Judaism Vocab quiz 1

Shema

Definition

• the Jewish confession of faith made up of three scriptural texts

Significance

• One of the 2 prayers specifically commanded in the Torah

• First verse considered the most essential declaration of Jewish faith: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is one”

Covenant

Definition

• A mutual agreement between two parties

Significance

• Major covenants

  • covenant with Abraham

  • covenant with Moses on Mount Sinai

• Basis and foundation of religious thought

• represents relationship Jewish people have with God

Israel

Definition

• One who struggles with God

• Land promised to Jewish people in the Torah

Significance

• Name comes from Jacob

• Land is considered holy & is frequently mentioned in Jewish prayer and laws

• modern nation founded after WWII

Ola Ha Ba

Definition

• The World to Come

• Refers to both spiritual afterlife and life on earth after the Messiah has come

Significance

• consists of 3 phases

  • Gan Eden: soul is given divine reward in heaven

  • resurrection of the dead when souls reunite with their physical bodies

  • creation is renewed

• considered a higher state of being—place in it determined by actions

• belief in ola ha ba increased at time of 2nd temple

Moshiach

Definition

• The Anointed One

• refers to a great leader who descends from line of David

Significance

• is part of Rambam’s 13 principles 7 is a basic aspect of jewish tradition

• will accomplish several tasks

  • reinstate david’s dynasty

  • be wiser than solomon

  • be as good a prophet as moses

Torah

Definition

• instruction/law

• the first 5 books of the tanakh—teaches jews how to live

Significance

• written and oral torah—important components

• commentaries and differing interpretations from rabbis =changes to the torah

• torah given to moses orally — said by jewish tradition

Tanakh

Definition

• acronym defining the 3 parts of the hebrew bible

Significance

• Torah = first 5 books of the tanakh

• Nevi’im = prophets (8 books)

• Ketuvim = writings (11 books), poetry & wisdom literature

Circumsision

Definition

• cutting around

• an initiation rite for male newborn jewish babies

Significance

• takes place when baby is 8 days old

• ceremony is called a bris

• a sign of God’s covenant w/ Abraham & the jewish people

Shabbat (Sabbath)

Definition

• rest

• weekly day rest and spiritual observance, every friday evening to saturday evening

Significance

• 2 candles are lit when shabbat begins

• families gather to pray and eat at beginning

• many restrictions during

  • no working

  • no lighting/extinguishing fire

  • no chores

Seder

Definition

• order

• a jewish ritual service & ceremonial dinner celebrated on 1st night of passover

Significance

• 15 step ritual that follows a specific order and use Haggadah as a guide

• includes traditions such as drinking 4 cups of wine and eating symbolic foods

• plate includes

  • egg

  • matzah

  • bitter herbs

  • lamb bone

Sitting Shivah

Definition

• seven

• a seven day jewish mourning period observed after the burial of a close family

Significance

• observed for a parent, spouse, child, sibling

• mirrors are covered & work and social activities stop

• mourners sit in low stools or benches to symbolize grief

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Definition

• son/daughter of the commandment

• a coming of age ceremony that celebrates a child becoming an adult

Significance

• includes a public reading from the torah during a synagogue service on shabbat

• some jewish congregations only celebrate boys turning 13

• many jewish reform synagogues changed the age from 13 to 15-16