Key Words in Judaism

Question 1

Torah:

Answer 1

The first 5 Books of Moses

Question 2

Shekinah:

Answer 2

It is God’s presence dwelling in the world
Eg. Jews know that God is present when they pray, study and worship

Question 3

Shema:

Answer 3

• A prayer found in Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
• A proclamation of Jewish beliefs
• Said 2 times a day
• Jewish men wear the tallit and the tefillin when they say the Shema

Question 4

Decalogue:

Answer 4

The Ten Commandments

Question 5

Minyan:

Answer 5

A group of 10 or more people (just men in Orthodox communities) that pray together. Considered more holy

Question 6

Synagogue:

Answer 6

Jewish place of worship

Question 7

Convenant:

Answer 7

A promise made between God and his people - individuals chosen represent all people eg. Abraham & Moses

Question 8

Gan Eden:

Answer 8

Eternal - similar to the concept of heaven

Question 9

Gehinnom:

Answer 9

Temporary- similar to the concept of hell

Question 10

Mitzvot:

Answer 10

Commands from God - found in the Torah. There is a total of 613

Question 11

Pikuach Nefesh:

Answer 11

It is the preservation of life over any other
religious law, e.g. a doctor can save a life on the Sabbath.

Question 12

Tenakh:

Answer 12

Jewish Holy book - It is the Torah, the Nevi’im and the Ketuvim

Question 13

Talmud:

Answer 13

• The oral law of Judaism
• Has 2 parts, the Mishnah, the core texts, and Gemara, the interpretation from Rabbis

Question 14

Kosher:

Answer 14

Correct food Jews can consume

Question 15

Kashrut:

Answer 15

The state of food being kosher

Question 16

Messiah:

Answer 16

A person who will lead the Jewish people back to
Israel in the End of the Days

Question 17

Olam Ha-Ba:

Answer 17

Life to come - often closely linked to the
Messiah

Question 18

Tefillin:

Answer 18

Black boxes and straps that Jewish men wear when saying the Shema in the morning

Question 19

Mezuzah:

Answer 19

A container in door frame - expresses the
importance of the Shema

Question 20

Tallit:

Answer 20

A fringed prayer shawl that Jewish men wear when saying the Shema in the morning

Question 21

Reform and Orthodox differences:

Answer 21

• Reform Jews more relaxed / less strict.
• Orthodox Jews more traditional and strict.

Question 22

Festivals vs Rituals:

Answer 22

• Festivals celebrated annually to celebrate events in the past
• Rituals are celebrated and intended to happen only once (marriage, etc)