Judaism Vocab

The spoken language of Jews

A trumpet made of a ram’s horn, used in religious ceremonies.

The state that was established to give a homeland to Jews

The holiest city to the Jewish people; the capital of Israel

Either of two small leather boxes containing parchment scrolls of Biblical text, worn during prayer

Interpretation and commentary on the Bible. By 100 CE, the rabbis had compiled a sizable body of commentary on the Bible

Fulfilling the requirements of the Jewish dietary laws of Kashruth.

A small circular cap worn by Jewish men; also known as a yarmulke.

A blessing recited when people drink wine that has been specially sanctified for the Sabbath or a holy day.

Fulfilling the requirements of the Jewish dietary laws of Kashruth

Means “anointed one.” The Jews hope that a great king will come to lead them.

The quorum of ten men (or men and women) over thirteen; years of age required for worship.

The name of God

A Greek word meaning “sowing of seed” or “dispersal.” ; The dispersal or sowing of seed of jews that left Israel

Hostility and prejudice toward Jews.

A ritual service and ceremonial dinner for the first night or first two nights of Passover.

The process of converting to judaism

The remaining part of the wall of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem where Jews traditionally pray and lament on Fridays.

A candelabrum with seven branches, used at home and in the synagogue on the Sabbath and holidays.

A person who receives a message from God and delivers that message to God’s people.

Refers to the Law of Moses as well as the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures and the entire belief system of the Jewish faith

A Hebrew term for the Holocaust meaning “destruction.”

An area of a city in which minority groups such as Jews were required to live.

The text of the five books of Moses hand written on parchment.

A place for congregational worship that emerged during the Exile

The jewish day of rest and holiness, begins on friday at sundown, ends on saturday at sunset

The religious initiation ceremony of a Jewish boy who has reached the age of thirteen

The wooden chest that held the tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments; Where the torah is housed

Early rabbinic teachings on how to live a life in accordance with the Torah.

Rabbinic teachings derived from the Mishnah. The main source of Jewish teaching from the medieval period to the present.

A seven-day period of mourning for the dead beginning immediately after the funeral.

As used in the Bible, a solemn and binding agreement between God and humanity.

A Jewish scholar or teacher, especially of the law