $11$ or the ritual purity of objects like Torah scrolls.

Torah

The five books of Moses [Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy], regarded as the holiest books of the Tenakh.

Mitzvot

A term for 'commandments' or duties, such as the $613$ laws found in the Torah, as well as good deeds.

Messiah

The 'anointed One' whom Jews believe will bring a new era for humankind, rebuild the Temple, and establish universal peace.

Covenant

A promise or agreement between two parties, such as those made between God and Noah, Abraham, or Moses.

Shema

The all-important prayer reflecting monotheism, recited daily and contained in a Mezuzah on doorposts.

Mezuzah

A box fixed to doorposts in Jewish homes (except the bathroom) that contains the Shema prayer.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, whole God who cannot be divided and who is the only being to be praised.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year which celebrates Creation and marks the time when God judges everyone based on their deeds.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, occurring $10$ days after Rosh Hashanah, used to ask for forgiveness and make amends.

Ner Tamid

An eternal light found at the Ark in every synagogue to signify the presence of the Shekhinah.

Minyan

A group of $10$ or more Jews praying or worshipping together, representing the presence of the Shekhinah.

Tenakh

The $24$ books of Jewish Scripture, comprising the Torah, Neviim (prophets), and Ketuvim (holy writings).

Oral Torah

The detailed explanation of the Law believed by some to have been given to Moses on Mt. Sinai alongside the written Torah.

Pikuach Nefesh

The principle that saving a human life should take priority over other Mitzvot, except for laws against idolatry, incest, and adultery.

Tikkun Olam

A concept meaning 'healing' or protecting the world through environmental care and social concern.

Gemilut Hasadim

The 'giving of loving kindness' to others while expecting nothing in return.

Tzedakah

'Righteousness and Justice' shown through social actions and loving acts performed as a religious duty.

Mitzvah Day

A global celebration started in Britain in $2008$ where people perform good deeds to reduce poverty and care for the environment.

Olam Ha-Ba

'The world to come', used to refer to both the individual afterlife and the future Messianic Age.

Sheol

A physical place mentioned in scriptures where a person 'goes down' after life, though its nature remains unclear.

Maimonides

A $12^{\text{th}}\text{-century}$ Jewish philosopher who devised the $13$ principles of faith and described the afterlife as a spiritual existence.

Nahmanides

A $12^{\text{th}}\text{-century}$ rabbi who taught that Olam Ha-Ba would begin after the resurrection of the dead.