Religion: Judaism
Judaism - People and Places
- Moses: Topic Page
Hebrew lawgiver, probably b. Egypt. The prototype of the prophets, he led his people in the 13th cent. B.C. out of bondage in Egypt. - Jerusalem: Topic PageHeb. Yerushalayim, Arab. Al Quds, city (1994 pop. 578,800), capital of Israel.
- Synagogue: Topic PageA Jewish place of worship and religious instruction, or a Jewish religious assembly or congregation.
- Temple of JerusalemFrom The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Centre of Jewish national worship in Jerusalem, in both ancient and modern times, sited on Mount Moriah (or Temple Mount), one of the hills of Mount Zion. The Wailing Wall is the surviving part of the western wall of the enclosure of Herod's Temple. Since the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, Jews have gone there to pray and to mourn their dispersion and the loss of their homeland. - RabbiFrom The New Encyclopedia of Judaism
Title of a qualified Jewish religious authority and teacher. - YeshivahFrom The New Encyclopedia of Judaism
An institution dedicated to advanced rabbinic study. - Abraham (Biblical Patriarch): Topic PageIn the Bible, progenitor of the Hebrews and the founder of Judaism.
- David: Topic PageKing of the Hebrews 1004–965 BC.
- Jehovah: Topic PageIn the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), the name of God, revealed to Moses; in Hebrew texts it is represented by the letters YHVH (without the vowels "a o a") because it was regarded as too sacred to be pronounced; other religions say the letters as Yahweh.
Judaism - Scripture
- Old Testament: Topic PageChristian name for the Hebrew Bible, which serves as the first division of the Christian Bible (see New Testament).
- Torah: Topic PageIn Judaism, the first five books of the Tenakh, or Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament).
- Mishna: Topic PageIn Judaism, codified collection of Oral Law—legal interpretations of portions of the biblical books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy and other legal material.
- Talmud: Topic PageThe Talmud is a vast compilation of the Oral Law with rabbinical elucidations, elaborations, and commentaries, in contradistinction to the Scriptures or Written Laws, and is the accepted authority for Orthodox Jews everywhere.
- Hebrew language: Topic PageHebrew was the language of the Jewish people in biblical times, and most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew.
- Kosher: Topic PageConforming to religious law with regard to the preparation and consumption of food; in Judaism, conforming to the food laws (kashrut) of the Torah (as laid down in Deuteronomy and Leviticus) and the Mishnah.
Judaism
Dictionary of Jewish Lore and Legend, Thames & Hudson by Provides a clear and systematic guide to a rich heritage of legend, folklore and tradition that is crucial to understanding Judaism. It describes the main characters and the tales that have grown up around them; Jewish methods of Biblical interpretation; the framework of Jewish law, literature and poetry; the festivals of the Jewish Year; the different languages and sub-groups within the Jewish community; and the many countries in which Jews have lived, as well as the importance of the Holy Land.
Encyclopedia of Jewish Folklore and TraditionsThis multicultural reference work on Jewish folklore, legends, customs, and other elements of folklife covers specific artifacts, rituals, ceremonies, biblical figures, and legends-in addition to broad topics such as humor, folk dance, costumes, and folk narratives.
The New Encyclopedia of Judaism by Includes hundreds of special articles covering subjects in analytical depth, as well as short biographies of the major figures in the story of Judaism.
Judaism - Divisions
- Reform Judaism: Topic PageLiberal Jewish movement. Reform communities vary, but tend to question the authority of the Talmud (Jewish laws).
- Orthodox Judaism: Topic PageAll elements of the religious Jewish community that demand strict observance of Jewish law and praxis.
- Kabbalah: Topic PageA Jewish mystical tradition based on an esoteric interpretation of the Old Testament and other texts, or a system which incorporates kabbalistic principles; any secret, occult or mystical doctrine.
- Sephardim: Topic PageOne of the two major geographic divisions of the Jewish people, consisting of those Jews whose forebears in the Middle Ages resided in the Iberian Peninsula, as distinguished from those who lived in Germanic lands, who came to be known as the Ashkenazim.
- AshkenazimForm The New Encyclopedia of Judaism
Jews tracing their descent from ancestors who settled throughout northwestern Europe in the early Middle Ages.
Judaism - Holidays and Events
- Hanukkah: Topic Page
In Judaism, an eight-day festival of dedication and lights. - Passover: Topic PageIn Judaism, one of the most important and elaborate of religious festivals. Its celebration begins on the evening of the 14th of Nisan.
- Seder: Topic PageCeremonial meal that begins the Jewish festival of Pesach (Passover), which celebrates the Exodus.
- Rosh Hashanah: Topic PageTwo-day religious observance that marks the start of the Jewish New Year.
- Yom Kippur: Topic PageJewish high holy day, or ‘day of awe’, held on the tenth day of Tishri (September-October).
- Bar Mitzvah: Topic PgeIn Judaism, initiation of a boy, which takes place at the age of 13, into the adult Jewish community.
- Sukkot: Topic PageFestival of Tabernacles. Sukkot is one of the three pilgrim festivals when, in ancient times, the Jews made pilgrimages to the Temple in Jerusalem.