Judaism

• Tenakh is the Jewish sacred text comprising three sections : Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim
• Talmud is a collection of Jewish law and tradition; Mishnah and Gemara collected together. Study of the Talmud is important religious duty for Jewish men.
• Covenant is a solemn and binding promise or agreement between two parties. Covenants were made between God and Abraham and Moses
• Brit Milah is the ceremony of circumcision - removal of the foreskin of the penis on the eighth day after birth. It is regarded as the sign of God's covenant with his chosen people.
• Bar Mitzvah means Son of the Commandment - A boy who reaches adulthood ( age 13). Marked by a synagogue ceremony and family celebration.
• Bat Mitzvah means Daughter of the commandment - A girl who reaches adulthood (age 12) marked by a synagogue ceremony and family celebration.
• Mezuzah means 'door post'. It is a scroll enclosed in a decorative case placed on the right hand side of the doorpost in every room of a Jewish home.
• Pesach (Passover or Feast of the Unleavened bread) is a festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.
• Magen David, 'The Shield of David', or Star of David is the symbol of Judaism
• Abraham was the first Jew; the founder of Judaism. Abraham is believed to be the biological and spiritual ancestor of the Jewish people.
• Moses was an important prophet. Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt and took them to the Holy Land promised by God. He gave them the 10 commandments from God and is the only human to have encountered God directly.
• Promised Land, or the land of Canaan was promised to Abraham and his descendants by God. Today it is known as Israel.
• Tefillin are small leather boxes containing passages from the Torah, strapped on the forehead and arm for weekday morning prayers. Observed by orthodox Jewish men of Bar Mitzvah age and over.