Judaism Flashcards
By the numbers, Judaism is a small religion, but the impact that Jews have had on the world is significant. Use this deck to learn about the beliefs and practices of this oldest of Abrahamic religions.
1
Q
How many Jews are there in the world today?
A
About 14 million
2
Q
Where do most Jews in the world live?
A
Israel, the United States, and Europe
3
Q
What does Passover (Pesach) celebrate?
A
Pesach commemorates the Jews’ Exodus from Egypt, where they had been enslaved
- This event, narrated in the second book of the Torah (Exodus), is the single most important turning point in Jewish history
- It confirmed the status of the Hebrews as God’s chosen people and established them as a nation
4
Q
What is Rosh Hashanah?
A
The Jewish New Year
- Two days; falls in September or October
- A time to reflect on the past year and plan improvements for the coming year
- 100 notes from a shofar (ram’s horn, blown like a trumpet) are sounded in the synagogue on each of the two days
- The practice of tashlikh (casting off): worshippers empty their pockets into flowing water to cast off their sins from the past year
5
Q
What is Yom Kippur?
A
“Day of Atonement,” the most holy and solemn of Jewish holidays
- One day, falls in September or October
- Last chance to repent for sins against God from the previous year
- Strict fasting, no work
- Bathing, anointing the body, wearing leather shoes, and engaging in sex are prohibited
6
Q
What is Purim?
A
Celebration of the Jews’ escape from extermination in Persia, as described in the Book of Esther
- One-day holiday, usually falls in March
- Purim service includes a reading of the Book of Esther
- Eating, drinking, merry-making, and carnival-like celebrations
7
Q
What are the three major movements within modern Judaism?
A
- Orthodox: The most traditional of the modern movements. Strict observance of laws and customs set down in the Torah.
- Conservative: Moderate sect. Holds to traditional customs while allowing some latitude for modernization.
- Reform: The most liberal movement in modern Judaism. Rejects many practices that are perceived as outdated.
8
Q
What is Chanukkah?
A
A week-long Jewish holiday, usually falling in December
- Celebrates the victory of the Jewish revolt against the tyrannical Greek ruler Antiochus IV in the 2nd century B.C.E.
- Revolution was led by the Hasmonean family, a.k.a. the Maccabees
- The Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated after the victory
- There was only enough oil left in the Temple menorah to burn for one night, but God caused it to last eight nights
- Hence, the Chanukkah practice of lighting a new candle on the menorah each night
- Not a highly important religious holiday, but well-known due to its proximity to Christmas
9
Q
Briefly describe Jewish funeral customs.
A
- After death, the body is never left alone until burial
- No one may eat, drink, or perform a commandment in the presence of the body
- The casket must be simple, and open caskets are prohibited
- The body must be buried, not cremated, and burial must take place as soon as possible
- “Shiva” period for seven days after burial: mourners gather in the home of the deceased, prohibited from partaking in any pleasurable activity
- “Shloshim” period for 30 days after burial: mourners avoid parties, do not shave or cut their hair, and do not listen to music
10
Q
What is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
A
Jewish coming of age rituals
- Bar mitzvah = son of the commandment; Bat mitzvah = daughter of the commandment
- Children are merely encouraged to obey the commandments, but a bar/bat mitzvah is required too
- Boys become a bar mitzvah at age 13; girls at age 12
- Term actually refers to the person who comes of age, but is colloquially used to refer to the ceremony
- The ceremony is not required by Jewish law and is a relatively modern invention
11
Q
Describe kosher dietary restrictions.
A
- Among land animals, only those that chew their cud and have cloven hooves are allowed to be eaten (e.g. cows, goats, deer, sheep; not pigs)
- Among aquatic animals, only fish with fins and scales are allowed to be eaten (lobsters, crabs, octopi, etc. are forbidden)
- Birds of prey, insects, reptiles, and amphibians are forbidden
- All animals except fish must be ritually slaughtered and drained of blood; blood may not be consumed because it contains the soul of the animal
- Dairy and meat may not be mixed in a single meal
12
Q
What are some of the sacred texts of Judaism?
A
- Tanakh (which contains the Torah)
- Talmud
- Midrash
13
Q
In Judaism, what is the Torah?
A
The first section of the Tanakh
- Same as the first five books of what Christians call the Old Testament
- Also called the Five Books of Moses or the Pentateuch
- Contains the Ten Commandments and other statements on ethics and proper worship of God
14
Q
What is the Talmud?
A
A body of commentary on the Torah and how to interpret and apply it
- Passed down orally for many centuries before being written
- Two parts: Mishnah (oral tradition written down in 2nd century A.D.) and Gemara (later commentary on the Mishnah)
- Some Jews believe Talmud was first taught to Moses by God; others reject the Talmud as an entirely human invention
15
Q
Briefly outline important events in the life of Abraham as narrated in the Bible.
A
- Abraham seems to have been born in a place called Ur of the Chaldees around 1800 B.C.E.
- God made a covenant with Abraham: if Abraham left his father’s house to wander the desert of Israel, then he would have many descendants who would rule the land of Canaan
- Abraham’s wife Sarai had borne no children at age 90, so she offered her maidservant Hagar to Abraham
- Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, whose descendants became the Muslims
- Sarai later bore Isaac, whose descendants became the Jews
- God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a test of Abraham’s faith; at the last moment, God sent an angel to stop the sacrifice
