Hsc Sor 1 Unit - Judaism

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Almohades

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Fanatical Muslim sect which conquered Northern Africa as far as Egypt and Spain during the twelfth century.

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Ani Maamin

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A rendition based on Maimonides' 13 principles of faith, which forms part of prayer for Orthodox Jews.

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Ashkenazim

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Jews settled around European countries such as Germany, Poland, Russia and Eastern Europe, and historically speak Yiddish

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Commentary on the Mishnah

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A book written by Maimonides which provides a comprehensive commentary on each of the tractates of the Mishnah. In Arabic. It's the codification of Oral Law (including the 13 Principles of Faith)

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Halakhah

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The Hebrew term for "walking" refers to the collective body of Jewish rabbinic law, custom and tradition. The Halakhah is the legal component of the Talmud, which is comprised of the rules and laws for living.

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Hasidism

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A movement within Ultra-Orthodox Judaism which developed in Eastern Europe during the 18th century. Its principal teaching stresses the notion of joy, love, awe of God and devotion to God.

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Kaballah

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A body of Jewish mystic teachings, based on an esoteric knowledge of God.

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Kashrut

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Jewish Dietary laws

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Guide for the Perplexed

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One of Maimonides' major philosophical works where he examines the Jewish religion from a philosophical stand point. In Arabic. It is a philosophical work drawing together Aristotelian philosophy and Jewish Theology.

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Messiah

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A term that means the "anointed one" is typically used to refer to the anticipated Savior and liberator of the Jewish people.

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Mishnah

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The first and more important recording of the oral Torah which was finalized in writing form around 200 CE. The Mishnah contained expositions and interpretations of legal sections of the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

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Mishneh Torah

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Code of the Jewish law by Moses Maimonides that is commonly regarded as his most important works. In Hebrew. Presented in 14 books.

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Negative Mitzvot

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Commands to refrain from doing something

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Oral Torah

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The interpretation and application of the Torah to changing circumstances over successive generations passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation. This ensured that the principles of the Torah could be applied to each new generation. When the Oral Torah came to be written down, it formed the Talmud.

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Positive Mitzvot

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Commandments requiring the performance of a positive, affirmative act.

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Prime Mover

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In Aristotelian philosophy, the prime mover refers to a being that is self moved, and consequently is the source of and cause of all motion.

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Shulchan Aruch

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A code of law developed by Rabbi Yosef Karo in the 16th century, that is often considered as the authoritative code of Jewish law.

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Sephardim

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Refers to a descendant of, or the group of Jews that lived in medieval Spain and Portugal. The Sephardim Jew are often contrasted with the Ashkenazi Jews of central and northern Europe.

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Talmud

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Talmud: Aramaic term for 'Learning'. The Talmud is an enormous volume of important literature for Jewish life. It contains compilations of the law with detailed elucidations from the wisdom of the Rabbis. It also contains history, stories and theological reflection.

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Book of Commandments

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Written by Maimonides. It's the introduction to the Mishneh Torah containing the 613 Mitzvot, in Hebrew.

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Teshuvot (Responsa)

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Written Responses (Letters) in answer to the numerous queries which were directed to Maimonides from Jews from all around the world.

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Torah

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The Hebrew word meaning 'Law' or 'Teaching' refers to the first an most significant section of the Hebrew Bible. The Torah contains 5 books which are variously known as the books of the law, the books of Moses and the Pentateuch. It is also custom at times touse the term 'Torah' to refer generally to the whole Hebrew Bible.

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Yigdal

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A poetic rendition based on Maimonides' 13 principles of faith, which forms part of prayer for Orthodox Jews.

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Zionism

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Political movement and philosophy which is aimed at achieving the establishment of a Jewish home state in Israel. The land of Israel is important because the Jewish kingdom and nation grew out of the land of Israel, originally known as Canaan.