The Chosen Vocabulary and Understanding Traditions Read the

The Chosen Vocabulary and Understanding Traditions

Read the following & discuss its meaning: “Honest differences of opinion should never be permitted to destroy a friendship” (219) Says Mr. Malter to Reuven

Being Jewish: A person whose mother was a Jew or who has converted to Judaism. According to the Reform movement, a person whose father is a Jew is also a Jew. Although the term is derived from the term "Judahite" (meaning a member of the tribe of Judah or a citizen of the kingdom of Judah), it has historically been applied to the patriarchs, the matriarchs and all of the descendants of Jacob and all converts to their faith.

In the text, Reuven and Danny would both be considered Orthodox Jews, though as Reuven narrates there are distinctions between his and Danny’s practice. Danny: The Hasidim are known for their mystical interpretation of Judaism and for their faithful devotion to their leaders. (rejection of secular and American culture, strict observance of commandments) Reuven: In contrast, traditional Orthodoxy emphasizes a rational and intellectual approach to Judaism.

Vocabulary Torah: the first five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), The Prophets, and The Writings comprise the written Torah. Talmud: book of Jewish civil and canonical law in 63 volumes; interprets and expands the teachings of the Torah. Kabbalah: mystical or spiritual interpretation of the scriptures.

Abba: father- an intimate expression The term "reb, " which is simply a Yiddish title of respect more or less equivalent to "Mister" in English. Pilpul: empty arguments about minute points of the Talmud Blatt: 1 blatt = 2 pages of Talmud Yeshiva: Jewish school

Simchat Torah: A holiday celebrating the end and simultaneous beginning of the cycle of weekly Torah readings. Each week in synagogue the congregants publicly read a few chapters from the Torah, starting with Genesis Ch. 1 and working to Deuteronomy 34. On Simchat Torah, we read the last Torah portion, then proceed immediately to the first chapter of Genesis, reminding us that the Torah is a circle, and never ends. In 2015, this will occur on the evening of Monday, October 5, and end on the evening of Tuesday, October 6.

Synagogue: Jewish place of worship Shtiblach: Hasidic sects’ small house of worship & prayer

Tzitzit: tassels/fringes on clothing to remind wearer to be faithful. The strings and knots act as a physical representation of the Torah’s 613 dos and don’ts. Tallit gadol: prayer shawl with 4 corners to remind individual of commandments. Worn by men over clothing when at morning prayer. Tefillin(phylacteries): 2 small black boxes worn on head and arm during daily prayers. Inside: Leather pouches containing scrolls of scripture. .

Hasids wear hats to cover their heads in respect for God. Clothing does not have to be black, but is almost always a dark, conservative color. Black clothing dates back to the time when the dye was rare and expensive, and thus saved formal occasions. The fringes and beard are worn in obedience to the commandment in the Torah in Leviticus, “You shall not round the corners of your heads, nor mar the edges of your beards. ” The tzitzit worn under clothes is known as a short cloak (tallit katan). Boys begin wearing side curls at age three. It is a very important ceremony followed by a lively celebration. Peyot-long side curls Married women wear wigs.

Traditional clothing

Religious terms Apikorsim: a Jewish person who denies and/or does not practice the basic tenets of his faith Gematriya: a field of Jewish mysticism finding hidden meanings in the numerical value of words (since each Hebrew letter is assigned a number) Yiddish: Germanic language written using Hebrew characters. Yiddish is the Yiddish word for “Jewish. ” At one time this was the international language of the Jews of Central & Eastern Europe and their descendants. Hebrew: The language of the Torah & prayer. A Semitic language belonging to Afroasiatic language family. Zionism: movement to establish a Jewish state in Palestine.

Challah: bread eaten on Shabbat Nu: equivalent of “so” and used when you are awaiting a reply Samovar: urn used to boil water for tea

Tzaddik: a Jewish holy man and leader; takes on his peoples’ sufferings. Literally means “Righteous Ones, ” and refers to a completely righteous individual who is thought to have spiritual or mystical power. Rebbe is the term for the spiritual master and guide of a Chasidic (Hasidic) community. The term is sometimes translated as "Grand Rabbi, " but literally it simply means "my rabbi. " A rebbe is also considered to be a tzaddik (but a rabbi is not necessarily a Tzaddik). The position is usually hereditary. A rebbe has the final word over every decision in a Hasid's life.

Ba'al Shem Tov (bahl shem tohv) “Master of the Good Name” known as the Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer. The founder of Hasidic Judaism. 1736 became healer and leader and died in 1760.

Shabbat Friday evening Sundown to Saturday evening Sundown -Most important ritual observance in Judaism -Day of rest and spiritual enrichment

A Typical Shabbat Preparations begin around 2 or 3 PM on Friday Shabbat candles are lit (2) and the blessing is recited no later than 18 minutes before sunset. This officially marks the beginning of Shabbat. Mothers offer Shabbat Prayer Attendance at an Evening Synagogue service

Smicha: rabbinic ordination Rav-Teacher Rabbi-originated from the Hebrew word meaning “teacher” of the Torah and Jewish Law.

A Typical Shabbat…con’t Festive dinner: Kiddush, the prayer over wine, and the prayer over bread (challah) are recited before dinner. After dinner, grace after meals is said accompanied by many lively songs. On Saturday morning, Shabbat services last from 9 am-12 pm. Afternoon meal Study Torah and engage in other leisure activities

A Typical Shabbat…con’t Third meal, very light, late in the afternoon. Ends at nightfall, when three stars are visible in the sky (about 40 minutes after sunset). The family performs the Havdalah, which is the concluding ritual marking the end of Shabbat or a holiday.

Four young Hasidic Jews watching a baseball game in Central Park.

Works Cited Pastor Tom’s Sabbatical News http: //www. lordofhehills. org/sabbatical/sabbati cal-May. php Google. com Judaism 101 http: //www. jewfaq. org/shabbat. htm