Torah

Question 1

Torah

Answer 1

Instruction. The law. In its simplest form it refers to the five books of Moshe but it also is commonly applied to the whole of Jewish religion

Question 2

Tanach

Answer 2

Torah, neviim, ketuvim

Compiled by the men of the great assembly, completed 450BCE

Question 3

Masorah

Answer 3

Tradition. In a very broad sense it refers to the entire chain of Jewish tradition, but in reference to the masoretic text the word mesorah has a very specific meaning: the diacritic markings of the text of the bible which note textual details, usually about the precise spelling of words.

Question 4

Mishna

Answer 4

Learning (repetition)
The oral law, representing the interpretations of the Torah and the accumulation of legal traditions, was written down by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi (Judah the Prince) in around 200CE

Question 5

Midrash

Answer 5

Study. Also, it refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings of the Torah.

Question 6

Gemara

Answer 6

Completion.

The detailed recording of the discussion of the rabbis on the mishna.

Question 7

Talmud

Answer 7

Gemara + Mishna
Contains laws, narratives, history, fables, allegories, mediations, prayers, ethics, moral sayings, philosophical and religious discussions.

There are 63 books of the Talmud arranged in 6 main sections or orders.

There are two versions, the Babylonian Talmud and the less authoritative Jerusalem Talmud.

A mnemonic for the six sections is Zeman Nakat.

Question 8

Zera’im

Answer 8

Mnemonic- Zeman Nakat

First section of talmud.
Agricultural laws and divine worship.

Question 9

Moed

Answer 9

Mnemonic- Zeman Nakat

Second section of the Talmud.
Shabbat and festivals.

Question 10

Nashim

Answer 10

Mnemonic- Zeman Nakat

Third section of the Talmud

Laws pertaining to women

Question 11

N’Zikin

Answer 11

Mnemonic- Zeman Nakat

Fourth section of Talmud.
Civil and criminal law

Question 12

Kedushin

Answer 12

Mnemonic- Zeman Nakat

Fifth section of Talmud.

Laws relating to sacrifices.

Question 13

Taharot

Answer 13

Mnemonic- Zeman Nakat

Sixth section of Talmud

Laws relating to cleanliness and purification

Question 14

HaMapah

Answer 14

“The Tablecloth”
Name given to the inline commentary on the Shulchan Aruch.
Written by Rabbi Israel Esserles (1520-1572) known as the Rama, authoritative for Ashkenazi Jews.

Question 15

Ha’lacha L’Moshe M’Sinai

Answer 15

“The law translated to Moshe from Sinai” Any extremely ancient law or custom, whose origin while not fully understood, is believed to stem from the days of antiquity.

Question 16

Asseret Hadibrot

Answer 16

The ten (words) commandments.

Question 17

Taryag (Taryag mitzvot)

Answer 17

A group of letters whose numerical value is 613. An abbreviation for the 613 commandments in the Torah. 248 positive 365 negative.

Question 18

Siyum

Answer 18

Conclusion. The custom of completing a talmudic tractate with a discourse, followed by a sued mitzvah.

Question 19

Seudah mitzvah

Answer 19

The meal (or refreshments) that follow a mitzvah, for example, the meal following a brit milah or siyum.

Question 20

Anshey Knesset HaGdolah

Answer 20

The men of the great assembly.
An assembly of some 120 scholars who did not all live at the same time, founded by Ezra about 450BCE. They were largely responsible for the arrangement of the canon. They also set out the siddur.

Question 21

Pirkei Avot

Answer 21

Ethics of the fathers. Moral advice of the sages. The six chapters are found in the Mincha service for Shabbat.

Question 22

Kabbalah

Answer 22

Reception.
Two main meanings are:
- Jewish Mystical Teachings
- The diploma issued to those having passed their examination as Shochtim.

Question 23

Shochet

Answer 23

Ritual Slaughterer

Question 24

Rabbi

Answer 24

Teacher. The title given to a Jewish Male who has passed his rabbinical ordination.

Question 25

Smicha

Answer 25

The title or rabbinical ordination.

Question 26

D’Oraita

Answer 26

A law that comes directly from the Torah (either explicitly or implicitly). Distinguished from D’Rabbanan, laws instituted by the Rabbis.

Question 27

D’Rabbanan

Answer 27

Laws that originate from the sages.

Question 28

Shulchan aruch

Answer 28

Literally “The prepared table”. The name given to the famous codification of law by Rabbi Joseph Karo (16th century)