Judaism: Beliefs & Teachings Key terms

God's agreement to look after the Jews as his chosen people, subject to Israel's obedience.

• Mitzvot

• Covenant

• Shabbat

• Shekhinah

The person through whom God set free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, to whom God gave the Ten Commandments and through whom God made a covenant with Israel.

• Abraham

• Jesus

• Moses

• Adam

The divine presence

• Shabbat

• Shekhinah

• Mitzvot

• Talmud

The mitzvah of ‘saving a life’ which overrides all other religious laws.

• Chesed

• Kosher

• Trefah

• Pikuach Nefesh

The books that comprise the Jewish scriptures.

• Tenakh

• Torah

• Talmud

• Bible

Literally ‘the anointed one’. Orthodox Jews believe that he will be a human person sent by God to establish justice and peace on the earth. For Reform Jews, he is a symbolic figure.

• Abraham

• Jesus

• The Shekhinah

• The Messiah

Holy day of the week; day of spiritual renewal beginning at sunset on Friday and continuing to nightfall on Saturday.

• Shabbat

• Sunday

Jews who believe God gave the complete Torah to Moses and therefore live according to Jewish laws and traditions.

• Reform Jews

• Orthodox Jews

Jews who believe the Torah was inspired by God and was developed through their history – therefore laws may be changed or adapted to modern life.

• Reform Jews

• Orthodox Jews

The belief that human life is holy, precious, sacred and God-given

• Pikuach Nefesh

• Tzedkah

• Sanctity of life

• Tikkun Olam