Judaism unit flashcards

Judaism

The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people, based on the covenant made between God and Abraham.

Mitzvot

Commandments or laws in Judaism, totaling 613, that govern the conduct of Jewish life.

Monotheism

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

Torah

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

Diaspora

The dispersion of Jews outside of Israel, particularly after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.

Abraham

A patriarch in Judaism, regarded as the first to teach the idea of monotheism.

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and worship from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Kashrut

The dietary laws that dictate what is kosher, or permissible for Jews to eat.

Yom Kippur

The holiest day of the year in Judaism, observed with fasting and prayer for atonement.

Rabbi

A religious teacher and leader in Judaism, especially one who studies and teaches Jewish law.

Mishnah

The first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions, forming a key part of the Talmud.

Passover (Pesach)

A Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation of the Israelites from slavery.

Talmud

A central text of Rabbinic Judaism, comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara, that discusses Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs, and history.

Sukkot

A week-long Jewish festival that takes place in the fall, commemorating the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year, a time of reflection and repentance that occurs in the autumn.

Orthodox Judaism

A traditional form of Judaism that strictly adheres to all of the commandments and Jewish law.

Reform Judaism

A liberal movement within Judaism that seeks to adapt Jewish traditions to modern circumstances.

Conservative Judaism

A movement that seeks to conserve Jewish traditions while allowing for modernization.

Reconstructionist Judaism

A progressive movement in Judaism that views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization.