Judaism unit Flashcards
Abraham
Abraham is the first historical person in the Bible who makes a covenant with God.
God asks Abraham to to sacrifice his son in turn for many descendants.
sign of Abrahams covenant
circumcision
Moses
Led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt during Ramses reign, received the ten commandments from the burning bush, 10 plagues, parting of the red sea
sign of Moses covenant
Moses and Hebrews searched for promised land fro 40 years, obeying the 10 commandments
David
Davids family would always rule Israel, their kingdom would last forever
Tanakh
Hebrew bible, 3 divisions: Torah laws, Nevi’im/Prophets, Ketuvim/Writings
Jewish Celebrations
Britmala (birth), Bar/Bat Mitzva - adulthood, Shiva - death, Rosh Hashanah - New Year, Yom Kippur- holiest day of year, repentance
Torah
the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), also called the Law
Place of Worship
Pray on Saturday’s at the Temple or Synagogue
Concept of Kosher
“to be pure, Proper, or suitable for consumption”, or “Kashrut”
Shema/Sh’ma
expresses belief in the singularity of God, recited twice a day at morn and evening
Shabbat
Jewish day of rest
Talmud
Ancient teachings
prophet
proclaimer and teacher of the will of God
mezuzah
doorpost, constant reminder of Gods presence, attached to right side of door
tefillin
strapped Leather boxes to their arms that contain the Torah during prayers
menorah
candelabrum with seven branches representing 6 days of creation, and oil that burned for 8 days in the Temple
Star of David
most commonly associated with Judaism today
named after king David, and is shape of his shield
kippah
has least religious significance
humans are beneath God
mitzvot
613 commandments to be observed
mishnah
foundational document of Rabbinic Judaism
mazel tov
“congrats/good luck”
Chuppah
a Jewish home symbolized by the cloth canopy and the four poles
Yahweh
God revealed to Moses
“I am who I am”
The People
CHOSEN to be the light
Yahweh will save all nations
they are expecting the anointed one
Messianic age: time of peace
The Covenant
a sacred agreement between Yahweh and his chosen people
1. be faithful to it
2. his love is given freely
3. problems with covenant is because of the people
The Torah
Revelation of Yahweh to Moses/laws
The Land
Land of Canaan is promised to the Jewish people by God and Abrahams covenant
The tzitzit & tallit
four cornered prayer shawl, fringes tied to each corner to remind Jews the commandments in the Torah
shofar
rams horn blown during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. used to wake them up so they can ask God for forgiveness of their sins.
Ner Tamid
Above ark in every Synagogue
symbol of Gods eternal presence, never extinguished.
The Holy Ark
Torah scrolls are kept here, front of Synagogue
holiest place in the Synagogue
placed on Eastern wall to face Jerusalem
Challah
reference to the Jewish teaching that double portion fell from Heaven to last through Shabbat.
Kiddush cup
holds wine during the Kiddush
Havdalah Spice Box
sweet smelling to remember Shabbat, and wishing for a sweet week to come
Havdalah Candle
shows the separating of light from darkness, Shabbat from the days of the week
Branches Origins:
reform: 19th century, made to be more compatible with world
conservative: 20th century, largest branch in Canada
orthodox: original branch, largest worldwide
Place of worship
reform: Temple
Conservative: Synagogue
Orthodox: Synagogue
interaction with society
Reform: part of community
Conservative: encouraged to be apart of community
Orthodox: lose spiritual heritage if they adapt to modernity
Shabbat Practices
Reform: in English
Conservative: English or language of community
Orthodox: in Hebrew, dedicate Saturday to God
Position on the Laws
Reform: adapt Jewish Laws to needs of Historical Context
Conservative: adapt the laws to contemporary life, but still follow tradition, apply the Torah to their lives
Orthodox: Strictly follow the Torah, Kosher Kitchens
worship practices of men and women:
Reform: sit together
Conservative: May sit together
Orthodox: sit on separate sides of Synagogue with a curtain
Female Rabbis
Reform: Female Rabbis welcomed
Conservative: some have female Rabbis
Orthodox: none.
Inter-religious marriage
Reform: discouraged but not forbidden
Conservative: Forbidden, Non-Jewish partners should convert
Orthodox: Forbidden, seen as a rejection to Judaism
Passover
Symbols -
Sedar Meal: Traditional dish served - each element represents a part of Passover
Bitter Herbs: represents bitterness of slavery
lamb shank bone: the sacrificial lamb
Matzah: as Jews were escaping, their bread could not rise so it was unleavened
4 cups of wine: freedom from the 4 exiles
Significance:
- Moses received the Ten Commandments by the burning bush
- God sent the 10 plagues since the Pharaoh did not let the Israelites go
- Israelites put lambs blood over their doors so the Angel of Death would pass over them and not kill their firstborn
Rituals:
- tell stories about Exodus in Egypt
- sing traditional songs
- have the Sedar plate
- lasts for 7 days
- celebrated to ask Jews to remember their past as slaves
- eat matzah
