Religion Judaism Flashcards
Kashruth:
the body of Jewish religious laws concerning the suitability of food, the
fitness for use of ritual objects, etc. Kashruth includes Kosher food laws.
Shabbat:
The Jewish Sabbath. It begins on Friday evening and moves into
Saturday.
refers to the first five books of the Bible.
Menorah
: A candelabrum with seven branches, used at home and in the
synagogue on the Sabbath and holidays.
Shoah:
A Hebrew term for the Holocause meaning “destruction.”
Exodus:
The significant event in which Moses led the Israelites out of bondage in
Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. The word exodus means “going out” or
“departure.”
Diaspora
A Greek word meaning “sowing of seed,” or “dispersal.” In the
context of Jewish history Diaspora is the word used when referring to the
Jewish population living outside of Israel.
Bat Mitzvah:
The religious initiation ceremony of a Jewish girl that has
reached the age of twelve or thirteen. The term means “daughter of the
commandment.”
Hannukah:
The eight day festival of lights, usually in December,
commemorating the rededication of the temple.
Kippa(h):
A small circular cap worn by Jewish men; also known as a
yarmulke.
Mitzvah:
A commandment from God; the act of performing a good deed. The
most well known mitzvoth are the Ten Commandments.
Synagogue:
A place for congregational worship that emerged during the Exile and
became important in the period after the destruction of the temples in 586 BCE and
70 CE. Synagogues continue to be the central place of worship for Jews today.
Covenant:
As used in the Bible, a solemn and binding agreement between God and
humanity.
Polytheism:
Believing in more than one God. Jewish followers are monotheistic
(believing only in one God).
Monotheism:
The belief in One God.
Torah:
Refers to the Law of Moses as well as the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures and
the entire belief system of the Jewish faith. The word Torah is often translated as
meaning “law,” but a more accurate translation is “teaching” or “instruction.” It often
refers to the first five books of the Bible.
