Judaism key terms

Monotheistic = a religion that believes there is only one God

Shema = a Jewish prayer affirming belief in the one God, found in the Torah.

Torah = the five books of Moses, which form the first section of the Tanach. Also, the Jewish written law.

Creator = the one who makes things and brings things about

Orthodox Jews = Jews who emphasise the importance of following the laws and guidance in the Torah; they believe the Torah was given directly by God to Moses, so should be followed as closely as possible.

Ultra-Orthodox Jew = Jews who are even more committed than Orthodox Jews to strictly following the laws and guidance in the Torah.

Shabbat = the Jewish holy day of the week, a day of spiritual renewal starting shortly before sunset on Friday and continuing to night time on Saturday.

Omnipotent = almighty, having unlimited power, a quality of God.

Omniscient = knowing everything, a quality of God.

Omnipresent = being everywhere at all times, a quality of God.

Ten commandments = ten laws given by God to Moses over 3000 years ago.

Mitzvot = Jewish rules or commandments.

Merciful = the quality of God that shows compassion or forgiveness to humans, even though he has the power to punish them.

Shekhinah = the divine presence of God.

Temple = the centre of Jewish worship at the time of Jesus; meeting place between God and the priest.

Judgement = the belief that God judges a person based on their actions, either rewards or punishes them as a result.

Resurrection = a rising from the dead or returning to life.

Rabbi = a Jewish religious leader and teacher.

Messiah = 'the anointed one', a leader of the Jews who is expected to live on Earth at some time in the future.

Messianic age = a future time of global peace when everyone will want to become closer to God, possibly through the intervention of the Messiah.

Monotheism = a belief in one God.

Promised Land = the land of the Canaan that God promised to the Jews

Covenant = an agreement; in Judaism it refers to an agreement between individuals, often on behalf of the Jews, and God.

Circumcision = the removal of the foreskin of the penis.

Justice = bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed.

Healing the world = being involved in God's work to sustain the world; it can involve work to increase social justice or to preserve the environment.

Charity = proving help and love to those in need. Also, an organisation that doesn't make a profit, whose main purpose is to help those in need.

Kindness to others = positive, caring actions that should be shown to all living things.

Sanctity of life = all life is holy as it is created and loved by God; human life shouldn't be misused or abused.

Talmud = a commentary by the rabbis on the Torah - it consists of the Mishnah and Gemara together in one collection.

Pikuach Nefesh = the obligation to save a life, even if doing so breaks Jewish law.

Free will = belief that God gives people the opportunity to make decisions for themselves.