Judaism Vocab

Covenant

agreement established long ago between God and ancient Israelites in which God promises protection and the Israelites agree to follow His laws.

Shema

a declaration of faith in one God, central to Jewish prayer services.

Anti-Semitism

Hostility toward Jews and Judaism

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Ritual celebration marking the coming of age of a Jewish child taking on religious responsibilities of an adultthat typically occurs at age 13 for boys (Bar Mitzvah) and at age 12 for girls (Bat Mitzvah).

Circumcision

a significant Jewish ritual performed on male infants, symbolizing the covenant between God and Abraham.

Diaspora

situation of jews living away from ancestral homeland, circumstance true for most Jews since classical period

Hasidism

Form of Judaism arose Europe 18th century emphasizes mysticism, personal relationship with God, close community and leadership of Zaddik; charismatic holy man

Holocaust

Persecution of Jews by Nazis from 1933 to 1945, resulted in murder of six million (Shoah)

Mishnah

Contains teachings of rabbis in preceeding four centuries, along with Talmud, most important text of oral Torah

Passover

eight day festival celebrated in early spring commemorating the Exodus of Jews from Egypt

Rabbi

Teacher of Torah, leader of Jewish worship

Rosh Hashannah

The beginning of the year, festival in early fall for new year

Sabbath

Day from sunset on friday to sunset on saturday, set aside for religious celebration

Shema

Judaism most basic statement

Talmud

vast depository of oral Torah, based on Mishnah with extensive rubinic commentary on each chapter. Two versions, Palestinian and Babylonian

Torah

The revelation of God’s will to the people, the divine law, first 5 books of bible

Yom Kippur

Judaisms most important holy day, occurs in fall on tenth day of new year, No food or drink

Zionism

Late nineteenth century to restablish Jewish homeland, general support of Israel

Conservative Judaism

Middle ground between orthodox and reform judaism, moderate. Open to change/modern ways, strict about tradition.

Orthodox Judaism

Traditional Judaism that views both Torah and oral law as literal word of God. Society must always conform to Torah.