STUDY GUIDE -- JUDAISM I. Identify and explain the significance of the following: Zealots Talmud Abraham Talmud Torah Wisdom Literature Pharisees Kabbala Synagogue Diaspora David Covenant Zionism Maimonides Bar Mitzvah Exodus Passover Moses YHWH Amos 1. What role or contribution did each of the following make to the development of Judaism: Abraham, Moses, Ezra, Maimonides? 2. Describe the nature and characteristics of the god YHWH. How is he known? 3. Explain the place and function of the Sabbath, the Synagogue and the sacred times in Jewish life and practice. 4. Differentiate Reform, Orthodox and Conservative Judaism in America. 5. What are the three divisions of the Hebrew scriptures? What is the Talmud? 6. Explain the major Jewish holidays and what they commemorate, including Passover, Pentecost (Weeks), Rosh Hoshanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot (Tabernacles). 7. What is the Jewish concept of time? How does this differ from typically Eastern concepts? 8. The Babylonian Exile was an important event in the development of Judaism. What was the exile? What developments occurred in Judaism as a reponse to the exile experience? NOTE THE FOLLOWING MAJOR CONCEPTS IN JUDAISM: YAHWEH– From Tribal war god to Monotheism (creator, ethical, judge, liberator, etc. What is the Shemah? TIME – Linear, not cyclical HISTORY – Arena of divine activity, reveals divine intent and nature COVENANT – Relation with the Hebrews/Jews, nation of priests TORAH – Law of God, defines covenant relationship ETHICS – Defined by God’s Law Historical sequence Prehistory – note theme: Sin, Punishment, Grace Patriarchal History (Abraham to Joseph) EXODUS – Central event, role of Moses as liberator and law-giver Followed by Sinai, sets concept of God acts then man responds Confederacy – period of the judges Monarchy – Saul, David, Solomon Divided Kingdom: Northern kingdom of Israel until 722 BCE (Assyria) Southern Kingdom of Judah until 586 (Babylon) Babylonian Exile – Synagogue and Toral Persian, then Greek, then after Maccabean period, Rome Roman rebellions of 66 CE and 135 CE Diaspora – Rabbinic Judaism