Key Vocabulary Flashcards
Abraham
Known as the father / founder of the Jewish people. God made a covenant with him, promising him land and “more descendants than stars in the sky”
Charity
One of the for key moral principles; giving to those in need to promote justice. Referred to as ‘tzedaksh’ in Hebrew
The covenant
A binding promise / agreement; Gods agreement to look after his chosen people
Creator
Used to describe the nature of God; the belief that God created the world from nothing
Divine presence ( Shekhinah )
Beliefs that God is beyond human understanding but his presence may be experienced known, usually through fire or light.
Free will
Humans are free to choose to do wright or to do wrong, this freedom is a gift from God but comes with responsibility
God as one
Used to describe the nature of God; belief that there is only one God, monotheism.
Healing the world
One of the four key moral principles; making the world a better place or healing the world. Referred to as ‘ Tikkun Olam ‘ in Hebrew.
Judge
Used to describe the nature of God; the belief that God is fair. Gods justice incorporates both forgiveness and mercy.
Judgement
Part of beliefs about life after death; a day of judgement when God will judge the living and the dead.
Justice
One of the four key moral principles; fairness in the way people are treated
Law-Giver
Used to describe the nature of God; refers to Gods giving of the law (613 mitzvot ) to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Liberal Judaism
This is a form of progressive Judaism which seems to combine traditional beliefs and practices with modern interpretations.
Merciful
Used to describe the nature of God; God as compassionate and forgiving.
The messiah
‘The anointed one’. Orthodox Jews believe that the Messiah will be a human person sent by God. For reform Jews, the Messiah is a symbolic figure.
Mitzvot
The 613 Jewish commandments / rules found in the Tenakah; singular is ‘mitzvah’
Moses
The person / prophet through whom God set the Israelites free from from slavery in Egypt, gave the Ten Commandments and made a covenant with Isreal.
Orthodox Judaism
Jews who believe God gave the complete Torah to Moses and therefore live according to Jewish laws and traditions.
Reform Judaism
Jews who believe the Torah was inspired by god and was developed through their history - therefore laws may be changed or adapted as modern life changes.
Resurrection
Being raised from the dead; part of beliefs about life after death that in a future age the dead will rise and live again.
Sanctity of human life
Belief that human life is sacred / special because it is a precious gift from God.
Saving a life ( Pikuach Nefesh )
This principle overrides almost all other Jewish laws because saving a human life should be of upmost importance any situation.
Sinai
The mountain where Moses received the Law and where the covenant between God and Isreal was made.
The Ten Commandments
Source of authority; religious and moral rules that were given to God by Moses on Mount Sinai
Brit Micah
The religious rite of circumcision, usually preformed 8 days after a boys birth.
Chesed
Hebrew word for ‘loving kindness’ which is one of the four key moral principles.
Messianic age
The future period of time on Earth in which the Messiah will reign and nursing universal peace.
Minyan
Ten Jewish males ( orthodox ) aged 13+ who have gathered to pray. During a Minyan, Jews believe that Gods divine presence is present.
Mitzvah
Hebrew word meaning a commandment or law from God to be preformed as a religious duty.
Monotheism
The belief that there is only one God.
Moral Mitzvot
Commandments or laws between man and man. They explain how Jews should act towards other humans and live well as a community.
Olam Ha-Ba
Hebrew word for ‘the world to come’.
Omnibenevolent
Used to describe the nature of God; the belief that God is all loving.
Omnipotent
Used to describe the nature of God; the belief that God is all powerful.
Omniscient
Used to describe the nature of God; the belief that God is all knowing.
Promised land
God gave Abraham the promised land ( Canaan ) as part of the Abrahamic covenant. Today, this is known as Isreal.
Ritual mitzvot
Commandments or laws between man and God. They bring Jews closer to God and form a personal covenant between a Jewish person and God.
Shema
Judaisms central prayer said twice a day which expresses belief in God as one.
Gan Eden
Hebrew word for the ‘Garden of Eden’ which is paradise, or heaven, for those who have lived according to Gods law.
Tabernacle
Hebrew word for ‘dwelling’. The portable sanctuary constructed by Moses as a place of worship whilst wondering the desert in search for the promised land.
Tikkun Olam
Hebrew word for ‘healing the world’ which is one of the four key moral principles.
Tzedakah
Hebrew word for ‘charity’ which is one of the four key moral principles.
Western wall
A wall in Jerusalem where Jews can feel Gods Devine presence, believed to be the remains of the temple, destroyed by the Romans.
Amidah
The standing prayer. Recited as part of public acts of worship in the synagogue
Aron Hakodesh (arc)
The jolliest part of the synagogue containing the Torah scrolls
Bar mitzvah
Coming of age ceremony of boys aged 13. “Son of the commandment”
Bat mitzvah
Coming of age ceremony for girls aged 12. “Daughter of commandment”
Bimah (reading platform)
The reading platform in a synagogue from which the Torah is read
Brit milah
The religious rite of circumcision, usually performed 8 days after the boys birth
Dietary laws
The food laws that were given my God, found in the Torah
Judge
Part of the understanding of the nature of God; the belief that God is fair. Gods justice incorporates both forgiveness and mercy
Judgement
Part of beliefs about life after death; a day of judgement when God will judge the living and the dead
Kosher
Food that is ‘clean’ and that meets the requirements of the dietary laws
Mitzvot
The 613 Jewish commandments / rules found in the Tenakh
Mourning rituals
Refers to set practises that are carried out by Jews as a way of grieving for loved ones who have died
Ner Tamid
A feature of the synagogue - a light that burns constantly as a symbol of Gods presence
Pesach
Festival that celebrates the Jewish exodus from Egypt, often called Passover
Prayer
Communicating with God; listening and speaking to God
Rosh Hashanah
Festival celebrating the Jewish new year. It is the start of the 10-day period of high holy days that culminates in Yom Kippur
Shabbat
The sabbath / holy day of the week; beginning at sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday
Synagogue
The place of public worship, also used for study and gathering. Means ‘coming together’
Talmud (oral law)
Oral law believed by Orthodox Jews to have been given to Moses but not written down for many centuries, it was then expanded by commentaries from rabbis
Tenakh (written law)
Written law that makes up the Jewish scriptures in 3 parts
Trefah
Forbidden food - does not fulfil the Jewish dietary laws and is not kosher
Yom Kippur
The day of atonement - a day of repentance and fasting on the tenth day after Rosh Hashanah. The holiest day of the Jewish year
Challah bread
Yeast-leavened bread that is usually braided or twisted before baking and is traditionally eaten by Jews on the sabbath and holidays
Chuppah
A canopy beneath which Jewish marriage ceremonies are performed. It represents the home and family in which a couple will build together
Haggadah
The text read at the seder on the first 2 night of the Jewish Passover, including a narrative of the exodus
Hebrew
The ancient language of the Jewish people, or the modern form of it
Ketubah
A Jewish marriage contract
Kiddush
A prayer and blessing over wine, performed by the head of a Jewish household at the sabbath meal or a holy day
Kippah
A small, circular cover for the top of the head usually worn by orthodox Jewish men whilst praying or at religious ceremonies
Mezuzah
A small scroll of parchment in a decorative case with the schema written on it. They are attached to doorposts of Jewish homes as a reminder of the covenant
Minyan
Ten Jewish orthodox males aged 13+ who have gathered to pray
Pareve
Types of food that are considered neutral as they do not contain meat or dairy
Rabbi
A Jewish scholar, teacher or leader who studies or teaches Jewish law
Seder
The traditional Passover meal that includes reading, drinking 4 cups of wine, telling stories, eating special foods, singing to remember Moses freeing the Jewish slaves
Sefer Torah
A handwritten copy of the Torah in Hebrew
Shema
Judaisms central prayer said twice a day which expresses belief in God as one
Shofar
An ancient musical horn typically made of a rams horn, used for Jewish ritual purposes
Siddur
A Jewish prayer book containing prayers to help Jews worship at the synagogue and in the home
Sitting shiva
The seven days of mourning that begins immediately after the burial of a parent, a spouse, a child, a brother, or a sister
Tallit
A fringed garment worn as a prayer shawl by religious Jews
Tefillah
The Hebrew word for prayer
Teffilin
Two black leather boxes which contains words from the Shema. Usually worn by orthodox Jewish men during morning prayer
Tzitzit
613 fringes attached to the corners of the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl, the represent the mitzvot
