Judaism Vocab Words

Who, according to our in-class discussion, is the founder of Judaism?

Abraham

Be able to list the six major branches of Judaism—from most observant of the Law to least observant—as described in our in-class discussion.

Haredi (ultra orthodox), Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Hiloni/Assimilated

According to our in-class discussion, what does the word “Haredi” mean?

Those who tremble/quake at God’s word

Which denomination of Judaism seeks to separate themselves from the secular world, and reject modern clothing, entertainment, and the like?

haredi

What is the difference between the “Written Torah” and the “Oral Torah”?

god wrote the written Torah, rabbis wrote the Oral Torah

How many commandments are in the Written Torah, and how many in the Oral Torah?

10 written commandments and 603 oral commandments

According to our in-class discussion, how do many Reform Jews feel about things like circumcision, a minyan, or a mikveh?

outdated

According to our in-class discussion, what is the Reform Jewish view on female rabbis?

fully embraced

According to our in-class discussion, statistically speaking, most Jews lean which direction—

meaning are they theologically progressive or theologically conservative?

theologically progressive

What does “TaNaKh” stand for?

Torah (law), Neviim (prophets), Ktuvim (writings)

The Mishnah is often also called what?

The Oral Law (Oral Torah)

The Mishnah and the Gemara combined is called what?

talmud

What does the Mishna offer commentary on?

the written torah (tanakh)

What does the Gemara offer commentary on?

Mishnah’s commentary on Torah

What does Midrash comment on?

tanakh

Traditionally, how old are boys and girls when they have their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah?

Bar Mitzvah (13) boys, Bat Mitzvah (12) girls

Jews get married under a canopy that is called what?

chuppah

What articles of symbolic clothing are usually worn by a high percentage of Haredi and Modern Orthodox Jews?

tallit, Kippah, Tefillin, orthodox women shave hair

Quorum of 10 men for public prayers, above 13 years old (bat mitzvah age)

minyan

What does the Hebrew term “mezuzah” mean?

doorpost

What is the point of blowing the shofar (or ram’s horn) during Rosh Ha-Shanah?

war on sin

• Immersion bath; pray while stepping in

  • Pool for ritual immersion and purification

mikveh

What does the name “Hanukkah” mean?

dedication

which thing has 7 candles

menorah

what has 9 spots with the lighting candle kept in the middle

hanukkiah

According to our in-class discussion, “Tu BiShvat” is also known as “The New Year for” what?

trees

What two holidays does The Omer connect together?

passover and shavuot

What does the Hebrew word “Kosher” mean?

fit

What animals can observant Jews eat? And which are they forbidden to partake of?

Eat fish with fins and scales, lamb, chicken / No milk and meat at the same meal / Non scavenging birds / No pigs or rabbits

When is the Jewish Sabbath?

Sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday

According to our in-class discussion, what is the official symbol of the State of Israel?

Menorah (seven branch)

undershirt with tassels on four corners of shawl

tallit

yarmulke; a head covering out of respect for god

kippah

scrolls with passages in them, worn on the head and arms. Keep god at the forefront of your mind. Weigh decisions based on God's word

tefillin