judaism

• two jewish groups: orthodox & reform
• torah: first five books of the Law in the Tanakh
• one book in Torah - Genesis
• three writings that make up the talmud:

  • Mishnah
  • Gemara
  • Oral Torah
• covenant is a promise
• example of the Shekinah manifesting on earth: pillars of cloud and fire
• jews hope for forgiveness from G-d during Yom Kippur
• one thing jews do on Yom Kippur are confessional prayers
• mitzvot: hebrew commandments given by G-d for jews to follow
• one positive mitzvah: we are commanded to acquire knowledge of the nature of G-d's existence
• one ritual mitzvah: weekly observance (shabbat)
• one things jews are forbidden to eat are milk and meat together
• jews spiritually do Tashlich which is a ritual of casting off one's sins on Rosh Hashanah
• one negative mitzvah: "we should not have any other gods"
• one ethical mitzvah: you shall not kill
• event jews remember on sukkot: Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years before entering the Promised Lnad
• an action jews do during sukkot is the four species are waved to symbolise israel's unity
• kashrut: word for jewish dietary laws contained in the Torah
• brit milah: baby boys circumcised by a mohel at 8 days at home
• olam habah: concept of eternal life & happiness with g-d after death
• olam hazeh: refers to life we live on earth
• gilgul: reincarnation where orthodox jews believe they should be given another chance to follow the mitzvot better
• orthodox jews expect the messiah to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
• two features of the synagogue: Sefer Torah and Bimah
• the bar/bat mitzvah celebrate into adulthood and responsibility there is a big party afterwards
• jews are buried within 24 hours of death and dirt from israel might be poured onto their eyes
• huppah at a jewish wedding symbolises g-d's presence
• yarzheit candle: candle lit on the anniversary of the death