Judaism 2 marker

Synagogue

House of assembly. A building for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly.

Shekhinah

The place where God's presence rests and can be felt eg. the western wall.

Shabbat

Day of spiritual renewal and rest. Beginning at sunset on Friday and closing at nightfall on Saturday

Kosher

Means 'fit' or 'proper'. Foods that are permitted to be eaten according to Leviticus 11. It is also used to refer to the purity of ritual objects such as Torah scrolls.

Torah

The first five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Regarded as the holiest books of the Tenakh.

Tenakh

The Jewish Bible. The word 'Tenakh' is made up of the first Hebrew letters of the Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim.

Talmud

Commentary on the Mishnah, which includes teachings and stories. The term usually refers to the Babylonian Talmud although there is also a Jerusalem Talmud which is older.

Mitzvot

The term has a mix of meanings. It is often used to refer to duties (such as the 613 in the Torah) and good deeds.

Messiah

The annointed one who Jews believe will bring in a new era or age for humankind. The will include rebuilding the temple and bringing in an age of universal peace.

Covenant

A binding agreement between humans and god eg. God and Abraham

Pikuach Nefesh

Setting aside certain mitzvot in order to save a life. The only mitzvot that cannot be broken are idolatry, incest and adultery.

Olam Ha-Ba

the world to come - usually refers to a person's afterlife or occasionally the Messianic Age

Ressurection

Being brought back to life in your own body - some Jews think this will happen during the Messianic Age

Brit Milah

"covenant of circumcision" - religious ceremony to welcome a Jewish boy into the covenant made between God and Abraham

Bar Mitzvah

son of the commandment - an initiation ceremony for boys at age 13 where they are considered of age and an adult in the Jewish community

Pesach

Passover - celebrates God passing over the houses of the Israelites during the final plague

Yom Kippur

day of atonement - when Jews make amends and repent bad deeds of the past year. It is the holiest day of the year

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year. Celebrates God's creation of the world.

Sukkot

a harvest festival to thank god for his protection of the Jewish people and honouring the abrahamic covenant.