Judaism Flashcards
Shekhinah
God’s presence in the world
The Messiah
He will bring the Messianic Age, when all people will live at peace and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
The covenant at Sinai
An agreement between God and Jews and stated if the people kept the 613 laws given to Moses on Sinai, they would be God’s special people.
The covenant with Abraham
An agreement between Abraham and
God
Sanctity of life
The belief life is holy/sacred and belongs to God
Pikuach nefesh
The concept that the Mitzvot can be ignored to save life. For example is a mother’s life is at risk, abortion must be allowed
Gan Eden
Heaven
Gehinnom
Hell
Tenakh
Jewish Bible
Torah
Law book, contains 613 Mitzvot and the history of Jews
Nevi’im
Books of the prophets, messages from God to the people
Ketuvim
Books of the prophets, messages from God to the people
Talmud
Collection of writings on Jewish law. It explains the meaning of the 613 Mitzvot and how it should be applied in the daily lives of Jews
Kosher
Jewish food laws for example pigs, camels and shellfish musn’t be eaten
Kashrut
Being kosher
Prayer
Attempt by humans to communicate with God
Formal
Set form used, in Siddur (prayer book). Stops prayer being focused on selfish concerns and order and purpose to people’s religious life
Informal
Spontaneous prayers made up. Can express own thoughts and feelings rather than other people’s and ask for God’s help.
Shema
Major prayer affirming belief in one God. Emphasises the need for Jewish people to love God and need to follow Mitzvot and teach to children.
Amidah
Contains blessings which praise God and make personal requests for forgiveness of sins, peace
Brit Milah
Jewish baby boy circumcised, entry into Jewish faith. (Reform jews don’t do this)
Coming of age
Bar Mitzvah - At 13, Jewish boy’s coming of age, regarded as an adult, can read sidra from the Torah. Bat Mitzvah - At 12, Jewish girl’s coming of age.
Shabbat
Begins on sunset on Friday and ends sunset on Saturday
4th commandment
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy”
Shabbat meal
Father says the Kiddush (prayer said over the wine) and blesses challot bread.
Rosh Hashanah
Marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Month before, shofar (a ram’s horn) is blown every day in the synagogue and people think about their sins and relationships with God and people.
Yom Kippur
The Day of Atonement - People reflect on what they promised at Rosh Hashanah. Involves 25 hour fast, confessions of sins/forgivesness
Sukkot
Celebrates the Israelites escape from Egypt when they spent 40 years in the wilderness. People meet in the synagogue carrying an etrog (citron fruit) and lulav (palm branch).
Pesach
Passover, remembering Israel’s enslavement in Egypt, when God saved Israel and gave the people their freedom. Sedar meal - charoset, bitter herbs etc eaten.
Shavuot
Thanking God for the gift of the Torah. Candles are lit to begin it, people eat dairy foods and the Book of Ruth is read etc.
Exterior of synagogue:
Star of David or a menorah (7-branched candle stick) and faced towards Jerusalem etc.
Interior of a synagogue
10 commandments next to the ark, sink at the entrance for worshippers to cleanse themselves, yad (pointer) so the Torah won’t be touched, bimah (raised platform for Torah readings) etc.
Feautures of synagogue (Orthodox Jews)
Men read
Men touch Torah scrolls
Prayers in hebrew
Feautures of synagogue (Liberal Jews)
Men and women can read
Men and women touch Torah scrolls
Prayers in English
