Chapter 8: Judaism

Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter, you will be able to do the following:
• Discuss developments in the four general periods of Jewish history.
• Describe the three parts of the Hebrew Bible.
• Retell some of the major stories in the Hebrew scriptures.
• Describe Jewish religious practices.
• Explain the characteristics of the major divisions within Judaism.
• Discuss the history of persecution that culminated in the Holocaust.
• Discuss challenges Judaism faces in the modern world.

Chapter Summary
The history of the Jews can be divided into four periods of time that began with a homeless people called the Hebrews or Israelites.

They eventually found a homeland in Israel marked with the milestones of establishing a kingly dynasty, a capital in Jerusalem, and a temple. A second period began in the sixth century B.C.E. when the kingdom of Judah and its first temple were destroyed and the people were forced into a fifty-year exile in Babylon. This event led to the emergence of the synagogue and prompted putting religious law and history in written form to guarantee its survival.

After the exile, the work of the priests took on great significance. Influences from the surrounding cultures also began to enter into Jewish life and knowledge of Hebrew declined. With foreign domination came Zoroastrian ideas and later the appeal of Hellenistic culture. Tensions between accommodation and rejection of external influences led to the rise of religious factions after 165 B.C.E. These included the Sadducees, the Pharisees, the Zealots, and the Essenes, who possibly assembled the Dead Sea Scrolls.

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This period also saw the growth of the Diaspora, Jewish communities outside the land of Israel.
The next period was initiated in the Common Era when the second temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. This ended the power of the priesthood, whose sacrificial rituals were no longer possible, and forced the religion to move toward a greater focus on scripture. The Hebrew canon was finalized and commentaries were written. Classical or rabbinic Judaism and traditional Jewish life were established, as was mystical Kabbalah. Great communities in the Diaspora both flourished and endured persecution, mainly at the hands of European Christians. The final period, called the Reform, began in about 1800 as a response to the European Enlightenment. It was an impetus to question and modernize traditional Judaism, and it helped produce the diverse branches within Judaism today, which hold differing views on Jewish identity and practice. Centuries of persecution and dislocation reached a climax with the Holocaust under the reign of Adolf Hitler. One-third of all Jews were killed. Out of the ashes, the Nation of Israel was born.
Judaism is often associated with its most important book. The Hebrew Bible contains a variety of material that essentially records interactions and responses between the people and a God who is portrayed in complex ways, perhaps reflecting different ancient traditions that were ultimately combined. The scriptures are divided into three parts. First is the Torah, the sacred core of five books containing stories of the Creation, Adam and Eve, a Great Flood, the Hebrew patriarchs and matriarchs, and Moses, the great liberator and lawgiver. It includes laws about religious ritual and daily conduct, including the Ten Commandments. The second part is called the Prophets, after those people who spoke in God’s name to the Jewish people. The third part is called the Writings, which include a variety of material, such as short stories, proverbs, poetry, and reflections on life.
Judaism centers on a way of life that recognizes the presence of God and the sanctification of human life. Beyond embracing the Ten Commandments, the most obvious examples are keeping the Sabbath, observing holy days and festivals, and following dietary practices. The mythic power of its great stories and the clarity of its ethical codes have shaped Western civilization. Judaism is known for its strong moral orientation and a this-worldly focus that has led to major contributions in multiple fields.

Ashkenazim
Jews who lived in or came from central Europe.

bar mitzvah
“Son of the commandment” (Aramaic); the coming-of-age ceremony that marks the time when a young man is considered a legal adult within the Jewish community.

bat mitzvah
“Daughter of the commandment” (Aramaic); the coming-of-age ceremony that marks the time when a young woman is considered a legal adult within the Jewish community.

biblical Judaism
Judaism before the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.).

Canaan
An ancient name for the land of Israel.

Conservative Judaism
A branch of Judaism that attempts to blend the best of old and new Judaism.

covenant
A contract; the contract between the Hebrews and their God, Yahweh.

diaspora
The dispersion of Jews beyond Israel, particularly to Persia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean region.

Essenes
A semimonastic Jewish reclusive group that flourished from about 150 B.C.E. to 68 C.E.

Hanukkah
An early-winter festival recalling the rededication of the Second Temple, celebrated with the lighting of the candles for eight days.

Holocaust
The destruction of European Judaism by the Nazis; also known as Shoah (Hebrew: “extermination”).

Kabbalah
“Received,” “handed down”; the whole body of Jewish mystical literature.

Ketuvim
“Writings”; the third section of the Hebrew Scriptures, consisting primarily of poetry, proverbs, and literary works.

kosher
“Ritually correct”; said particularly about food consumption and food preparation.

menorah
A candelabrum usually containing seven—and occasionally nine—branches used for religious celebrations.

Messiah
A savior figure to be sent by God, awaited by the Jews.

midrash
“Search”; rabbinical commentary on the scriptures and oral law.

Nevi’im
“Prophets”; the second section of the Hebrew Scriptures, made up of historical and prophetic books.

Orthodox
The most traditional branch of Judaism.

Passover
A joyful spring festival that recalls the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt and freedom from oppression.

Pharisees
A faction during the Second-Temple period that emphasized the observation of biblical rules.

prophet
A person inspired by God to speak for him.

Purim
Joyous festival in early spring that recalls the Jews’ being saved from destruction, as told in the book of Esther.

rabbi
A religious teacher; a Jewish minister.

rabbinical Judaism
The Judaism that developed after the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.).

Reconstructionism
A modern liberal branch of Judaism that emphasizes the cultural aspects of Judaism.

Reform
A movement beginning in the nineteenth century that questioned and modernized Judaism; a liberal branch of Judaism.

Rosh Hashanah
“Beginning of the year”; the celebration of the Jewish New Year, occurring on the seventh lunar month.

Sabbath
“Rest”; the seventh day of the week (Saturday), a day of prayer and rest from work.

Sadducees
A priestly faction, influential during the Second-Temple period.

Seder
“Order”; a special ritual meal at Passover, recalling the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt.

Sephardim
Jews of Spain, Morocco, and the Mediterranean region.

sukkot
“Booths”; a festival in the late autumn that recalls the Jews’ period of wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt.

talit
A prayer shawl worn by devout males.

Talmud
An encyclopedic commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures.

Tanakh
The complete Hebrew Scriptures, made up of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

tefillin
Phylacteries; two small boxes containing biblical passages that are worn by Orthodox males on the heads and left arm at morning prayer during the week.

theophany
A revelation or appearance of God.

Torah
“Teaching,” “instruction”; the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures; also the additional instructions of God, believed by many to have been transmitted orally from Moses through a succession of teachers and rabbis.

Western Wall
The foundation stones of the western wall of the last temple of Jerusalem, today a place of prayer.

yarmulke
The skullcap worn by devout males.

Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement, the most sacred day of the Jewish year.

Zealots
An anti-Roman, nationalistic Jewish faction, active during the Roman period of control over Israel.

Zionism
The movement that has encouraged the creation and support of the nation of Israel.

The Talmud is the dispersion of Jews beyond Israel, particularly to Persia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean region.
False

A tefillin is a candelabrum usually containing seven—and occasionally nine—branches used for religious celebrations.
False

The diaspora is an encyclopedic commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures.
False

Midrash means “rest”; it is the seventh day of the week (Saturday), a day of prayer and rest from work.
False

Pharisees refers to a faction during the Second Temple period that emphasized the observation of biblical rules.
True

Sephardim are phylacteries; two small boxes containing biblical passages that are worn by Orthodox males on the heads and left arm at morning prayer during the week.
False

Messiah is a savior figure to be sent by God, awaited by the Jews.
True

Essenes refers to a semimonastic Jewish community that flourished from about 150 B.C.E. to 68 C.E.
True

Biblical Judaism describes the Judaism that developed after the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.).
False

Canaan is a joyous festival in early spring that recalls the Jews being saved from destruction, as told in the book of Esther.
False

Diaspora means “teaching,” or “instruction”; it is the name given to the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, also the additional instructions of God, believed by many to have been transmitted orally from Moses through a succession of teachers and rabbis.
False

“Biblical Judaism” describes Judaism before the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.).
True

Seder means “order”; it is a special ritual meal at Passover, recalling the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt.
True

The Western Wall is the foundation stones of the western wall of the last temple of Jerusalem, today a place of prayer.
True

Bar mitzvah means “son of the commandment”; it is the coming-of-age ceremony that marks the time when a young man is considered a legal adult within the Jewish community.
True

Kosher means “ritually correct”; it is said particularly about food consumption and food preparation.
True

Passover is a joyful spring festival that recalls the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt and freedom from oppression.
True

A yarmulke is the skullcap worn by devout males.
True

Theophany is a revelation or appearance of God.
True

Yarmulke is a contract; it is the contract between the Hebrews and their God, Yahweh.
True

Sadducees refers to an anti-Roman, nationalistic Jewish faction, active during the Roman period of control over Israel.
False

Holocaust refers to the destruction of European Judaism by the Nazis; also known as Shoah (Hebrew: “extermination”).
True

Ketuvim refers to the “Writings”; it is the third section of the Hebrew Scriptures, consisting primarily of poetry, proverbs, and literary works.
True

Purim is the movement that has encouraged the creation and support of the nation of Israel.
False

An Ashkenazim is a prayer shawl worn by devout males.
True

Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.
True

Ketuvim refers to the “Prophets”; it is the second section of the Hebrew Scriptures, made up of historical and prophetic books.
False

A rabbi is a religious teacher; it is the term for a Jewish minister.
True

Tanakh refers to the complete Hebrew Scriptures, made up of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings.
True

Midrash means “search”; it is rabbinical commentary on the scriptures and oral law.
True

Sukkot is an ancient name for the land of Israel.
False

Conservative Judaism is a branch of Judaism that attempts to blend the best of old and new Judaism.
True

Sukkot means “booths”; it is a festival in the late autumn that recalls the Jews’ period of wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt.
True

Ashkenazim refers to Jews of Spain, Morocco, and the Mediterranean region.
False

Kabbalah means “beginning of the year”; it is the celebration of the Jewish New Year, occurring on the seventh lunar month.
False

Sephardim refers to Jews who lived in or came from central Europe.
False

Orthodox is the most traditional branch of Judaism.
True

Essenes refers to a modern liberal branch of Judaism that emphasizes the cultural aspects of Judaism.
False

Hanukkah is an early-winter festival recalling the rededication of the Second Temple, celebrated with the lighting of the candles for eight days.
True

Tanakh is a modernizing movement and a liberal branch of Judaism.
False

A talit is a person inspired by God to speak for him.
False

Kabbalah means “received,” or “handed down”; it refers to the whole body of Jewish mystical literature.
True

The Hebrews trace themselves to an ancestor named
A) Adam.
B) Abraham.
C) Abel.
D) Noah.
B) Abraham.

A contract between the Hebrews and their God was called a
A) mitzvah.
B) covenant.
C) yarmulke.
D) commandment.
B) covenant.

Someone inspired by God to speak for him was called a
A) priest.
B) rabbi.
C) prophet.
D) king.
C) prophet.

God first appeared to Moses in
A) the form of an Egyptian slave.
B) a cloud on Mt. Sinai.
C) a burning bush.
D) the Red Sea.
C) a burning bush.

The sacred core of the Hebrew Bible is sometimes called the
A) Pentateuch.
B) Talmud.
C) Writings.
D) Prophets.
A) Pentateuch.

The first King of Israel was
A) Daniel.
B) Moses.
C) David.
D) Saul.
D) Saul.

Who conquered the northern kingdom?
A) the Babylonians
B) the Persians
C) the Assyrians
D) the Romans
C) the Assyrians

Who conquered the southern kingdom?
A) the Babylonians
B) the Persians
C) the Greeks
D) the Egyptians
A) the Babylonians

The anti-Roman nationalistic Jewish faction that was active during the Roman period of control over Israel was the
A) Pharisees.
B) Sadducees.
C) Zealots.
D) Essenes.
C) Zealots.

The semimonastic Jewish community during the Roman period that referred to themselves as the “sons of light” were the
A) Pharisees.
B) Sadducees.
C) Zealots.
D) Essenes.
D) Essenes.

Mystical speculation sometimes prompted by persecution was the
A) Tanakh.
B) Midrash.
C) Kabbalah.
D) Talmud.
C) Kabbalah.

The Jewish Day of Atonement is
A) Ashenazim.
B) Hanukkah.
C) Passover.
D) Yom Kippur.
D) Yom Kippur.

The three centers of Jewish life today include Israel, the United States, and
A) Morocco.
B) Poland.
C) Germany.
D) Russia.
D) Russia.

The ________, or phylacteries, are two small boxes containing biblical passages that are worn by Orthodox males on the heads and left arm at morning prayer during the week.
A) sukkot
B) tefillin
C) rabbi
D) talit
B) tefillin

Judaism before the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.) is referred to as
A) biblical Judaism.
B) Reconstructionist Judaism.
C) Sephardic Judaism.
D) rabbinical Judaism.
A) biblical Judaism.

The ________ is the destruction of European Judaism by the Nazis, also known as Shoah (Hebrew
“extermination”).
A) Kabbalah
B) Passover
C) Holocaust
D) Purim: C) Holocaust

The movement that has encouraged the creation and support of the nation of Israel is
A) Zionism.
B) Reconstructionism.
C) Orthodoxy.
D) Conservativism.
A) Zionism.

The ________ was a priestly faction that was influential during the Second-Temple period.
A) Sadducees
B) Sephardim
C) Ashkenazim
D) Essenes
A) Sadducees

________ means “ritually”; it is said particularly about food consumption and food preparation.
A) Yarmulke
B) Kosher
C) Kabbalah
D) Diaspora
B) Kosher

________ is a savior figure to be sent by God, awaited by the Jews.
A) Canaan
B) Hanukkah
C) Messiah
D) Nevi’im
C) Messiah

________ means “beginning of the year”; it is the celebration of the Jewish New Year, occurring on the seventh lunar month.
A) Rosh Hashanah
B) Bar Mitzvah
C) Seder
D) Yom Kippur
A) Rosh Hashanah

A ________ is a revelation or appearance of God.
A) theophany
B) prophet
C) midrash
D) menorah
A) theophany

________ is a joyful spring festival that recalls the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt and freedom from oppression.
A) Canaan
B) Passover
C) Purim
D) Seder
B) Passover

The most traditional branch of Judaism is
A) Orthodox.
B) Conservative.
C) Reform.
D) Zionist.
A) Orthodox.

________ means “rest”; it is the seventh day of the week (Saturday), a day of prayer and rest from work.
A) Sabbath
B) Passover
C) Kabbalah
D) Tanakh
A) Sabbath

________ is a branch of Judaism that attempts to blend the best of old and new Judaism.
A) Conservative Judaism
B) Hasidic Judaism
C) Biblical Judaism
D) Reform Judaism
A) Conservative Judaism

A ________ is a religious teacher; it is the term for a Jewish minister.
A) rabbi
B) tefillin
C) midrash
D) sukkot
A) rabbi

The ________ is the skullcap worn by devout males.
A) tefillin
B) midrash
C) sukkot
D) yarmulke
D) yarmulke

________ means “daughter of the commandment”; it is the coming-of-age ceremony that marks the time when a girl is considered a legal adult within the Jewish community.
A) Bar mitzvah
B) Kabbalah
C) Yarmulke
D) Bat mitzvah
D) Bat mitzvah

The ________ were the priestly faction, influential during the Second Temple period.
A) Sadducees
B) Talmud
C) Canaanites
D) Pharisees
A) Sadducees

The ________ refers to the dispersion of Jews beyond Israel.
A) menorah
B) scatare
C) mitzvah
D) diaspora
D) diaspora

________ is the early winter festival celebrated with the lighting of candles for eight days.
A) Hanukkah
B) Seder
C) Talmud
D) Sadducees
A) Hanukkah

The movement that has encouraged the creation and support of the Nation of Israel is called ________.
A) Jainism
B) Zionism
C) Judaism
D) All these answers are correct.
B) Zionism

The ________ is the encyclopedic commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures.
A) Sadducees
B) Hanukkah
C) Seder
D) Talmud
D) Talmud

The special ritual meal at Passover that recalls the Exodus from Egypt is called the ________.
A) Sadducees
B) Hanukkah
C) Seder
D) Talmud
C) Seder

The Hebrew word for commandment is ________.
A) midrash
B) diaspora
C) mitzvah
D) menorah
C) mitzvah

A ________ is a candlestick that usually contains seven branches.
A) menorah
B) rabbi
C) mitzvah
D) diaspora
A) menorah

The word meaning teaching or instruction that can refer to the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures is the ________.
A) Pentateuch
B) Torah
C) Capstone
D) Vedas
B) Torah

A ________ is a Jewish teacher or minister.
A) diaspora
B) mitzvah
C) menorah
D) rabbi
D) rabbi

________ is an ancient name for the land of Israel.
A) Goshen
B) Canaan
C) Mesopotamia
D) The Fertile Crescent
B) Canaan

Meaning “search,” ________ is a rabbinical commentary on the scriptures and oral law.
A) mitzvah
B) diaspora
C) midrash
D) menorah
C) midrash

A ________ is a revelation or appearance of a God.
A) menorah
B) diaspora
C) midrash
D) theophany
D) theophany

A faction during the Second-Temple period, the ________ emphasized the observation of biblical rules.
A) Pharisees
B) Sadducees
C) Canaanites
D) Zealots
A) Pharisees

An anti-Roman, nationalistic Jewish faction, the ________ were active during the Roman period of control over Israel.
A) Pharisees
B) Sadducees
C) Canaanites
D) Zealots
D) Zealots

Meaning “shelters” or “booths,” ________ is a festival in the late autumn that recalls the Jews’ period of wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt.
A) Sabbath
B) Kabbalah
C) Sukkot
D) Sephardim
C) Sukkot

Meaning “rest,” ________ is the seventh day of the week (Saturday), a day of prayer and rest from work.
A) Sabbath
B) Sukkot
C) Rosh Hashanah
D) Sephardim
A) Sabbath

Meaning “received” or “handed down,” ________ is the whole body of Jewish mystical literature.
A) Kabbalah
B) Sukkot
C) Sabbath
D) Sephardim
A) Kabbalah

Meaning “beginning of the year,” ________ is the celebration of the Jewish New Year, occurring on the seventh lunar month.
A) Sukkot
B) Sabbath
C) Rosh Hashanah
D) Sephardim
C) Rosh Hashanah

The Day of Atonement, ________, is the most sacred day of the Jewish year.
A) Rosh Hashanah
B) Sabbath
C) Yom Kippur
D) Sukkot
C) Yom Kippur

The ________, a savior figure to be sent by God, is awaited by the Jews.
A) Sukkot
B) Kabbalah
C) Pharisees
D) Messiah
D) Messiah

Meaning “son of the commandment,” the coming-of-age ceremony ________ mitzvah marks the time when a boy is considered a legal adult within the Jewish community.
A) bat
B) bar
C) tor
D) tad
B) bar

Jews of Spain, Morocco, and the Mediterranean region are known as ________.
A) Pharisees
B) Zealots
C) Sephardim
D) Sukkot
C) Sephardim

Jews who lived in or came from central Europe are known as ________.
A) Ashkenazim
B) Sephardim
C) Kabbalah
D) Sukkot
A) Ashkenazim

The ________ were the priestly faction, influential during the Second Temple period.
Sadducees

The ________ refers to the dispersion of Jews beyond Israel.
diaspora

________ is the early winter festival celebrated with the lighting of candles for eight days.
Hanukkah4

The movement that has encouraged the creation and support of the Nation of Israel is called ________.
Zionism

The ________ is the encyclopedic commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures.
Talmud

The special ritual meal at Passover that recalls the Exodus from Egypt is called the ________.
Seder

The Hebrew word for commandment is ________.
mitzvah

A ________ is a candlestick that usually contains seven branches.
menorah

The word meaning teaching or instruction that can refer to the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures is the ________.
Torah

A ________ is a Jewish teacher or minister.
rabbi

________ is an ancient name for the land of Israel.
Canaan

“Search”; ________ is a rabbinical commentary on the scriptures and oral law.
midrash

A(n) ________ is a revelation or appearance of a God.
theophany

A faction during the Second-Temple period, ________ emphasized the observation of biblical rules.
Pharisees

An anti-Roman, nationalistic Jewish faction, ________ were active during the Roman period of control over Israel.
Zealots

“Booths”; ________ is a festival in the late autumn that recalls the Jews’ period of wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt.
Sukkot

“Rest”; ________ is the seventh day of the week (Saturday), a day of prayer and rest from work.
Sabbath

“Received,” “handed down”; ________ is the whole body of Jewish mystical literature.
Kabbalah

“Beginning of the year”; ________ is the celebration of the Jewish New Year, occurring on the seventh lunar month.
Rosh Hashanah

Day of Atonement, ________ is the most sacred day of the Jewish year.
Yom Kippur

A savior figure to be sent by God, the ________ is awaited by the Jews.
Messiah

“Son of the commandment”; the coming-of-age ceremony ________ mitzvah marks the time when a young person is considered a legal adult within the Jewish community.
bar

Jews of Spain, Morocco, and the Mediterranean region are known as ________.
Sephardim

Jews who lived in or came from central Europe are known as ________.
Ashkenazim

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Chapter 8: Judaism. (2018, Jan 25). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/paper-on-chapter-8-judaism/

Chapter 8: Judaism
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