Judaism

Covenant

he agreements between God an the ancient Israelites, from Abraham to Moses, that designates the Jews as GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE, with special rights and responsibilities. Group identity. Jews must live up to their covenant with God for His reward.

YHWH

Yahweh – the divine name of God that is too holy to be spoken – instead “the Lord.” Israel’s God is a personal God.

Shema

“hear”) – Judaism’s most basic theological statement – “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone.”

Torah

(“instruction”) – the revelation of God’s will to the people the LAW – first five books of the Bible revealed by God to Moses – the LAW

Tanakh

A common way to refer to it. Hebrew Bible, derived from the first letters of the names for each section: Torah, Nevi’im (prophets), Ketuvim (writings) – TNK

Torah

God’s direct revelation to Moses of 613 laws - Pentateuch (Greek) - first five books of the Bible

Nevi’im

he prophets – “one who speaks for”- historical accounts of Israel and the proclamation of the will of God

Ketuvim

the writings – highly diverse content i.e. poetry, wisdom literature, short stories, history… - composed later than the rest of the Tanakh

Rabbi

teacher of Torah or leader of Jewish worship

Mishnah

Written in about 200 AD, it is the collected teachings of the Rabbis of the preceding 4 centuries. Along with the Talmud, it is one of the most important books of the oral Torah.

Talmud

Vast depository of the oral Torah, based on the Mishnah with extensive rabbinic commentary. Two versions: Palestinian (450 AD) and Babylonian (600 AD).

Diaspora

The situation of Jews living away from their ancestral homeland, a circumstance that has been true for most Jews since the classical period (70AD – 600 AD). Neither exile or oppression was new to the Jews.

Kabbalah

Jewish mysticism, which teaches that God can best be known though the heart; developed mainly in the medieval period with such texts as the Zohar

Hasidism

A form of Judaism that arose in eastern Europe in the 18th century and that emphasizes mysticism, a personal relationship with God, a close-knit community, and the leadership of the zaddik, a charismatic holy man

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

Anti-Semitism

Hostility towards Jews and Judaism; ranges from attitudes of disfavor to active persecution

Holocaust

The persecution of Jews by German Nazis from 1933 to 1945, resulting in the murder of some 6 million; commonly referred to by Jews as Shoah

Sabbath / Shabbat

The day from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday (observed on Sunday by some Reform Jews) that is set aside for rest and religious celebration, as decreed by one of the Ten Commandments

Rosh Hashanah

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

Yom Kippur

Judaism’s most important holy day, occurring in the fall on the 10th day of the new year; spent primarily at synagogue services in prayer for forgiveness of sins and marked by abstention from food and drink (fasting)

Passover

The 8-day festival celebrated in early spring that commemorates the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt

Bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah

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

Dead Sea Scrolls

discovered in 1947
One of the most important archaeological finds.
- discovered in the caves of Qumran

Arch of Titus

Commemorates the victory over the jews
- romans destroyed temple
- Inner frieze depicts a menorah and other Jewish items

Tallit or prayer Shawl prayer amulet

used during morning prayer

Shofar

A rams horn used to mark the beginning of the new season.

Seder plate

The central meal/event. consist of highly symbolic food used during Passover

Hannukah Menorah

A recognizable judaism symbol
- eight candles + 1
- commemorates a Jewish victory

ARK with Torah

An ark in every synagogue with placed scrolls (parchment copies of the torah the first 5 books)

Kashrut

Kosher Laws (Jewish dietary laws)

Zaddik

A holy man who is believed to have an especially close relationship with God.

Mezuzah

A Small container with a scroll

Huppah

A Bridal canopy that creates a special, sacred space

yamulke

a skullcap worn in public

midrash

a mode of biblical interpretation prominent in the Talmudic literature