JUDAISM
TORAH
"5 Books of Moses", oldest part of the Hebrew Bible.
TALMUD
"Oral Law" where rabbis argue & debate the Torah. 2nd most important book after the Torah
RABBI
Hebrew word for "teacher", the leader of the modern synagogue & Jewish community
PASSOVER
Holiday which celebrates the Exodus from Egypt and freedom from slavery
ROSH HASHANAH
Holiday which celebrates the Jewish New Year
JACOB
Isaac's son. Father of 12 sons who went to Egypt and founded the 12 Tribes of Israel.
WHAT ARE THE 2 MAIN CATEGORIES OF JEWISH DIETARY LAWS?
1. Forbidden vs. Permitted Foods 2. Mixing meat & dairy
WHAT ARE THE 5 KEY BELIEFS OF JUDAISM?
1. There is only 1 God 2. God made the world & created Man in his own image 3. The Jews are God's Chosen People 4. Canaan is the Promised Land 5. A Messiah will come one day to save the Jewish people
HOW MANY TRIBES MADE UP THE ISRAELITE PEOPLE?
12
HOW LONG DID THE HEBREWS WANDER IN THE DESERT AFTER THE EXODUS FROM EGYPT?
40 years
STAR OF DAVID
6 pointed star which is the symbol of Israel & the Jewish people
ISAAC
Abraham's son. God ordered Abraham to sacrifice him as a test of faith.
MOSES
Born a Hebrew slave, but raised as an Egyptian Prince. Led the Exodus of slaves from Egypt. Received the 10 Commandments from God at Mt. Sinai, brought the people to the Promised Land
THE TEMPLE
Built by Solomon in Jerusalem. It housed the 10 Commandments, and was the place where Jews would offer sacrifices to God. Destroyed twice - the last time by the Romans.
MENORAH
Candle holder, used either for Hannukkah or for Shabbat
BAR/BAT MITZVAH
Ceremony which marks when Jewish boy/girl becomes an adult within the religion. Boys are 13, girls are 12-13
SOLOMON
David's son, he built the Temple in Jerusalem
DESCRIBE THE COVENANT THAT GOD MADE WITH ABRAHAM
God agrees to make Abraham the father of a mighty nation, and his descendants the Chosen People and in return they will worship only God and follow His laws
DAVID
King who united the 12 Tribes into one Kingdom of Israel. Made Jerusalem his capital city
WHAT DOES THE HOLIDAY OF PASSOVER CELEBRATE?
Moses leading the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt.
YOM KIPPUR
Most important Jewish holiday. "Day of Atonement" when Jews pray for forgiveness for their sins
ABRAHAM
Patriarch who made a Covenant with God, father of what would become the Jewish people. Husband of Sarah, father of Isaac & Ismael. He is a key figure in Judaism, Christianity & Islam.
PROPHET
Person who interprets the will of God and preaches God's will & law to the people
SYNAGOGUE
Place where modern Jewish people gather to pray
SHOFAR
Ram's horn used to summon Jews to the Temple, announce important news, or rally troops in battle
MESSIAH
Savior sent by God to rescue the Jewish people, restore the Kingdom of Israel
KOSHER
Terms referring to Jewish dietary laws. There are 2 types - mixing meat & dairy, and animals which can or cannot be eaten
WHERE DID THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL COME FROM?
The 12 sons of Jacob
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TEMPLE & A SYNAGOGUE?
The Temple was built by King Solomon and located in Jerusalem. It contained the 10 Commandments in the Ark of the Covenant and was where ancient Jews offered sacrifices to God. The synagogue is where modern Jews offer prayers to God, and they are located all over the world.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TORAH & THE TALMUD?
The Torah is the written law, also known as the 5 Books of Moses. The Talmud is known as the Oral Law and is a collection of commentaries and debates on the events in the Torah
SH'MA
The most important prayer in the Jewish service, it re-affirms the Jewish connection to God