Quiz 3 Flashcards
Jewish Life under Muslims in the Medieval Period
(Medieval Judaism)
Africa, Spain, Near East
Practiced their own religion and assured security of life and property
had to pay taxes
Jewish Life under Christians in the Medieval Period
(Medieval Judaism)
Most of Europe
Some were money lenders, changing the European economy
Some were resent for being “sons of the crucifiers”
Victim to blood libels (false accusations of murdering Christian children)
Blamed for the Black Death
Fled to Poland to escape persecution, living in Diaspora
Jewish Philosophy: Maimonides
(Medieval Judaism)
Rabbi Moses ben Maimon is known as RAM RAM
Born in Cordoba, Spain, 1135
At the time of Maimonides’ birth, Cordoba was the center of Jewish life and culture.
When he was 13, the city fell to a fanatic Muslim tribe, making Cordoba no longer safe for Jews
For 12 years, he and his family lived as wandering Jews around Spain, writing his first book during these years
Settled in Fez, Morocco in 1160, ruled by the same fanatic sect
He trained in the field of theology and medicine
In 1165, he published his “Letter Concerning Apostasy”, reassuring that jews pretending to be Muslims were still Jews
Finally settling in Egypt, the Jewish community flourished
He became a physician who also provided legal and spiritual leadership to Jews
The Mishneh Torah codified Halakhah into a logical system
The Guide to the Perplexed attempted to reconcile Judaism and Aristotelian thought
The Thirteen Principles of Faith outlined his interpretation of the basic theological beliefs of Judaism
The Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism
(Medieval Judaism)
Teaches that God can be best known with the heart through love
Does not abandon basic forms of Judaism, but observes the commandments
Hasidism
(Modern Judaism)
Means “pious”
God is immanent and emphasizes personal relationships with God, rather than the study of the Torah
Zaddik
Holy man who had a special relationship with God and is the leader of each Hasidic community
Zionism
(Modern Judaism)
Movement arising that committed to the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland, Zion/Jerusalem
Now, it refers to the general support of Israel
Anti-Semitism
Occurred when Jews faced persecution (ex. Holocaust)
The Holocaust
(Modern Judaism)
“Shoah”, meaning “mass destruction” in Hebrew
Resulted in the murder of 6 million Jews
Jews asked “How could God let something like this happen?”
The State of Israel
(Modern Judaism)
Many Jews migrated to Palestine with the rise of Zionists
Israel was granted statehood and Jews finally had a national homeland
Palestinians and Jews constantly fought for ownership
Modern Institutional Divisons
Conservative, Reform, Orthodox
Conservative Jews
(Modern Judaism)
Middle position between Reform and Orthodox
Open to change, but strict with observance of traditional Jewish practices
Liturgy spoken in Hebrew
Almost half of American Jews
Orthodox Jews
(Modern Judaism)
Torah is the standard of truth and life must conform to it
Deeply traditional, live in separate communities
1/10 of American jews
Reform Jews
(Modern Judaism)
Being Jewish and being involved in modern society are compatible
Judaism changes with society, relaxed regarding Jewish traditions
Liturgy spoken in English
1/3 of American Jews
Ethics
World is sustained by Law, service, and deeds of loving-kindness
Obligated to help the needy, shelter and feed guests, and visit the sick
