Download 3-Judaism-Defs

Important words: Judaism
Halakhah – Jewish law in its entirety
Mitzvot - commandment
Covenant - contract between two parties, where there are benefits for keeping to it and
sanctions for breaking it.
Torah - the first five books of the Bible; the word of God given to Moses at Mount Sinai.
Tenakh – the Torah, prophets and writings. Believed by Jews to be inspired by God, but not
the exact word of God.
Mishnah - Jewish scripture; a book containing interpretation of the Torah by the rabbis.
Talmud – Jewish scripture; a book containing interpretation of the Mishnah by the rabbis.
Rabbi – a Jewish teacher. Seen as an authority on matters of halakhah.
Orthodox Jew – A Jew who (roughly) believes that God revealed the whole Bible, Talmud, all
further interpretation and the answers in the future of all rabbis, at Mount Sinai. There is an
unbroken succession of authority through the Rabbis going back to Moses. Its rules
therefore hold today.
Reform Jew - A Jew who (roughly) believes that the Bible was written over time, and by
humans, influenced by their gender, culture, historical circumstances, etc. However, it was
still inspired by God.