Key Concepts in Judaism and Early Christianity

Monotheism

belief in one God

Covenant

a formal agreement between God and His people.

Torah

the central reference of the religious Judaic tradition.

Abraham

the patriarch of the Israelites, considered the father of Judaism.

Moses

the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt.

First Covenant

the agreement made between God and Abraham.

"binding of Isaac"

the biblical story where Abraham is tested by God.

Second Covenant

the agreement made between God and the Israelites at Sinai.

10 Commandments

a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship.

Diaspora

the dispersion of Jews beyond Israel.

Sabbath

a day of religious observance and abstinence from work.

Rabbi

a teacher of Jewish law.

Synagogue

a Jewish house of worship.

Old Testament

the first part of the Christian Bible, corresponding to the Hebrew Bible.

New Testament

the second part of the Christian Bible, detailing the life of Jesus and early Christianity.

Sermon on the Mount/The Beatitudes

a collection of teachings by Jesus found in the Gospel of Matthew.

Bible

the sacred scriptures of Christians, comprising the Old and New Testaments.

Jesus

the central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God.

Christ

a title for Jesus, meaning 'the Anointed One'.

Messiah

the promised deliverer of the Jewish nation.

Paul of Tarsus

an apostle who played a key role in the spread of Christianity.

Disciples/Apostles

the followers of Jesus who spread his teachings.

Martyr

a person who is killed because of their religious beliefs.