terminology Flashcards
mitzvah
commandment (613 in torah)
torah
instruction/guide - 5 books of Moses
shabbat
sabbath, day of rest
kosher
ritually fit (eg. of food)
kashrut
regulations
gemara
commentary on mishnah/component of talmud
chukah
divinely ordained decree, sometimes unclear
mishpat
law, self evident rationale
moleh
trained circumciser
brit milah
‘covenant of circumcision’
merkabah
chariot (genre of Jewish mysticism)
zugot
pairs
midrash
genre of biblical interpretation
shekinah
dwelling, presence
hekhalot
palaces
kabbalah
tradition, reception
tzimtzum
constriction, process of creation
sefirot
attributes, emanations
a/ein sof
infinity/without end
tzedakah
charity (hierarchy of selflessness)
saoraim
reasoners
mishnah
oral torah: codification of Jewish law/tradition
kehillot
rights/powers of Jewish communities
Bet Din
rabbinic court
halakhah
collective body of laws
talmud
the most significant collection of the Jewish oral tradition interpreting the Torah
babylonian = more comprehensive than jerusalem
oral torah (mishnah)
tradition explaining meaning/implication of scriptures and how to interpret/apply them
gemara + mishnah
= talmud completed in 5th CE
karaites
strict interpretation of written scripture, denying existence of oral torah
synagogue (beit knesset)
greek root ‘assembly’/house of worship
shul
school/synagogue’s role as a place of study
