Judaism EROW Overview AveMaria

Judaism

The religion practiced by Jesus, the religion of the Hebrew Bible, and a faith that continues to anticipate the arrival of God's chosen one.

BCE

Before Common Era, a designation used to denote years before year 1 of the Common Era.

Rabbinic Period

Period from 323 BCE to 637 CE characterized by the formation of rabbinic Judaism.

Talmud

A central text in Rabbinic Judaism, serving as a commentary on the Mishnah.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Sh’ma

A central prayer in Judaism, declaring the oneness of God, found in Deuteronomy 6:4.

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath, a weekly day of rest from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year, marking the beginning of the High Holy Days.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism dedicated to repentance.

Zionism

A movement for the re-establishment and support of a Jewish state in the territory defined as the historic Land of Israel.

Ethnic Jew

A person who identifies as Jewish culturally or ethnically, regardless of religious practice.

Religious Jew

A person who practices Judaism as a religion.

Messiah

The anointed one awaited in Jewish eschatology; a future redeemer of the Jewish people.

Covenant

A sacred agreement between God and the Israelites, establishing them as God's chosen people.

Maccabean revolt

A revolt by the Jewish group known as the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

Hanukkah

The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple and the miracle of the oil.

Nevi'im

The prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible.

Ketuvim

The writings section of the Hebrew Bible, including poetry and other literature.

Orthodox Judaism

The most traditional branch of Judaism, which strictly observes Jewish law.

Reform Judaism

A movement advocating for the integration of Jews into the larger culture while modifying Jewish practices.

Conservative Judaism

A movement that seeks to conserve Jewish traditions while allowing for some modernization.

Reconstructionist Judaism

A movement that views Judaism primarily as a cultural system rather than just a religion.

Judaism

The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people, based on the covenant made between God and Abraham. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices, and cultural traditions.

Mitzvot

Commandments or laws in Judaism, totaling 613, that govern the conduct of Jewish life.

Monotheism

The belief in a single all-powerful God, a central tenet of Judaism.

Torah

The central reference of the religious Judaic tradition, consisting of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Diaspora

The dispersion of Jews outside of Israel, particularly after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. It refers to Jewish communities living worldwide, maintaining their cultural and religious identity.

Abraham

A patriarch in Judaism, regarded as the first to teach the idea of monotheism.

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and worship from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Kashrut

The dietary laws that dictate what is kosher, or permissible for Jews to eat.

Yom Kippur

The holiest day of the year in Judaism, observed with fasting and prayer for atonement.

Rabbi

A religious teacher and leader in Judaism, especially one who studies and teaches Jewish law.

Mishnah

The first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions, forming a key part of the Talmud.

Passover (Pesach)

A Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egyptand the liberation of the Israelites from slavery, celebrated with a special meal called the Seder.

Talmud

A central text of Rabbinic Judaism, comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara, that discusses Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs, and history.

Sukkot

A week-long Jewish festival that takes place in the fall, commemorating the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year, a time of reflection and repentance that occurs in the autumn.

Orthodox Judaism

A traditional form of Judaism that strictly adheres to all of the commandments and Jewish law.

Reform Judaism

A liberal movement within Judaism that seeks to adapt Jewish traditions to modern circumstances.

Conservative Judaism

A movement that seeks to conserve Jewish traditions while allowing for modernization.It maintains a balance between preserving traditional practices and adapting to contemporary life.

Reconstructionist Judaism

A progressive movement in Judaism that views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization.