Judaism - Beliefs Key Terms Full List

Monotheism

The belief in one God. Judaism is strictly monotheistic.

Shema

The central Jewish declaration of faith (*Deuteronomy 6:4*).

Omnipotent

God is all-powerful.

Omniscient

God is all-knowing.

Omnipresent

God is everywhere.

Transcendent

God exists beyond and independent of the universe.

Immanent

God is close to and involved in the world.

Judge

God judges people based on their actions, especially on **Rosh Hashanah**.

Law-Giver

God gave the Jewish people the **Torah** and **Mitzvot**.

Merciful (Rachamim)

God is compassionate and forgiving.

Creator (Boreh Olam)

God created the world (Genesis 1-2).

Eternal (Ein Sof)

God has no beginning or end.

YHWH (Tetragrammaton)

The four-letter name of God, considered too holy to pronounce.

Adonai

Means 'Lord,' a respectful way of referring to God.

El Shaddai

Means 'God Almighty,' highlighting His power.

Hashem

'The Name,' used to refer to God without saying His name.

Divine Providence

The belief that God is actively guiding human affairs.

Covenant (Brit)

A sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people.

Abrahamic Covenant

God's promise to Abraham: land, descendants, and a great nation (*Genesis 12, 15, 17*).

Brit Milah

Circumcision as a sign of the covenant with Abraham.

Mosaic Covenant

The covenant made with Moses on **Mount Sinai**, where God gave the **Torah**.

Ten Commandments

The core laws given by God to Moses.

613 Mitzvot

The 613 commandments in the Torah.

Promised Land (Canaan)

The land given to Abraham and his descendants.

Chosen People

The belief that Jews were chosen to follow God's laws and be an example to the world.

Light to the Nations

Jews are meant to be a moral guide for humanity.

Messiah (Mashiach)

The anointed leader who will bring peace and restore Israel.

Messianic Age

A future time of universal peace and justice.

Orthodox Belief

The Messiah will be a real person, a descendant of King David.

Reform Belief

The Messianic Age will come through human progress, not one individual.

Rebuilding of the Temple

The Messiah will restore the **Third Temple** in Jerusalem.

Ingathering of the Exiles

Jews will return to Israel in the Messianic Age.

Universal Peace (Shalom)

The Messiah will bring harmony to the world.

Olam Ha-Ba

'The World to Come,' the Jewish concept of the afterlife.

Gan Eden

A paradise-like place for the righteous.

Gehinnom (Gehenna)

A temporary place of purification before entering Gan Eden.

Resurrection (Techiyat Ha-Metim)

The belief that the dead will rise in the Messianic Age (Orthodox Jews accept, Reform Jews often reject).

Sheol

A shadowy existence where souls go after death.

Judgement Day

A future event when God will judge all souls.

Reincarnation (Gilgul)

A mystical Jewish belief that souls can be reborn.

Free Will

Humans have the ability to choose between good and evil.

Yetzer Ha-Tov

The inclination to do good.

Yetzer Ha-Ra

The inclination towards selfishness and sin.

Tikkun Olam

"Repairing the world" through good actions.

Mitzvot (Commandments)

Divine laws that guide human behavior.

Bechira Chofshit

The Jewish belief in free will.

Pikuach Nefesh

The principle that saving a life overrides nearly all Jewish laws.

Sanctity of Life (Kiddush Ha-Chayim)

Life is sacred because it is given by God.

Tzelem Elohim

The belief that humans are made in God's image.

Euthanasia

Generally forbidden because it contradicts the sanctity of life.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, given to Moses.

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible, including Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

Talmud

The oral law and rabbinic discussions interpreting the Torah.

Halakhah

Jewish law derived from the Torah and Talmud.

Mishnah

The first written record of Jewish oral traditions.

Gemara

A commentary on the Mishnah, forming part of the Talmud.

Midrash

Rabbinic interpretations of the Torah.

Theodicy

The study of why God allows suffering.

Test of Faith

Suffering may be a test from God.

Punishment for Sin

Some believe suffering is a consequence of wrongdoing.

Free Will Explanation

Suffering is caused by human choices, not God.

Book of Job

A biblical story exploring why good people suffer.

Prophet (Navi)

A person chosen by God to deliver His messages.

Moses (Moshe Rabbenu)

The most important Jewish prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Torah.

Elijah

A prophet who is believed to return before the Messiah comes.

Isaiah

A prophet who spoke of peace and the coming of the Messianic Age.

Jewish Eschatology

The study of the end of days in Judaism.

Tzaddikim

Righteous people who are rewarded in Olam Ha-Ba.

Punishment in Gehinnom

Seen as temporary rather than eternal damnation.

Soul (Neshama)

The immortal part of a human that returns to God.