Theology Study Guide

Key Terms

• God – Central divine figure in Judaism, considered the one and only deity, omnipotent, omniscient, and the creator of the universe.

• Israel – Refers to both the ancient kingdom and the modern state of the Jewish people, as well as the Jewish people themselves (Children of Israel).

• Rabbis – Jewish religious leaders and scholars who interpret the Torah and lead Jewish communities in worship and study.

• Torah – The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), central to Jewish law and teachings.

• Diaspora – The dispersion of Jews outside of Israel, particularly after the Babylonian Exile (586 BCE) and the Roman destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE).

• Covenant – The sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people, including promises made to Abraham, Moses, and Israel in exchange for their faith and obedience.

• Bimah – The raised platform in a synagogue from which the Torah is read during services.

• Synagogue – A Jewish house of worship, prayer, and study, serving as a community center for Jewish life.

• Shofar – A ram’s horn blown during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as a call to repentance.

• Tashlich – A symbolic ritual performed on Rosh Hashanah, where Jews throw bread or stones into a body of water to represent casting away sins.

• Sukkah – A temporary hut built for Sukkot, symbolizing the huts in which the Israelites lived during their journey in the wilderness.

• Seder – A ritual meal eaten during Passover, featuring symbolic foods and readings from the Haggadah to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt.

• Menorah – A seven-branched candelabrum used in the ancient Temple; the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah (hanukkiah) is used during Hanukkah.

• Ark – A sacred cabinet in a synagogue where Torah scrolls are stored.

• Ner Tamid – The "Eternal Light" that hangs above the Ark in a synagogue, symbolizing God's perpetual presence.

• Messiah – The prophesied savior and future leader in Jewish belief, expected to bring peace and redemption to the world.

Concepts

A) The Trifecta: God, Israel, and Torah

• These three are central pillars of Jewish identity and belief.

• God: The foundation of Jewish monotheism; worshiped through prayer, study, and observance of mitzvot (commandments).

• Israel: Both a people and a land, representing Jewish continuity and covenant with God.

• Torah: The sacred text that guides Jewish life, laws, and traditions, reinforcing the connection between God and Israel.

B) The Significance and Function of the Temples

• First Temple (Solomon’s Temple)

  • Built by King Solomon (~960 BCE).

  • Destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, leading to the Babylonian Exile.

  • The Israelites adapted by focusing on the Torah and synagogue worship to maintain religious identity.

• Second Temple

  • Rebuilt after the exile, completed in 516 BCE.

  • Destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE following a Jewish revolt.

  • This led to the Diaspora and a shift toward rabbinic Judaism, with religious life centered around synagogues and study rather than sacrifices.

C) The Significance and Function of the Torah

• Covenant: The Torah reinforces God's promise to the Jewish people, detailing their responsibilities in return for divine protection.

• Creation: Provides the Jewish understanding of how the world was created by God (Genesis).

• Afterlife: The Torah does not explicitly focus on the afterlife but emphasizes righteous living and obedience to God's laws as the path to divine favor.

D) The Function of a Synagogue

• A place of worship, study, and community gathering.

• Notable Synagogues:

  • Temple Israelitico (Rome, Italy) – Emphasizes Jewish identity in Italy, blending cultural influences.

  • Córdoba Synagogue (Spain) – A medieval synagogue reflecting Sephardic Jewish heritage.

  • Dohány Street Synagogue (Hungary) – One of the largest synagogues in Europe, showcasing Jewish resilience.

  • Temple Emanu-El (New York, USA) – A grand Reform synagogue, highlighting Jewish adaptation in America.

E) Jewish Festivities and Their Significance

• Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year; a time for self-reflection and renewal.

• Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement; a solemn day of fasting, prayer, and repentance.

• Sukkot – Festival of booths; commemorates the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness.

• Pesach (Passover) – Celebrates the Exodus from Egypt; marked by the Seder meal.

• Purim – Celebrates Jewish survival in Persia (Book of Esther); involves costumes, feasting, and charity.

• Hanukkah – Festival of Lights; commemorates the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the oil.

• Shabbat (Sabbath) – Weekly day of rest and spiritual reflection, from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

F) Comparative Theology: Judaism and Catholicism

• Monotheism: Both religions believe in one God but differ in their understanding of divine nature (Judaism rejects the Trinity).

• Sacred Texts: The Torah is central in Judaism, while Christianity includes the Old and New Testaments.

• Messiah: Judaism awaits a future messianic figure, whereas Catholicism believes Jesus was the Messiah.

• Rituals & Holidays: Both emphasize religious festivals, fasting, and communal worship.

Religious Authority: Judaism relies on rabbis and the Talmudic tradition, while Catholicism has a structured Church hierarchy with the Pope.