Judaism Flashcards
(82 cards)
what are the four characteristics of religion?
Beliefs and believers
Sacred texts and writings
Ethics
Rituals and ceremonies
What is the context to Abraham?
Polytheism was the dominant religious belief
Who are important characters in the story of Abraham
Terah - Father of Abraham
Sarari/Sarah - Wife and mother of Isaac
Hagar - Child bearer of Ishmael
Ishmael - Son of Abraham and Hagar
Issac -Son of Abraham and Sarah
Key events in the story of Abraham
Abram (later Abraham) was born in Ur, moved to Haran, and was called by God to go to Canaan, with a promise of blessing and numerous descendants.
Though wealthy, Abram and his wife Sarai (later Sarah) were childless; God promised them a son despite their old age.
Sarai, doubting God’s promise, gave her servant Hagar to Abram, and Hagar bore a son named Ishmael.
God reaffirmed His covenant, changing Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s to Sarah, promising a son through Sarah named Isaac.
Sarah gave birth to Isaac as promised, fulfilling God’s covenant and establishing Abraham as the father of many nations.
What is a covernant
A covenant is a formal, solemn and binding agreement.
Who is the covernant between?
the covenant is between G-d and the descendants of Abraham- the Jews.
What were the two promises made to Abraham with biblical quotes
God promised that Abraham would become the father of many nations.
“You shall be the father of a multitude of nations… I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come forth from you.” (Genesis 17:4–6)
God also promised to give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan forever.
“I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession.” (Genesis 17:8)
What must Jews do as a sign of this covernant
As a sign of the covenant, God commanded that every Jewish male must be circumcised.
“Every male among you shall be circumcised… it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.” (Genesis 17:10–11)
Can you outline the story of Exodus?
Joseph’s family settles in Egypt, and their Hebrew descendants multiply; a new Pharaoh, fearing their numbers, enslaves them and orders all newborn Hebrew boys to be killed.
Baby Moses is saved by his mother and raised by Pharaoh’s daughter; as an adult, he flees Egypt after killing an Egyptian and is called by God through a burning bush to free the Hebrews.
Moses demands the Hebrews’ release; Pharaoh refuses, so God sends ten plagues, ending with the death of Egypt’s firstborns, leading Pharaoh to finally let the Hebrews go.
God parts the Sea of Reeds to allow the Hebrews to escape; the pursuing Egyptian army is drowned, and this event becomes central to the Jewish celebration of Passover.
At Mount Sinai, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments and 613 laws (mitzvot), renewing the covenant and setting the foundation for Jewish faith, law, and identity.
What is the name of the jewish bible or the hebrew bible or the jewish sacred text
The Tenach
What are the three categories of the Tenach?
Torah (Teachings) Neviim (Prophets) Ketuvim (Writings/wisdom)
What does the word Torah mean?
Direction or teaching
What is the Torah
It is the first five books of the Torah and also known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses
What does the torah contain?
The covenant
The commandments + Mitzvots
Ethical teachings
Foundational stories of Jewish faith
What are the first five books of Moses or the books of the Torah?
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
who is a prophet?
A prophet is someone chosen by G-d to deliver messages to the people and guide them back to G-d’s ways. Prophets were respected as holy and wise leaders who set spiritual and moral examples for the community.
What is the Nev’im?
A collection of historical books and prophetic writings that tell the stories and history of the Jewish/Hebrew people and also focus on faith, justice and compassion, reminding them of their responsibilities to themself, others and God
What is Ketuvim?
Overall, Ketuvim offers spiritual insight, historical reflection, and ethical teachings central to Jewish belief and identity.
What are the twp main parts of the Talmud?
The Mishnah
The Gemara
Whats the Mishnah?
The Mishnah is the written form of the Oral Torah, which was originally passed down verbally as a way to interpret and apply the teachings of the Torah to new and changing circumstances.
What is at service of the written torah?
The oral torah also known as the Talmud
what is the talmud?
The Talmud is one of the central texts of Judaism, second in importance only to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) in traditional Jewish religious life. The word “Talmud” comes from the Hebrew root meaning “study” or “learning,” and it refers to a vast compilation of ancient teachings, debates, and commentaries that interpret and expand upon Jewish law, ethics, customs, and history
How many books are in the Mishnah?
6
How many books are in the Torah?
5
