Judaism Quest Review

You are responsible for all notes, handouts, homework and seatwork questions!!!
1) Study the Ancient Jewish History worksheet. Identify the important Biblical
figures and events.
2) Identify the three patriarchs in order. Who were the first three kings of Israel in
order?
Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Isaacs son)
Kings: Saul, David, Solomon
3) Define these words: cantor, synagogues, rabbi, Messiah, Diaspora,
Covenant, Exodus, Promised Land, Chosen People, judges, Hellenization,
Exile, Torah, circumcision, kosher
4) Jewish beliefs
a) What do Jews believe about God? There is God and only one God. God created
the world, there is only one universe. God cares for everyone and all the creatures.
The Jews are Gods chosen people.
b) What did God promise the Jews?
God promised a land for his people. He will send a Messiah to bring harmony and
peace. God will provide a future time of peace and prosperity for the Jewish people.
c) What were the Jews commitment to God?
To keep the covenant with God and not to break the commandments, Worship only
God.
5) a) To Christians, what is the Jewish Bible called? What do the Jews call their
Bible?
The Old Testament (Christians). The Torah (Jews)
b) Identify the first five books of the Jewish Bible in order. Is it in the same order
as the first five books of the Christian Bible?
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. It is the same in the Christian Bible.
c) What is the Jewish Bible divided into? Name any book from each part?
The Torah (teachings), The neviim (prophets), Ketuvim (the writings)
d) What is the Torah? What is the Christian name for the Torah?
The Torah is the law of God according to Moses. The Torah is called the Pentateuch by
the Christians.
e) What is the Talmud, Mishnah, and Gemara?
Talmud: The body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law.

Mishnah: An authoritative collection of exegetical material embodying the oral tradition

of Jewish law.
Gemara: The rabbinical commentary on the Mishnah forming the second part of the
Talmud.
6) Identify the Jewish symbols. Identify only # 5- 10 from synagogue sheet.
5) 10 commandments
6) Rabbis and cantors seats
7) Cantors and Torah reading table
8) Rabbis Podium
9) Bimah
10) Congregation seating

7) Know the Jewish Festivals: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukah, Pesach
and ShabbatProvide the English Translation along with the following:
a) When is it celebrated? b) Why is it celebrated? c) How is it
celebrated?

Rosh Hashanah (Beginning of a new year): It falls on the end of September or beginning of
October. 10-day period of repentance. Jews request forgiveness from God. It ends with the
festival of Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): Is the most solemn religious day of the Jewish year. Marked by
25 days of fasting, and prayers of repentance. Celebrated after the Rosh Hashanah.
Hanukah (Dedication): 8-day period, celebrated in December. Its celebrates the events of the
Maccabean revolt. A candle is lit each of the 8 days in a menorah. It is celebrated because a
small army took over the temple of Jerusalem. The ceremony rededicating, the temple took over
8 days.
Pesach (Passover): Usually held in April, 7-8 days. It commemorates the freeing of Hebrews
from slavery. It is celebrated by having a feast.
Shabbat (Sabbath day): Based on the creation story in Genesis. On Friday Jews go to the
synagogue, where they worship God. Once they return, they sit down to the Shabbat dinner.

8) Identify the three blessings of berakah?

1)Blessing of thanks to God for the enjoyment of the 5 senses.
2)A prayer that is recited before a mitzvah to acknowledge that the commandment is
divinely given and thank to God to fulfilling a religious precept
3)Prayer said to praise, thank, or petition God. (Recited before any festival)
9) What is a bar/bat mitzvah? Who takes part in it? Why is it important?
Bar mitzvah: The religious initiation ceremony for a Jewish boy, reached age of 13. They
are now eligible to part take in public worship.
Bat mitzvah: The religious initiation ceremony for a Jewish girl, reached age of 12. They
are no eligible to part take in public worship.
Important because it is the religious coming of age, and at that age the child is obligated
to the ritual responsibilities of Jewish life.
10)Identify and describe the branches of Judaism and their view of the Torah along
with the role of women within them.
LOOK AT BRANCHES OF JUDAISM NOTE

11) Identify and describe the Jewish Milestones

Naming a child: A baby is given a formal Hebrew name. Formal name is usually used in
religious rituals. Jewish boy is usually circumcised on the 8th day of birth.
Coming of Age: When a child celebrates their bar/bat mitzvah. Usually happens on the
first Sabbath of their birthday.

Marriage: Most weddings take place in a synagogue and conducted by a rabbi. The
bride and groom stand under a special canopy called a Chuppah which is a symbol of
home they shared.
Divorce: Judaism tries really hard to discourage a couple from divorcing. If all fails, the
husband gives the wife a certificate of divorce.
Death: Funerals take place shortly after death. Then Shiva is the 7 day period of
mourning following of the funeral.

12) Provide two to three examples of the origins of Anti-Semitism

-Because they did not have a homeland, Jews were scattered through out -Europe,
Middle East and North Africa.
-Jews were forbidden to own land or hold citizenship.
-Because their different religious customs and clothing style Jews were seen as a strange
and untrustworthy
-During the Easter weekend Christians would attack Jewish communities because they
believed Jews were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus
13)Define the following: Shoah, Anti-Semitism, Holocaust, Zionism, significance
of 1948
Shoah: A Hebrew term for the Holocaust meaning destruction
Anti-Semitism: hostility and prejudice towards the Jews.
Holocaust: Mass murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis during the WWII
Zionism: A movement originally for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation, and now for
the development of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.
Significance of 1948: In 1948 the state of Israel was created.

cantor: an official who sings liturgical music and leads prayer in a synagogue.
Synagogue: a place for congregational worship.
Rabbi: a Jewish scholar or teacher, especially of the law (religious leader)
Messiah: means "anointed one" the Jews hope he will become the great king
to lead them

Diaspora: the Jewish population living outside of Israel

Exodus: the significant event in which Moses led the Israelites out of slavery
to freedom in the promised land
Covenant: a solemn and binding agreement between god and humanity
Promise Land: The area of Canaan that the Hebrews believed was promised
to them by God.
Chosen People: the idea that God chose the Jewish people to be the keepers
of his Covenant on Earth. The concept of chosen is reciprocal with God
choosing Humanity and Humanity choosing God.
Hellenization: the process of adopting Greek culture and language.
Exile: the state of being barred from one's native country, typically for
political or punitive reasons.
Torah: refers to the law of Moses as well as the rest of the Hebrew scriptures
and the entire belief system of the Jewish faith. The word Torah is often
translated as meaning law but a more accurate translation is teaching or
instruction.
Circumcision: the cutting off of the foreskin of the penis. Abraham and his
family were the first to be circumcised as a sign of the Covenant.
Kosher: fulfilling the requirements of the Jewish dietary laws of kashrut.
Judges: a public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.