Jewish History: Abraham, David, and Diaspora

Abraham

• Genesis tells the story of Abraham and Sarah, where God asked Abraham (originally Abram) to leave his home for a new land to become the father of a new people.
• Abraham's faith in God was unwavering despite tests.
• God made a covenant with Abraham, promising land and many children. In return, Abraham agreed to worship only God.

Conservative Judaism

• Conservative Judaism arose in reaction to Reform Judaism, occupying a middle ground between Orthodox and Reform practices.
• It adheres to many, but not all, of the 613 commandments of the Torah.
• Community needs and Jewish identity take precedence over individual desires.

David

• David, Israel's second king, unified the tribes into a single kingdom.
• David's son, Solomon, built the Temple in Jerusalem.
• God's promise to David included a happy nation, an eternal dynasty, and a special relationship with his descendants.

Diaspora

• Diaspora, from the Greek word for "dispersal," refers to Jewish populations living outside of Israel.

Hanukkah

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Mezuzah

• A Mezuzah is affixed to the right doorpost of a room.

Mitzvah

• At age 13 plus one day (boys) or 12 plus one day (girls), individuals become responsible for observing all mitzvot (commandments).

Moses

• Moses, called by God through a burning bush, led God's people out of slavery in Egypt.
• Moses used the 10 plagues to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites.

Orthodox Judaism

• Orthodox Judaism is the largest branch worldwide, considered the original branch historically.
• Orthodox Judaism adheres strictly to traditional Jewish laws and customs.

Pesach (Passover)

• Pesach is a significant Jewish festival celebrating freedom from Egyptian slavery.
• Celebrated on the 15th day of Nisan, during the first month of the Jewish year, around the first full moon after spring equinox.

Purim

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Reform Judaism

• Reform Judaism emerged in the early 19th century to adapt Judaism to the modern world.
• This movement aimed to make Judaism more compatible with interactions with non-Jews and changing societal trends.

Rosh Hashanah

• Rosh Hashanah, meaning "Head of the Year," celebrates Jewish New Year.
• A two-day festival observed in synagogues.

Schema

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Shabbat

• Shabbat, the Lord's day of rest, is considered Judaism's most sacred day.
• It begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday.
• Shabbat is observed in synagogues and emphasizes family gatherings.
• It celebrates the Heavens and Earth as gifts from God.

Shoah

• Shoah refers to the Holocaust.

Star of David

• The Star of David is a relatively recent (last 200 years) Jewish symbol, appearing on the Israeli flag.

Sukkot

• Sukkot, a week-long Jewish festival in the fall, is also known as the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. It typically occurs five days after Yom Kippur.

Synagogue

• Synagogues were established to accommodate Jewish worship and community after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (70 CE).

Talmud

• The Talmud is the second most important Jewish sacred writing, a compilation of civil and religious laws and ethical teachings.
• It's a collection of rabbinical interpretations of the Torah, spanning from the 1st to the 5th centuries CE.

Torah

• The Torah, meaning "instruction" or "law," traditionally refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. It is also understood to represent the authoritative voice of God to the chosen people.

Yom Kippur

• Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, where Jews fast and repent for their sins.

Zionism

• Zionism is a movement for a Jewish national state in Palestine, beginning in the late 1800s.

Anointing of the Sick

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Augustine

• Augustine's theological teachings were influential in the development of the Church in Europe.

Baptism

• Jesus' baptism marked the start of his ministry and empowered him with the Holy Spirit.

Bishop of Rome

• The Bishop of Rome, historically St. Peter, is considered the Pope.

Calvin

• John Calvin's work shaped the Reformed Christian tradition.

Catholicism

• Catholicism holds that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, succeeding St. Peter.
• It features beliefs in Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory (a temporary state between hell and heaven for the purging of sins).

Christmas

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Church Hierarchy

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Confirmation

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Constantine

• Emperor Constantine's vision and embrace of Christianity had substantial impact.

Crusades

• The Crusades were a series of religious wars spanning from the 11th to 13th centuries.

Deacon

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Diocese

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Eucharist

• The Eucharist is a Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, involving the consecration and consumption of bread and wine.

Henry VIII

• Henry VIII initiated the English Reformation by breaking with the Catholic Church and founding the Church of England.

Holy Orders

• Holy Orders is a Christian sacrament ordaining individuals as deacons, priests, or bishops.

Iconoclasm

• Iconoclasm is the destruction or rejection of religious images, often for theological reasons.

Liturgy

• Liturgy is the structured form of public worship, including prayers, readings, and rituals.

Marriage

• Marriage is a Christian sacrament symbolizing the union of man and woman before God.

Martin Luther

• Martin Luther initiated the Protestant Reformation by challenging Catholic doctrines, like indulgences.

Nostra Aetate

• Nostra Aetate is a Catholic II document promoting interfaith dialogue with non-Christian religions.

Patriarch of Constantinople

• The Patriarch of Constantinople is the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Peter

• Peter was one of Jesus' apostles, considered the first Pope.

Pope

• The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, leading the Catholic Church.

Presbyter

• A Presbyter is a Christian elder or priest.

Protestantism

• Protestantism is a branch of Christianity stemming from the Reformation, rejecting papal authority.

Reconciliation

• Reconciliation is a sacrament where sins are confessed and forgiven, restoring the relationship with God.

Reformation

• The Reformation was a 16th-century movement that led to the formation of Protestant churches, challenging Catholic doctrines and practices.

Sacraments

• Sacraments are sacred rituals instituted by Christ, like Baptism and Eucharist.

Schism

• A Schism is a formal division within a religious community.

Scripture

• Scripture is the sacred writings in Christianity, encompassing the Bible.

Thomas More

• Thomas More was an English statesman and Catholic martyr who opposed Henry VIII's break with the Church.

Zwingli

• Zwingli was a Swiss reformer who emphasized Scriptural authority and rejected many Catholic traditions.

Agni

• Agni is a Hindu deity associated with fire.

Moksha

• Moksha is the liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara), uniting with Brahman.

Ahimsa

• Ahimsa is the principle of nonviolence toward all living beings.

Atman

• Atman is the soul or inner self in Hinduism.

AUM

• AUM is a sacred sound representing the essence of the universe, used in meditation.

Avatar

• An avatar is a divine incarnation or manifestation of a deity.

Bhagavad Gita

• The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred Hindu scripture, a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna.

Brahma

• Brahma is the Hindu god of creation.

Brahman

• Brahman is the ultimate reality or cosmic spirit in Hinduism.

Brahmanas

• Brahmanas explain the rituals and ceremonies in the Vedas.

Caste

• Caste is a traditional Hindu social class system.

Ganesha

• Ganesha is the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.

Good Karma

• Good Karma are positive actions leading to beneficial results.

Holi

• Holi is a Hindu spring festival celebrating victory of good over evil.

Mahatma Gandhi

• Mahatma Gandhi led India's independence movement, known for nonviolence.

Mandir

• Mandir is a Hindu temple or place of worship.

Maya

• Maya is the illusion of the physical world.

Murti

• Murti is a sacred statue or image of a deity used in worship.

Puja

• Puja is a Hindu worship ritual with offerings and prayers.

Raja Yoga

• Raja Yoga is a path of meditation and self-discipline to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

Samsara

• Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Shiva

• Shiva is a Hindu god of destruction and transformation.

Vedas

• Vedas are the ancient sacred texts of Hinduism.

Vishnu

• Vishnu is the Hindu god of preservation.

Yoga

• Yoga combines physical postures, breathing, and meditation for body-mind unity.

Arhat

• Arhat is a Buddhist who has achieved enlightenment and is free from rebirth.

Bodhisattva

• Bodhisattva is a compassionate being delaying enlightenment to aid others.

Bodhi

• Bodhi is the state of enlightenment in Buddhism.

Five Precepts

• Five Precepts are Buddhist ethical guidelines (no killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, and intoxication).

Four Noble Truths

• Four Noble Truths are core Buddhist teachings about suffering, cause, end, and path to liberation.

Koan

• Koan is a riddle or paradox used to inspire insight in Zen Buddhism.

Lay People

• Lay people are non-monastic religion followers practicing teachings daily.

Lotus

• The lotus is a symbolic flower representing purity and enlightenment in Buddhism.

Mandala

• Mandala is a spiritual symbol in Buddhism and Hinduism representing the universe.

Mandela

• Mandela is likely a reference to Nelson Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid leader.

Monk

• A monk dedicates their life to religious practice in a monastic community.

Nirvana

• Nirvana is the ultimate Buddhist goal—liberation from suffering and rebirth.

Nun

• A nun dedicates their life to religious practice in a monastic community.

Sangha

• Sangha is the Buddhist community of monks, nuns, and laypeople.

Stupa

• Stupa is a dome-shaped Buddhist monument often holding relics or used for meditation.

Three Jewels

• The Three Jewels are the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—the core of Buddhist faith.

Tripitakas

• Tripitakas are the sacred texts of Buddhism, also called the "Three Baskets."

Visakha

• Visakha is a major Buddhist festival celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death.

Wheel of Dharma

• The Wheel of Dharma is a Buddhist symbol representing the Eightfold Path and Buddha's teachings.

Adhan

• Adhan is the Islamic call to prayer.

Eid al-Fitr

• Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan.

Eid Mubarak

• Eid Mubarak is a greeting meaning "Blessed Eid."

Eid ul-Adha

• Eid ul-Adha is the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.

Hadith

• Hadith records the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad.

Hafiz

• A Hafiz is a Muslim who has memorized the entire Qur'an.

Hajj

• Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

Halal

• Halal denotes permissible items in Islam (often referring to food).

Hanif

• Hanif were pre-Islamic monotheists, following the Abrahamic faith.

Haram

• Haram denotes forbidden items in Islam.

Ihram

• Ihram is the sacred state and clothing worn during Hajj or Umrah.

Islam

• Islam is a monotheistic religion founded by Prophet Muhammad, based on submission to God (Allah).

Jihad

• Jihad is a struggle or effort in the path of God, potentially personal or collective.

Ka’ba

• The Ka'ba is the cube-shaped structure in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam, and the direction of prayer.

Medina

• Medina is the city where Prophet Muhammad established the initial Muslim community.

Mihrab

• Mihrab is a niche in a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca.

Mount Arafat

• Mount Arafat is a site near Mecca where pilgrims gather for prayer during Hajj.

Qur'an

• The Qur'an is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad.

Salat

• Salat is the Islamic ritual prayer performed five times daily.

Sawm

• Sawm is fasting during Ramadan.

Shahadah

• Shahadah is the Islamic declaration of faith ("There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger").

Sunnah

• Sunnah is the practice and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, guiding Muslim life.

Surah

• Surah is a chapter of the Qur'an.

Zakat

• Zakat is a form of charity and one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Cosmocentric

• Cosmocentric is a worldview centred on the universe and nature as sacred and interconnected.

Medicine Wheel

• The Medicine Wheel is a symbol representing balance, life cycles, and interconnectedness in Indigenous cultures.

Sacred Pipe Ceremony

• The Sacred Pipe Ceremony connects with the spiritual world through pipe smoking.

Smudging

• Smudging is a cleansing ritual using burning herbs like sage.

Spirit Power

• Spirit Power is the spiritual energy or force believed to guide and protect individuals.

Sweat Lodge

• The Sweat Lodge is a purification ritual for renewal and spiritual connection.

Time

• Indigenous traditions often view time as cyclical, emphasizing natural rhythms.

Totem

• Totem is a sacred object, animal, or symbol representing a clan's or individual's spiritual connection.

Vision Quest

• Vision Quest is a spiritual journey seeking guidance and insight through fasting and prayer.