Judaism Key Terms

Question 1

Anti semitism

Answer 1

Prejudice and hostility towards the Jews

Question 2

Ark of the Covenant

Answer 2

The wooden chest that held the tablets inscribed with the 10 commandments. The temple of Jerusalem became the home of the Ark

Question 3

Chosen People

Answer 3

The idea that God chose the Jewish people to be the keepers of His covenant on Earth. The concept of Chosen is reciprocal with humanity choosing God and God choosing humanity

Question 4

Covenant

Answer 4

As used in the Bible, a solemn and binding agreement between God and humanity

Question 5

Diaspora

Answer 5

A greek word meaning “sowing of seed” or “dispersal” and in the context of Jewish history, diaspora is the word referring to the Jewish population living outside of Israel.

Question 6

Exodus

Answer 6

The significant event in which Moses led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. The word “exodus” means “going out” or ‘departure’

Question 7

Gerut

Answer 7

Process of conversion to Judaism

Question 8

Holocaust

Answer 8

The mass murder of 6 million jews during WW2 by Nazis

Question 9

Shoah

Answer 9

Hebrew term for holocaust, meaning destruction

Question 10

Holy Ark

Answer 10

A cabinet like structure in a synagogue that houses the Torah scrolls

Question 11

Judaica

Answer 11

The literature, customs, rituals, artifacts, etc. which are of particular relevance to Judaism

Question 12

Kippah/Yarmulke

Answer 12

A small circular cap worn by Jewish men

Question 13

Kosher

Answer 13

Fulfilling the requirements of Jewish dietary laws of Kashruth

Question 14

Messiah

Answer 14

Means ‘anointed one’. Jews hope that a great king will come lead them.

Question 15

Minyan

Answer 15

The quorum of 10 men/women over 13 years of age required for worship.

Question 16

Mitzvah

Answer 16

A commandment from God, the act of performing a good deed, the most well known mitzvah are the 10 commandments

Question 17

Promised Land

Answer 17

The area of Canaan that the Hebrews believed were promised to them by God

Question 18

Prophet

Answer 18

A person who receives a message from God and delivers that message to God’s people. The message belongs to God with the prophet acting as God’s messenger.

Question 19

Rabbi

Answer 19

A Jewish scholar or teacher, especially of the law; a person appointed as the Jewish religious leader

Question 20

Synagogue

Answer 20

A place for congregational worship that emerged during exile and became important in the period after the destruction of the temples in 586 BCE and 70 CE. Synagogues continue to be the central place of worship for Jews today

Question 21

Tallis

Answer 21

A prayer shawl

Question 22

TeNaKh

Answer 22

The Jewish Bible, consisting of the Torah (Laws of Moses), The prophets and the Writings

Question 23

Torah

Answer 23

Refers to the Laws of Moses as well as the rest of the Hebrew scriptures and the entire belief system of the Jewish faith. The word Torah is often translated as meaning ‘law’ but a more accurate translation is ‘teaching’ or ‘instruction’

Question 24

Western Wall

Answer 24

The remaining part of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem where Jews traditionally pray and lament on Fridays

Question 25

Zionism

Answer 25

A movement originally for the reestablishment of a Jewish nation and now for the development of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.