Jewish History Midterm Vocab

Lachrymose Conception of Jewish History

Ashkenzazi

A Jewish ethnic group that originated in Central and Eastern Europe, known for their distinct religious practices, culture, and Yiddish language.

Sephardi

Yiddish

A High German language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews, incorporating elements from Hebrew and Aramaic.

Ladino

New Christians

Inquisition

A series of institutions within the Catholic Church aimed at combating heresy, often targeting converted Jews and Muslims in Spain and Portugal.

Limpieza de sangre

Ghetto

Chmielnicki massacres

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Arenda System

Hezqat ha-yishuv

Shtadlan

Council of Four Lands

Alcohol and tavern keeping

Baruch Spinoza

Shabbetai Tzvi

Sabbateanism

Assimilation

Acculturation

Emancipation

Christian Wilhelm Dohm

French Revolution

Pale of Settlement

A designated region in Imperial Russia where Jewish people were allowed to reside, established in the late 18th century.

Partitions of Poland

Hasidism

Ba’al Shem Tov

Founder of Hasidism, known for his teachings on mysticism and faith.

Tzaddik/rebbe

A spiritual leader in Hasidic Judaism, regarded as a righteous person who provides guidance and inspiration to followers.

Misnagdism

A movement opposing Hasidism, emphasizing rationalism and scholarship in Jewish practice.

Haskalah

The Jewish Enlightenment movement that advocated for modernization and integration into European society while promoting secular education and cultural engagement.

Moses Mendelssohn

A key figure in the Haskalah movement, Moses Mendelssohn was a philosopher who promoted Jewish enlightenment and integration into European culture.

Jerusalem by Moses Mendelssohn

A philosophical work that argues for the compatibility of Jewish faith with Enlightenment values, emphasizing reason and moral philosophy.