Judaism: Sacred Stories & Sacred Scripture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical events, figures, and sacred texts from the Judaism lecture notes.

Identity

Who a person or group understands themselves to be. In Judaism, identity comes from being part of a community with a shared history, faith, traditions, and relationship with God.

Abraham

An important figure in Judaism who is considered the father of the Jewish people and with whom God made a covenant.

Covenant

A special agreement or relationship between God and His people, where God makes promises and the Jewish people are expected to follow God's commands.

Chosen People

The Jewish belief that God chose the Israelites for a special covenant and relationship with Him, giving them a particular responsibility to follow God's commandments.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) and the central foundation of Jewish law and teaching.

Exodus

The Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses.

Temple

The central place of Jewish worship and sacrifice in Jerusalem.

First Temple

The central place of Jewish worship in Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.

Second Temple

The rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

Exile

Being forced to leave one's homeland, such as during the Babylonian exile.

Diaspora

The Jewish people living outside of their historical homeland.

Rabbinic Judaism

The form of Judaism that developed in which rabbis, Jewish learning, prayer, Scripture, and interpretation became central, especially after the destruction of the Second Temple.

Tanakh

The entire Hebrew Bible, consisting of three sections: Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

Nevi'im

The Prophets section of the Tanakh.

Ketuvim

The Writings section of the Tanakh.

Talmud

A major collection of Jewish discussions, interpretations, debates, and teachings about the Torah and Jewish law, containing the Mishnah and Gemara.

Rabbi

A Jewish teacher and scholar who studies and interprets Jewish Scripture and law.

The Shema

One of the most important Jewish prayers emphasizing monotheism, declaring 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone,' and calling Jews to love God completely.