Jewish History Final

Bar Kochba

Led a revolt against the Romans. Bar Kochba was named 'son of a star.'

Judah the Prince

Developed the record of Jewish law called the Mishnah.

Saadiah Gaon

Wrote first Hebrew grammar book and dictionary. He proved Judaism could thrive in the diaspora. Translated the Torah and prayer books into Arabic.

Anan ben David

Leader and founder of Karaite Jews. Anan ben David rejected commentaries based on the Torah.

Shmuel Hanagid

Scholar, statesman, poet, rabbi, and military commander in Spain.

Maimonides

Known as the Rambam and a great innovator. Influenced by Greek philosophers. A philosopher, legal codifier, physician, political advisor, and legal authority.

Rashi

Wrote short clear and simple explanations of the Torah. Made Judaism's greatest texts accessible for all Jews.

Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz

Composed L'chah Dodi which is sung on Shabbat.

Isaac Luria

Through prayer, meditation and mitzvot we can repair the world.

Joseph Caro

Wrote the Shulchan Aruch- the Jewish code of law.

Beitar

Bar Kochba made his last stand against the Romans here.

Judean Hills

Bar Kochba established an independent Jewish government here.

Babylon

After the destruction of the Second Temple the Jewish population grew here.

Persia

Karaite Judaism began here in the 8th century.

Salonika

Jewish city in the Ottoman Empire.

Safed

Town in Northern Israel where Jews studied Kabbalah.

Ashkenaz

Hebrew word for Germany.

Frankfurt

The location of the first Jewish ghetto.

Mishnah

Main text of the Talmud.

Talmud

Jewish civil law.

Shulchan Aruch

The most important code of Jewish law.

Guide of Perplexed and the Mishneh Torah

Written by Maimonides.

Gemara

Comes from the Aramaic word meaning study.

The Babylonian Gemara

More importance than the Palestinian Talmud.

Sage

A wise man from ancient history.

Exilarch

Head of the Jewish community in exile.

Geonim

A genius or learned person.

Diaspora

Dispersion of people from their original homeland.

Philosophy

Study of knowledge, reality, and existence.

Culture

Customs, art, social institutions, and achievements of a nation.

Karaite

Originates from Hebrew word meaning 'to read.'

Golden Age

Time of great achievements in art and literature.

Nagid

Head of the Jewish community.

Codifier

Arranging laws into a systematic code.

Charter

Written grant by a country's legislative power.

Tosafists

Medieval commentaries on the Talmud.

Academy

Place of study in a specific field.

Crusades

Religious wars directed by the Catholic Church.

Hebraists

Scholars of the Hebrew language.

Conversos

Jew who converted to Catholicism during the 14th-15th centuries.

Dhimmi

Non-Muslims living in an Islamic state with legal protections

Tikkun olam

Acts of social justice to make the world better.

Geonim

Great scholars in the Talmud.

Karaite Jews

Karaite Jews were influenced by Islamic practices. Karaite Jews did not light a fire before Shabbat. Karaite Jews have synagogues that look like mosques.

Babylonia

Jews of Babylonia produced texts in Arabic and Judeo-Arabic. The exilarch collected taxes, appointed judges, and settled disputes.

Ashkenazi Jews

Lived under charters and governed themselves. Did not pursue scientific and secular studies as they did in Spain. Lived in tight-knit communities in Europe.

Middle Ages

Jews faced antisemitism because they did not accept Christianity. Anti Semitism increased with the rise of Christianity in Europe. Jews could not own land or join guilds in the Middle Ages

Middle Ages pt 2

The goal of the Crusades was to recapture Christian sites in the Land of Israel. The Fourth Lateran Council ordered Jews to wear badges. Jews were accused of poisoning well to infect Christians with the Black Death disease. Blood libels accused Jews of murdering Christian children to make matzah.

Middle ages pt 3

Jews were invited into towns to be part of the economic life. Jews became moneylenders in Europe- Christians could not charge interest on loans. Jews who were expelled from Germany went to Eastern Europe. Jews were banished to protect Christians from Jewish moneylending.

Renissance

All the Italian Dukes and noblemen had Jewish doctors. Jews hired a non-Jews with a license to run a printing press. During the Renaissance the Hebrew market for books was like the non-Hebrew market. The first Hebrew printing press was in a town called Soncino in Italy

Renaissance pt 2

The gates of the Venice ghetto were locked at night to restrict the movement of Jews. The Venice ghetto had tall buildings because of the limited space. The Shakespeare play "The Merchant of Venice" portrays Jews in a negative light. Venice was a multi-ethnic city which had less antisemitism than other European cities. Conversos women practiced Judaism in secret.

Spanish Inquisition

Jews had greater freedom under the Islam than Christianity. In 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled the Jews from Spain

Ottoman Empire

Ancient synagogue ruins have been found in Turkey dating from 220 BCE. The Ottomans welcomed Jews because of their involvement in commerce. The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire reprimanded the Spanish king for expelling the Jews.

Ottoman Empire pt 2

Jews in the Ottoman Empire were involved in taxes, finances, textiles, and banking. Jews from the Ottoman Empire spoke Ladino- a mix of Turkish, Hebrew and Spanish

The New World

Jews arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654 because the Dutch were tolerant rulers.The first synagogue in the United States was in Newport, Rhode Island.