RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland

APPENDIX
Glossary
APPENDIX
Amidah: a silent prayer said when standing, a part of every service. The
most common version contains eighteen benedictions concerning
knowledge, repentance, health, prosperity, ingathering of exiles,
justice, restoration of Jerusalem, acceptance of prayer, peace and so
on
Beth Din (pr. bet-deen): a rabbinic court that deals with matters of
Jewish law
Brit Milah: circumcision, the sign of the covenant
Cantor: a singer who leads the congregation in prayer
Challot (pr. ha-lot (‘ch’ as in ‘loch’)): the special plaited loaves of bread
that are used for Shabbat and festivals
Covenant: the agreement between God and Abraham which lies at the
core of Judaism
Haftarah: literal meaning is ‘conclusion’. A passage from the books of
the Prophets with a theme that corresponds to the weekly sidra
which is read at the end
Halachah: collective term for Jewish law
Havdalah: ceremony which brings Shabbat to an end and separates it
from the new week
Kashrut: the laws dealing with Jewish dietary regulations
Kiddush (pr. key-doosh): blessing recited over wine at the start of
Shabbat and festival meals
Ma’ariv (pr. ma’ar-eev): evening service /prayers
Machzor (pr. mach (‘ch’ as in ‘loch’)-zor): special prayer book for Jewish
festivals. There is usually a separate volume for each festival
Mashiach (pr. ma-shee-ach (‘ch’ as in ‘loch’)): anointed with oil like the
kings of Israel. The Hebrew term for the Messiah
Melachot (pr. me-lach-ot (‘ch as in ‘loch’)): works, the tasks that are
forbidden on Shabbat
Messiah: God’s anointed one – a future leader who will bring peace and
harmony to the world
Mezuzah (pr. mi-zoo-zah): small roll of parchment on which is written
the Shema and two biblical passages concerning love for God and his
precepts. It is enclosed in a metal or wooden case and fastened to
the upper part of the doorpost on the right side of the entrance to
each room
Midrash: explanation; texts that elucidate the Torah by using stories or
parables
RMPS: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H) 85
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