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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
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