RS-Judaism- Key Terms and Definitions

Abraham

Known as the father of the Jewish people. God made a covenant with him, promising him land and descendants.

The Amidah

The ‘standing prayer’. Recited as part of public acts of worship in the synagogue.

Aron hakodesh (ark)

The holiest part of the synagogue containing the Torah scrolls.

Bar Mitzvah

Coming of age ceremony of boys aged 13. Literally "Son of the Commandment".

Bat Mitzvah

Coming of age ceremony for girls aged 12. Literally "Daughter of Commandment".

Bimah (reading platform)

The reading platform in a synagogue from which the Torah is read.

Brit Milah

The religious rite of circumcision, usually performed eight days after a boy’s birth.

Charity

Key moral principle; giving to those in need. Hebrew term ‘tzedakah’ literally means ‘justice’ but used to refer to charity (because giving to those in need is part of promoting justice).

The Covenant

A binding promise/agreement; God's agreement to look after his chosen people.

Creator

Part of the understanding of the nature of God; the belief that God created the world from nothing.

Dietary laws

The food laws that were given by God, found in the Torah. These rules relate to what may/may not be eaten, combinations of foods, and the preparation of food.

Divine presence (Shekhinah)

Belief that God is beyond human understanding but his presence may be experienced/known.

Free will

Humans are free to choose to do right or to do wrong, this freedom is a gift from God but comes with responsibility.

God as one

Part of the understanding of the nature of God; belief that there is only one God, monotheism. Reflected in the 1st Commandment “You shall have no other Gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

Healing the world

Key moral principle related to making the world a better place (Hebrew ‘tikkun olam’).

Judge

Part of the understanding of the nature of God; the belief that God is fair. God’s justice incorporates both forgiveness and mercy.

Judgement

Part of beliefs about life after death; a Day of Judgement when God will judge the living and the dead.

Justice

Key moral principle; fairness in the way people are treated.

Kosher

Food that is ‘clean’ and that meets the requirements of the dietary laws.

Law

Giver

Liberal Judaism

This is a form of progressive Judaism which seems to combine traditional beliefs and practices with modern interpretations.

Merciful

Part of the understanding of the nature of God; God as compassionate.

The Messiah

Literally ‘the anointed one’. Orthodox Jews believe that the Messiah will be a human person sent by God to establish justice and peace on the earth. For Reform Jews, the Messiah is a symbolic figure.

Mitzvot

Mitzvot (singular is ‘mitzvah’) are the 613 Jewish commandments/rules found in the Tenakh.

Moses

The person through whom God set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt, gave the Ten Commandments and made a covenant with Israel.

Mourning rituals

Refers to set practices that are carried out by Jews as a way of grieving for loved ones who have died.

Ner tamid (ever burning light)

A feature of the synagogue; a light that is above and in front of the aron hakodesh, which burns constantly as a symbol of God’s presence.

Orthodox Judaism

Jews who believe God gave the complete Torah to Moses and therefore live according to Jewish laws and traditions.

Pesach

Festival that celebrates the Jewish Exodus from Egypt, often called Passover.

Prayer

Communicating with God; listening to and speaking to God.

Reform Judaism

Jews who believe the Torah was inspired by God and was developed through their history – therefore laws may be changed or adapted as modern life changes.

Resurrection

Being raised from the dead; part of beliefs about life after death that in a future age the dead will rise and live again.

Rosh Hashanah

Festival celebrating the Jewish New Year. It is the start of the ten day period of High Holy Days that culminates in Yom Kippur.

Sanctity of human life

Belief that human life is a sacred/special because it is a precious gift from God.

‘Saving a life’ (Pikuach Nefesh)

This principle overrides all other religious laws because saving a human life should be of upmost importance in any situation.

Shabbat

The Sabbath/holy day of the week; beginning at sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday.

Sinai

The mountain where Moses received the Law and where the covenant between God and Israel was made.

Synagogue

The place of public worship, also used for study and gathering. Literally means ‘coming together’.

Talmud (oral law)

Source of authority; the law believed by Orthodox Jews to have been given to Moses but was not written down for many centuries, it was then expanded with rabbinic explanation/commentaries.

Tenakh (written law)

Holy book/source of authority; the Jewish scriptures. Includes into three parts: Torah (Law), Nevi'im (prophets) and Ketuvim (writings).

The Ten Commandments

Source of authority; religious and moral rules that were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Trefah

Forbidden food – literally means 'torn'. It does not fulfil the Jewish dietary laws/is not kosher.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement – a day of repentance and fasting on the tenth day after Rosh Hashanah. The holiest day of the Jewish year