Judaism uhhh OMG I need Fitz back Flashcards
Covenant
he agreements between God an the ancient Israelites, from Abraham to Moses, that designates the Jews as GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE, with special rights and responsibilities. Group identity. Jews must live up to their covenant with God for His reward.
YHWH
Yahweh – the divine name of God that is too holy to be spoken – instead “the Lord.” Israel’s God is a personal God.
Shema
“hear”) – Judaism’s most basic theological statement – “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone.”
Torah
(“instruction”) – the revelation of God’s will to the people the LAW – first five books of the Bible revealed by God to Moses – the LAW
Tanakh
A common way to refer to it. Hebrew Bible, derived from the first letters of the names for each section: Torah, Nevi’im (prophets), Ketuvim (writings) – TNK
Torah
God’s direct revelation to Moses of 613 laws - Pentateuch (Greek) - first five books of the Bible
Nevi’im
he prophets – “one who speaks for”- historical accounts of Israel and the proclamation of the will of God
Ketuvim
the writings – highly diverse content i.e. poetry, wisdom literature, short stories, history… - composed later than the rest of the Tanakh
Rabbi
teacher of Torah or leader of Jewish worship
Mishnah
Written in about 200 AD, it is the collected teachings of the Rabbis of the preceding 4 centuries. Along with the Talmud, it is one of the most important books of the oral Torah.
Talmud
Vast depository of the oral Torah, based on the Mishnah with extensive rabbinic commentary. Two versions: Palestinian (450 AD) and Babylonian (600 AD).
Diaspora
The situation of Jews living away from their ancestral homeland, a circumstance that has been true for most Jews since the classical period (70AD – 600 AD). Neither exile or oppression was new to the Jews.
Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism, which teaches that God can best be known though the heart; developed mainly in the medieval period with such texts as the Zohar
Hasidism
A form of Judaism that arose in eastern Europe in the 18th century and that emphasizes mysticism, a personal relationship with God, a close-knit community, and the leadership of the zaddik, a charismatic holy man
Zionism
Originally, the movement arising in the late 19th century that sought to re-establish a Jewish homeland; since 1948, the general support of the State of Israel
Anti-Semitism
Hostility towards Jews and Judaism; ranges from attitudes of disfavor to active persecution
Holocaust/ Shoah
The persecution of Jews by German Nazis from 1933 to 1945, resulting in the murder of some 6 million; commonly referred to by Jews as Shoah
Sabbath / Shabbat
The day from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday (observed on Sunday by some Reform Jews) that is set aside for rest and religious celebration, as decreed by one of the Ten Commandments
Rosh Hashanah
The festival occurring in early fall in commemoration of the new year
Yom Kippur
Judaism’s most important holy day, occurring in the fall on the 10th day of the new year; spent primarily at synagogue services in prayer for forgiveness of sins and marked by abstention from food and drink (fasting)
Passover
The 8-day festival celebrated in early spring that commemorates the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt
Bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah
The ritual celebration marking the coming of age of a Jewish child, at which time the person takes on the religious responsibilities of an adult
Dead Sea Scrolls
discovered in 1947
One of the most important archaeological finds.
- discovered in the caves of Qumran
Arch of Titus
Commemorates the victory over the jews
- romans destroyed temple
- Inner frieze depicts a menorah and other Jewish items
