Judaism key terms

Monotheistic

A religion that believes there is only one God.

Shema

A Jewish prayer affirming belief in the one God, found in the Torah.

Torah

The five books of Moses, which form the first section of the Tanach; the Jewish written law.

Creator

The one who makes things and brings things about.

Orthodox Jews

Jews who emphasise the importance of following the laws and guidance in the Torah; they believe the Torah was given directly by God to Moses, so should be followed as closely as possible.

Ultra-Orthodox Jew

Jews who are even more committed than Orthodox Jews to strictly following the laws and guidance in the Torah.

Shabbat

The Jewish holy day of the week, a day of spiritual renewal from Friday sunset to night on Saturday.

Omnipotent

Almighty, having unlimited power; a quality of God.

Omniscient

Knowing everything; a quality of God.

Omnipresent

Being everywhere at all times; a quality of God.

Ten commandments

Ten laws given by God to Moses over 3000 years ago.

Mitzvot

Jewish rules or commandments.

Merciful

the quality of God that shows compassion or forgiveness to humans, even though he has the power to punish them.

Shekhinah

The divine presence of God.

Temple

The center of Jewish worship at the time of Jesus, meeting place between God and the priest.

Judgement

The belief that God judges a person based on their actions.

Resurrection

A rising from the dead or returning to life.

Rabbi

A Jewish religious leader and teacher.

Messiah

'The anointed one,' a leader of the Jews expected to live on Earth in the future.

Messianic age

a future time of global peace when everyone will want to become closer to God, possibly through the intervention of the Messiah

Monotheism

A belief in one God.

Promised Land

The land of Canaan that God promised to the Jews.

Covenant

.an agreement; in Judaism it refers to an agreement between individuals, often on behalf of the Jews, and God.

Circumcision

The removal of the foreskin of the penis.

Justice

bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed.

Healing the world

being involved in God's work to sustain the world; it can involve work to increase social justice or to preserve the environment.

Charity

Providing help and love to those in need. Also, an organisation that doesn't make a profit, whose main purpose is to help those in need.

Kindness to others

Positive, caring actions that should be shown to all living things.

Sanctity of life

All life is holy as it is created and loved by God.

Talmud

A commentary by the rabbis on the Torah, consisting of the Mishnah and Gemara.

Pikuach Nefesh

The obligation to save a life, even if doing so breaks Jewish law.

Free will

Belief that God gives people the opportunity to make decisions for themselves.