Judaism Vocab

anti-Semitism

hostility toward Jews and Judaism

bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah

bar mitzvah- Hebrew: “son of the commandment

bat mitzvah- Hebrew: “daughter of the commandment

the ritual celebration marking the coming of age of a Jewish child, at which time the person takes on the religious responsibilities of an adult

covenant

the agreement established between God and the ancient Israelites, first through Abraham and later through Moses, that designates the Jews as God’s Chosen People, with special rights and responsibilities

Diaspora

The situation of Jews living away from their ancestral homeland and sticking with their religious ways

Hasidism

a form of Judaism that arose in eastern Europe in the eighteenth century and emphasizes mysticism, a personal relationship with God, a close-knit community, and the leadership of the zaddik (a charismatic holy man)

Holocaust

the persecution of Jews by German Nazis from 1933-1945, resulting in the murder of 6 million Jews

Shoah

Hebrew for mass destruction

Kabbalah

Jewish mysticism, which teaches that God can best be known through the heart

Mishnah

written down in about AD 200; contains collected teachings of the rabbis of the preceding four centuries; along with the Talmud, is the most important text of the oral Torah

Passover

the eight day festival celebrated in early spring that commemorates the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt

rabbi

a teacher of Torah and leader of Jewish worship

Rosh Hashanah

the festival occurring in early fall in commemoration of the new year

Sabbath

the day from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday that’s set aside for rest and religious celebration

Shema

From Deuteronomy 6:4, Judaism’s basic statement of monotheism: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” (Tanakh)

Talmud

the vast depository of the oral Torah, based on the Mishnah with extensive rabbinic commentary one each chapter

Tanakh

a common way of referring to the Hebrew Bible, derived from the first letters of the Hebrew names of its three sections: Torah (T), Prophets (N), and Writings (K)

Torah

generally, the revelation of God’s will to the people; more specifically, the divine Law, especially as contained in the first five books of the Bible

Yom Kippur

“day of atonement”; Judaism’s most important holy day, occurring in the fall on the tenth day of the new year; spent at synagogue services in prayer for forgiveness of sins and marked by abstention from food and drink (fasting)

Zionism

originally, the movement arising in the late 19th century that sought to re-establish a Jewish homeland; since 1948, the general support of the State of Israel

Abraham

considered to be the father of the Jewish people. God makes the first covenant with him

Canaan

the original name of the land promised by God to the followers of Moses when they left Egypt in search of a new land upon which to settle

Mount Sinai

the mountain on which Moses received the complete code of ethics and laws, known as the Ten Commandments

Israelites

the children of Israel and the name God gave to Jacob

Cyrus

Persian king who conquered Babylonia

Messiah

The Expected One who will free and elevate the Jewish people to new levels of devotion in practicing God’s law

Synagogue

central place for congregational worship and fellowship for Jewish communities and the place where customs, religious practice and faith are maintained

Rabbi

the respected teacher and leader of worship usually associated with a particular congregation at a specific synagogue

minion

the necessary quorum of at least ten men so that the rabbi can conduct full religious services

kosher

very specific dietary laws regarding food restrictions as well as proper animal slaughter

reformed Judaism

adapts completely to modern society

conservative Judaism

adapts somewhat but accepts the Torah as religious law. religiously conservative

orthodox Judaism

strict interpretation and observance and only adhered to the Torah as law. daily life must adapt to the unchanging laws of Torah