Judaism: Beliefs And Teachings Flashcards
What does ‘Shekinah’ mean?
The divine presence of
G-d on earth. For Jews it is the settling of the presence of G-d and his greatness
What does ‘Messiah’ mean?
The promised deliverer of the Jewish nation. Jews believe a king sent by G-d to save the Jews
That does ‘Synagogue’ mean?
A building or place of meeting for worship and religious instruction in the Jewish faith. It is also an assembly or gathering of Jews for the purpose of religious worship
What does ‘Shabbat’ mean?
The Jewish day of rest and seventh day of the week. Jews abstain from work and remember when God created the world, and rested on the seventh day
What does ‘Kosher’ mean?
Kosher in Hebrew means clean. It is a word used to describe food that is okay for Jewish people to eat
What does ‘Torah’ mean?
It is the Jewish written law. Jews use the word ‘Torah’ to represent the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, commonly known to non-Jews as the Old Testament
What does ‘Mitzvot’ mean?
Actions we have to perform or have to avoid day in and day out. There are 613 mitzvot in Judaism including the 10 Commandments
What does ‘Covenant’ mean?
A promise or an agreement. Jews believe God has chosen them and has made several covenants with them throughout history
What are orthodox Jews?
Orthodox Jews of the most traditional and conservative group of Jews. They can only marry each other and this restrains the abilities in modern life, and they also only regard themselves as being Jewish
What are reform Jews?
Reform Jews maintain traditional approaches to the Jewish identity but also more liberal view points towards some Jewish traditions, practices and rituals
What are Jewish beliefs about G-d’s character?
He is: • Judge • Lawgiver • Creator • One
What is the ‘messianic’ age?
A golden age of peace and prosperity in the world when the Messiah rules
What do reform Jews believe about the Messiah in the messianic age?
They don’t believe in a messiah. But they do believe that the messianic age will come about by everyone collaboratively working together to bring peace and harmony to the world, this can be done through moral acts
What do orthodox Jews believe about the Messiah and the messianic age?
They believe the Messiah will be descendent of King David, that he will be one man who can change change everything and bring about the messianic age where the dead will rise and the world will live in peace
What do Jews believe about the Messiah?
- he will be born and have the authority of God
- he will be a peaceful ruler and bring the messianic age
- he will sit on a throne in Jerusalem
- he will be a just ruler
