RS: Judaism - Beliefs and Teachings + Practices (Key words)

Monotheistic

religion that believes in one God

Shema

a Jewish prayer affirming belief in one God, found in the Torah

Torah

the five Books of Moses which form the first section of the Tanakh, the Jewish written law

Creator

the one who makes things and brings things about

Orthodox Jew

Jews who emphasise the importance of following the laws and guidance in the Torah, believe the Torah was given directly by God to Moses so should be followed super closely

Ultra-Orthodox Jew

Jews who are even more committed than Orthodox Jews to strictly following the Torah

Shabbat

the Jewish holy day of the week; a day of spiritual renewal stating shortly before sunset on Friday and continuing to nighttime on Saturday

Omnipotent

Ultimate power

Omniscient

knowing everything

Omnipresent

being everywhere at all times

Ten Commandments

ten laws given by God to Moses over 3000 years ago

Mitzvot

Jewish rules or commandments

Merciful

the quality of God 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

Judgment

the belief that God judges a person based on their actions and either rewards or punished them as a result

Resurrection

the belief that after death the body remains in the grave until the end of the world before God comes to judge

Rabbi

Jewish 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 closest to 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

bring about what is right and fair according to the law

Healing the world (tikkun olam)

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

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

Talmud

a commentary by the rabbis on the Torah

Pikuach nefesh

the obligation to save a life, even if doing so breaks a Jewish law.

Free will

belief that God gives people the opportunity to make decisions for themselves

Mitzvot

Jewish rules or commandments

Synagogue

a building for Jewish public prayer, study and gathering

Minyan

a group of at least 10 adults; the minimum number of Jews required for a Jewish religious service

Menorah

a many-branched candlestick that holds either seven or nine candles

Star of David (Magnen David)

a symbol of Judaism said to represent the shield of king David, who ruled Israel in the tenth century BCE

Bimah

a platform in a synagogue from where the Torah is read

Aron Hakodesh

the Ark – the holiest part of the synagogue, which contains the Torah scrolls

Ner tamid

eternal light, a light that is kept burning in the synagogue above the Ark

Reform Jew

Jews who believe the laws and guidance in the Torah can be adapted for modern times; they believe the Torah was inspired by God but written by humans, so can be interpreted according to times

Cantor (chazzan)

a person who leads or chants prayers in the synagogue

Tallit

a prayer shawl

Tefillin

small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah, strapped to the wearer’s arm and forehead for morning prayers

Amidah

also known as the ‘standing prayer’, it is the central prayer of Jewish prayer

Tenakh

the 24 books of Jewish scriptures

Torah

 (1) the first 5 books revealed by God to Moses (2) the first section of the Tenakh/Tenach (Jewish Bible and the Jewish written law

Nevi'im

the second section of the Tenakh - the prophets

Ketuvim

the third section of the Tenakh - the writings

Mishnah

the first written version of Jewish oral law - part of the Talmud

Gemara

a commentary on the Mishnah - part of the Talmud

Talmud

commentary by the rabbis on the Torah - consists of the Mishnah and Gemara together in one collection

Rituals

religious ceremonies that are performed according to a set pattern

Brit Milah

ceremony of male circumcision - removal of the foreskin for religious regions

Bar Mitzvah

celebration of a boy coming of age at 13; literally 'son of the commandment'

Bat Mitzvah

celebration of a girl coming of age at 12, in Reform synagogues; literally 'daughter of the commandment'

Marriage

a legal union between a man and a woman (or in some countries, including the UK, two people of the same sex) as partners in a relationship

Mourning

period of time spent remembering a person who has died

Shiva

an intense period of mourning that lasts for seven days

Kaddish

prayer said by Jewish mourners that praises God and asks for peace

Dietary laws

rules that deal with food permitted to be eaten, food preparation, food combinations, and the utensils and dishes coming into contact with food

Kosher

food that meets the requirements of Jewish laws

Trefrah

food that jews are forbidden to eat; means ‘torn’

Rosh Hashanah

the Jewish new year

Yom Kippur

the Day of Atonement - a day of fasting on the tenth day after Rosh Hashanah

Pesach (Passover)

a festival in remembrance of the Jewish exodus from Egypt that is celebrated in spring