| Ashkenazim | Jews who lived in or came from central Europe.  Listen (45.0K)
|
 |
|
|
| bar mitzvah | "Son of the commandment" (Aramaic); the coming-of-age ceremony that marks the time when a young man is considered a legal adult within the Jewish community. Listen (41.0K)
|
|
|
|
| bat mitzvah | "Daughter of the commandment" (Aramaic); the coming-of-age ceremony that marks the time when a young woman is considered a legal adult within the Jewish community. Listen (410.0K)
|
|
|
|
| biblical Judaism | Judaism before the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.). Listen (39.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Canaan | An ancient name for the land of Israel. Listen (37.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Conservative Judaism | A branch of Judaism that attempts to blend the best of old and new Judaism. Listen (37.0K)
|
|
|
|
| covenant | A contract; the contract between the Hebrews and their God, Yahweh. Listen (39.0K)
|
|
|
|
| diaspora | The dispersion of Jews beyond Israel, particularly to Persia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean region. Listen (43.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Essenes | A semimonastic Jewish reclusive group that flourished from about 150 B.C.E. to 68 C.E. Listen (47.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Hanukkah | An early-winter festival recalling the rededication of the Second Temple, celebrated with the lighting of the candles for eight days. Listen (44.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Holocaust | The destruction of European Judaism by the Nazis; also known as Shoah (Hebrew: "extermination"). Listen (26.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Kabbalah | "Received," "handed down"; the whole body of Jewish mystical literature. Listen (44.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Ketuvim | "Writings"; the third section of the Hebrew Scriptures, consisting primarily of poetry, proverbs, and literary works. Listen (27.0K)
|
|
|
|
| kosher | "Ritually correct"; said particularly about food consumption and food preparation. Listen (16.0K)
|
|
|
|
| menorah | A candelabrum usually containing seven—and occasionally nine—branches used for religious celebrations. Listen (41.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Messiah | A savior figure to be sent by God, awaited by the Jews. Listen (25.0K)
|
|
|
|
| midrash | "Search"; rabbinical commentary on the scriptures and oral law. Listen (35.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Nevi'im | "Prophets"; the second section of the Hebrew Scriptures, made up of historical and prophetic books. Listen (42.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Orthodox | The most traditional branch of Judaism. Listen (26.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Passover | A joyful spring festival that recalls the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt and freedom from oppression. Listen (42.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Pharisees | A faction during the Second-Temple period that emphasized the observation of biblical rules. Listen (43.0K)
|
|
|
|
| prophet | A person inspired by God to speak for him. Listen (26.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Purim | Joyous festival in early spring that recalls the Jews' being saved from destruction, as told in the book of Esther. Listen (41.0K)
|
|
|
|
| rabbi | A religious teacher; a Jewish minister. Listen (32.0K)
|
|
|
|
| rabbinical Judaism | The Judaism that developed after the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.). Listen (38.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Reconstructionism | A modern liberal branch of Judaism that emphasizes the cultural aspects of Judaism. Listen (48.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Reform | A movement beginning in the nineteenth century that questioned and modernized Judaism; a liberal branch of Judaism. Listen (40.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Rosh Hashanah | "Beginning of the year"; the celebration of the Jewish New Year, occurring on the seventh lunar month. Listen (42.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Sabbath | "Rest"; the seventh day of the week (Saturday), a day of prayer and rest from work. Listen (39.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Sadducees | A priestly faction, influential during the Second-Temple period. Listen (43.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Seder | "Order"; a special ritual meal at Passover, recalling the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt. Listen (45.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Sephardim | Jews of Spain, Morocco, and the Mediterranean region. Listen (45.0K)
|
|
|
|
| sukkot | "Booths"; a festival in the late autumn that recalls the Jews' period of wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. Listen (26.0K)
|
|
|
|
| talit | A prayer shawl worn by devout males. Listen (18.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Talmud | An encyclopedic commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures. Listen (43.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Tanakh | The complete Hebrew Scriptures, made up of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings. Listen (39.0K)
|
|
|
|
| tefillin | Phylacteries; two small boxes containing biblical passages that are worn by Orthodox males on the heads and left arm at morning prayer during the week. Listen (38.0K)
|
|
|
|
| theophany | A revelation or appearance of God. Listen (51.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Torah | "Teaching," "instruction"; the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures; also the additional instructions of God, believed by many to have been transmitted orally from Moses through a succession of teachers and rabbis. Listen (38.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Western Wall | The foundation stones of the western wall of the last temple of Jerusalem, today a place of prayer. Listen (35.0K)
|
|
|
|
| yarmulke | The skullcap worn by devout males. Listen (38.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Yom Kippur | Day of Atonement, the most sacred day of the Jewish year. Listen (32.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Zealots | An anti-Roman, nationalistic Jewish faction, active during the Roman period of control over Israel. Listen (43.0K)
|
|
|
|
| Zionism | The movement that has encouraged the creation and support of the nation of Israel.Listen (42.0K)
|