Judaism Lecture Notes

Flashcards for Judaism lecture notes

Holocaust / Shoah

The mass murder of six million Jews by the Nazis during World War II. In Hebrew, it means “catastrophe

Covenant

A sacred promise or agreement, particularly the special relationship between God and the Jewish people.

Messiah

A future leader chosen by God who will bring peace and justice to the world. In Judaism, this figure has not yet come.

Diaspora

The scattering of Jews outside their homeland (Israel), especially after being exiled or forced to leave.

Shabbat

The Jewish day of rest, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, dedicated to prayer, family, and rest.

Simchat Bat

A ceremony to welcome a newborn Jewish girl, often involving blessings and the announcement of her Hebrew name.

Prayer of Sanctification

A Jewish prayer that praises God, often recited in memory of the dead.

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible, consisting of the Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

Talmud

A collection of Jewish teachings and laws that explain the Torah, including discussions by rabbis over centuries.

Revelation

God making Himself known to humans, often referring to God giving the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai.

Halakhah

Jewish law.

Shiva

A seven-day mourning period observed by Jewish families after the death of a close relative.

Chuppah

A canopy used in Jewish weddings, symbolizing the couple’s new home together.

Kosher

Food that adheres to Jewish dietary laws, including permitted animals prepared in specific ways.

Western Wall

A holy site in Jerusalem and a remaining wall of the ancient Jewish Temple, serving as a place for prayer.

Book of Genesis

The first book of the Bible, narrating the story of creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, and the early ancestors of the Jewish people.

Book of Exodus

The second book of the Bible, detailing Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and receiving the Ten Commandments.

Abraham

Known as the “father of Judaism,” who made a covenant with God, promising to make his descendants into a great nation.

Moses

A prophet and leader who freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and received the Torah from God on Mount Sinai.

Noah

A righteous man chosen by God to survive the great flood; he built an ark to save his family and animals.

David

An important king of Israel and a famous warrior who united the twelve tribes and made Jerusalem the capital.

Solomon

Son of King David, known for his wisdom and for building the First Temple in Jerusalem.

Hasidic Judaism

A sect of Judaism that stresses personal experience in worship and follows all Orthodox laws, centered on a Rebbe.

Orthodox Judaism

A form of Judaism that interprets the Torah literally, accepting Jewish law and teachings as binding with strict observances.

Conservative Judaism

A branch of Judaism that believes Jewish law should be continually examined to meet the needs of every new generation.

Reform Judaism

A form of Judaism where the Torah is not considered divinely revealed, with limited use of Hebrew and no strict dietary laws.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice against or hatred of Jews.

Pogroms

Massacres of Jewish communities throughout history

Blood Libel

Refers to the false allegation that Jews used the blood of non-Jewish children for ritual purposes.

Mezuzah

A small case attached to the doorpost of Jewish homes containing verses from the Torah.

Dreidel

A four-sided spinning top used during Hanukkah, with Hebrew letters on each side.

Menorah

A candelabrum with seven or nine branches, symbolizing Judaism or used during Hanukkah.

Shofar

A ram’s horn blown during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, calling for spiritual awakening.

Prayer Shawl (Tallit)

A shawl worn during morning prayers with special fringes (tzitzit) as a reminder of God’s commandments.

Kippah (Yarmulke)

A small cap worn on the head, especially by Jewish men, showing respect for God.

Star of David

A six-pointed star made of two overlapping triangles and a modern symbol of Jewish identity.

Tefillin

Small black boxes with straps worn during weekday morning prayers, containing verses from the Torah.

Christie Pits Riot

A violent fight that broke out at a baseball game in Toronto in 1933 after a swastika flag was displayed.

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year, a time of reflection, prayer, and the sounding of the shofar.

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism, marked by fasting and prayer.

Sukkot

Festival celebrating the harvest and remembering the Israelites living in tents during their desert journey.

Pesach (Passover)

Celebrates the Exodus from slavery in Egypt with the Seder meal and avoiding leavened bread.

Purim

A joyful holiday remembering how Queen Esther saved the Jews in Persia.

Shavuot

Celebrates the giving of the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai, often marked by studying Torah and eating dairy foods.

Hanukkah

Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the oil.

Shabbat (Sabbath)

Weekly day of rest from Friday evening to Saturday evening, focusing on prayer and family time.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Coming of age ceremony (for boys at 13, girls at 12 or 13), marking responsibility for following Jewish laws.

Tisha b’Av

A day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.