Judaism Flashcards
Judaism is “the world’s ________ ________”
oldest monotheism
where did Judaism get its name?
the tribe of Judah
meaning of “Jewish”
ethnic/cultural identity & religion
History of Judaism
Call of Abram 2090 bc
Exodus 1445 bc
Entering the promised land 1405 bc
Solomon’s temple built 965 bc
Division of kingdom (north/south) 921 bc
Fall of Israel 722 bc
Fall of Judah/destruction of the temple 586 bc
2nd temple built 516 bc
Maccabean Revolt 167-164 bc
Destruction of 2nd temple 70 ad
Reconstruction of Judaism 70 ad
Rise of Rabbinic Judaism?
Focus on guidance of rabbis
Study of the Torah center of religious life
Fate tied to obedience to the Torah
Oral Torah in Mishnah 200 ad
Commentary on Mishnah called Talmud 500 ad
chief text for study
Centuries of dispersion
“Temporary” Centers of culture - Persia, England, Spain, Northern & Eastern Europe
Maintained identity - by choice & force
branded as “Christ killers” frequent scapegoats
Ashkenazi Jews
settlers in West Germany & Northern France originally
later migrated towards Poland
language - Yiddish, later embraced German
Comprise around 90% of today’s Jewish population
Sephardi Jews
originated in Spain & Portugal
language - Ladino
convert or leave
later migrated to North Africa
Kabbalah - popular during Middle Ages
Jewish mysticism
response to trauma of dispersion
mixture of Jewish mysticism & rabbinic tradition
sought to explain relationship between eternal and finite
sought hidden or coded meanings of text
belief that G-d exists in 10 emissions that were scattered at creation
- Supreme Crown
- Understanding
- Wisdom
- Greatness/Love
- Power/Judgment
- Splendor
- Endurance
- Beauty
- Foundation
- Kingdom
________ to the law can raise the ________ ________ & redeem the ________
Obedience, divine sparks, universe
13 principles - statement of belief for Judaism promoted by Maimonides (Jewish Philosopher) sought resolution between secular & religion
- G-d exists
- G-d is one and unique
- G-d is incorporeal
- G-d is eternal
- Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other
- The words of the prophets are true
- Moses’ prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets
- The written Torah and Oral Torah were given to Moses
- There will be no other Torah
- G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men
- G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked
- The Messiah will come
- The dead will be resurrected
How did Jews respond to culture in the 1700s?
Assimilate to the dominant culture
Continue to observe Jewish traditions
Mixing of the culture and tradition (birthed various divisions within modern Judaism)
Hasidic Jews began 1750s
founded by Ball Shem Tov - master of the good name
emphasis on joy in obedience to the commandments - ultraorthodox
strongest adherents to rabbinic Judaism mixed with mysticism
what did the enlightenment do for Judaism?
increased influence
Abraham Geiger led reform movement
the Masorti Conservative group came about in response to the reform movement
