Key Terms Flashcards
Aron Hakodesh
The Ark. A part of the synagogue containing Torah scrolls.
Bar Mitzvah
Celebration of a boy coming of age at 13. Literally ‘Son of the Commandment’.
Bat Mitzvah
Celebration of a girl coming of age at 12, in reform synagogue. Literally ‘Daughter of Commandment’.
Bet Din
Religious court made of Rabbis
Bimah
A platform in a synagogue from which the Torah is read.
Brit Milah
Circumcision; the removal of the foreskin for religious reasons.
Chametz
Leavened food, prohibited during the festival of Pesach (Passover).
Chazzan
A person who leads or chants prayers in the synagogue
The covenant
The word covenant is best described as a way of understanding God’s relationship with man. God’s agreement to look after the Jews as his chosen people.
Days of Repentance
The time when Jews say sorry for what they have done or failed to do
Discrimination
To act against someone on the bases of race, religion, sex, etc. Discrimination is usually seen as wrong.
Divorce
Legal ending of a marriage
Equality
That people should be given rights and opportunities regardless of religion, race, sex, etc.
Gemara
A commentary on the Mishnah
Haggadah
Text read during the Passover Seder recounting the story of the Exodus
Halakhah
The code of conduct of Jewish life. Ever changing. The way in which to keep the 613 Jewish commandments
Hashem
A name used by many Jews in ordinary conversation to refer to God
Holocaust
The murder of six million Jews (and others) during World War 2
Israel
- The ancient name for Jewish people
- The modern Jewish county in the Middle East
- Literally means ‘one who struggles with God’.
Justice
Bringing about what is right, fair according to the law or making up for a wrong that has been committed.
Kaddish
An important and central prayer in the Jewish prayer service.
Ketuvim
The third section of the Tenakh - the writings.
Kippah
A skull cap.
Kol Nidre
The opening prayer on the eve of Yom Kippur.
Kosher
Foods which the Jewish laws allow.
Marriage
A legal union between a man and a woman.
Matzah
The unleavened bread eaten at Passover (Pesach).
Menorah
A seven-branched candle stick.
Messianic Age
When God’s Anointed One will come and lead the Jews.
Mezuzah
A scroll, containing the Shema.