Judaism and Religious Concepts Quiz

Judaism

• Abraham: Genesis tells the story of Abraham (originally Abram), who was commanded by God to leave his home and establish a new people. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising land and numerous descendants in exchange for Abraham's devotion to worshipping only God. His faith was tested repeatedly but remained unwavering.

• Conservative Judaism: This branch emerged as a reaction to Reform Judaism, adopting practices in-between Orthodox and Reform positions. It observes many, but not all, Torah commandments. Community needs and Jewish identity are prioritized over individual desires.

• David: Israel's second king, David unified the tribes into a single kingdom. His son Solomon constructed the Temple in Jerusalem. God's promise to David included happiness under his rule, an eternal dynasty, and a special relationship with his descendants (Jesus).

• Diaspora: From the Greek word for dispersion, this refers to Jewish populations living outside Israel.

• Hanukkah: A Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

• Mezuzah: A small box containing religious texts, attached to the doorposts of Jewish homes.

• Mitzvah: A commandment or good deed in Judaism. At age 13 (boys) and 12 (girls), individuals are responsible for observing the mitzvot.

• Moses: Chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses demonstrated God's power through the ten plagues, culminating in Pharaoh's release of the Israelites.

• Orthodox Judaism: The largest branch of Judaism worldwide, historically considered the original branch.

• Pesach (Passover): One of Judaism's most important festivals, commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery. It's celebrated in the first month of the Jewish year (Nisan) around the spring equinox as the first full moon.

• Purim: A Jewish festival.

• Reform Judaism: A branch that emerged in the 19th century, seeking to tailor Judaism to modern society. The goal was to support Jewish engagement with non-Jewish societies while maintaining Jewish identity.

• Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year, a two-day festival celebrated in the synagogue.

• Shabbat: The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. It focuses on family, and celebrates the creation of the Earth and its bounty as gifts from God.

• Shoah: The Holocaust, the systematic persecution and murder of European Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II.

• Star of David: A symbol of Judaism adopted in the last 200 years, featuring on the Israeli flag.

• Sukkot: A Jewish harvest festival.

• Synagogue: A Jewish house of worship, particularly important after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E.

• Talmud: A collection of Jewish civil and religious laws, ethical teachings, and interpretations of the Torah.

• Torah: The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, containing the foundational laws and teachings of Judaism. God's revealing of the Torah on Mount Sinai established the identity of the chosen people.

• Yom Kippur: A day of atonement, where Jews repent their sins.

• Zionism: A movement to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine (late 1800s).

Christianity

• Anointing of the Sick: A Christian sacrament.

• Augustine: Influential Christian theologian, whose writings shaped the Church.

• Baptism: A Christian sacrament marking entry into the faith, commissioning an individual to the ministry, and empowering them with the Holy Spirit.

• Bishop of Rome: The original Bishop of Rome, St. Peter, was crucified. The Bishop of Rome is known as the Pope and leads the Catholic Church.

• Calvin: Key reformer in the Protestant tradition.

• Catholicism: A major branch of Christianity, believing the Pope is Christ’s Vicar. Catholicism includes concepts of Hell, Heaven, and Purgatory (a transitional state between both).

• Christmas: A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus.

• Church Hierarchy: Organizational structure within the Christian church.

• Confirmation: A Christian sacrament.

• Constantine: Roman Emperor, instrumental in the rise of Christianity.

• Crusades: A series of religious wars launched by Christians.

• Deacon: A liturgical official.

• Diocese: Administrative district of a Christian church.

• Eucharist: Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, often involving consecrated bread and wine.

• Henry VIII: King of England, led the English Reformation.

• Holy Orders: A sacrament ordaining men as deacons, priests, or bishops.

• Iconoclasm: The destruction of religious images.

• Liturgy: The structure of Christian worship.

• Marriage: Christian sacrament symbolizing the union of a man and woman.

• Martin Luther: Key figure in the Protestant Reformation.

• Nostra Aetate: A document regarding dialogue between the Catholic Church and non-Christian religions.

• Patriarch of Constantinople: Leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

• Peter: One of Jesus' disciples and considered the first Pope.

• Pope: The leader of the Catholic Church.

• Presbyter: An elder or priest in the Christian Church.

• Protestantism: A branch of Christianity emerging from the Reformation, rejecting papal authority and emphasizing Scripture.

• Reconciliation: A Christian sacrament involving confession of sins and forgiveness.

• Reformation: A 16th-century movement challenging Catholic practices and doctrines.

• Sacraments: Religious rituals believed to convey God's grace.

• Scripture: The sacred writings of the Christian Bible.

• Thomas More: English Statesman and Catholic martyr who opposed the English Reformation.

• Zwingli: A Swiss reformer.

Hinduism

• Agni: Hindu god of fire.

• Ahimsa: The principle of non-violence toward all living beings, a core tenet in Hinduism.

• Atman: The individual soul.

• Aum: A sacred sound representing the universe, used in Hindu meditation.

• Avatar: An earthly manifestation of a deity.

• Bhagavad Gita: A sacred Hindu scripture.

• Brahma: The creator deity in the Trimurti.

• Brahman: The ultimate reality or cosmic spirit in Hinduism.

• Brahmanas: Texts explaining Vedic rituals.

• Caste: The traditional Hindu social class system.

• Ganesha: The elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.

• Good Karma: Positive actions leading to positive consequences.

• Holi: A Hindu spring festival.

• Mahatma Gandhi: An influential Indian leader advocating for nonviolence.

• Mandir: A Hindu temple.

• Maya: The illusion of the physical world.

• Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

• Murti: A statue or image of a deity.

• Puja: A Hindu worship ritual.

• Raja Yoga: A path of meditation and self-discipline toward enlightenment.

• Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

• Shiva: The destroyer and transformer deity in the Trimurti.

• Vedas: Ancient Hindu sacred texts.

• Vishnu: The preserver deity in the Trimurti.

• Yoga: A spiritual practice combining postures, breathing, and meditation.

Buddhism

• Arhat: A person who has achieved enlightenment and escaped the cycle of rebirth.

• Bodhisattva: A being delaying enlightenment to assist others.

• Bodhi: The state of enlightenment in Buddhism.

• Five Precepts: Basic ethical guidelines in Buddhism involving no killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, and intoxication.

• Four Noble Truths: Core Buddhist teachings about suffering, its cause, its end, and the path to liberation.

• Koan: A riddle or paradox in Zen Buddhism.

• Lay People: Non-monastic followers of Buddhism.

• Lotus: A sacred flower symbolizing purity and enlightenment.

• Mandala: A spiritual symbol representing the universe.

• Monk: A Buddhist who dedicates their life to religious practice.

• Nirvana: The ultimate goal in Buddhism—liberation from suffering and rebirth.

• Nun: A Buddhist woman dedicated to religious practice.

• Sangha: The Buddhist community.

• Stupa: A dome-shaped Buddhist monument.

• Three Jewels: The core of Buddhism — the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

• Tripitakas: Buddhist sacred texts (called "Three Baskets").

• Visakha: A Buddhist festival celebrating Buddha's life.

• Wheel of Dharma: A Buddhist symbol representing the Eightfold Path.

Islam

• Adhan: The Islamic call to prayer.

• Eid al-Fitr: Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

• Eid Mubarak: Greeting for Islamic festivals.

• Eid ul-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice.

• Hadith: Recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad.

• Hafiz: A Muslim who has memorized the Qur'an.

• Hajj: The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

• Halal: Permissible or lawful according to Islamic teachings.

• Haram: Forbidden in Islam.

• Ihram: The sacred state and clothing worn during Hajj.

• Islam: A monotheistic religion based on submission to God (Allah).

• Jihad: A struggle in the path of God (can be personal or collective).

• Ka'ba: The holiest site in Islam.

• Medina: City where Muhammad established the Muslim community.

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

• Mount Arafat: A site near Mecca for Hajj prayers.

• Qur'an: The holy book in Islam.

• Salat: Daily Muslim prayers.

• Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan.

• Shahada: The Islamic profession of faith.

• Sunnah: The practices and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

• Surah: A chapter of the Qur'an.

• Zakat: Almsgiving in Islam.

Indigenous Spirituality

• Cosmocentric: Worldview centered on the sacred connection between humans and nature.

• Medicine Wheel: A symbolic circle representing balance and life cycles in Indigenous cultures.

• Sacred Pipe Ceremony: A spiritual ritual using a pipe to connect with the spirit world.

• Smudging: Cleansing ritual using burning herbs.

• Spirit Power: Spiritual energy believed to guide and protect.

• Sweat Lodge: A purification ritual.

• Time: Cyclical view of time in Indigenous traditions.

• Totem: A sacred symbol representing kinship or spiritual connection.

• Vision Quest: A spiritual journey to seek guidance or insight.