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