Judaism Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is Ner Tamid?
The symbol of the eternal light inside the temple.
Symbolizes God’s relationship with the world.
What is Hanukkah?
An 8-day festival known as the ‘festival of lights’ celebrating the Jewish victory over Syrian Greeks in 165 B.C.E.
The festival commemorates the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days.
What is the significance of the Torah?
The most important section of the Tanakh, comprising the first five books of the Bible.
It includes stories and laws believed to be given directly from God to Moses.
What does Sit Shiva refer to?
A custom in the Death Ritual of Judaism where family members express grief for 7 days.
They wear somber clothing and a torn garment.
What is a Mezuzah?
A special box that contains the Shema, the central prayer of the Jews.
It signifies God’s presence in the house and is mounted on the right side of door frames.
What is the Menorah?
A 9-branched candelabrum central to Hanukkah.
It recognizes the miracle of the oil lasting for 8 days and represents Israel as ‘the light unto nations’ in Synagogues.
What does Diaspora mean?
The scattering of the Jewish people out of Israel across the world.
Initially due to the conquests of the Assyrians and Babylonians.
What is Yom Kippur?
Literally means ‘Day of Atonement,’ a solemn day of fasting on the 10th day of the Jewish new year.
Jews atone for their sins by reconciling with God and those they have wronged.
Who is Abraham?
The founder of the Monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam).
He is important for making the first covenant with God.
Who is Moses?
A leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt and made a covenant with God on Mount Sinai.
He received the 10 Commandments and all commandments that Jews follow.
Why do Jews consider themselves the Chosen People?
Because God made a special covenant with them.
Responsibilities include trusting and following God and demonstrating faithfulness to the world.
When do Jews typically go to synagogue?
On the Shabbat: Friday nights and Saturday mornings.
What is Rabbinic Judaism?
An era highlighting the resilience of Jewish culture and the importance of leadership in maintaining religious identity.
It began with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.
What are the three main parts of the Tanakh?
Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim.
What is the significance of the Shema?
The most important prayer for Jewish people, recited 3 times a day.
What does Kosher mean?
Fit to eat.
It refers to dietary laws followed by Jews as commanded by God.
What are some rules of Kosher?
Some rules include:
* Cannot eat pork or shellfish
* Animals must chew cud and have cloven hooves
* Fish must have fins and scales
* Cannot combine milk and meat.
What is the Brit Milah?
A ‘birth ceremony’ that occurs 8 days after the birth of a son.
The son is circumcised and given a Hebrew name.
What is the Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
A ‘coming of age ceremony’ celebrated at age 13 for boys and 12 for girls.
It recognizes that the child is now responsible for their religious training.
What is the Holocaust?
A period of genocide during World War II where six million Jews were killed.
What is Kristallnacht?
A violent pogrom against Jews in Nazi Germany on November 9-10, 1938.
What was the Enlightenment?
A period during the 17th and 18th centuries focusing on reason, science, and individual rights.
It led to divisions in Judaism.
What are the three branches of Judaism?
Reform, Conservative, Orthodox.
Describe the Reform branch of Judaism.
The least strict and most free branch; does not follow laws except the 10 commandments.
Worships mostly in English with equal participation of men and women.
