Jewish Beliefs

Question 1

Circumcision

Answer 1

The removal of the foreskin from the penis.

Question 2

Covenant

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Free will

Answer 3

Belief that God gives people the opportunity to make decisions for themselves.

Question 4

Judgement

Answer 4

The belief that God judges a person based on their actions, and either rewards or punishes them as a result.

Question 5

Messiah

Answer 5

‘The anointed one’. a leader of the Jews who is expected to live on earth at some time in the future.

Question 6

Messianic Age

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Mitzvot

Answer 7

(singular mitzvah): Jewish rules or commandments.

Question 8

Monotheistic

Answer 8

A religion that believes there is only one God.

Question 9

Omnipotent

Answer 9

Almighty, having unlimited power; a quality of God.

Question 10

Omnipresent

Answer 10

Being everywhere at all times; a quality of God.

Question 11

Omniscient

Answer 11

Knowing everything; a quality of God.

Question 12

Orthodox Jew

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Pikuach Nefesh

Answer 13

The obligation to save a life, even if doing so breaks Jewish law.

Question 14

Promised Land

Answer 14

The land of Canaan that God promised to the Jews.

Question 15

Rabbi

Answer 15

A Jewish religious leader and teacher.

Question 16

Reform Jew

Answer 16

The Jewish laws can be adapted to modern day life.

Question 17

Resurrection

Answer 17

Rising from the dead or returning to life.

Question 18

Sanctity of life

Answer 18

All life is holy as it is created and loved by God; human life should not be misused or abused.

Question 19

Shabbat

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Shekinah

Answer 20

The divine presence of God.

Question 21

Shema

Answer 21

A Jewish prayer affirming belief in the one God, found in the Torah.

Question 22

Talmud

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Temple

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Torah

Answer 24

The 5 books of Moses, which form the first section of the Tenakh/Tanach.

Question 25

Ultra-orthodox Jew

Answer 25

More committed than Orthodox Jews to strictly following the laws and guidance in the Torah.