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Shekhinah

The divine presence of God on earth, often associated with the Tabernacle or modern worship in the Synagogue.

Shabbat

The Jewish day of rest and spiritual renewal, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall.

Covenant

A binding agreement between God and the Jewish people, establishing them as the chosen people bound by the Torah.

Kosher

Food that is permissible to eat under Jewish dietary laws, strictly requiring the separation of meat and dairy.

Difference in Messiah views

Orthodox Jews await a personal Messiah while Reform Jews focus on working towards a Messianic Age of global peace.

God's oneness in prayer

God is an indivisible, absolute unity, reaffirmed through the recitation of the Shema prayer.

Dual nature of God during Rosh Hashanah

God is recognized as both the Lawgiver and the Judge who evaluates humanity's actions.

God as Creator

God is the sole creator of the universe out of nothing, a fundamental belief celebrated during Shabbat.

Yetzer ha-tov

The innate human inclination toward good, driving moral behavior and obedience to God.

Yetzer ha-ra

The human inclination toward evil or selfish desires, which individuals must overcome.

Pivotal event of the Exodus

God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, demonstrating His power.

What was given to Moses at Mount Sinai?

God gave Moses the Torah and the oral tradition, forming the foundation of Jewish law.

The 10 Commandments

The primary ethical and religious laws given by God at Mount Sinai, central to Jewish morality.

Chosen people meaning

Jews were selected by God not for superiority, but to bear the responsibility of keeping the Mitzvot.

Views on Torah giving

Orthodox Jews believe in a literal giving, while Reform Jews view it as divinely inspired but human-written.

Difference between Written and Oral Torah

The Written Torah contains laws, while the Oral Torah explains how to apply them.

Compiled 613 Mitzvot

12th-century Jewish philosopher Maimonides compiled and categorized the 613 laws.

Tikkun Olam

The Jewish concept of 'healing' or 'repairing the world' through acts of social justice.

Gemilut Hasadim

The giving of loving-kindness without expecting anything in return.

Tzedakah

The strict obligation to give to charity and act justly, typically 10% of one's income.

Sacredness of human life

Life is a gift from God and all humans are created in His image, providing infinite value.

Value of a single human life

Saving one life is equated to saving the entire world, emphasizing the priority of human survival.

Sanctity of Life and euthanasia

Active euthanasia is forbidden as only God has the authority to give and take life.

Sanctity of Life and abortion

Generally forbidden unless the mother's life is in severe danger.

Preservation of health

Jews have a duty to maintain physical health as their bodies belong to God.

Pikuach Nefesh

The principle that the preservation of human life overrides almost any other religious law.

Torah verse for saving a life

Jews are commanded to take action and not ignore someone in immediate danger.

Example of Pikuach Nefesh

Driving a pregnant woman to the hospital or performing life-saving surgery on Shabbat.

Exceptions to Pikuach Nefesh

A Jew must accept death rather than commit murder, idolatry, or severe sexual immorality.

Why is murder an exception?

One cannot kill an innocent person to save themselves as all lives have equal value.

Olam Ha-Ba

The concept of the 'world to come,' representing the afterlife or future Messianic age.

Relationship to Olam Ha-Ba

This world is seen as a preparation phase for the ultimate reality of the afterlife.

Mishnah's explanation for afterlife preparation

Performing Mitzvot in this life leads to rewards in the next.

Orthodox belief on Olam Ha-Ba

Belief in a physical resurrection of the dead when the Messiah arrives.

Reform view on afterlife

Focus on the soul's spiritual immortality rather than physical resurrection.

Teshuvah

The process of repentance in Judaism, meaning to 'return' to God.

Key practices for atonement

Sincere repentance (Teshuvah), prayer (Tefillah), and giving to charity (Tzedakah).

Forgiveness for interpersonal sins

God cannot forgive sins against another; the offender must seek forgiveness from the individual.

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and God

A dedicated period where God forgives sins committed against Him.

Role of the shofar

Acts as a spiritual alarm clock, waking the soul to begin Teshuvah.