World Rel Judaism

Baal Shem Tov

Founder of hassidic judaism in 18th century Eastern Europe.

Lurid, Issac

16th century Jewish mystic who developed a key system of Kabbalah.

Maimonides

Medieval jewish philosopher and legal scholar know for codifying jewish law and philosophical writings on god.

Bar/bat mitzvah

Coming of age ceremony - boys (13) and girls (12) - marking responsibility for observing mitzvoth.

Mikveh

Ritual bath used for purification in jewish law.

Mitzot

Commandments or good deeds prescribed by jewish law.

Tefillin

Small leather boxes containing torah verses, worn during weekday morning prayers.

Tallit

Prayer shawl with fringes worn during prayer.

Sedur

Ritual meal held during pesach (passover) recounting exodus

Siddur

Jewish prayer book used in daily and holiday worship.

Synagogue

Jewish house of worship and community gathering place.

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish new year.

Yom Kippur

Day of atonement.

Sukkot

Festival of booths.

Shauvot

Celebrates the giving of the torah at mount sinai.

Tanakh

Hebrew bible; torah (law), nevi’im(prophets), and ketuvim(writings).

Torah

First 5 books of Hebrew bible.

Talmud

Interpretations and discussions of jewish law (Halacha).

Dead Sea scrolls

Ancient jewish manuscripts discovered near Dead Sea.

Zohar

Core mystical texts of Kabbalah, exploring hidden meanings of the torah.

Covenant

Sacred agreement between god and Israelites begging with Abraham.

Election

The belief that jewish people are chosen to follow gods commandments.

Ethical monotheism

Belief in one god who demands ethical behavior.

Omnipotence

Gods all powerful nature

Omniscience

Gods all knowing nature

transcendence

Gods existence beyond physical world.

Immanence

gods presence within the world.

Messiah

Future announced leader expected to bring redemption.

Eschatological

Relating to end times or ultimate destiny or humanity.

Hasidism

Mystical jewish movement emphasizing joy, piety, and closeness to god.

Halacha

Jewish law

Jewish diaspora

Jewish communities outside of Israel.