Religion Review Unit 2: Judaism, Abraham, Moses, and Jewish Life

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering core figures, covenants, symbols, holidays, dietary laws, denominations, and sacred texts from the Unit 2 Religion review.

YHWH (Yahweh)

God in the Hebrew faith who made a covenant with Abraham, promised descendants and the Promised Land, and helped establish monotheism.

Monotheism

The belief in one God.

Covenant

A sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people; with Abraham, God promised descendants, a great nation, and the Promised Land (Canaan).

Chosen People

The Hebrew or Jewish people, chosen by God to have a special covenant relationship with Him.

Circumcision (Brit Milah)

The outward sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, celebrated on the 8th day after birth to welcome a baby boy into the covenant.

Isaac

Abraham and Sarah's promised son who continued God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants.

Hagar

Sarah's servant and the mother of Abraham's son Ishmael.

Sarah and Keturah

The wives of Abraham.

Moses

Leader called by God to free the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, lead the Exodus, receive the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, and lead the people through the desert for 40 years.

Ten Commandments

Laws given by Yahweh to Moses on Mount Sinai to guide the Hebrews.

Ark of the Covenant

The sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

The 10 Plagues

Disasters sent by God to punish Pharaoh for refusing to free the Hebrews and to convince him to let them leave Egypt: water turns to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, disease on livestock, unhealable boils, hail and fire, locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn.

Pesach (Passover)

Jewish holiday celebrating the Hebrews' freedom from slavery in Egypt and God passing over their homes during the 10th plague, observed in March/April with a Seder meal and matzah.

Seder

The ritual meal eaten during Pesach that includes symbolic foods such as matzah (unleavened bread) and bitter herbs.

Lunisolar Calendar

The Jewish calendar system based on both the Moon and the Sun.

Shalom

A Hebrew word that means peace, hello, or goodbye.

Mitzvot (Mitzvah)

The 613 commandments or good deeds found in the Torah.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice, hatred, or discrimination directed against Jewish people.

The Holocaust (Shoah)

The historical genocide in which the Nazis used antisemitic propaganda and systematically persecuted and murdered approximately 6 million Jews.

Star of David

A prominent symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity.

Menorah

A seven-branched candelabrum serving as an ancient symbol of Judaism.

Kippah

A head covering worn by some Jewish people as a sign of respect for God.

Tallit (Tallis)

A Jewish prayer shawl with fringes worn during prayer.

Tefillin

Small leather boxes containing Torah passages, worn during weekday morning prayers.

Mezuzah

A case containing a Torah passage attached to a doorpost as a reminder of faith.

Chai

A Jewish symbol meaning 'life' in Hebrew.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year celebrated in September/October with prayers, apples and honey, and the blowing of the shofar.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement celebrated in September/October through fasting, prayer, and asking for forgiveness.

Sukkot

A holiday in September/October celebrating the harvest and God's protection in the desert, during which people eat or spend time in temporary huts called sukkahs.

Hanukkah

The Festival of Lights in November/December celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple by lighting candles on a menorah/hanukkiah for eight nights.

Shavuot

A holiday in May/June celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, observed by attending services and studying the Torah.

Shabbat (Sabbath)

The weekly day of rest from Friday evening to Saturday evening, observed with candles, prayers, meals, and family time.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

A milestone usually celebrated at ages 12–13 (around 13 for boys, 12 or 13 for girls) marking a young person taking on religious responsibilities, celebrated with a synagogue ceremony.

Kashrut

Jewish dietary laws outlining which foods may be consumed and how they must be prepared.

Kosher

Food that complies with the laws of kashrut, meaning 'fit to eat.'

Orthodox Judaism

The most traditional denomination, practicing strict observance with modest clothing, and separate seating for men and women in the synagogue.

Conservative Judaism

A Jewish denomination with a middle-ground perspective, blending traditional and modern clothing, and seating men and women together in the synagogue.

Reform Judaism

The most liberal Jewish denomination, characterized by modern everyday clothing, mixed seating in the synagogue, and women serving as rabbis.

Synagogue

A Jewish place of worship where people pray, study the Torah, and gather as a community.

Torah

The first five books of the Tanakh containing Jewish laws and teachings, traditionally handwritten by a scribe on parchment.

Tanakh

The entire Hebrew Bible, consisting of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

Talmud

A collection of rabbinic discussions and interpretations of Jewish law and teachings.

Yad

A pointer used to follow the text of the Torah scroll without touching it while reading from right to left.

Aron Kodesh

The Holy Ark inside a synagogue where the Torah scroll is kept.

First Temple

The sacred Temple built by King Solomon around 960 BCE and destroyed in 586 BCE by the Babylonians.

Second Temple

The Temple rebuilt around 516 BCE, expanded by King Herod, and destroyed in 70 CE by the Romans.

Western Wall (Wailing Wall)

The last remaining supporting wall of the Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem from the Second Temple, serving as a sacred place of prayer and hope for restoration.

Chuppah

The wedding canopy under which a Jewish marriage ceremony takes place.

Shiva

A 7-day mourning period observed by the family following the burial of a deceased person.

Diaspora

Jews living outside their ancestral homeland.

Prophet

A person chosen by God to deliver His message.

Rabbi

A Jewish religious teacher and leader.

Shofar

A ram's horn blown during Jewish religious services, especially Rosh Hashanah.