When did Abraham live?
Circa 1750 BCE
What is Abraham’s significance in Judaism?
He is considered the founder of Judaism (the first Hebrew)
What was different about Judaism compared to other religions at the time of its conception?
It was monotheistic whereas most other religions were polytheistic
What did Abraham receive from G-d?
He received the Covenant
What did the Covenant promise Abraham?
Land, descendants, and blessings and protection from G-d
What other name are the Patriarchs known by?
The Israelites
Who did the Patriarchs consist of?
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Who was the first Covenant between?
G-d and Abraham
Why is “G-d” written in Judaism instead of “God”?
Due to the third of the 10 Commandments (the name of God is not to be taken in vain)
What must all Jewish males do to hold up their side of the Covenant with G-d?
They must be circumcised
What did Exodus entail?
G-d ordered Moses to release the Jewish people from slavery and lead them out of Egypt
What did Moses receive after the Exodus?
He received the Torah, or the Ten Commandments
Where did Moses receive the Torah/Ten Commandments?
At Mount Sinai
What do the Ten Commandments represent for Jewish people?
The 613 mitzvot that a Jew must follow be faithful to follow the Covenant
What are the three main branches of Judaism?
Conservative, Orthodox, and Reform
Describe the main features of Conservative Judaism
more traditional than Progressive/Reform Judaism
sympathetic to modern Western ways of thinking
Largely a US movement
Great diversity in practices (language, etc)
Describe the main features of Progressive/Reform Judaism
inspired by Enlightenment period
Rejected beliefs in: a personal Messiah, resurrection of the dead, return to the holy land, rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the eventual reintroduction of Temple sacrifice
Significant innovations include: religious services in the language of the community, men and women sitting together during worship, lessening in the importance of traditional Jewish laws, the Torah interpreted to be relevant to the times rather than taken literally, female Rabbis, gender equality during synagogue services, the Bar Mitzvah and Confirmation ceremony, adaptations of Jewish prayer book
Describe the main features of Orthodox Judaism
Jewish traditionalist who accept the authority of the code of Jewish law
reject modernist adjustments
traditional forms of Jewish worship
denigrates secular studies and often dresses in stylised ghetto clothing
What are the three ways that G-d is defined by?
as the clan-God of Abraham and his descendents
as the God of the land of Israel, because of the special relationship between the Jewish people and God, the Covenant is inextricably linked to the land
As a universal God, the creator of the universe
Nowadays, what is the 1 way that G-d is defined out of the three ways he is originally defined?
The 3rd description, as a universal God who is the creator of the universe
How is G-d described?
As omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, transcendent, immanent, and creator
Are images of G-d found in synagogues of Jewish iconography?
No, never
Where are the Noahide laws found?
They are recorded in the Talmud
What are the Noahide laws?
Moral laws that apply to everyone, given to Noah by G-d through their Covenant
List the 7 Noahide laws
prohibition of idolatry
prohibition of murder
prohibition of theft
prohibition of sexual promiscuity (adultery and incest)
prohibition of taking G-d’s name lightly
prohibition of cruelty to animals
requirement to establish a legal system
Why is the Covenant important?
It is central to the expression of Judaism and the identity of the Jewish people
What is the Tanakh?
The Hebrew Bible
What does the Tanakh consist of?
The Torah, the Neviim, and the Ketuvim
What does ‘the Torah’ mean?
The teachings
What does ‘the Neviim’ mean?
The prophets
What does ‘the Ketuvim’ mean?
The writings
What does the Torah contain?
The source and inspiration for all Jewish teaching and the law of Jewish traditions
What is the Talmud?
A collection of discussions and comments by Rabbis on the Tanakh on Jewish laws, customs, and ethics
What does the Talmud consist of?
The Mishnah and the Gemara
What is the Mishnah?
An edited section of rabbinic discourse
What is the Gemara?
Commentary on and extension of the Mishnah
What is the mezuzah?
A small cylinder containing a piece of parchment on which are rotten several verses of the Torah to remind each member of the Jewish home that the Torah is the guiding principle in the way they conduct their lives
What do the Commandments of the Torah tell Jewish adherents to do with the mezuzah?
Guides that the mezuzah should be placed in the doorpost of a Jewish home
Which is the greatest of all the mitzvot?
The commandment to study the Torah
Why is the Commandment to study the Torah the greatest mitzvot?
Because people who study common thoughts with a common purpose will grow in unity and love. It develops friendships between adherents and G-d
What are the kashrut?
The dietary laws found in the Torah
What are the halacha?
Ethical and moral teachings that guide believers in the right relationship with G-d and one’s neighbours
What is the aggadah? And how does it differ to the halacha?
Aggadah is the non-legal material of the rabbinic literature. It is not as authoritative as the halacha but instead is used to explain and illustrate the prescriptions of the halacha
What are the mitzvot?
Found in the Torah. They are the Commandments which Jewish adherents aim to live by
What is Tikkun Olam?
Repair of the world. It includes charity through money and labour
What does The Book of Proverbs include?
Wisdom, righteousness, purity, and generosity of spirit
What do ethical teachings allow Jewish adherents to do?
Ethical teachings allow them to uphold the Covenant (core paradigm of the religion)
What does Shabbat command?
That the seventh day belongs to G-d and is to be set aside for family, community, and the study of the Torah. It also commands that no work is to be done on Shabbat
What is baked for the Shabbat meal?
Challah (bread) is baked for Shabbat
Why are two candles set during Shabbat?
To remind of the dual commandments to remember and observe the Sabbath
What is performed by the head woman of the household on Shabbat?
The head woman of the house recites blessings on the Shabbat
What is Jewish Diaspora?
The dispersion of Jews away from Judaism’s historical origins in the middle East due to persecution and exile
What is the Land of Canaan?
Modern day Israel
How do Jews uphold their side of the Covenant with G-d?
By following His rules
What is mishpatim?
Mitzvot that humans can understand (e.g. thou shalt not kill)
What is chukim?
Mitzvot that humans cannot understand (e.g. dietary laws)