Term
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Definition
Topic 1: Franz Rosenzweig and the Star of Redemption
In the process of converting to Christianity, had a mystical experience of some sort in synagogue, and after that was never tempted to convert again. Fought in WWI and wrote “Star of Redemption” on postcards which he sent to his mother. He developed the symbolism of the star of redemption.
Topic 2: The development of monotheism
- Originally there was no doubt about the existence of other gods. It was more like “My God is stronger than your god.” God was localized in the tabernacle tent, later in Jerusalem and in the temple. Various passages show God as having to “come down” to do things on earth.
- After the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE, one would expect the Israelites to convert to Babylonian religion, or at least give up theirs (after all, the Babylonian gods were “stronger”). In stead, they remain faithful to God, but now he becomes transcendent, because He hears their prayers all the way from Babylonia. This is evidence by the return.
- And this is where the three omni’s begin to develop:
- God is omniscient
- God is omnipresent
- God is omnipotent
- There was tension between Hellenistic polytheism (anything goes – just put the new god in the pantheon) and pure Jewish monotheism as practiced by jews in diaspora.
- Finally, the monotheistic properties of God crystallized as follows:
- God is universal / transcendent
- Absolute monotheism
- God directs human history (Heilsgeschichte)
- God has no image
- A wooden or marble god can obviously not be omni – anything. Further, the God of Israel is regocnized by the Israelites to be the God of all the kings and peoples of the earth, not only Israel. Therefore there must be one standard for all people. Furthermore, He has no image. This is why the true God can never be placed in a pantheon.
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Term
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Definition
Topic 3: The “Otherness” and “Chosenness” of the Jewish People- God chose Israel through the covenant, a "legal" contract between the people of Israel and God, consummated at Sinai directly after the Exodus from Egypt.
- Already in the time of the patriarchs it has been written that God wants to bless all the people of the earth through their descendants. (Ex. 19).
- This has been experienced as a burden to many Jews. During the past 40-odd years many Jews have chosen to lessen the impact of their otherness.
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Term
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Definition
Jewish Law and Ethics - There are 613 mitzvot listed in the Torah.
- Of there, some are bein Adam le-Khavero (between people and other people).
- Other mitzvot are between people and God (bein Adam le-Makom).
List the headings in this section - "In the Image of God" - This refers to the human mind and its self-awareness.
- "Do not put a stumbling block in front of a blind man".
- "Justice, Justice you shall pursue" - about Tzedek. Abram and God. Desmond Tutu.
- "An eye for an eye"
- The treatment of "Strangers"
- Who are the three weakest categories of people?
- Unto the third and fourth generation ... punishment can be inherited?. Hammurabi.
- Killing of innocent people.
- The noahide laws.
- The fear of God.
- Tzedaka
- Menschlikheit
- The 36 (vav-lamed) tzaddikim (and Rabbi Aryeh Levine)
- Kiddush Ha-Shem, Khillul Ha-Shem.
- Pidyon Shvuyim
- Pikuakh Nefesh
- Lashon Ha-Ra / Motzi Shem Ra. The Rabbi and the Cantor.
- Prevention of cruelty to animals.
- Honoring your parents.
- The value of human life.
- Bikur Kholim.
- Rabbi Akiva, Ben-Gurion.
- Ha-Kkhnasat Orkhim
- Hasidei Ummot Ha-Olam
- Shalom Bayit
- Ain Shallakh le-Dvar Aveirah (the Kfar Kassem incident).
- Teshuvah
- Yetzer ha-tov, Yetzer ha-ra.
- Mashiakh
- Olam ha-ba
- Tikkun Olam
- Divine Providence
- Idolatry
- Theodicy
- Talmud Torah
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Term
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Definition
Topic 4: The Hebrew Bible
The Tanakh is comprised of the following sections:
- Torah (pentateuch),
- Nevi'im (prophets) and
- Ketuvim (Writings)
Torah: The law: The 5 books of Moses. Given by divine dictation. - This is Judaism's central document.
- Not referred to as the Old Testament in Judasism (go figure).
- Contains the creation and deluge narratives, Moses and Exodus, and the 613 mitzvot.
- Torah was written down around 1220 BCE, shortly after the Exodus.
- In the Torah, each book is named after the first or second word, e.g.
- Genesis = Brei'sheet (in the beginning).
- Exodus = "Shemot" (These are the NAMES of the sons of
Jacob...).
- Va-Yikra = Leviticus: mostly sacrificing and temple rituals.
- Ba-Midbar: Numeri. Korakh's rebellion against Moses.
- Devarim: Deuteronomy. Moses farewell thoughts before
they enter Canaan.
Nevi'im: The prophets.
These are narrative prophets and their writings are exhortatory. Divinely inspired. Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I and II Kings: dramatic narratives of the history of Israel.
Ketuvim The writings.
Psalms, Job, Songs of Solomon, Ruth, Chronicles etc. These are quasi-divinely inspired. (Job = Theodicy) Esther - the Purim story. |
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Term
| Ethical Monotheism. Give the Hebrew term for the "Perfection of the World" |
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Definition
Tikkun Olam.
The purpose of Jewish existence is "to perfect the world under the rule of God." "Ethical perfection" and "rule of God" is equaly important. All people who hold this are ethical monotheists, thus natural allies of the Jews. However, many Jews have lost sight of this goal. Heschel: "The Jewish people are a messenger who has forgotten his message."
This principle is reiterated 3 times a day in the "Aleinu" prayer.
The term "ethical monotheism" is 18th century Reform Judaism's most important contribution to Jewish thought.
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Term
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Definition
- There are 613 mitzvot.
- They may be roughly divided into 2 groups:
* Mitzvot bein Adam le-Khavero between people and other people (ETHICAL) and
* Mitzvot bein Adam le-Makom - between people and God (RITUAL).
- In the Western world, voluntary acts of goodness rank higher than "forced" act. However, in Judaism, it carries greater merit to carry out a commandment.
- Going on a diet is voluntary. Diets get broken. Always.
- BUT keeping kosher is a lifetime commitment because it's a mitzvah.
- People stop giving charity when times are hard, but Jews don't,because it's a mitzvah.
- Many Jews are only aware of the ritual laws. But even if you only honor your parents and do not have incestuous relationships, you are keeping some important mitzvot.
Example of Ethical component to a Ritual mitzvah
- Kashrut: a ritual mitzvah, but with the ethical component that animals must be slaughtered humanely and not, for example, hunted.
- Another example: Sabbat mitzvot are ritual, BUT: ethical component: give your servant time off. |
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Term
| Midterm Term: "The heart is drawn after the actions" |
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Definition
Especially in American culture, it is important to "feel good" when doing good. "It makes you feel good" to give to charity. For this reason, many respondents in a poll felt that it was better to give, say $10 out of the goodness of your heart than to be forced to give $100 grudgingly.
The Jewish views is opposite. It is a mitzvah to give, whether or not you feel particularly generous at the time. - Firstly, it should be about the recipient, not the giver, and $100 is definitely going to do more good. - Secondly, the heart is drawn after the action - after being commanded to give to charity all your life, it becomes second nature, and makes you, whether you like it or not, a generous person.
In this way, not only the mitvzvah regarding Tzadeka, but all the mitzvot bein Adam le-Khavero form your humanity into a more ethical shape. |
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Term
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Definition
The Talmudic rabbis knew human nature. People are always testing the fences to see how far they can go.
In setting up a "fence around the law", they extended the provisions of the law to keep the people away from the edges of transgression.
Example: while Leviticus 15:25-33 forbids sexual intercourse during a woman's mentrual period, the rabbis extended this prohibition to a full seven days after her last flow. Why? This is a "fence around the law" to make sure that people do not transgress by mistake.
Another area in which this fence is evident, is in the area of keeping the Sabbath. It has evolved from the fairly straightforward prohibition against work, perhaps necessitated by modern inventions, to topics such us driving cars or turning on electric lights. Much of these additional regulations are based on exegesis by juxtaposition of the types of work that had to be stopped on the Sabbath while the Israelites were constructing the tabernacle.
Example: Muk-tze. Because you may ont SPEND money on the Sabbath, you shouln't even TOUCH money on the Sabbath.
Example: Because you shouldn't commit adultery, a rabbi shouldn't even touch a female congregant. |
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Term
Midterm Term: interpretation of the Talmud.
In which two types of discussion did the Rabbis engage? (Give hte Hebrew terms). |
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Definition
Two types of legal discussion based on Talmud were HALAKHA and AGGADATA.
HALAKHA: Purely legal matters, such as two men disputing the ownership of a cloak, and
AGGADATA: Ethical and folkloristic speculations. Example: The story about Rabbi Eliezer who discussed whether an oven that had become impure could be purified again. Aftern even God himself spoke from heaven, the Rabbis would still not concede. This is purely an anecdote.
Also includes medical advice and moralistic lessons.
MIDRASH:
Two types: midrash aggada (derives sermoninc implications from the biblical text, and midrash halakha which derives laws from it.
Since they believed not a single word in the text was superfluous, they strove to derive meaning fro every single word or phrase. Example "Noah was righteous and blameless in his generation." Now what would "in his generation" mean?
Modern usage:
halakha: Jewish law. "What's the halakha in this case?"
aggada: any legendar or folkloric writing.
midrash: in general an interpretation on a Torah passage.
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Term
Midterm term: When a life is at stake. Give the Hebrew phrase. |
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Definition
PIKUAKH NEFESH
If life is at stake, all Jewish laws except three are suspended. Example, someone gets very sick on the Sabbath. Drive him to hospital. In fact, Rambam says about this type of case: It is prefereable that a Jew does this work, to show the world that Judaism is about "compassion, loving-kindness and peace in the world."
Rabbi Soloveichnik was lenient about letting very sick people eat on Yom Kippur. No, he said. I'm just strict about nefesh pikuach.
A group of Jewish fighters were wiped out by the Syrians in the 2nd century (Macabbee revolt) because they wouldn't fight on the Sabbath. Mattathias Macabbee's group decided that they would fight back if attacked on the Sabbath.
THE THREE EXCEPTIONS
1. Not to commit idolatry, even if your life it as stake. This mostly applies to foced conversion.
2. Not to take an innocent life, even if your own life is at stake.
3. Not to have forbidden sexual relations (.e.g. incest), even if your life is at stake.
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
WORK
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation |
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Definition
MELAKHA / MELAKHOT: "Work." There are 39 defined based on interpretation of the Torah. Principle is: don't "create" anything.
#38: Striking with a hammer (putting the finishing touches on anything);
#39: Carrying objects from your private domain to a public domain.[image]
[image] |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
FENCE TO CREATE A PRIVATE DOMAIN (related to the Sabbath)
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
ERUV: A fence that designates the fenced-in area as a private domain.
Pl. ERUVIM |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
OBJECT THAT MAY NOT BE HANDLED ON THE SABBATH
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
MUK_TZE
Anything that, by extension of the "fence around the law" may not be handled on the Sabbath. For example, you may not spend money on the Sabbath. The extension is: don't even touch money on the Sabbath. "Don't play with those coins - they are muk-tze. |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
WOMAN OF VALOR
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
Aishet Khayyil (Proverbs 31:10-31)
This poem is read by the husband before the meal.
Aishet, Khayyil![image] |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
BLESSING OF THE WINE
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
KIDDUSH
Any blessing is Kiddush. Wine is blessed at the Sabbath table before it is distributed. |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
WASHING OF THE HANDS
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
NETILAT YADAYIM
After the kiddush and drinking of the wine, hands must be washed in preparation of eating the challah. |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
BREAD EATEN AT THE SABBATH MEAL
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
CHALLAH (Pl. CHALLOT)
Hands are washed before eating challah and a special kiddush called HAMOTZI is said. |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
BLESSING SAID OVER THE CHALLOT
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
Probably the best known Hebrew blessing:
HAMOTZI
Ha-motazi lehkem min ha-aretz (... who brings forth bread from the earth) |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
SHABBAT TABLE SONGS
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
ZMIROT
Songs dealing with Sabbath themes that are sung at the Shabbat table. |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
GRACE AFTER MEALS
Give the Hebrew term and a short explanation. |
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Definition
BIRKAT HA-MAZON
An extended series of blessings thanking God for the food He provided. Some families sing this aloud, & it can last up to ten minutes. |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
Give the sequence of events that comprise the Friday night Sabbath meal. |
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Definition
1. Lighting of the candles
2. Blessing of the children.
3. Aishet Khayyil (Woman of valor)
4. Kiddush (Blessing)
5. Netilat Yadayim (Washing of the hands)
6. Hamotzi (Well known blessing for bread)
7. Zmirot (Tables songs)
8. Birkat ha-mazon (Grace after meals) |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
Discuss the three meals served on the Sabbath. Give the Hebrew term for the Saturday afternoon meal. |
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Definition
1. Most important: Friday night (the Sabbath meal).
2. Saturday after morning prayers.
3. Late Saturday afternoon. Served at the synagogue - bread, herring and gefilte fish. Taken at leisure, could be accompanied by singing and Torah discussion. Called SHALOSH SE'UDOT which means "three meals". |
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Term
Topic: Sabbath
How is the Sabbath ended? Give the Hebrew term. |
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Definition
The ceremony that closes the Sabbath is HAVDALAH which means "separation."
It has been called KIDDUSH for the coming week.
1. Braided candles are lit.
2. A winde cup is filled to overflowing.
3. The spice box is passed around.
Each step is blessed.
Before or after havdala, there is a song about "Eliyahu ha-Navi" - Elijah the prophet. |
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Term
Topic: Holidays
List the 4 types of holidays and enumerate each |
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Definition
1. PILGRIMAGES
1.1 Passover
1.2 Shavuot
1.3 Sukkot
2. HIGH HOLIDAYS
2.1 Rosh Hashanah
2.2 Yom Kippur
3. RABBINIC HOLIDAYS & FASTS
3.1 Chanukah
3.2 Purim
3.3 Tisha B'Av
4. CONTEMPORARY HOLIDAYS
4.1 Yom ha-Shoah
4.2 Yom ha-Atzma'ut
4.3 Yom Yerushalayim |
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Term
Topic: Holidays
Discuss the Jewish religious calendar |
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Definition
The calendar is Solilunar, that is, a lunar calendar calibrated to fit into the solar calendar.
- The cycle is 19 years
- 7 of those are leap years, i.e. they have an extra month.
- Unadjusted, the calendar would lose 11 days each year.
The months
1.Tishrei
2.Kheshvan
3.Kislev
4.Tevet
5.Shvat
6.Adar
7.Nissan
8.Iyyar
9.Sivan
10.Tammuz
11.Av
12.Elul |
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Term
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Definition
ROSH HASHANAH
- Falls in month of Tishrei. This is not the first month of the Jewish
calendar - Nissan is.
- Starts off the Jewish year.
- Commerates the creation of the world.
- One of the High Holy Days (Yamim Nora'im - days of awe). They are of
a more personal nature.
- The purpose is an ethical and religious reassessment of your life.
- The SHOFAR is blown 100 times during the two days of Rosh Hashanah.
Rambam says the piercing cry says: "Wachet auf! Wake up you
sleepers and repent!"
- On this day, the quick and the dead for the next year are "written up".
- However, Jews are instructed not to be morbid on these days. To that end, apple & honey are eaten to symbolize a "sweet" year ahead. |
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Term
Topic: Holidays.
What is the Hebrew name of the special prayerbook used on the High Holy Days? |
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Definition
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Term
Topic: High Holy Days
Describe the ceremony performed on the first day of Rosh Hashana to symbolize the throwing away of sins. |
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Definition
TASHLIKH ("Throwing")
Mica 7:19: "God shall throw their sins into the depths of the sea.
Jews congregate at a body of water and empty their pockets over the water, symbolically throwing away their sins. |
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Term
Topic: Holidays
Describe the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Give the Hebrew term. |
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Definition
ASERET Y'MEI TESHUVA
These are the 10 days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
During this time it is believed that the names of those who will live through the coming year are written in one book, and the names of those who will die in the coming year, in another.
The guys in the middle (BEINONIM) (the okes who live in Benoni - private reference, sorry) are in a separate book and their fate is decided during the ASERET Y'MEI TESHUVA based on how they act during that period. |
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Term
Topic: Holidays
Discuss Yom Kippur
Give the Hebrew term for "Repentance". |
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Definition
YOM KIPPUR - Day of Atonement - follows ten days after Rosh Hashanah, also in the month of Tishrei.
"Repentance" = TESHUVA
- It is primarily a day of atonement between a person and God. However, one should make all efforts to reconcile with one's fellowmen before attempting atonement with God.
- It is a fast day. Starts an hour before the holiday, lasts 24 hours.
* No drinking liquids
* No bathing
* No sex
* No leather on your feet
- Not meant to be a somber day, though, but a happy one.
- In terms of PIKUAH NEFESH children are always exempt from fasting ,and pregnant women may eat if the feel hunger pangs. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs have to fast the whole time.
- Longest sinagogue service of the year, Kol Nidrei is sung.
- A multitude of sins is confessed under breast-beating. (Al Khet prayer).
- Ne'ilah is closing of the gates. This is where people pray sincerely to God for forgiveness before the "gates close" until the next year.
- Service ends with a long note on the SHOFAR.
- It's a cathartic holiday, and when it's over, people feel at peace with God and the world. |
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Term
Holidays: Discuss Sukkot
Which three holidays are combined into Sukkot?
What are the four plants?
What is the lesson of SUKKOT? |
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Definition
SUKKOT is one of the three PILGRIMAGE holidays and follows YOM KIPPUR by only four days in the month of Tishrei.
The three holidays that make up Sukkot are:
1. Sukkot
2. Shmini Atzeret
3. Simkhat Torah
SUKKA is a temporary "booth" made of wood or canvas, loosely roofed over with growing materials such as palm fronds or bamboo shoots.
All meals are eaten in the SUKKA.
Prayers are said with the following plants in your hands:
1-3: LULAV A palm brandc bound together with 2 willow twigs and 3 myrtle twigs.
4: ETROG - a citron which must be perfect.
7th day: All the scrolls are withdrawn from the ark. People march round the synagogue 7 times carrying lulav and etrog.
8th day: SHMINI ATZERET Basically a prayer for rain in Israel.
The lesson is " Don't become too attached to the (diaspora) land you live in - as a Jew, you live on Jerusalem Time, not Greenwich Mean Time. |
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Term
Topic: Holidays
What is tyhe Hebrew name for the days that fall in the middle of the Passover and Sukkot periods? |
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Definition
KHOL HA-MOED
This means "Secular Holidays" - an oxymoron. They are partly holiday, partly "normal" days. The Rabbis are somewhat ambivalent about these days. |
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Term
Discuss the "Rejoicing in the Law" holiday - give the Hebrew term. |
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Definition
SIMKHAT TORAH comes at the end of SUKKOT. It marks the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings.
- During the evening service, at the beginning of the holiday, the scrolls are removed from the ARK and a HAKAFAH begins - a march around the inside of the synagogue. People kiss the Torah while they march and dance around the bearers when they get back to the ark. This is repeated 7 times.
- Great happiness, quite frankly, chaos during the morning service. People drink liquor, drown out the service with their own singing; children play pranks.
- MINYANIM (prayer quorums of men, numbering at least ten) are formed to match each of the synagogue's scrolls. This gives everyone a chance of ALIYAH (going "up" to bless the Torah.) |
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Term
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Definition
Date: 25th of Kislev - always close to Christmas.
Origin: The Macabbean revolt / Hasmonean rule. (167 BCE). Antiochus from Syria - not the sharpest knife in the drawer - and cruel - tried to destroy Judaism.
After the desecration of the Temple by the Syrians, the Jewish soldiers could find only one lamp full of purified oil - not enough to burn for the eight days it would take to resanctify the tample. Miraculously, that oil burned for 8 days, and the temple was ritually purified.
That is why Hanukka is celbrated for eight days.
An additional candle is lit every day, until eight candles are burning. The candles are placed in the windows to publicize the miracle. |
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Term
| Holidays: New year for trees |
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Definition
TU B'SHVAT - means "The Fifteenth of the month Shvat.
Jewish new year for trees. |
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Term
| Holidays: What festival celebrates the book of Esther? |
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Definition
PURIM celebrates the survival of Israel against those who would destroy the people, and the downfall of those perpetrators.
Jews (except recovering alcaholics, etc.) are commanded to get drunk until they cannot get the hphrase "Blessed is Mordecai, cursed is Haman" straight any more.
("From the beginning of Adar we increase our happiness")
People dress in costume for the service, and they take groggers (noisemakers) with them - every time Haman's name is mentioned, it is greeted with boo's and loud noisemaking.
At the party afterwards, people get drunk and perform Purimshpiels. |
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Term
| Passover. Give the Hebrew term and discuss |
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Definition
PESACH
Celebrates freeing from slavery and beginning of Jewish nationhood.
1. Matzah - unleavened bread.
2. In Temple times, bring lamb for sacrifice.
3. After 70 CE, the SEDER in the home replaced the temple sacrifice.
4. Removal of the KHAMETZ (products that contain leavening).
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Term
| Discuss the Passover Haggada |
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Definition
A small book that is read at the Passover SEDER. This fulfills the command for fathers to instruct their children in the reasons for the celebration of the passover.
The children ask MA NISH-TANA ... ? - Why is this night different from all other nights?
DAYEINU - it would have been sufficient ..
Song: HAD GADYA: The cat ate the goat, the dog bit the cat, a stick beats the dog ... etc. Israels foes will be vanquished.
Concluded with next year in Jerusalem. |
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Term
| Discuss the Passover SEDER |
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Definition
- People recline on cushions, because they are free.
- The Haggada is read.
- MATZAH is eaten.
- MAROR is eaten - a bitter herb. (Remember MARA?)
- Four cups of wine are drunk at various points.
- A fifth cup - Elijah's cup is placed on the table.
- The children read MA NISH-TANA
- Half a matzah, the AFIKOMAN is hidden away early in the meal. Children steal it and hide it away, then bargain to restore it in exchage for toys, because the Passover SEDER cannot be concluded without eating the AFRIKOMAN.
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Term
| Discuss the Holocaust memorial day - give the Hebrew term |
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Definition
YOM HA-SHOA
Nissan 25.
There are no set rituals yet - the question of how to celebrate it is under debate.
2 minutes of silence throughout Israel. |
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Term
| Discuss Israel Independence Day. What's the Hebrew Term? |
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Definition
YOM HA-ATZMA'UT
There is much debate on how to celebrate this day, influenced by Zionist/anti-Zionist feelings, etc.
Many Jews feel it should not be a religious holiday.
[image] |
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Term
| Jerusalem Reunification Day. Hebrew? |
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Definition
YOM YRUSHALAYIM
Celebration of the liberation of Jerusalem from Jordan after the six day war in 1967. |
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Term
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Definition
It's one of the three Pilgrimage holidays and comes 50 days after the second day of passover.
OMER is a sheaf of harvested wheat. The counting of the omer is when each day is counted during the evening service, from one after passover to 50, when SHAVUOT begins.
So this holiday celebrates the end of the harvest, same kind of thing as Thanksgiving.
OMER is a time of semi-mourning, vaguely connected with Rabbi Akiva and his students during the Bar-Kochba revolt.
SHAVUAT is also a celebration of the giving of the Torah to Moses. Some Jews congregate at shul all night long and study Torah.
Finally, people eat only dairy products on SHAVUOT.
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Term
| The Ninth of Av. What is this phrase in Hebrew and what does the day commemorate? |
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Definition
TISHA B'AV - the Ninth of Av.
Commemorates the following:
1. Destruction of the first temple on this day in 586 BCE by the Babylonians,
2. The destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE.
3. Expulsion of Jews from England in 1290
4. Expulsion from Spain in 1492
It's a full fast day, including drinking liquids, with the usual exceptions.
Lamentations of Jemeriah is read at the service and people truly mourn, some sobbing.
Tefillot are not worn on this day, and people sit on the floor.
The three weeks preceding this day is a time of mourning - especially the last nine days, when hair and beards are not cut/shaved and clothes not washed. |
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Term
| People/Religion (Modern period) |
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Definition
1. Historically, they are people of a covenant with God, inyto which they entered at Sinai, shortly after leaving Egypt. "You shall by a people unto Me and I will be your God."
2. This gives rise to Jewish chosenness.
3. Even before the rise of Christianity, this separateness seems to have angered the nations. Babylonia, Assyria, Syria, the Romans, Christianity and Islam all oppressed the nation of Israel, and afterwards the Jewish people in diaspora.
4. The destuction of the First Temple in 586 BCE heralded the first diaspora into mostly Babylonia, end the fall of the second temple in 70 CE made caused a new diaspora into the world.
5. Persecution does not end there: Jews were expelled from England in 1290 and from Spain in 1492.
6. All these tribulations have led many Jews to attempt to separate their Jewish nationhood from their religious heritage.
7. In 1789, Count Clermont-Tonnere in the Revolutionary council: "Give them everything as individuals - they must become citizens; but deny them everything as a nation."
7b. 1790 - George Washington's letter to the Jews of Newport, RI. This was not really an "emancipation", because the US never had any discriminatory legislation on the books.
8. In 1807, Napoleon convened his Sanhedrin of Jewish leaders and posed the question: Will you be citizens of France or Jews?
Three factors influence Jewish identy abova all:
1. The Enlightenment.
2. Anti-Semitism
3. The State of Israel. |
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Term
| Mention some facts about Reform Judaism |
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Definition
1. A product of the Enlightenment, aided by Napoleons reforms and conquests.
2. First temple erected by Israel Jacobson in Westphalia in 1810, but it came to naught as the French withdrew.
3. Spread to England (1st temple 1842) and to the USA (1824).
4. Adopted the 13 principles of Maimonides, but cut much of the rest.
5. Find themselves today moveing closer to traditional Judaism. |
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Term
| Talk about Orthodox Judaism |
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Definition
In a way, they are the group "left behind" in the early 19th century (1807) when the Reform movement broke away.
Orthodox Judaism includes Hasidic groups, who were themselves regarded as controversial at first. |
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Term
| Talk about Conservative Judaism |
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Definition
1. Ideological father: Zacharias Frankel (b. 1801)
2. Forged by Solomon Schecter in USA (2nd half ot the 19th century).
3. TENETS: (a) Halakha is still central, but they are readier than Orthodox Jews to adapt to surrounding culture. |
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Term
Kashrut: What is the rationale for kashrut given in the Torah? |
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Definition
| "Be holy because I am holy" says God. |
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Term
Kashrut: Discuss aspects of kosher food preparation.
What animals are kosher? |
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Definition
1. Slaughter must be humane. Hunting is inhumane.
2. Milk and meat may never mix (milchig, fleishig)
3. All the blood must be drained. Meat is salted to withdraw all blood.
4. Only slaughtered animals are eaten - no roadkill!
5. Cloven hoof and chewing the cud: Cows, sheep and goats.
6. Only fish with scales: no shrimp, calimari or lobster.
7. Kosher wine is made under rabbinical supervision.
8. After eating meat, a certain time must pass before one can have dairy products. |
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Term
What is the Hebrew for "Laws of Family Purity"?
What's the Hebrew term for a menstruating woman? |
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Definition
TAHARAT HA-MISHPAKHA
NIDDAH |
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Term
Synagogue and Prayer:
How many prayer services are there? What are they called? |
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Definition
1. Morning: SHACHARIT
2. Afternoon: MINCHA
3. Night: MA'ARIV
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Term
Synagogue and Prayer:
Give the Hebrew for "Prayerbook". What does it mean? |
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Definition
| SIDDUR. It means "order" or "arrangement". |
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Term
Synagogue and Prayer:
Hebrew for "The yoke of Heaven" |
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Definition
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Term
| Hebrew for "the silent meditation" |
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Definition
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Term
| Hebrew for: The (Synagogue service) leader. |
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Definition
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Term
| Hebrew for: the central table/platform (type of lectern) |
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Definition
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Term
| Hebrew for "The Ark" in front of Synagogue |
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Definition
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Term
| Hebrew for "Going Up" to bless the Torah |
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Definition
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Term
| Hebrew for "The seven blessings" read by the groom at the weddsing ceremony. |
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Definition
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Term
| Hebrew for the marriage contract |
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Definition
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