Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Judaism
N/A
52
Religious Studies
Undergraduate 3
08/04/2009

Additional Religious Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Afikomen
Definition
Piece of unleavened bread set aside to be eaten at the end of Passover meal.
Term
Aggadah
Definition
"Lore"; that part of the oral Torah which contains expositions of biblical texts, theologies, philosophies, and stories related to Jewish life.
Term
Antiochus IV
Definition
Ruler of Syria who tried to force Jews to assume Hellenistic ways.
Term
Ashkenazim
Definition
Jews who come from Europe, especially eastern Europe.
Term
Bar Mitzvah
Definition
"Son of the commandment"; boy's attainment of adulthood at age 13 and his obligation to keep the Jewish law. He is called up in the synagogue to read from the Torah.
Term
Bat Mitzvah
Definition
"Daughter of the commandment"; ritual for 12 year old girls such as Bar Mitzvah.
Term
Diaspora
Definition
The world outside Israel.
Term
Gemara
Definition
Commentary by later rabbis on issues raised in the Mishnah.
Term
Get
Definition
Religious divorce obtainable only at the request of the husband.
Term
Hagaddah
Definition
The ritual retelling of the story of Passover during the seder meal.
Term
Halacha
Definition
That part of the oral Torah which is law.
Term
Hanukkah
Definition
Light festival celebrating victory over the Hellenization program of Antiochus IV.
Term
Hasidim
Definition
Members of a mystical Jewish movement that emerged in eastern Europe in the 18th century which focuses on the love of and a personal relationship with God.
Term
Hoshana Rabba
Definition
"The great Hosanna"; 7th day of Succoth. Prayers are said for a good harvest cycle.
Term
Kaddish
Definition
Prayer reflecting God's greatness and triumph; recited by mourners at prayer services during period of mourning.
Term
Ketuvim
Definition
"Writings"; third portion of Jewish Bible.
Term
Kippah / Yarmulka
Definition
Circular head covering worn by males.
Term
Kol Nidre
Definition
Prayer said on eve of Yom Kippur asking God forgiveness for breaking vows.
Term
Kosher
Definition
"Fit"; food which Jews are permitted to eat.
Term
Mazzah
Definition
Unleavened bread.
Term
Megillah
Definition
Scroll read during celebration of Purim, retelling story of Esther.
Term
Menorah
Definition
Candelabrum, 7-branched version was one of the temple furnishings and today symbolizes Israel on its national seal; the 9-branched version is specifically used to commemorate Hanukkah, 8 of the candles symbolizing the 8 days of the festival and the 9th traditionally being used to light the others.
Term
Mezuzah
Definition
Parchment containing 2 paragraphs of Shema placed in small box affixed to doorpost.
Term
Midrash
Definition
Portion of oral tradition not incorporated into Gemara. Recorded separately.
Term
Mikveh
Definition
Ritual bath.
Term
Minyan
Definition
Ten males (or males and females) required for certain prayers.
Term
Mishnah
Definition
The written compilation of what had been oral halacha (law).
Term
Mitnagdim
Definition
Opponents of Hasidim who emphasized on learning tradition rather than emotion.
Term
Mohel
Definition
The person who performs the ritual of circumcision.
Term
Nevi'im
Definition
"Prophets"; 2nd part of the Jewish Bible.
Term
Passover
Definition
Spring festival celebrating the salvation of the people of Israel when the angel of death passed over Israel's firstborn in Egypt, as well as Israel's ultimate deliverance from bondage.
Term
Pogrom
Definition
Organized riots resulting in murder of Jews and robbing of homes and possessions.
Term
Purim
Definition
Spring festival celebrating deliverance of Jews in the days of Queen Esther.
Term
Rebbe
Definition
Spiritual head of a Hasidic community.
Term
Rosh Hashanah
Definition
Festival celebrating the new year.
Term
Sephardim
Definition
Jews who have come from Spain or Arab lands.
Term
Shema
Definition
"Hear"; name for Israel's fundamental confession of faith found in Deut. 6:4.
Term
Shemini Atzeret
Definition
8th day of assembly following Succoth, when prayers for rain are said.
Term
Shiva
Definition
7 days period of mourning by relatives of the deceased in the home.
Term
Shofar
Definition
Ram's horn sounded 100 times on Rosh Hashanah and again to end Yom Kippur.
Term
Simhat Torah
Definition
"Rejoicing of the Torah"; celebration of the conclusion and recommencement of the Torah reading cycle which takes place on Shemini Atzeret.
Term
Succoth
Definition
Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating divine protection of Israel during her wanderings in the wilderness.
Term
Sukkah
Definition
"Tabernacle"; booth constructed of 3 walls and partial roof in which families should partake of meals and may sleep during the celebration of Succoth.
Term
Tallit
Definition
Prayer shawl.
Term
Talmud
Definition
Mishnah plus Gemara; foundational writings of Orthodox Jewish life.
Term
Tanak
Definition
Name for Jewish Bible (our Old Testament). 3 parts: Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim.
Term
Tashlich
Definition
Symbolically casting sins into flowing water, performed on Rosh Hashanah.
Term
Tefillin
Definition
2 leather boxes worn on the arm and forehead at weekday morning prayers.
Term
Torah
Definition
Pentateuch, or 1st 5 books of the Tanak.
Term
Tzitzit
Definition
Fringes on the prayer shawl or undershirt which remind one of the commandments.
Term
Yom Kippur
Definition
Day of Atonement.
Term
Zionism
Definition
Movement to establish a Jewish state in the land of Israel.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!