judaism beliefs

• what is tikkum olam?

  healing of the world
• what is olam ha-ba?

  Afterlife
• what is olam ha-ze


  current world
• what do jews believe about the current world?

  whatever they do in the current world is more important than the afterlife
• what is the day of shabbat?


  day where no work is done and only a day of reconnecting with God and spending time with families
• what to do on the day of shabbat?

  1. cooking before
  2. no use of electricity
  3. no work
  4. driving
• what is pikuach nefesh?


  saving a life
• when can the shabbat be broken?

  Emergencies like saving a life (pikuach nefesh)
• orthodox jews beliefs about the messiah

  • messiah is a male descendant of king david
  • in the messianic age no violence will happen or conflict
  • a man of scholar, teachings,
• reform jews beliefs about the messiah

  1. it is not an actual person
  2. humans can bring on the messianic age by coming together as a community to create peace and unity with no violence
• what is the shekinah?

  divine presence of god
• how is shehkina experienced?

  • worship
  • studying God's teachings
  • prayer
• what is the sheol?


  a place of waiting, where a person's soul could either be purified and sent on to Gan Eden or sent for punishment in Gehenna
• what is gan eden?

  represents paradise for those who followed god's commandments and is reunited with their loved ones
• what is gehenna?


  a place of punishment and penance for those who disobeyed god
• what do some jews believe about the day of judgement?

  god will come and judge them as soon as they die and then they will be judged on the day of judgement again
• what is forbidden in jewish funeral?

  • the body to be cremated - the body will be resurrected
  • autopsy
• how many mitzvots are there?

  613
• what age do boys get their bat mitzvah?

  13
• what age do girls get their bat mitzvah?

  11
• jews believe they will be judged by how many mitzvots they followed
• what are the 4 main characteristics of god?

  creator, law giver, judge, one
• what is a minyan?

  10 men required to lead a prayer
• what is the Ark?

  the cabinet where the torah scrolls are kept. It is the centrepiece of the synagogue and thought to be the holiest part of the synagogue
• what is the ner tamid?


  Eternal light
• what is the menorah?

  a 7 branched candle all lit to represent the days of creation
• what is the bimah?


  The raised platform in a synagogue where the Torah is read.
• what is a rabbi?

  Jewish religious leader
• what is a kippah?

  A skullcap worn by Jewish men.
• what is a tefillin?

  2 black leather boxes. one strapped on the left upper arm ( facing the heart) and on the forehead (teaches us to dedicate ourselves to the service of God) 
• what is a tallit?

  a prayer shawl
• differences between orthodox and reform jews in synagogues:

  • men and women sit separate in orthodox whereas they don't for reforms
  • women can also be rabbi for reforms whereas only men for orthodox
• how many times are jews meant to pray?

  3 times
• what is the amidah?

  Jewish prayer where blessings are said for gods mercy, help and thanks
• how do jews worship at home:

  • reading scriptures
  • celebrating festivals
  • observing shabbat
  • praying 3 times a day
• what is the shema?

  declaration of faith
• what is the tenakh?


  contains the books of law, the prophets, and collected writings
• what is Ketuvim?

  11 books of writing
• what is the torah?

  contains the first 5 books of moses
• what is Nevi'im?

  8 books of the prophets