Key Terms
What is a covenant in Judaism?
An agreement between God and His people.
What does the Star of David symbolize?
Judaism and Jewish identity.
Who received the Torah from God and where? What did it include?
Moses, on Mount Sinai, the 10 Commandments
What day of the week is the Jewish Sabbath?
Saturday.
What are the three reasons that lead to the Anti-Semitism around the Holocaust
- Outsiders and no homeland
- Very different religious customs
- Christian Extremists blame them for murdering Jesus Christ, their Saviour
What does the term “Diaspora” refer to?
Jewish population living outside Israel.
What is the menorah and what does it represent?
The seven-branched lampstand from the Temple, symbolizing light and wisdom.
Where did Abraham travel to after leaving Mesopotamia, and why?
Abraham traveled to Canaan because God promised him and his descendants the land as part of the covenant.
What is the sign that a Jewish boy is part of the chosen people, and why?
Circumcision, because it symbolizes the covenant between God and His people.
What do Jews believe about the Messiah, and why is this belief significant?
Jews believe the Messiah has not yet come, which reflects hope for future redemption.
What is the Shema Prayer?
A central Jewish prayer declaring belief in one God.
On the Seder plate, what does the lamb shank bone represent?
The first Passover lamb and reminder of Temple sacrifice.
What Jewish holiday marks the end of the 10 Plagues where God spared Jewish first born sons?
Passover (Pesach)
What prayer is traditionally recited at funerals?
Kaddish.
Name the six core beliefs of Judaism.
Belief in one God (others include Promised Land, Messiah, etc.).
What does “Mitzvot” mean and how many are there total? (Positive, Negative and Commandments)
Commandments (there are 613 in total).
248 Positive
365 Negative
10 Commandments
What does salt water on the Seder plate symbolize?
Tears and bitterness of slavery.
What is the story of Exodus about?
The Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt.
What does “Kosher” refer to? Name any one law.
Food prepared and eaten according to Jewish dietary laws.
What does “Omnipotent” mean in relation to God?
All-powerful.
What does Shiva mean and how long does it last?
7 day morning period for the dead immediately after the funeral
What does Elijah’s cup symbolize during Passover?
Prophetic hope for the coming of the Kingdom of God on Earth.
During the Exile and Babylonian Era, Judaism became modernized. What were the developments?
Judaism became portable, Synagogues became the central prayer center, Rabbis emerged, Studying the Torah, the Belief of the Messiah
What is Rosh Hashana and what time of year does it occur?
A Jewish festival celebrating the Jewish New Year, occurring in September.
What are the three sections of the Tanakh, and why are they important?
The Law (Torah), The Prophets (Nevi’im), and The Writings (Ketuvim); they form the foundation of Jewish scripture.