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161 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Ahura (Z)
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Lord
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Ahura Mazda (Z)
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Zarathustra's name for God, meaning "Lord of Wisdom"; the supreme deity, the power of good, creator of the world, guardian of human kind; known as Ohrmazd
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Amesha Spentas (Z)
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"Holy Immortals"; six divine attributes, archangels or lesser immortal beings who, along with Ahura Mazda, make up the Holy Heptad, the sacred seven; heavenly beings created by Ahura Mazda and combined, represent the sevenfold character of God
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Angra Mainyu (Z)
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Zarathustra's name for the destructive spirit, the devil; Ahriman
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Aryans (Z)
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a caucasoid branch of the Indo-European family that historically separated into at least two groups, one migrating int Iran and another into India; Aryans of Iran originated Zoroastrianism, intrusive Aryans of India originated Vedic Hinduism
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Asha (Z)
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"Order, truth, justice"; the governing principles of the world
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Avesta (Z)
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The sacred book of ancient Zoroastrianism; only 1/4 has survived
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Avestan (Z)
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Language of Zarathustra and the Avestra
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Chinvat (Z)
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bridge of judgment which connects this world with the unseen afterlife; means by which people cross between life and afterlife; humans are judged before crossing the bridge
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Dakhma (Z)
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"grave"; walled tower open to the Sky where Zoroastrians exposed dead to vultures and crows for disposal of the flesh; sometimes called tower of silence
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Farohar (Z)
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Winged symbol or emblem of Zoroastrianism; precise meaning of which is open to some question; the most commonly used symbol; central figure is popularly believed to be either Ahura Mazda or Fravashi
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Fravashi (Z)
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possibly a guardian spirit; may also be a spirit which enters this life with a person and continues with him or her beyond death
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Gabars (Z)
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a pejorative form used by Muslims in Iran for members of the Zoroastrian faith
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Gathas (Z)
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hymns or poems written by Zarathustra; considered to be the most authoritative expressions of the Zoroastrian religion
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Gayomart (Z)
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The primal man; first progenitor of the human race and father of Mashye and Mashyane
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Haoma (Z)
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sacred plant whose juice is used as an offering in the Yasna
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Kusti (Z)
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"sacred cord"; girdle received by Zoroastrians at navjote and worn at all times; untied and retied several times a day to the accompaniment of prayers
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Magi (Z)
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priestly caste of ancient Persia; associated with Zoroastrian priesthood; singular form "magus"; Greek version of old word "magu" meaning priest
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Mashye and Masyane (Z)
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first human couple; male and female; Adam and Eve of Zoroastrianism
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Navjote (Z)
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public ceremony of initiation into the Zoroastrian faith
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Nirang (Z)
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Urine of an ox or bull which has been consecrated by prayer and is used externally for cleansing and drunk for internal purification
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Pahlavi (Z)
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Middle Persian; language of Sassianian and early Islamic times in which later Zoroastrian books are written
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Parsis (Z)
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"Persians" who settled in India in 936 C.E. to seek a land of religious freedom away from oppression from Muslim Iran; today make up largest Zoroastrian community in the world
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Saoshyant (Z)
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coming Savior; messiah figure of Zoroastrianism
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Sudre (Z)
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A white cotton undershirt worn next to the skin at all times (except when bathing) as a religious symbol of commitment and protection
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Urvan (Z)
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spirit or soul of man
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Vendidad (Z)
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"Code against the demons"; book of purification in the Avesta, read at night in a lengthy ritual
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Yasht (Z)
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hymn to Ahura Mazda or some other immortal being; yashts form an important part of the Avesta
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Zarathustra, Zoroaster (Z)
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name of the founder of Zoroastrianism in its original Avestan language form; Greek form of name is Zoroaster
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Afikomen (J)
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broken piece of the unleavened bread set aside (or hidden) to be eaten at the end of the Passover meal
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Aggadah (J)
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Jewish "lore"; part of the oral Torah which contains expositions of biblical texts, theologies, philosophies and stories related to Jewish life
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Antiochus IV (J)
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Ruler of Syria (175-163 BCE) who tried to force Jews to assume Hellenistic ways
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Ashkenazim (J)
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Jews who come from Europe, especially eastern Europe
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Bar Mitzvah (J)
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"son of the commandment"; refers to a boy's attainment of adulthood at age thirteen and his obligation to keep the Jewish law; called up in the synagogue to read from the Torah
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Bat Mitzvah (J)
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"daughter of the commandment"; ritual for twelve year-old girls of the Conservative and Reformed Jewish traditions, similar to the Bar Mitzvah for boys
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Diaspora (J)
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world outside Israel
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Gemara (J)
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Commentary by later rabbis on issues raised in the Mishnah
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Get (J)
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Religious divorce obtainable only at the request of the husband
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Hagaddah (J)
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ritual retelling of the story of Passover during seder meal
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Halacha (J)
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part of the oral Torah which is law
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Hanukkah (J)
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festival of lights which celebrates the Jewish victory over the Hellenization program of Antiochus IV
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Hasidim (J)
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Members of a mystical Jewish movement that emerged in eastern Europe in the 18th century; focuses on love of and personal relationship with God
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Hoshana Rabba (J)
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"the great Hosanna"; 7th day of Succoth on which prayers are said for good harvest cycle
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Kaddish (J)
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Prayer which reflects on the greatness of God and his ultimate triumph; also recited by mourners at prayer services during the period of their mourning
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Ketuvim (J)
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Hebrew for "writings"; refers to the third portion of the Jewish bible
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Kippah (J)
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Hebrew word for circular head covering worn by many Jewish males
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Kol Nidre (J)
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prayer said on the eve of Yom Kippur which asks God to forgive a person for breaking any vows which were made to God
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Kosher (J)
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"fit"; used primarily in relation to food which Jews are permitted to eat
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Mazzah (J)
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Unleavened bread
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Megillah (J)
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scroll read during the celebration of Purim, retelling the story of Esther
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Menorah (J)
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Candelabrum; 7-branched version was one of the temple furnishings and today symbolizes Israel on its national seal; nine-branched version is specifically used to commemorate Hanukkah, eight of the candles symbolizing the eight days of the festival and the ninth traditionally being used to light the others
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Mezuzah (J)
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"doorpost"; ritually, a small parchment containing the first two paragraphs of the Shema which is usually placed in a small box or container and affixed to the doorpost
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Midrash (J)
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"search" for meaning; indicates the portion of the oral traditions not incorporated into the Gemara and later recorded separately
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Mikveh (J)
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ritual bath
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Minyan (J)
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Ten males (Orthodox) or males and females (Conservative and Reformed) required for certain prayers
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Mishnah (J)
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written compilation of what had been oral halacha (law); set down in written form about 200 C.E.
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Mitnagdim (J)
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opponents of the Hasidim who placed emphasis on learning the tradition rather than emotion
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Mohel (J)
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person who performs the ritual of circumcision
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Nevi'im (J)
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Hebrew for "prophets"; refers to the second part of the Jewish bible
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Passover (J)
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Spring festival celebrating the salvation of the people of Israel when the angel of death passed over Israel's firstborn in Egypt, as well as Israel's ultimate deliverance from bondage
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Pogrom (J)
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Organized riots which resulted in the murder of Jews and the pillaging of their homes and possessions
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Purim (J)
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Spring festival celebrating the deliverance of the Jews in the days of queen Esther
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Rabbi (J)
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"my master"; authorized teacher
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Rebbe (J)
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spiritual head of Hasidic community
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Rosh Hashanah (J)
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festival celebrating the new year
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Seder (J)
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order of the ritual of the Passover meal
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Sephardim (J)
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Jews who have come from Spain or Arab lands
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Shema (J)
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"hear"; name for Israel's fundamental confession of faith found in Deuteronomy 6:4
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Shemini Atzeret (J)
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8th day of assembly following Succoth, on which prayers for rain are said
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Shiva (J)
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7-day period of mourning deceased relatives in the home, during which the family sits on low stools and receives guests
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Shofar (J)
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Ram's horn sounded one hundred times on Rosh Hashanah and again to end Yom Kippur
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Simhat Torah (J)
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"Rejoicing the Torah"; celebration of the conclusion and recommencement of the Torah reading cycle which takes place on Shemini Atzeret (2nd day of Shemini Atzeret in the diaspora)
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Succoth (J)
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Feast of the Tabernacles;commemorating divine protection of Israel during her wanderings in the wilderness
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Sukkah (J)
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"tabernacle"; booth constructed of three walls and a partial roof in which Jewish families should partake of meals and may sleep during the celebration of Succoth
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Tallit (J)
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prayer shawl
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Talmud (J)
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Mishnah plus the Gemara; foundational writings of Orthodox Jewish life
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Tanak (J)
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made-up name for Jewish bible (Christian Old-New Testament) based on its three parts--Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim
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Tashlich (J)
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custom of symbolically casting one[s sins into flowing water; performed on Rosh Hashanah
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Tefillin (J)
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two leather boxes which are worn on the arm and on the forehead at weekday morning prayers
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Torah (J)
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Pentateuch, first five books of the Tanak
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Tzitzit (J)
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fringes on the prayer shawl or on an undershirt which remind one of the commandment in the law
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Yarmulka (J)
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Yiddish word for the round head covering often worn by Jewish males
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Yom Kippur (J)
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the Day of Atonement
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Zionism (J)
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movement to establish a Jewish state in the land of Israel
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Advent (C)
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liturgical season of the Christian year consisting of the four Sundays preceding Christmas; purple
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Agnus Dei (C)
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formula beginning with the words "O Lamb of God" recited three times by the priest in the Latin mass shortly before the Communion
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Analogia Entis (C)
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"analogy of being"; process of gaining knowledge about God through rational thought or observation of natural world
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Analogia Fidei (C)
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"analogy of faith"; process of gaining knowledge about God through revelation given by God himself
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Apocrypha (C)
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biblical books received by the early church as part of the Greek version of the Old Testament but not included in the Hebrew Bible; Catholics include them in their canon but Protestants usually don't
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Apostles' Creed (C)
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statement used only in western Catholic church (not orthodox); falls into three sections concerned with Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Ghost; precise origins unknown, probably from IV century CE
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Atonement (C)
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humanity's reconciliation with God through sacrificial suffering and death of Christ
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Baptism (C)
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sacramental rite; either through sprinkling or immersion which admits candidate into Christian church
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Calvin, John (C)
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1509-1564; French reformer and theologian
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Council on Church Union/CCU (C)
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movement in the United States--particularly during 1960s and 70s--seeking to bring together nine of the major Protestant communions into one large, cohesive denomination
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Credo (C)
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"I believe"; title of the portion of the Latin mass which contains the Nicene confession of faith
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Crucifix (C)
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model of the cross bearing an image of the crucified Lord
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Ecumenical Movement (C)
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movement among Christians concerned with the recovery of the unity of all believers in Christ, transcending differences of creed, ritual and policy
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Epiphany (C)
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season in the Christian liturgical calendar beginning on January 6 which either celebrates the baptism of Christ (Orthodox) or Christ's manifestation to the non-Jewish world in the persons of the Magi (Catholic); green
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Episcopal (C)
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refers to the system of church government which is overseen by bishops
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Eucharist (C)
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from Greek "thanksgiving"; another name for Holy Communion, the Lord's supper or for LDS, sacrament
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Gloria (C)
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portion of the Latin mass which gives praise to God in the words "Glory to God in the highest"
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Holy Communion (C)
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Eucharist or Lord's supper; equivalent to LDS sacrament
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Holy Orders (C)
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higher grades of the Christian ministry; bishop, priest and deacon
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Homoiousios (C)
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term preferred by Aryan Christians to express the relation of the members of the Godhead; "of like substance"; Arianism is a heresy in both Orthodox and Catholic thought
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Homoousios (C)
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term used in early Christian creedal statements to express the relation of members of the Godhead; means "of one substance"
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Icons (C)
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flat pictures--usually painted on wood but sometimes made from mosaic, ivory, and other materials--representing the Lord, Blessed Virgin Mary or other saints; used and venerated among the Orthodox communions
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Inner-Trinitarian Decree (C)
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concept that God, within himself as a triune God composed of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, determined the plan of salvation long before the creation of anything outside Himself
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John XXIII (C)
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1881-1963; pope in 1958; best known for calling the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) which reviewed Catholic doctrines relating to the laity, interfaith attitudes, role of clergy, etc.
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Kyrie (C)
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refers to a portion of the Latin mass which contains the words "Lord have mercy"
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Lent (C)
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40 days before Easter, exclusive of the Sundays; normally observed as a time of penance by abstaining from festivities, by almsgiving, and devoting more time than usual to religious exercises; purple
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Liturgical Calendar (C)
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sets out certain periods within the Christian year for special observance and thereby highlights the major acts of Christ's redeeming work
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Luther, Martin (C)
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1482-1546; founder of the German Reformation; Catholic priest and professor of moral philosophy and scripture at the University of Wittenberg
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Mary (C)
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virgin mother of Jesus; object of veneration in Catholic theology and is chief among the saints
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Neo-Platonic Thought (C)
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philosophical system of Plotinus (ca. 205-260 CE) and his successors; drew its ideas from Plato, purposes more religious; main purpose of neo-Platonists to provide intellectual basis for life; in God distinction between Thought and Reality was to be overcome
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Paul VI (C)
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1897-1978; Pope in 1963; carried through much of the work of the Vatican II
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Penance (C)
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originally long and difficult process of public confession of sin with accompanying works to allow a return to the church; today is a private at between priest and parishioner consisting of confession, absolution and formal penance
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Pentecost (C)
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day in the church calendar 50 days after Easter which celebrates the coming of the Holy Ghost to the church; red
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Reformed (C)
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used to designate those denominations and traditions which generally arose from the teachings of Luther and Calvin; denominations technically considered "reformed" are Presbyterian, Lutheran, Congregational and Dutch Reformed
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Sanctus (C)
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portion of the mass which contains the words "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts"
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Septuagint (C)
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most influential of the Greek versions of the Old Testament; often abbreviated LXX
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Seven Sacraments (C)
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sacraments of the church celebrated by Catholic Church: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, penance, unction, holy orders, and matrimony
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Transubstantiation (C)
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Catholic doctrine that bread and wine of the Eucharist actually become the body of Christ in their essence, but in their accidents (appearance) appear still to be the bread and wine; doctrine is an attempt to explain how the believer may actually participate through the Eucharist in the life and death of the Lord
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Trinity (C)
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doctrine of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as one God of the same substance yet in three manifestations, in a manner that cannot be explained by mortals; term also refers to last five months of the Christian year, implications of world-wide gospel in daily life are contemplated; green
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Unction (C)
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process of anointing with oil which may be used at baptism or confirmation or in blessing the sick
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Vulgate (C)
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Latin version of the Bible most widely used in the West; work of Saint Jerome, who compiled it at the commandment of Pope Damasus (382 CE)
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'Aeel Al-Adha (I)
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"Feast of Sacrifice"; most important religious holiday in Islamic world; begins the day after Hajj when faithful who can afford to do so sacrifice an animal in commemoration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael
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'Aeed Al-Fitr (I)
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"Feast of Breaking the Fast"; major religious holiday observed at the end of Ramadan, month of fasting
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Allah (I)
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Contraction of Arabic term meaning "the God"; word used by Muslims and Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews to refer to God
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Baraka (I)
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"Blessing power" which comes from God into creation for the benefit of human beings
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Caliphs (I)
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successors of Muhammad to the leadership of the Muslim community; not considered prophets
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Five Pillars of Islam (I)
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Fundamental beliefs and practices for Muslims: witness of faith, prayer, fasting, alms-giving and pilgrimage to Mecca
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Hadith (I)
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reported saying or action of Muhammad; canonical collections of hadith are used to determine the sunna of the prophet
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Hajj (I)
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Pilgrimage to Mecca which is to be made once in a person's lifetime if financially and physically possible; one of 5 pillars
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Hijra (I)
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Muhammad's emigration from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina) in 622 C.E.; turning point in Islamic history marks beginning of Muslim Hijri calendar
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Imam (I)
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In Sunni tradition, leader of salat prayer; in Shi'ite thought, the umma's divinely guided leader
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Islam (I)
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literally "submission" or "surrender" to God; term used in Qur'an to describe true monotheistic worship as revealed to Muhammad and other prophets before him also commonly used as the name of the religion practiced by Muslims
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Jihad (I)
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literally means "striving" or "struggling" to serve God and the umma; sometimes involves armed struggle against outside aggression and is therefore sometimes translated as "holy war"
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Ka'aba (I)
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black-draped cubicle structure in Mecca which contains the black stone and which was first built by Abraham and his son Ishmael
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Mahdi (I)
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Messianic figure who will appear at the end of history to prepare the world for the final judgement by God
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Mecca (I)
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most sacred place in Islam; birthplace of Muhammad and location of the Ka'aba
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Medina (I)
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Shortened form of Madinat Al-Nabi; "city of the prophet"; second holiest site in Islam; place known as Yathrib to which Muhammad fled in 622 C.E. and where many of the basic institutions of Islam were established; Muhammad is buried here
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Minaret (I)
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a tower associated with a mosque from which the call to prayer is given
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Mosque (I)
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from Arabic word "masjid" meaning "place of prostration" for ritual prayer; centers for Islamic communal life where prayers are held, religious education conducted and charitable services provided
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Muezzin (I)
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individual who gives the call to prayer
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Muhammad (I)
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570-632 C.E.; founder of Islam and prophetic ruler through which Allah revealed the Qu'ran
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Muslim (I)
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person who practices Islam; "one who submits to God"
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Qur'an (I)
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"recitation"; name of the holy book of Islam, which is the mind and will of Allah delivered to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel; anglicized "Koran"
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Ramadan (I)
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month in which Muhammad received his initial call and the month in which faithful Muslims fast during daylight hours; 9th lunar month of the Muslim calendar
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Salat (I)
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ritual prayer that is conducted 5 times each day and involves performing a prescribed set of physical movements designed to turn heart and mind toward God; one of 5 pillars of faith
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Sawm (I)
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fasting as a means of promoting individual spirituality and communal well-being; one of 5 pillars of faith
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Shahada (I)
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Muslim confession of faith; "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Messenger"; first of 5 pillars of faith
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Shari'a (I)
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all-inclusive legal code of Islam
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Shi'ites (I)
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Muslims who believe that leadership of the community should have passed to Muhammad's son-in-law 'Ali and should be hereditary; "Shi" means "party" or "sect"
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Shirk (I)
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heresy of ascribing partners to God or believing in more than one deity; opposite of tawheed
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Sufi (I)
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adherent branch of Islam that emphasizes internal spiritual experience rather than external ritual forms and seeks mystical union with God in this life
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Sunna (I)
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customs and exemplary behavior of Muhammad; next to the Qur'an; most important epistemological source in Islam
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Sunni (I)
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majority sect of Islam who believe in consensual leadership and reject the Shi'ite claim that heredity or lineage determines a person's right to lead the umma
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Tawheed (I)
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doctrine of the uncompromised unity of God; "There is no god but Allah"
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'Ulama (I)
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religious scholars or clergy who are authoritative interpreters of Islamic law
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Umma (I)
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worldwide community of Muslims
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Zakat (I)
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practice of giving 2.5 percent of one's accumulated wealth to support the umma; embodiment of the principle of charitable giving and one of 5 pillars of faith
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