Key Terms
What is the "covenant" in Judaism?
An agreement between God and His people (i.e. the Jewish people).
What symbol, found on an ancient shield, represents Judaism and Jewish identity?
Who received the Torah from God and where did it happen?
Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai
What day of the week is the Jewish Sabbath?
Saturday
What does “Omnipotent” mean in relation to God?
All-powerful.
What is meant by the term “diaspora” refer to in Judaism?
Jewish population living outside Israel.
What is the small cloth head covering worn by Jewish people (mostly men) during prayer called?
Kippah
Where did Abraham travel to after leaving Mesopotamia and why?
Abraham travelled to Canaan because God promised him and his descendants a "promised land" of their own 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?
They believe the Messiah (a descendent of King David) has not yet come, which reflects hope for future redemption for the Jewish people
What does “Mitzvot” mean and how many are there total?
Laws/Commandments (instructions on HOW to live). There are 613 in total: 248 Positive, 365 Negative, 10 Commandments
What is kept inside the 2 black boxes of teffilin?
Scrolls with verses from the Torah
What is the story of Exodus about?
The Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt
What does “Kosher” refer to? Name ONE law.
Foods are prepared and eaten according to Jewish dietary laws as outlined in the Torah (e.g. do not eat pigs, meat must not be consumed with milk, etc.)
What is ONE reason leading to the anti-semitism which was central to the Holocaust?
e.g. Jews were seen as outsiders with no homeland; they had very different religious customs; Christian Extremists blamed them for murdering Jesus Christ (their saviour)
What is the Shema?
One of the most important Jewish prayer declaring belief in ONE God.
What is a menorah and what does it represent?
A seven-branched candle symbolizing the 6 days of creation and the Sabbath (day 7)
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?
The kaddish prayer
Name TWO Core Beliefs of Judaism.
e.g. Belief in one God; Jews are God's "chosen people"; God will provide them with a "promised land"; keep the covenant with God by following the mitzvot/commandments; a Messiah will come; life and death have meaning as part of God's plan
What is "Shiva" and how long does it last?
7 day mourning period for the dead immediately after the funeral
On the Seder plate, what does the lamb shank bone represent?
A reminder of the first Passover lamb sacrificed in the Temple
What did the Babylonians do that prevented the Jewish people from worshipping and contributed to their exile from Judah and Israel in 700-500 BCE?
They burned the First Temple (Solomon's Temple)
What is Purim and when does it occur?
A Jewish festival celebrating the saving of Jews from their annihilation in Persia, usually occurring in February or March
What are the 3 sections of the Tanakh? Does this represent the Oral or Written foundations of Judaism?
Torah (Teachings/laws), Nevi’im (Prophets), Ketuvim (Writings); they form the written tradition