Judaism

Question 1

Who is Abraham and why is he significant to Jewish faith?

Answer 1

• father of Jewish people
• a symbol of trusting and obeying God
• important figure to followers of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity (all Abrahamic religions)
• an early proposer of the idea of MONOTHEISM

Question 2

Who is Moses and why is he significant to Jewish faith?

Answer 2

• founder of the faith
• founder of the Jewish people
• leader who freed people from slavery in Egypt
• the author of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Torah)
• the establisher of Jewish law in the Mosaic code

Question 3

Jewish law can be found in these two sources?

Answer 3

• the Torah
• the Talmud

Question 4

State 3 attributes of the Jewish God.

Answer 4

• oneness (one god/unity)
• transcendent (creator of the universe)
• Merciful (forgiving)

Question 5

What is the Covenant?

Answer 5

the contract between God and the Jewish people

Question 6

What is Passover and why is it significant?

Answer 6

• known as Pesach
• In April over 7-8 days
• celebrates the freeing of Hebrews from slavery (the Exodus)
• celebrates the Jewish people’s identity as the identity of God

Question 7

What is Hanukkah and why is it significant?

Answer 7

• festival of lights
• celebrates the events of the Maccabean revolt (reclaiming the temple)
• During Hanukkah, a candle is lit for each of the 8 days and one for the shamus
  (servant) which is placed in the center and used to light the other candles

Question 8

What is the difference between Orthodox Jews and Reform Jews?

Answer 8

• Orthodox Jews always cover their heads by wearing caps called kippah; Reform Jews find this optional
• Orthodox Jews only eat kosher food; Reform Jews can eat non-kosher food
• Orthodox Jews usually have male rabbis; Reform Jews allow for female rabbis
• Orthodox Jews see the Torah as the word of God; Reform Jews see the Torah as a human creation that has different appreciation from gen to gen

Question 9

What does the Star of David represent?

Answer 9

represents the will to survive

Question 10

State one thing not permitted on the Sabbath day.

Answer 10

Working or serving anyone else

Question 11

State one thing permitted on the Sabbath Day.

Answer 11

• praying
• worshipping God
• Reading holy scriptures

Question 12

What is the Jewish place of worship called?

Answer 12

Synagogue

Question 13

Why does the menorah have 7 branches?

Answer 13

has 7 branches as there’s one for each day of creation and one for Sabbath

Question 14

What is the role of the Messiah?

Answer 14

The Messiah’s role is to lead people out of oppression through divine kingship.

Question 15

What does the word Mitzvah mean?

Answer 15

the act of performing a good deed (one of the commandments)