Introduction to Judaic Studies - Race, Ethnicity, Culture, and Religion (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on Judaic studies, race, ethnicity, culture, and religion.

Office hours

Scheduled times when the instructor is available to meet with students; meetings can be in person or via Zoom; students with conflicts should email with several available times.

Accommodations

Federally protected adjustments for students; if an accommodation isn’t possible with the instructor, contact the SSD (Student Accessibility Services) and the instructor; a formal accommodation letter may be issued.

Syllabus

Course outline that includes sections, office hours, requirements, attendance expectations, and policies; described in lecture as the class's 'bible.'

Open Resource Class (ORC)

SUNY format where students download open reading materials instead of buying textbooks.

Mishnah

Early rabbinic text containing legal and interpretive material on the Hebrew Bible; foundational to rabbinic Judaism.

Talmud

Rabbinic literature developed after the Mishnah; a collection of discussions and interpretations about Jewish law and practice.

Midrash

A form of biblical interpretation—often lyrical or prose—that expands on or comments on the Hebrew Bible.

Baba Metzi'a 59b

A specific Talmud passage used in class to illustrate rabbinic debate and authority (in this case, an oven-related discussion).

Destruction of the Second Temple

Destruction of Jerusalem's temple in 70 CE; centralizes religious authority in rabbis rather than temple priests.

Rabbinic authority

Authority granted to rabbis to interpret and determine Jewish law, especially after the temple's destruction when central ritual authority declined.

Deuteronomy 30:12

A verse cited by rabbis meaning that God’s law is not beyond human reach; used to argue that interpretation and observance are accessible.

Sefaria (Sepharia)

Online library of Jewish texts (Torah, Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash) with translations and commentary; links verses to interpretations.

Canonization

Process by which sacred texts are recognized as canonical; the Hebrew Bible is canonized prior to later rabbinic literature.

Hebrew Bible / Tanakh (vs. Old Testament)

Jewish scriptures (Torah, Writings, Prophets) originally in Hebrew; sometimes referred to as the Old Testament in Christian tradition, though the course prefers the Jewish naming.

Religion as cultural practice

View that religion is a product of culture, language, ethnicity, and social norms; meanings emerge through interpretation and context, not a single pure essence.

Authenticity vs. interpretation

Insiders may claim 'authentic/original' meanings; scholars emphasize that meaning arises through evolving interpretation within communities.

Race

Socially constructed, hierarchical, appearance-based classification; largely not biologically fixed; often imposed by society and hard to change.

Ethnicity

Self-defined cultural identity based on language, ancestry, shared practices; can be chosen or reinforced by community; distinct from race.

National identity vs. ethnicity

Nation/Nationality relates to citizenship or origin; ethnicity refers to cultural-group membership and practices; the two can overlap or diverge.

Ashkenazi / Sephardi / Mizrahi

Jewish ethnic groups with distinct historical migrations, languages, foods, and religious practices.

Languages in prayer and practice

Prayer languages often reflect community; Hebrew is common, but Spanish, Yiddish, Russian, English, etc., appear depending on locale and ethnicity.

Food and holiday practices

Dietary and celebratory customs vary by ethnic and geographic background, influencing how holidays are observed and which foods are preferred.