Judaism Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to Judaism, based on lecture notes.

Covenant

Jewish people have a contract/agreement with God through Moses and Abraham. They follow God’s rules and He blesses them.

Torah

The first five books of Moses, the holiest books in the Tenakh, containing God’s laws.

Canaan

Promised Land given to Abraham and his descendants.

Ten Commandments

Given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, providing key source of covenant information and 613 Mitzvot.

God

1.Exists; is perfect in every way, eternal, and the cause of all that exists. 2. Has absolute and unparalleled unity. 3. Incorporeal–without a body. 4. Existed prior to all else. 5. Should be the only object of worship and praise.

Prophets

6. and prophecy exist. 7. Moses was the greatest prophet who ever lived.

Torah

8 - from heaven – the literal word of God. 9 - will never be altered, nothing will be added to it or subtracted from it; God will never give another Law.

Humans

10. God knows the actions of humans and is not neglectful of them. 11. God rewards those who obey the commands of the Torah and punishes those who do not.

Messiah

12. The days of the Messiah will come. 13. The dead will be resurrected.

Mitzvot

Duties or good deeds Jewish people have to follow. There are 613 in the Torah.

Free Will

A choice to obey God’s commands, so we can choose to follow God freely. Unlike Christians, there is NO ORIGINAL SIN NOR DEVIL. But there are urges to good and evil (Yetzer ha tov/ra)

Pikuach Nefesh

Duty to Preserve life – overrides other Mitzvot e.g. Sabbath rules (Jewish doctors can work.)

Olam-Ha-Ba

The world to come. Some Orthodox Jews believe in judgement and reward/ punishment on keeping God’s commandments, resurrection – of body and return to Jerusalem and immortality of the soul.

Synagogue

Jewish place of public prayer/study and meeting

Ark(Aron Hakodesh)

Most important place where God ‘most present’, contains Torah scrolls – faces east (to Jerusalem temple)

Bimah

Platform to read Torah from. In middle=orthodox, Front = Reform

Ner Tamid

everlasting light - God’ eternal presence - temple menorah is always lit

Shekinah

literally ‘dwelling’: the place where God’s presence can be felt

Shabbat

Key prayers said. Torah read. Rabbi’s often deliver sermon. Kiddush at end – blessing over a glass of wine.

Amidah

literally ‘standing’): At core of worship, including 18 blessings and Praise/Requests /Thanksgiving

Shema prayer

Statement of core beliefs Hear O Israel the Lord is God, the Lord is one

Kiddush blessing

Blessing over bread (challah)

Siddur

Contains prayers for daily service and Shabbat and other holiday prayers. Considered holy.

Prayer: Modeh Ani

recited upon waking to offer gratitude to God.

Mezuzah

On doorposts Contains portion of Shema. As pass by touch it with their finger and then kiss fingers. – reminder to live by rules of Shema. Symbol of God protecting the house.

BritMilah

Circumcision of boys on the 8th day.

Shochet

person trained to minimise pain of slaughtered animals

Bar Mitzvah

Son of Commandments At 13 years now responsible for own actions (observing mitzvot)

Rosh Hashanah

means ‘beginning’ – new year, celebrates creation

Yom Kippur

‘Day of Atonement’ & comes 10 days after RH (lasts 25 hours)

Pesach

Feast of ‘unleavened bread’ (Matzah)

Shiva

week of mourning at home

Chevra-Kadisha

prepare body

Engagement

breaking a plate to symbolise the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem

Wedding ceremony: chuppah

symbolises new marital home