Judaism - beliefs and teachings

Monotheistic

Belief that there is only one God

Shema

Jewish prayer/daily prayer

Torah

The 5 books of Moses which form the first section of the Tenakh and the Jewish written law

Creator

The one who makes things and brings things about

Orthodox Jews

They believe in following the Torah closely as they believe God directly gave the Torah to Moses

Ultra orthodox Jews

Jews who are even more strict than orthodox Jews about following laws and the Torah

Shabbat

Jewish holy day, starts before sunset on Friday and continues at night on saturday

Omnipotent

All powerfull

Omniscient

All knowing

Omnipresent

God is everywhere at all time

Ten commandments

Ten laws given by God to Moses over 3000 years ago

Mitzvot (mitzvah)

Jewish rules or commandments

Merciful

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

Shekhinah

the divine presence of God

Temple

The centre of Jewish worship at the time of Jesus; the meeting place between God and the priest.

Judgement

The belief that God judges a person based on their actions and either rewards or punish them as a result.

Resurrection

Rising from the dead or returning to life

Rabbi

a jewish religious leader and teacher

Messiah

The anointed one a leader of the Jews who is expected to live on earth at some time 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

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 from the penis

Justice

Bringing about what is right and fair according to the law or making up fro a wrong that has been comitted

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 an organisation that does not 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; human life should not be misused or abused

Talmud

A commentary by rabbis on the Torah it consists of the Mishnah and Gemara together in on collection

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

Mitzvot

Jewish rules or commandments