Judaism
the monotheistic religion of the Jews having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Torah and in the Talmud
Jew
A descendant of the acient Hebrews, the founders of the religion of Judaism; also, any person whose religion is Judaism
Abraham
Founder of Judaism who, according to the Bible, led his family from Ur to Canaan in obedience to God's command.
covenant
(Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return
Promised Land
Canaan, the land promised to the Hebrews by God
Chosen People
Abraham and his descendants whom God selected to receive his word
Exodus
the second book of the Old Testament: tells of the departure of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt led by Moses
Moses
The Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt across the Red Sea on a journey known as the Exodus
Ten Commandments
a set of laws for responsible behavior, given to Moses by God
Canaan
the area of Palestine considered the ancient home of the Hebrews, and the land that was promised to them by God
Solomon
King of Israel famous for his wisdom and his architectural projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem.
Western Wall
for Jews, the holiest site in Jerusalem; the only remaining portion of the Second Temple, built in 538 B.C. and destroyed in A.D. 70 by the Romans
prophet
someone who speaks by divine inspiration
Diaspora
the scattering of the Jews to countries outside of Palestine after the Babylonian captivity.
anti-Semitism
prejudice and/or hatred of jews.
pogrom
An organized massacre of helpless people, especially of Jews
Holocaust
the organized killing of European Jews and others by the Nazis during WWII
Palestine
the promised land for Jews; became their homeland & renamed Israel
Zionism
a policy for establishing and developing a national homeland for Jews in Palestine
Tenakh
it is the holy book of the Jews, it is written in Hebrew, which is considered a holy language
Torah
first five books of the Hebrew bible
Talmud
the collection of ancient Jewish writings that interpret the law of the Torah
synagogue
Jewish house of worship
temple
(Judaism) the place of worship for a Jewish congregation
rabbi
Jewish religious leader
Bar Mitzvah
an initiation ceremony marking the 13th birthday of a Jewish boy and signifying the beginning of religious responsibility
Bat Mitzvah
(Judaism) an initiation ceremony marking the 12th birthday of a Jewish girl and signifying the beginning of religious responsibility
Hebrew
Jewish language
kosher
food that fulfills the requirements of Jewish dietary law
Sabbath
a holy day for rest and worship
Rosh Hashanah
The jewish New Year
Yom Kippur
Jewish Day of Atonement- fasting and reflecting on one's sins
Passover
a Jewish festival (traditionally 8 days) celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt
seder
ritual meal; Jewish celebration of the last supper called the Passover meal
Hanukkah
An eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BC
Israel
Name of the country today that was called Palestine; founded in 1948
King David
built the Israelite empire and made Jerusalem the capital city.