Key Concepts in Judaism

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to Judaism as described in the lecture.

Mitzvots

Commandments or good deeds from God, totaling 613 in the Torah.

Sin (Chet)

Missing the mark; straying from God’s path.

Yetzer

Human impulse; the inclination to do good (yetzer hatov) or evil (yetzer hara).

Niddah

Laws around menstruation and ritual purity.

Onah

Marital obligations between spouses.

Shema

Central prayer affirming belief in one God.

Kashrut

Jewish dietary laws.

Kosher

Food prepared according to Kashrut laws.

Trefah

Non-kosher (forbidden) food.

Tikkun Olam

'Repairing the world'; social justice.

Shabbat (Sabbath)

Day of rest from Friday night to Saturday night.

Kiddush

Blessing over wine to begin Shabbat.

Pesach (Passover)

Holiday remembering the Exodus from Egypt.

Seder Meal

Ritual Passover meal with symbolic foods.

Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur

Jewish New Year / Day of Atonement.

Kippur

Short for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of repentance.

Days of Awe

Ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur for reflection.

Brit Milah/Bris

Covenant of circumcision on the 8th day after birth.

Mohel

Person who performs the circumcision.

Simchat Bat

Naming ceremony for baby girls.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Coming-of-age ceremony (boys at 13, girls at 12).

Ketubah

Jewish marriage contract.

Chuppah

Wedding canopy symbolizing the home.

Kaddish

Prayer for the dead and praising God.

Shmira

Watching over a body before burial.

Shiva

7-day mourning period after a death.

Menorah

Seven-branched candelabrum; also used in Hanukkah.

Star of David

Jewish symbol often on flags or jewelry.

Torah

First five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Challah

Braided bread eaten on Shabbat.

Mezuzah

Scroll on doorposts with Shema inside.

Shofar

Ram’s horn blown during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Synagogue

Jewish place of worship.

Arc (Aron Hakodesh)

Cabinet that holds Torah scrolls.

Siddur

Jewish prayer book.

Bimah

Platform where Torah is read.

Torah Scrolls

Handwritten sacred texts used during worship.

Memorial Boards / Ten Commandments

Wall plaques remembering the dead / Core moral laws.

Eternal Light (Ner Tamid)

Always-lit lamp symbolizing God’s eternal presence.

Chair of Elijah

Symbolically used at circumcisions for the prophet Elijah.

Mikveh

Ritual bath for spiritual purification.

Kippah

Head covering worn to show reverence.

Tallit

Prayer shawl with fringes worn during services.

Tefillin

Leather boxes with Torah verses worn during prayer.