Judaism Study Guide

Judaism Study Guide 

Vocab: Please use your book to fill out this section of your study guide! 

Covenant- 

It was a sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people, promising protection and land in exchange for following His commandments.

Shema-

A central declaration of Jewish faith affirming the oneness of God

Torah- 

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible are central to Jewish law and ideas and are, traditionally believed to have been given to Moses by God.

Rabbi- 

A Jewish religious leader and teacher who interprets Jewish law leads services and provides spiritual guidance.

Sabbath- 

A weekly day of rest and worship from Friday evening to Saturday evening commemorates God's day of rest after creation.

Rosh Hashanah- The Jewish New Year is a time for reflection and resolutions, lasting one or two days, marked by prayer and shofar blowing.

Yom Kippur- 

The Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism, focused on fasting, repentance, and seeking forgiveness.

Passover- 

A holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt celebrated with the Seder meal and the prohibition of leavened bread.

Bar Mitzvah

A coming-of-age ceremony for boys at age 13, marking their responsibility to observe Jewish commandments.

Bat Mitzvah:  A coming-of-age ceremony for girls at age 12 or 13, signifying their responsibilities within the Jewish community.

Marriage – A sacred covenant in Judaism, typically performed under a chuppah, emphasizes love and partnership.

Death and Mourning- 

Structured mourning practices include the seven-day Shiva period, focusing on honoring the deceased and community support.

Semitic Religions

• Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the Semitic religions.

• The word Semitic describes the people who came from the Middle East and their languages.  All of these religions originated in the Middle East.

• Judaism is the oldest of the three (2000 BCE), then Christianity (~33 CE), then Islam (622 CE). 

God, Yahweh 

• Judaism is monotheistic, meaning that they believe there is only one God.  This belief is central to Judaism, and, historically, made it different from other local religions when it was founded.  The God of Judaism is Yahweh 

• Today, some world religions are monotheistic, while some are polytheistic. 

Symbols of Judaism: Star of David, Menorah  (draw them!)

Jewish Beliefs

• Judaism has no formal creed, outside of monotheism, that one must hold to be a Jew (unlike the Islamic statement of faith).  However, in the 12th century, a Spanish Jew named Moses Maimonides tried to condense the basic beliefs of Judaism into the form of a creed.  This creed is still followed by more traditional forms of Judaism, and understanding it gives you a good general idea of Judaism.

1. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the Creator and Guide of everything that has been created; He alone has made, does make, and will make all things.

His wisdom and understanding are beyond human comprehension, and His creations reflect His greatness.

2. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is One, and that there is no unity in any manner like unto His, and that He alone is our God, who was, and is, and will be.

His oneness signifies His uniqueness and the singularity of His essence, unparalleled by anything else.

3. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is not a body, and that He is free from all the properties of matter, and that He has not any form whatever.

This means that He transcends physical limitations and cannot be confined to any material representation.

4. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the first and the last. 

He exists beyond the confines of time, having no beginning or end, and is the ultimate source of all existence.

5. I believe with perfect faith that to the Creator, blessed be His Name, and to Him alone, it is right to pray, and that it is not right to pray to any being besides Him. 

Prayer is an expression of our dependence on Him, and He alone is worthy of our supplications.

6. I believe with perfect faith that all the works of the prophets are true.

Their messages have guided humanity and revealed divine truths that shape our understanding of the Creator.

7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses, our teacher, peace be unto him, was true, and that he was the chief of the prophets, both of those who preceded and of those who followed him.

Moses served as a conduit for divine revelation and his teachings remain foundational to our faith.

8. I believe with perfect faith that the whole Torah, now in our possession, is the same that was given to Moses, our teacher, peace be unto him.

The Torah is a timeless guide, preserving the divine instructions for our lives as they were originally revealed

9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be any other Law from the Creator, blessed be His name.

Its eternal relevance and unchanging nature affirm the Creator’s will for humanity throughout the ages.

10. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, knows very deed of the children of men, and all their thoughts, as it is said. It is He that fashioned the hearts of them all, that gives heed to all their works.

His omniscience encompasses all of creation, and nothing is hidden from His awareness.

11. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, rewards those that keep His commandments and punishes those who transgress them.

This reflects His justice and mercy, ensuring that our choices have meaningful consequences.

12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah; and, though he tarry, I will wait daily for his coming.

This hope instills a sense of purpose and anticipation for a future filled with peace and redemption.

13. I believe with perfect faith that there will be a revival of the dead at the time when it shall please the Creator, blessed be His name, and exalted be His Fame for ever and ever.

This belief underscores the promise of eternal life and divine justice, reaffirming the Creator's ultimate plan for humanity.

Sacred Texts
Torah: Torah is a Hebrew word meaning “instruction" or especially “law." It primarily refers to the first section of the Tanakh—the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, or the Five Books of Moses—but can also be used in a general sense to include both the Written and Oral Law. Traditional forms of Judaism believe that the Torah was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai by the hand of God.
Books of the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Collectively, they are also known as the Pentateuch (Greek for "five containers"), where "containers" presumably refers to the scroll cases in which the books were kept. These books also contain the 613 mitzvot (commandments) that govern Jewish life. A handwritten Torah, copied onto parchment, is kept in a special place of honor, the ark, in the Jewish house of worship, the synagogue. Jews also use the word Torah in a wider sense to refer to the entire body of Jewish teachings throughout history. In this sense, it might include the entire Tanakh and the midrashic literature.
Entire Tanakh: is an acronym to include the Torah (Jewish “Law”), the Nevi’im (“Prophets”—history of Israel), and Ketuvim (“Writings”—of faith and devotion).
Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
Nevi’im: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the lesser prophets.
Ketuvim: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles.
Mishnah: Around 100 CE, Rabbi Judah brought together oral teachings on the Torah in a written collection known as the Mishnah.
Talmud: The entire collection of oral sermons, stories, and parables on the Torah (including the Mishnah, Midrash, and Gemara) forms a comprehensive commentary on Jewish law that forms the backbone of a Jew’s religious life (compiled in the Middle Ages).

Sects of Judaism: Orthodox
The Orthodox movement is the most traditional. They observe most of the traditional dietary and ceremonial laws. As recently as a few decades ago, this was the only Judaism, and it still is the only Judaism in many parts of the world. Orthodox Jews see themselves as the most authentic practitioners of Judaism, keeping traditions that stretch back to Moses. They cannot keep all 613 commandments because many relate to the time of the first Temple, but they do keep whichever they can, even though they might be inconvenient in the modern world. There are several forms of Orthodox Judaism, some of which interact with the modern world, some of which do not.

Sects of Judaism: Conservative
The Conservative movement believes that the laws and traditions should adapt to modern circumstances while retaining their core values. They do not hold to the importance of a Jewish political state but put more emphasis on the communal aspects of Judaism. It arose in the United States in the 19th century. Its members observe most of the traditional laws and practices and stress the community aspect of the faith.

Sects of Judaism: Reform
The Reform movement, also known as Progressive Judaism, believes that individuals can make choices about how to observe their faith. This branch is more culture- and race-oriented and has little consensus on doctrinal or religious beliefs. It began in Germany in the early 19th century and spread to the United States, where it is dominant today. Followers do not believe that the complete Torah was “handed over” to Moses at Mt. Sinai but that it was developed over time. For these Jews, the attempt to work out God’s will is an ongoing process.

House of Worship
A Jewish house of worship is usually called a synagogue, but there are several terms for a Jewish house of worship. The Hebrew term is beit k’nesset: “house of gathering.” Orthodox Jews sometimes use shul, which is Yiddish, meaning school. Reform Jews use the term temple because they consider every one of their meeting places to be a replacement for The Temple.

Jewish Holidays:

Passover: This holiday commemorates the Exodus. Passover is celebrated for seven or eight days (depending on your branch of Judaism) starting on the night of a full moon in April. Passover is celebrated with a ritual dinner(s) called Seder, and by abstaining from leavened bread, in memory of ancestors who left Egypt in a hurry and didn't have time to wait for their bread to rise. Strictly observant Jews may not work on the first two and last two days of Passover.

Rosh Hashanah: Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, the day when the year number on the Jewish calendar increases. It usually occurs between Labor Day and Columbus Day. It lasts for one or two days, depending on your branch of Judaism. Rosh Hashanah is a time of reflection: it is a time to look back at the past year and make resolutions for the following year.

Yom Kippur: Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement, a day of fasting and repentance for the mistakes made in the last year. It occurs on the ninth day after the first day of Rosh Hashanah, so it is usually in late September or early October, sometimes falling on Columbus Day. Most (but not all) Jews take off from work or school on this day, even those who are not religious at other times. This is the busiest day of the year for synagogues.

Essay-

Explain how the movie Full Court Miracle showed the Jewish faith. Give me three examples of the faith that

was show or discussed in the movie. Please Give the example and explain the tradition or example of faith. (5-8 complete sentences)

In Full Court Miracle, the Jewish faith is depicted through themes of community, perseverance, and tradition. One prominent example is the importance of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which serves as a backdrop for the story. The celebration of Hanukkah represents resilience and the miracle of light, reflecting the historical struggle of the Jewish people. Another example is the character of Coach T, who embodies the value of mentorship and guidance in the Jewish tradition, emphasizing the significance of education and leadership within the community. Lastly, the film highlights the practice of prayer and unity among the players, illustrating how faith brings people together, especially during challenging times. Through these examples, the movie not only entertains but also educates viewers about the core values of Jewish culture.

What is the Torah? Explain what it is? What does the Torah contain and how is this writing so important to the faith?

The Torah is the central reference of the religious Judaic tradition, comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It is often referred to as the "Law" or "Teaching" and serves as a foundational text for Jewish law, ethics, and theology. The Torah contains 613 mitzvot, or commandments, which govern various aspects of life, including moral conduct, ritual observance, and social justice. Its importance to the Jewish faith cannot be overstated, as it is considered the direct revelation of God's will to the people of Israel, providing guidance and structure to Jewish life. The Torah is not only a legal document but also a narrative that tells the story of the Jewish people, their covenant with God, and their journey throughout history, making it a vital component of Jewish identity and spirituality.

What is the difference between Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism?

Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism represent two distinct approaches to Jewish life and practice. Orthodox Judaism is characterized by a strict adherence to traditional Jewish law and rituals as outlined in the Torah and Talmud, believing that these laws are divinely mandated and unchangeable. Orthodox Jews often maintain a lifestyle that closely follows the customs and commandments established by their ancestors. In contrast, Conservative Judaism seeks to balance tradition with modernity, allowing for adaptations and interpretations of Jewish law to fit contemporary life while still valuing the historical practices. Conservative Jews uphold many traditional observances but believe that the law can evolve as society changes. This key difference reflects broader philosophies regarding the relationship between Jewish law and modernity, influencing the way each community engages with their faith in daily life.