Judaism: Quiz 2 (terms 13-23)

Mitzvah

Definition:

• “Commandment”

• God’s 613 commandments given in the Torah

Significance:

• Both positive commands and prohibitions

• Ex: honoring parents, observing the Sabbath, charity

• interpreted by rabbinical tradition

• Reform Jews: don’t see all mitzvot as binding

Halakha

Definition:

• “the way”

• legal system based on Torah and rabbinic interpretation

Significance:

• applies to daily life and religious practices

• Ex: Sabbath laws, kosher laws, marriage laws

• Evolved parallel to traditions

• Often paired with aggadah (story) → Bible presents stories and laws together

Kashrut (kosher)

Definition:

• “fit”

• Dietary laws that prohibit eating certain foods and require foods to be prepared in a specific manner

Significance:

• primary purpose = follow God’s will

• Ex: all pork products are forbidden, milk and meat cannot be eaten together

• Many foods and products have a symbol marking it’s kosher

Tikkun Olam

Definition:

• “repairing the world”

• Concept emphasized the responsibility to repair the world morally and spiritually

Significance:

• Today, it’s known as social justice and ethical action

• Ultimate goal = create a more just and ethical world that reflects God’s values

• Everyone is responsible for it through ethical actions and mitzvahs

Diaspora

Definition:

• “scatter”

• Dispersion of Jews from the land of Israel all around the world

Significance:

• Babylonian Empire destroyed the first Temple, Roman Empire destroyed the second Temple

• Communities spread across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa

• End of diaspora for millions → Modern Israel founded in 1948

Rabbi

Definition:

• “my teacher”

• Religious teacher and leader

Significance:

• study holy texts (Torah, Talmud)

• Teach people about Judaism, help guide the community

• Not priests, do not act as a “middle person” between God and people

Synagogue

Definition:

• “assembly”

• place of worship, study, and community

Significance:

• where Jews pray, learn, and meet together

• Each one has an ark holding the large Torah scrolls used in worship

• Bimah = platform where the Torah is placed, Ner Tamil = eternal light symbolizing God’s presence with God’s people

Zionism

Definition:

• modern political movement to recreate a Jewish nation in Israel

Significance:

• late 19th century, began by Theodor Herzl → solution to antisemitism (“the Jewish question”)

• Some Jews migrated to Palestine → established homes, bought land

• Ultimate triumph: created nation of Israel by the United Nations after WW2

Hasidism

Definition:

• “the pious”

• Religious movement of Orthodox Judaism emphasizing joyful worship and mysticism

Significance:

• focuses on emotional prayer, singing, and community

• Live in close-knit communities led by a rebbe (spiritual leader)

• Worship: emotional, personal > study

Kabbalah

Definition:

• “tradition”

• Jewish mysticism

Significance:

• Developed in medieval Judaism

• focuses on the hidden meaning of the Torah and having a deeper relationship with God

• Central text: Zohar = mystical commentary on Torah

Talmud

Definition:

• “learning” or “study”

• Huge collection of legal writings, ethics, philosophy, folklore, and history

Significance:

• Second most important source of Jewish law (after the Tanakh/ Hebrew Bible)

• 2 main parts: Mishnah (center), then the Gemara (commentary)

• 2 Talmuds: Babylonian (main, longer, more influential) and Jerusalem