jewdaism

Covenant

A sacred agreement or promise between God and the people, often seen in the context of the agreements made with figures like Abraham and Moses.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful God, which is a central tenet of Judaism.

Shema

A foundational declaration of faith in Judaism, affirming the oneness of God, traditionally recited daily.

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual enrichment, observed from Friday evening until Saturday evening.

Synagogue

A Jewish house of worship, community gathering, and study.

Rabbi

A Jewish scholar or teacher, particularly one who is knowledgeable about Jewish law and tradition.

Ark

The ark (Aron Kodesh) in a synagogue where the Torah scrolls are kept.

Torah

The central reference of the religious Judaic tradition, consisting of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Yad

A pointer used to read the Torah scroll, typically made of silver or other materials.

Bihari

Refers to a Jewish community in India, known for its unique traditions and customs.

Net Tamil

Refers to Tamil-speaking Jews, particularly those from the Cochin Jewish and Bene Israel communities in India.

Rite of Passage

A ceremony or event marking an important transitional period in a person's life, especially in religious contexts.

Bar Mitzvah

A coming-of-age ceremony for boys at age 13, marking their responsibilities as Jewish adults.

Kosher

Food that is prepared according to Jewish dietary laws (kashrut), which dictate what is permissible to eat.

Kashrut

The body of Jewish law dealing with what foods are permitted (kosher) and how they must be prepared.

Trefah

Food that is not kosher and therefore forbidden to be eaten by observant Jews.

Passover

A Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, celebrated with a ritual meal called the Seder.

Orthodox

A branch of Judaism that strictly adheres to traditional teachings and practices.

Reform

A movement within Judaism that seeks to adapt Jewish traditions and practices to modern circumstances and values.