Zoroastrianism & Judaism Test

Front 1

Where did Zoroastrianism begin and where was it originally most influential?

Back 1

Zoroastrianism began in Persepolis - in the middle of the Persian Empire. It was most influential during the two great Persian Empire (Achaemenian & Sasanian) - where it was the official religion. Zoroastrian influence stretched from the Ionian Coast (Turkey) to Palestine (Israel) to the Indus River (Pakistan).

Front 2

Why is Zoroastrian history and teaching so difficult to reconstruct?

Back 2

Because during Alexander's conquests in the 4th century BCE, Zoroastrian monuments were destroyed and the priests were murdered. This was a loss to history because the Scriptures at that time were passed down orally. Also, later, some Muslim rulers who were often intolerant of Zoroastrians persecuted them and burned their holy books.

Front 3

What do Zoroastrians call their own religion?

Back 3

They call it the "good religion" because they advocate the worship of the "good God" (Ahura Mazda).

Front 4

What are the three basic ways in which Zoroastrians believe they can join the fight with Ahura Mazda against Angra Mainyu?

Back 4

Pure thoughts (hunta), pure words (hukhta) and pure deeds (huvuvareshta). These are symbolized by a sacred cord (kusti) that is wrapped three times around the waist.

Front 5

What ideas in Judaism and Christianity might be traced to the influence of Zoroastrianism?

Back 5

1. The universe is the creation of a good God and is therefore good.
2. There is a cosmic force, a personal being, making for mischief and evil, called Satan in Christianity and Angra Mainyu in Zoroastrianism. The figure of Satan takes on greater importance in Judaism after the Jewish exposure to Zoroastrian religion during the Babylonian Exile.
3. Judaism also accepts that the universe is good, because a good God created it.
4. Good and evil are antithetical and antagonistic to each other.
5. Good can exist without evil. Evil cannot exist without good. Good can be known without evil.

Front 6

How does the figure of Satan in Judaism and Christianity differ from the figure of Ahriman (Angra Mainyu) in Zoroastrianism?

Back 6

Zoroastrians hold that Angra Mainyu is an evil substance, an evil thing, whereas Christianity and Judaism deny that any substance can be evil, for a substance is either divine or non-divine. If a substance is non-divine, then it is created by God, a good substance. According to Christianity and Judaism, nothing created by a good God can be evil insofar as its existence is concerned. Also, Angra Mainyu is uncreated whereas Satan is created by God.

Front 7

In what ways do Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu differ from each other?

Back 7

Ahura Mazda is the good, uncreated, deity. Angra Mainyu is the evil, uncreated, being. Ahura Mazda is described as the one who was, who is, and who will be. Angra Mainyu is described as the one who was, who is, and who will not be. Ahura Mazda is the creator of the universe. Ahura Mazda was always aware of the existence of Angra Mainyu, but not vice versa.

Front 8

What are the three divisions of Hebrew Scripture?

Back 8

Torah= the law; the first five books of the Bible)
N= Nevi'im - the prophets
K= Kethuvim (the writings, sometimes called "the psalms")

Front 9

What is the primary job of a prophet?

Back 9

To tell the great rulers of the earth to do the will of God.

Front 10

What is the meaning of the saying that Jews are the chosen people?

Back 10

They made a covenant or agreement with God to show others the character and the will of God, to be "a light unto the nations."

Front 11

The High Holy Days begin and end with which Holy Days?

Back 11

They begin with Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and end with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) - the holiest Jewish day.

Front 12

What were some of the ways in which the Hasidic Rabbi and Reuven's father differed in "The Chosen"?

Back 12

They dressed differently. Rev Saunders (Hasidic) didn't cut his facial hair, had curls in front of his face, wore black clothing. Reuven's father wore regular 1940s clothing. Rev Saunders believed that the rabbis were a bridge to God - almost like a prophetic role. Reuven's father thought of a rabbi as a religious leader. Rev Saunders thought it was impious to found the state of Israel without God leading the way. Reuven's father thought that they needed a state of Israel so something like the Holocaust didn't happen again.

Front 13

What are some of the common misconceptions about Judaism?
1. Judaism is Christianity without _______.
2. Jesus was not ________.
3. The ______ killed Jesus.
4. The Jewish Bible is the Christian ________.
5. Jewish messianic expectations were fulfilled in ______.
6. Jews are still waiting for the ______.
7. Jews practice or should practice __________ as taught in the book of Leviticus.
8. The God of the _________ is a wrathful despot, whereas the God of the ________ is gentle & loving.
9. Judaism is a ____ religion that has remained unchanged since its inception.

Back 13

Christ, Jewish, Jews, Old Testament, Jesus, Messiah, animal sacrifice, Old Testament/New Testament, static

Front 14

What is the proper name of God in Hebrew Scripture?

Back 14

Yahweh

Front 15

What is the origin of the name "Jehovah"?

Back 15

Jews started saying Adonai instead of Yahweh when reading in the synagogue to keep God's name holy. In the 16th century, the Bible was translated into Latin and the name was written as "Jehovah."

Front 16

Zoroastrian scriptures

Back 16

avesta

Front 17

the restored macrocosmos from which all evil has been expelled and the goodness of creation restored

Back 17

final body

Front 18

the eternal aspect of a person

Back 18

fravahr

Front 19

self-proclaimed heirs of Zarathustra's and his followers' religion & teaching

Back 19

magi

Front 20

Pahlavi name for Ahura Mazda

Back 20

Ohrmazd

Front 21

the founder of Zoroastrianism

Back 21

Zarathustra, also known as Zoroaster

Front 22

Judaism has no known ________.

Back 22

founder

Front 23

the dispersion of Jews

Back 23

diaspora

Front 24

Jews make up a ____ fraction of the population of any country in which they have existed.

Back 24

small

Front 25

a systematic killing of approximately six million Jews in death camps

Back 25

Holocaust (literally "wholly burnt")

Front 26

The Jews were known in the ancient world as ________.

Back 26

Hebrews

Front 27

Religious and secular Judaism agree in accepting the history, culture, and values of Judaism, but Religious Judaism also accepts the ______.

Back 27

Torah

Front 28

Predates the Orthodox vs. Reform division but is often considered a division of Orthodoxy. The Hebrew word hasid means "pious." It is a revivalist movement, begin in the Polish Ukraine by Baal Shem Tov. He stressed the immanence of God, enthusiastic singing and dancing. Nearly half of all the Jews in the early 19th century belonged to this sector of Judaism.

Back 28

Hasidism

Front 29

The only officially recognized Jews in Israel. Belief that the written and oral Torah are divinely inspired; submission to the halakah (Jewish legal system), that is to say, the 613 commandments of the law.

Back 29

Orthodox Judaism

Front 30

Late 19th century form of Judaism - concession to modernity and the relaxing of halakah

Back 30

Neo-orthodoxy

Front 31

accepts a streamlined liturgy, choral singing, vernacular prayers, and the ordination of women, the fastest growing segment of Judaism

Back 31

Reform Judaism

Front 32

A response to Reform Judaism, which conservatives believe makes too many concessions to modernity. Changes in the view of halakah are necessary, but should be done reluctantly. Makes up approximately 1/3 of Jews

Back 32

Conservative Judaism

Front 33

writings and commentaries on the scriptures; two main divisions - mishnah and gemara

Back 33

talmud

Front 34

the slaughter, dismemberment, and burning on the altar of cattle, sheep, goats, or birds; no part of this type of offering, by definition, can be eaten. The animals are to be spotless and, in the case of cattle, sheep, and goats, male.

Back 34

burnt offerings

Front 35

the purest of flour or unleavened oven baked meal, or unleavened meal prepared on a griddle or offered in a pan; also the first fruits of the harvest, new ears and grits

Back 35

cereal offerings

Front 36

slaughter of an animal, male or female, in thankfulness to God as an expression of joy, gladness, gratitude, or relief. The sacrifice is given to the community as a festive meal with friends; the fat of the animal is burned on the altar.

Back 36

sacrifice of well being

Front 37

tokens of the worshippers' love and reverence to God

Back 37

gift offerings

Front 38

sacrifices occasioned by specific violations or wrongdoing

Back 38

atoning sacrifices

Front 39

a type of sacrifice for sins unintentionally committed

Back 39

purification (hata't)

Front 40

a type of sacrifice or guilt offering, for sins intentionally and unintentionally committed

Back 40

reparation (asham)