Judaism

Question 1

What is a covenant? How do covenants develop the Jewish relationship with God?

Answer 1

Covenants are the sacred agreements between God and his people. Foundation of Jewish faith and identity. Reminder God is always there and good things are coming.

Question 2

Who was Moses and why was he so important?

Answer 2

• Led the Exodus: Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt with God’s help.
• Received the Torah: He received the Torah (including the Ten Commandments) from God at Mount Sinai.
• Established the Covenant: Moses renewed the covenant between God and the Israelites, confirming them as God’s chosen people.
• Gave Laws: He wrote the Torah, which contains laws and teachings that guide Jewish life and ethics.
• Prepared for the Promised Land: Moses guided the Israelites toward the Promised Land (Canaan), fulfilling God’s promise to their ancestors.

Question 3

Who was Abraham and why was he so important?

Answer 3

• Founding Patriarch: He is considered the founding father of the Jewish people.
• Covenant with God: Abraham made a special agreement (covenant) with God, promising him descendants and a special land (Canaan).
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Question 4

How do the Jews view God? What are the chosen people?

Answer 4

View of God: Jews believe in one all-powerful, all-knowing God who created the universe and guides moral behavior.

Chosen People: Jews believe they were chosen by God to uphold His teachings and set an example of morality, forming a covenant with Him to live by His commandments.

Question 5

What is Canaan and why is it so important to Judaism?

Answer 5

• Canaan is the promised land in Judaism, where Jewish history and faith began.
• Canaan is an ancient region in the Middle East, which includes modern-day Israel and parts of surrounding countries. It’s important to Judaism because it’s considered the promised land by God to Abraham and his descendants

Question 6

Patriarchs

Answer 6

Founding father (ex. Abraham)

Question 7

Torah

Answer 7

The Torah is the central reference of Judaism, consisting of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). It contains religious laws, teachings, and narratives.

Question 8

Talmud

Answer 8

• They are books that help Jews understand how to apply the Torah
• Babylonian
• Jersalema Gemara

Question 9

Solomon’s temple

Answer 9

Ancient holy temple in Jerusalem built by King Solomon, a center of worship and sacrifice in ancient Israel.
The first temple

Question 10

Yahweh

Answer 10

Name of God in Judaism, considered too sacred to pronounce directly.

Question 11

Synagogue

Answer 11

Jewish place of worship.

Question 12

Pesach

Answer 12

Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, known as Passover

Question 13

Exodus

Answer 13

Departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses

Question 14

Sinai covenant

Answer 14

Moses and the 10 commandments

Question 15

Bar Mitzvah

Answer 15

Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for boys at age 13.

Question 16

Kosher

Answer 16

Food prepared according to Jewish dietary laws

Question 17

Tallit

Answer 17

• There are these fringes (tzitzits) at all four corners, they represents the four directions (613 fringes)
• Also known as a prayer shawl, the tallit is a Jewish garment worn during prayer.

Question 18

Sabbath

Answer 18

Jewish day of rest and worship from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Question 19

Yom Kippur

Answer 19

Holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to fasting and repentance

Question 20

Rosh Hashanah

Answer 20

Jewish New Year, marked by prayer and shofar blowing

Question 21

Yarmulke

Answer 21

• Skull cap worn by men
• a sign of respect and fear of God. It is also felt that this separates God and human, by wearing a hat you are recognising that God is above all mankind

Question 22

Menorah

Answer 22

• A nine stick candle holder to officially be nine, 4 on one side and 4 on the other (have to be the same height, same line). Than, the one in the middle has to be different from the other 8
• Kept on the left side of your home when you walk in

Question 23

Tefillin

Answer 23

• Every jewish man has to use it in the morning
• little boxes placed on the forehead and arm used for prayer

Question 24

Siddur

Answer 24

a Jewish prayer book containing a set order of daily prayers

Question 25

Prophets

Answer 25

Individual chosen by God to be a messenger and guide

Question 26

Writings

Answer 26

Section of the Hebrew Bible containing Psalms, Proverbs, and other texts.

Question 27

Zionism

Answer 27

Discrimination against Jewish people

Question 28

David

Answer 28

• United the 12 tribes
• authoring Psalms

Question 29

Ark of the covenant

Answer 29

Sacred chest containing the Ten Commandments, symbolizing God’s presence.

Question 30

Diaspora

Answer 30

Dispersion of Jewish people outside Israel

Question 31

Rabbi

Answer 31

Jewish religious leader and teacher

Question 32

Sh’ma

Answer 32

• Central Jewish prayer affirming the oneness of God
• “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

Question 33

Difference between Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform

Answer 33

• Orthodox: Believe God wrote all 613 rules. Follow Torah literally and nothing changes
• Conservative: Believe God wrote most/all of the rules. They keep all of the reasonable traditions
• Reform: Think Moses wrote the Torah and not all the rules have to be followed