RS - Judaism Beliefs & teachings Key Terms

monotheistic

a religion that believes there is only one God

Shema

a Jewish prayer affirming belief in the one God, found in the Torah

Torah

1. the five books of Moses, which form the first section of the Tenakh/Tanach (the Jewish Bible)

2. the Jewish written law

creator

the one who makes things and brings things about

Orthodox Jews

Jews who emphasise the importance of following the laws and guidance in the Torah; they believe the Torah was given directly by God to Moses, so should be followed as closely as possible

ultra-Orthodox Jews

Jews who are even more committed than Orthodox Jews to strictly following the laws and guidance in the Torah

Shabbat

the Jewish holy day of the week; a day of spiritual renewal starting shortly before sunset on Friday and continuing to night time on Saturday

omnipotent

almighty, having unlimited power; a quality of God

omniscient

knowing everything; a quality of God

omnipresent

being everywhere at all times; a quality of God

Ten Commandments

ten laws given by God to Moses over 3000 years ago

mitzvot (singular mitzvah)

Jewish rules or commandments

merciful

the quality of God that shows compassion of forgiveness to humans, even though he has the power to punish them

Shekhinah

the divine presence of God

Temple

the centre of Jewish worship at the time of Jesus; the meeting place between God and the priest

judgement

the belief that God judges a person based on their actions, and either rewards or punishes them as a result

resurrection

the belief that after death the body remains in the grave until the end of the world, before rising again when God will come to judge

rabbi

a Jewish religious leader and teacher

Messiah

‘the anointed one’; a leader of the Jews who is expected to live on earth at some time in the future

Messianic age

a future time of global peace when everyone will want to become closer to God, possibly through the intervention of the Messiah

monotheism

belief in one God

Promised Land

the land of Canaan that God promised to the Jews

covenant

an agreement; in Judaism it refers to an agreement between individuals, often on behalf of the Jews, and God

circumcision

the removal of the foreskin from the penis

justice

bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed

healing the world (tikkun olam)

being involved in God’s work to sustain the world; it can involve work to increase social justice or to preserve the environment

charity

1. providing help and love to those in need

2. an organisation that does not make a profit, whose main purpose is to help those in need

kindness to others

positive, caring actions that should be shown to all living things

sanctity of life

all life is holy as it is created and loved by God; human life should not be misused or abused

Talmud

a commentary by the rabbis on the Torah - it consists of the Mishnah and Gemara together in one collection

pikuach nefesh

the obligation to save a life, even if doing so breaks a Jewish law

free will

belief that God gives people the opportunity to make decisions for themselves