Jewish Beliefs Flashcards
Circumcision
The removal of the foreskin from the penis.
Covenant
An agreement; in Judaism it refers to an agreement between individuals, often on behalf of the Jews, and God.
Free will
Belief that God gives people the opportunity to make decisions for themselves.
Judgement
The belief that God judges a person based on their actions, and either rewards or punishes them as a result.
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.
Mitzvot
(singular mitzvah): Jewish rules or commandments.
Monotheistic
A religion that believes there is only one God.
Omnipotent
Almighty, having unlimited power; a quality of God.
Omnipresent
Being everywhere at all times; a quality of God.
Omniscient
Knowing everything; a quality of God.
Orthodox Jew
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.
Pikuach Nefesh
The obligation to save a life, even if doing so breaks Jewish law.
Promised Land
The land of Canaan that God promised to the Jews.
Rabbi
A Jewish religious leader and teacher.
Reform Jew
The Jewish laws can be adapted to modern day life.
Resurrection
Rising from the dead or returning to life.
Sanctity of life
All life is holy as it is created and loved by God; human life should not be misused or abused.
Shabbat
Jewish holy day of the week; day of spiritual renewal starting shortly before sunset on Friday and continuing to night time on Saturday.
Shekinah
The divine presence of God.
Shema
A Jewish prayer affirming belief in the one God, found in the Torah.
Talmud
A commentary by the rabbis on the Torah - it consists of the Mishnah and Gemara together in one collection.
Temple
The centre of Jewish worship at the time of Jesus; the meeting place between God and the priest.
Torah
The 5 books of Moses, which form the first section of the Tenakh/Tanach.
Ultra-orthodox Jew
More committed than Orthodox Jews to strictly following the laws and guidance in the Torah.
