Judaism Flashcards
Judaism was originally – and is now –
monolatrous, monotheistic
Purpose of life:
merit through obedience
fill covenant role
facilitate coming of Messiah
What’s in the TaNak?
TaNaK: Torah (law), Neviim (writings–history, wisdom lit), Ketuvim (prophets)
What’s the Talmud?
Mishnah, oral law alongside Torah; Gemara, commentary on Mishnah
Midrash?
Oral traditions not included in other books
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
beginning of adulthood and serious study for boys, girls in reformed congregations
Chupah?
Marriage pavilion`
Sacred clothing?
Tallit/tsitsit: prayer shawl and tassels
kippah: head covering
tefillin: leather boxes worn on head/arm with scriptures
minyan?
the minimum of 10 adult males present to hold prayer
Mezuzah?
doorpost scripture roll
Rosh Hashanah
New year; time of repentance before the day of atonement
Yom Kippur
10th day after Rosh Hashanah, forgiven if you’ve repented; fasting, no bathing; goat sacrifice
kol nidre: prayer to reenter covenant
Sukkot
Feast of tabernacles: stay in temporary booth with partial roof–transitory life; positive festival; try to change
Simhat Torah
“reveling in the Torah”–party to celebrate; orthodx women get to handle Torah
Hannukah
Festival of lights; history: resisting Maccabees, consecrated oil stayed lit for 8 days
Hannukiah: 9 branched; in window
Tu Bishvat
“Tasting of the trees,” plant trees, appreciate fruit
Purim
“Lots”; celebrate story of Esther; feast/party, “mock the rabbi”
Passover/pesakh
Angel of death and Israelites; symbolic food for trials;
Seder = feast
the Omer
countdown to Sinai, mourning; 1st haircut for boys
Shavuot (Pentecost)
7 weks after passover: giving of law on Sinai–read Torah all night
3 weeks of Dark Time
mourning for historical tragedies: fast; how to live differently; spring cleaning
Kosher
“‘fit” based on symbols for how to live, accepted by God
mikveh
cleansing bath, sign of covenant
Sabbath
day of elevation to royal status; in home
