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8d. Judaism … a world religion
Judaism and Christianity
Different than other religions. The comparison between Judaism and Christianity is different than that between either of them and any other world religion. All other religions worship false Gods … ones that do not exist. Some questions about God’s dealings with other religions are answered in the first section of eSeeker such as, Is Jesus the only way?, What about the heathen?, and What about good people? The specific question about salvation for a Jew is answered there also.
Jesus in the Jewish Bible. Christianity teaches that Jesus came to earth as the Messiah mentioned, and predicted, in the Jewish Bible (the Old Testament). Messiah Jesus, the Redeemer of Israel, is mentioned in Isaiah 48:16-17, "'Come near to Me, listen to this: from the first I have not spoken in secret, from the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.' Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.'"
The predicted Messiah. With great specificity, a Messiah was predicted throughout the Jewish Bible in the books of the Law of Moses, in the books of the Major and Minor Prophets, and in the Psalms. The One who fulfilled all of those predictions could be recognized as the promised Messiah. Jesus boldly said, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled," Luke 24:44. A comparison of the predictions of Psalm 22 (written ~1000 BC) and the circumstances of the crucifixion in Matthew 27 points to Jesus as that Redeemer (the one who paid for our sins). The first words of Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" were spoken by Jesus from the cross. In total, there are more than 300 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus. In the Old Testament, Jesus is the prophesied Messiah … in the New Testament, He is the arrived Messiah. Consider this partial list of Old Testament predictions and their fulfillments in the birth, life, and death of Jesus.
Born of a virgin, Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:18-25.
Of the lineage of Abraham, Genesis 22:18 and Matthew 1:1.
Of the lineage of David, Jeremiah 23:5 and Luke 3:31.
Born in Bethlehem, Micah 5:2, and Matthew 2:1.
Preceded by a messenger, Isaiah 40:3 and Matthew 3:1-2.
He would teach in parables, Psalm 78:2 and Matthew 13:34.
The Triumphal entry, Zechariah 9:9 and Luke 19:35-37.
Betrayed by a friend, Psalm 41:9 and Matthew 10:4.
Betrayed for 30 silver pieces, Zechariah 11:12 and Matthew 26:15.
Forsaken by His followers, Zechariah 13:7 and Mark 14:50.
Silent before His accusers, Isaiah 53:7 and Matthew 27:12.
Crucified rather than stoned, Psalm 22:16 and Luke 23:33.
Crucified with thieves, Isaiah 53:12 and Matthew 27:38.
Specific disposal of His garments, Psalm 22:18 and John 19:23-24.
No bones broken, Psalm 34:20 and John 19:33.
Buried in a rich man's tomb, Isaiah 53:9 and Matthew 27:57-60.
Two covenants. Christianity teaches that there was a very special Old Covenant (agreement, contract, or arrangement) between God and man (specifically with the Jewish people). That Old Covenant was given in the Law of Moses in the Old Testament. Christianity also teaches that Jesus came to fulfill that Old Covenant and to usher in a New Covenant between God and man (including the Jewish people). True Christianity honors the authenticity of Biblical Judaism … and recognizes that Jesus is the initiator, priest, and sacrifice of the New Covenant. The book of Hebrews compares Jesus and the New Covenant to the Old Covenant as follows.
Jesus is God’s communication to man … better than the Prophets, Hebrews 1:1-2.
Jesus is better than the angels, Hebrews 1:3-4.
Jesus is God, Hebrews 1:8-9.
Jesus is better than Moses, Hebrews 3:1-6.
Jesus offers a better Sabbath’s rest, Hebrews 4:1-11.
Jesus is a better priest, Hebrews 5:1-10 & 7:1-17.
The New Covenant offers a better hope, Hebrews 7:18-19.
The New Covenant is based on a better oath, Hebrews 7:20-22.
Jesus is a permanent rather than temporary priest, Hebrews 7:23-25.
Jesus is a sinless rather than sinful priest, Hebrews 7:26-28.
Jesus ministers in a better tabernacle, Hebrews 8:1-2.
The Old Covenant was but a shadow of the New Covenant, Hebrews 8:4-5.
Jesus has a more excellent ministry, Hebrews 8:6-13.
Jesus offered a better blood sacrifice, Hebrews 9:6-15.
The death of Jesus was a better death, Hebrews 9:16-22.
Jesus offered a better forgiveness, Hebrews 9:24 - 10:18.
Jesus provides a better way, Hebrews 10:19-25.
We go to a better mountain (Zion rather than Sinai), Hebrews 12:18-24.
One flock and one Shepherd. Jesus taught that He was the shepherd that laid down His life for His sheep … for both Jews and non-Jews. Jesus described believing non-Jews as His other sheep that He would combine with His Jewish followers into one fold. "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father,” John 10:14-18. The children of God include both Jews and non-Jews. A Jew is not saved by being a Jew. Salvation is, and has always been, by faith as it was for Abraham, Romans 4:1-5. Likewise, a church member is not saved by being a church member. Salvation for both Jew and non-Jew is by faith in Jesus as the Messiah (Savior) who died to pay for our sins.
A rejected Messiah. Many Jews reject Jesus as their Savior … as do many non-Jews. Much of that rejection is based on cultural pre-conditioning rather than on one’s personal investigation. The same can be said of non-Jews today. Jesus spoke of His being rejected in the parable of the tenant farmers, Matthew 21:33-46. Speaking of Himself as the Son of God, Jesus said, “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him,” John 5:23. There is no way to Heaven for a Jew, or non-Jew, except the way of the one true Messiah, John 14:6.
The Jewish calendar ... a comparison to the Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar is commonly used in much of the world. In accordance with instructions from the Council of Trent (1545-1563), it was proposed by Naples physician Aloysius Lilius and then decreed in a papal bull by Pope Gregory XIII in February 1582. The Gregorian calendar is solar based ... the earth revolving around the sun in ~365.2425 days. To correct for the .2425 inconsistency, an extra day is added at the end of February every four years (leap years) unless the year is evenly divisible by 100 but not by 400. In total, 97 days are added every 400 years. Months are 30 or 31 days long ... except February, which is normally 28 days long and 29 in leap years. The Gregorian calendar ignores the cycle of the moon. A day is defined as one rotation of the earth on its axis ... and referenced from midnight as zero hour. New Years Day is January 1 (first day of the first month) at which time the number of the year is advanced. The zero starting point of reference for the Gregorian calendar is the miscalculated date of the birth of Christ. BC indicates before Christ and AD indicates Anno Domini (in the year of our/the Lord). The estimated date of the birth of Jesus is between 6 and 4 BC. Many Jewish people, uncomfortable with the reference to Jesus in BC and AD refer to Gregorian years as BCE (Before the Common Era) and CE (Common Era).
The Jewish calendar is based on the earth’s rotation on its axis (one day), the moon’s revolution around the earth (29 ½ days), and the earth's revolution around the sun (~365.2425 days). The lunar month begins when the moon’s first crescent sliver becomes visible. The moon is full on the 15th of every month on the Jewish calendar. There are 12.4 lunar months in a solar year. A lunar 12-month calendar loses 11 days a year and a lunar 13-month calendar adds 19 days a year. To compensate for this, Rabbi Hillel in the 4th century CE instituted a system including 7 leap years in every 19 years ... a leap year having 13 rather than 12 months. That extra month is Adar I inserted before Adar (which is called Adar II in those leap years). Jewish months have 29 or 30 days. The zero starting reference point for the Jewish calendar is their traditional date for creation (October 3761 BCE). The Jewish day is defined as starting at sunset rather than midnight ... and is commonly thought of as starting at 6 PM. The first day of the first month is Nisan 1 (in March or April of the Gregorian calendar). However, the celebrated Jewish New Year is in Tishri (the 7th month) and that is when the number of the year is advanced. The 2-day celebration of the New Year is Rosh Hashanah on Tishri 1 and 2.
The correlation of the Jewish months (listed first) and their Gregorian counterparts are given in ecclesiastical (religious) order. The civil Jewish calendar starts on Tishri 1. The Jewish months (such as Nisan) span parts of two Gregorian months (such as March-April).
- Nisan / Nissan (30 days) in March-April
- Iyar / Iyyar (29 days) in April-May
- Sivan / Siwan (30 days) in May-June
- Tammuz / Thammuz (29 days) in June-July
- Ab / Av (30 days) in July-August
- Ellul / Elul (29 days) in August-September
- Tishri (30 days) in September-October
- Cheshvan / Heshvan (29 or 30 days) in October-November
- Chislev / Kislev (30 or 29 days) in November-December
- Tebet / Tevet (29 days) in December-January
- Shebat / Shevat (30 days) in January-February
- Adar I / Adar Sheni / Veader, in leap-years only, (30 days) in February-March
- Adar, called Adar II in leap years (29 days) in February-March
Jewish holidays ... from sunset the day before the calendar date
Rosh Hashanah on Tishri 1 & 2 is the New Year celebration in the 7th month when the calendar year is advanced, Exodus 12:1-2. It was a time where, "You shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation ... you shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord", Leviticus 23:24-25. Today it is a festive celebration with typical New Year's reflections, resolutions, and family gatherings. Twice-a-year Jews go to synagogue on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (as twice-a-year Christians go to church on Christmas and Easter).
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) on Tishri 10 is a personal day of fasting, self-denial, and rest, Leviticus 23:26-32; and the corporate Day of Atonement for sins, Leviticus 16.
Sukkot/Succoth on Tishri 15 (7-day holiday) is the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths (booths or tents) or the Feast of Ingathering, Leviticus 23:16 & 39-44, which included living in booths (tents) for 7 days. This holiday commemorates the wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus.
Shemini Atzeret is an eighth day added to Sukkot because our Creator, like a kind host who has enjoyed our company, asks us to stay an extra day.
Simchat Torah is celebrated immediately after Sukkot to rejoice exuberantly in the Torah (first five books of the Bible) at the completion of its annual cycle of reading. Traditionally the congregation completes reading the last section of Deuteronomy and reads the first section of Genesis at this time. Joyful singing and dancing are a focus and even in some Orthodox congregations, men, women, and children sit and sing together. The last event recorded in the Torah is the death of Moses ... this holiday honors Moses and reminds congregants of the cycle of life from the death of this patriarch to the birth of Genesis 1 & 2.
Chanukkah/Hanukkah on Kislev 25 (8-day holiday), is also known as the Festival of Lights. It should not be called the Jewish Christmas. This holiday celebrates the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Temple after it was desecrated in 164 BCE by the Greeks and Syrians. Gift giving primarily to one's own children has become common so they do not feel left out since their Christmas-celebrating friends get gifts. Chanukkah is somewhat a minor holiday involving dreidles, games for chocolate coins, and potato pancakes. The menorah, lit one candle a day through Chanukkah, commemorates the story of the victorious Jews lighting the Temple's menorah ... having only one day's oil, it miraculously burned for 8 days.
Purim on Adar 14 & 15 is a joyous, non-Shabbat-like, celebration of the rescuing of the Jews from extinction in Persia (see Esther) after the 70-year exile. The Book of Esther is read at this time of eating, drinking, being merry, gift giving, and holding carnival-like celebrations. Some Jews make little triangular-shaped, fruit-filled, cookies called hamentaschen representing the 3-cornered hat of Haman (the villain in the book of Esther). When the name of Haman is spoken during the reading of Esther, it is customary to boo, hiss, stomp feet, and rattle noisemakers (gragers) to blot out the name of Haman. It is a fun holiday sometimes referred to as the Jewish Mardi Gras.
Passover/Pesach is combined today with the Feast of Unleavened Bread and is celebrated on Nisan 15 (7-day holiday), celebrating the Passover of Exodus 12:14-17, and Leviticus 23:4-6. This holiday (the one most widely observed) celebrates the passing-over of the Jewish firstborns during the final plague (death to every firstborn) that convinced the Pharaoh of Egypt to let the Jewish slaves leave (the Exodus), Genesis 11 & 12. The Passover meal is known as the Seder including a shank bone of a sheep, unleavened bread, bitter herbs, wine, candles, an egg, salt water, greens, and a grated apple. Traditionally, a boy at the table asks, "Why is this night different from all other nights?" His father answers telling, or reading, the story of the events leading up to the Exodus.
Counting of the Omer is the counting of the 50 days from Passover to Shabuoth (Pentecost), Leviticus 23:15-16, Deuteronomy 16:9-10. An omer is a unit of measure ... on the 2nd day of Passover an omer of barley was cut down and brought to the Temple as a sacrifice.
Shabuoth/Shavu'ot (Pentecost) on Sivan 6-7 celebrates the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai and the harvest of first fruits, Leviticus 23:15-21. It is referred to by Jews as Shavuot distinguishing it from the Pentecost events of Acts 2. Celebrated on the fiftieth day after the second day of the Passover … also called the Feast of Weeks.
The Jewish Bible … the Tanach
The Jewish Bible is the Tanach (Tanakh). See the acronym T-N-K below. Beyond the first 11 books, the order of Old Testament is different from the Tanach. The Tanach is arranged in three sections as given below. The massive (up to 30 volumes) Talmud is the oral (and later written) commentary and expansion of the Torah. Sometimes Torah refers to all of Jewish teaching.
Torah includes the Five Books of Moses and is also called the Pentateuch.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Nevi'im is the books of the prophets, but also contains history books.
Joshua
Judges
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Kethuvim includes a variety of writings.
A Jewish timeline
~ 2000 BCE Abraham and Sarah … and their son and daughter-in-law Isaac and Rebekah
- Jacob/Israel ... and Leah (& Zilpah) ... and Rachel (& Bilhah)
- The 12 sons/tribes of Israel/Jacob
- Reuben, Simeon, Levi (the Levites), Judah, Dan, Naphtali,
- Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin
- Slavery in Egypt for 430 years
- ~1445 BCE Moses led the Jewish Exodus out of slavery in Egypt ... and celebrated the first Passover
- ~ 1400 BCE Joshua led the Jews into the Promised Land
~ 1000 BCE David was King in Israel
~ 950 BCE Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem
~ 931 BCE The Kingdom divided into southern Judah and northern Israel
- 722 BCE Israel’s 10 tribes taken into Assyria and dispersed
- 606 BCE Judah, Benjamin, and Levi were taken into the 70-year exile in Babylonia.
- 586 BCE Judah defeated and the Temple destroyed
536 BCE Zerubbabel led the first of Judah’s tribes back to Jerusalem to build the Second Temple
- 428 BCE Ezra and Nehemiah dedicated the Second Temple 164 BCE Victorious revolt against the Greeks (celebrated by Chanukkah)
70 CE Second Temple destroyed by Titus, son of Roman Emperor Vespasian
1880 CE Mass emigrations began to the US via Ellis Island
1917 CE The Balfour Declaration
1938 CE The Holocaust began with the Kristallnacht
1947 CE The UN General Assembly partitioned Palestine into separate
- Jewish and Palestinian states
1948 CE Israel is declared a state on May 14th
1967 CE The Six-Day War
1973 CE The Yom Kippur War
1976 CE The Raid on Entebbe, Uganda to rescue hostages
1979 CE Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty
Note: Early BCE dates are approximate.
Types of Judaism
Conservative ... often called Historical Judaism in Europe and Masorti in Israel. This movement is between Orthodox and Reform ... the former considered too literal and strict while the latter considered being too liberal. Adherence to the Torah and other Jewish laws and customs are contextualized to the time and place.
Jewish Renewal ... as a movement mixes tradition and feminist ideals with lessons from diverse religious traditions such as Eastern meditation and mysticism (Jewish and other). Often they express their Judaism politically and ecologically.
Liberal Judaism … see Reform Judaism.
Messianic Jews ... those who recognize Jesus (Y'shua) as the Messiah (Mashiach). They celebrate the Passover and other Jewish holidays, wear yarmulkes and prayer shawls, and believe in Jesus as their Mashiach. Other types of Judaism do not look favorably on Messianic Jews.
Orthodox ... those who take the Torah very seriously and literally as from God. They are very observant of the laws, holidays, and customs. Many are recognized by their black hats and black coats. The Modern Orthodox are more likely to wear modern clothes while the Ultra-Orthodox dress like the Orthodox but wear the shtreimel (a black fur hat). The black clothing is a sign of mourning over the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. Hasidism and Mitnagdim are both Orthodox.
Progressive Judaism … see Reform Judaism.
Reconstructionist ... began as a movement in the 1960s but can be traced to 17th century CE Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza and 20th century CE theologian Mordecai Kaplan. This movement reconstructs God as the non-being, natural, moral, and creative force in theuniverse. They believe that Judaism is kept alive by reconstructing it for the need of the day.
Reform Judaism (reform, not reformed) ... outside of the United States this is often called Progressive or Liberal Judaism. It is a more of a self-conviction type of Judaism rather than Torah-based. Reform Jews once were uninvolved in Synagogue but now many are deeply committed to Judaism and Jewish spirituality. They seat men and women together in Synagogue, generally do not follow the dietary laws, and make yarmulkes and prayer shawls optional. Reform Judaism was the first to ordain women as Rabbis (beginning in 1972).
Secular/Humanistic Judaism ... focuses on being Jewish in heritage, ethnicity, and nationality. Rabbi Sherwin Wine established this movement in the early 1960s. They may have congregations, celebrate the Jewish holidays, have Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and follow many Jewish customs. They celebrate a Judaism that is more of heritage than of spirituality.
Kosher Rules
Kosher foods are prepared under strict Hebrew dietary laws called Kasrut. Food is Kosher, or Kasrut, if it meets those rules ... not because it is blessed by a Rabbi. A Rabbi may inspect and certify foods to be Kasrut. Kosher is a way to butcher, choose, prepare, cook, eat, and clean afterwards. The Kasrut, the rules of Kosher, are derived from just a few principles.
- 1. Certain animals may not be eaten including their flesh, organs, eggs, and milk.
- 2. All blood, in keeping with the Noahdic Covenant, Genesis 9:4, must not be eaten.
Therefore, all blood must be drained from an animal ... or cooked out of it.
See also Lev. 7:26-27 & 17:10-14 and Deuteronomy 12:23-24.
- 3. Birds and animals mist be killed in accordance with Jewish Law.
- 4. Certain parts of animals must not be eaten.
- 5. Meat cannot be eaten with dairy because the Torah tells us not to boil a kid in its mother's milk. Exodus 23:19 & 34:26 and Deuteronomy 14:21.
- 6. Utensils for eating and preparation may not be used for both meat and dairy, if contact occurred when food was hot.
- 7. Fruit and vegetables must be inspected for non-edible insects.
- 8. Grape products made by non-Jews are not allowed.
Animals (mammals) that may be eaten
"These are the creatures which you may eat from all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever divides a hoof, thus making split hoofs, and chews the cud, among the animals, that you may eat. Nevertheless, you are not to eat of these, among those which chew the cud, or among those which divide the hoof: the camel, for though it chews cud, it does not divide the hoof, it is unclean to you. Likewise, the shaphan (rock badger), for though it chews cud, it does not divide the hoof, it is unclean to you; the rabbit also, for though it chews cud, it does not divide the hoof, it is unclean to you; and the pig, for though it divides the hoof, thus making a split hoof, it does not chew cud, it is unclean to you. You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you." Leviticus 11:3-8
"You shall not eat any detestable thing. These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep. Any animal that divides the hoof and has the hoof split in two and chews the cud, among the animals, that you may eat. Nevertheless, you are not to eat of these among those which chew the cud, or among those that divide the hoof in two: the camel and the rabbit and the shaphan (rock badger), for though they chew the cud, they do not divide the hoof; they are unclean for you. The pig, because it divides the hoof but does not chew the cud, it is unclean for you. You shall not eat any of their flesh nor touch their carcasses." Deuteronomy 14:3-8
Some meats are labeled Glatt-Kosher meaning that a post-mortem examination of the lungs has determined them to be glatt, i.e., smooth and adhesion-free.
Things from the water that may be eaten
"These you may eat, whatever is in the water: all that have fins and scales, those in the water, in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat. But whatever is in the seas and in the rivers that does not have fins and scales among all the teeming life of the water, and among all the living creatures that are in the water, they are detestable things to you, and they shall be abhorrent to you; you may not eat of their flesh, and their carcasses you shall detest. Whatever in the water does not have fins and scales is abhorrent to you." Leviticus 11:9-12
"You may eat of all that are in water: anything that has fins and scales you may eat, but anything that does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; it is unclean for you." Deuteronomy 14:9-10.
Birds that may be eaten
‘These, moreover, you shall detest among the birds; they are abhorrent, not to be eaten: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard, and the kite and the falcon in its kind, every raven in its kind, and the ostrich and the owl and the sea gull and the hawk in its kind, and the little owl and the cormorant and the great owl, and the white owl and the pelican and the carrion vulture, and the stork, the heron in its kinds, and the hoopoe, and the bat." Leviticus 11:13-19
"You may eat any clean bird. But these are the ones which you shall not eat: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard, and the red kite, the falcon, and the kite in their kinds, and every raven in its kind, and the ostrich, the owl, the sea gull, and the hawk in their kinds, the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, the pelican, the carrion vulture, the cormorant, the stork, and the heron in their kinds, and the hoopoe and the bat." Deuteronomy 14:11-18
Insects that may be eaten
"All the winged insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you. Yet these you may eat among all the winged insects which walk on all fours: those which have above their feet jointed legs with which to jump on the earth. These of them you may eat: the locust in its kinds, and the devastating locust in its kinds, and the cricket in its kinds, and the grasshopper in its kinds. But all other winged insects which are four-footed are detestable to you." Leviticus 11:20-23
Forbidden rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects (except as mentioned above)
‘Now these are to you the unclean among the swarming things which swarm on the earth: the mole, and the mouse, and the great lizard in its kinds, and the gecko, and the crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand reptile, and the chameleon." and "Now every swarming thing that swarms on the earth is detestable, not to be eaten. Whatever crawls on its belly, and whatever walks on all fours, whatever has many feet, in respect to every swarming thing that swarms on the earth, you shall not eat them, for they are detestable. Do not render yourselves detestable through any of the swarming things that swarm; and you shall not make yourselves unclean with them so that you become unclean." Leviticus 11:29-30 and 11:41-43
Acceptable type of death of the animal
Animals and birds must have been slaughtered swiftly with a very sharp knife cutting the throat, and then with the blood immediately drained. Any removal of blood by broiling must be completed within 72 hours. No animal may be eaten that died of natural causes, Deuteronomy 14:21. No animal may be eaten that is killed by another animal, Leviticus 22:8.
Other rules
A blood-spotted egg may not be eaten. Putting one into a heated pan makes the pan non-kosher.
The sciatic nerve and adjoining blood vessels may not be eaten. Removing this nerve is neither time-effective nor cost-effective. Therefore, many slaughterers sell the hindquarters to non-kosher butchers. A kind of fat, known as chelev, which surrounds the vital organs and the liver, may not be eaten.
Pots, pans, utensils, plates, silverware, dish washing pans, dishwashers, dish racks, spoon rests, trivets, dish towels, pot holders, sinks, and stove-tops are all under the don't mix meat and dairy Kosher rules. Kashering them (making them Kosher again) after contamination varies from normal cleaning to running an empty load through the dishwasher between meat and dairy.
Influential Jewish people
The Jewish population in the world is relatively small. However, the Jewish people have been, and are, well known and accomplished in many fields. God promised to bless the world through Abraham, "I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great ... and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed," Genesis 12:2-3. Many of the Jewish men and women listed below have been a blessing to the world … but all listed have not. This abbreviated list exemplifies the influence and accomplishments of the Jewish people.
- Abe Beame
- Adam Sandler
- Al Davis
- Al Michaels
- Alan Greenspan
- Alicia Silverstone
- Barbara Boxer
- Barbara Streisand
- Barbara Walters
- Barney Frank
- Beastie Boys
- Ben Stiller
- Bill Maher
- Billy Crystal
- Billy Joel
- Bob Kraft
- Cal Abrams
- Charles Schumer
- Cindy Margolis
- David Blaine
- David Copperfield
- David Schwimmer
- David Stern
- Debra Messing
- Debra Winger
- Diane Feinstein
- Dolph Schayes
- Ed Ames
- Ed Asner
- Ed Koch
- Fiorello LaGuardia
- Geraldo Rivera
- Goldie Hawn
- Harrison Ford
- Harry Houdini
- Henry Kissinger
- Henry Waxman
- Henry Winkler
- Howie Mandel
- Irving Berlin
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Jane Seymour
- Jeff Goldblum
- Jerry Lewis
- Jerry Seinfeld
- Jesus
- Joel Siegel
- John the Apostle
- John the Baptist
- Jon Stewart
- Joseph Lieberman
- Joshua Bolten
- Karl Marx
- Kate Capshaw
- Kate Hudson
- Katie Couric
- Kinky Friedman
- Larry Brown
- Larry King
- Leonard Nimoy
- Lisa Kudrow
- Liz Taylor
- Madeleine Albright
- Marilyn Monroe
- Mark Spitz
- Marv Albert
- Matt Drudge
- Matthew Broderick
- Mel Brooks
- Michael Chertoff
- Michael Douglas
- Mike Wallace
- Natalie Portman
- Neil Diamond
- Olivia Newton-John
- Patricia Arquette
- Paul (the Apostle)
- Paul Newman
- Paula Abdul
- Pauly Shore
- Peter (the Apostle)
- Peter Sellers
- Red Auerbach
- Red Holzman
- Richard Dreyfuss
- Rob Morrow
- Rob Reiner
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Rod Serling
- Rodney Dangerfield
- Sandy Berger
- Sandy Koufax
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Sarah Michelle Gellar
- Sean Penn
- Steven Segal
- Ted Koppel
- Tom Arnold
- W. Michael Blumenthal
- William Safire
- William Shatner
- Woody Allen
An abridged Dictionary of Jewish and Yiddish words
Adar … Month 12 of the Jewish calendar in non-leap years, falling in February-March. Adar becomes Adar II in leap years when an extra month, Adar I, is inserted in the calendar after Shebat and before Adar.
Anti-Semitism ... Attitudes and actions that are anti-Semite (meaning against the descendants of Noah's son Shem). The term Semite technically applies to both Jews and Arabs. However, anti-Semitism is specifically refers to hatred of Jews, Judaism, and Israel.
Ark ... The cabinet (holy chest) where the scrolls of the Torah are kept.
Ark of the Covenant ... The chest described in Exodus 25:10-22 & 37:1-9 and Hebrews 9:4. It contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments given to Moses.
Av ... Month 5 of the Jewish calendar, falling in July-August.
Bagel ... A round donut-shaped (wheel-shaped) bread that is boiled before it is baked.
Balfour Declaration ... A significant 1917 letter from the British Foreign Secretary Lord Balfour to Lord Rothschild stating the British government's commitment to creating a Jewish state/homeland in Palestine.
Bar Mitzvah ... Son of the commandment, i.e., a boy reaching the age of 13 and therefore accountable for his obedience to the commandments. Also refers to the ceremony/celebration of his reaching that age.
Bat Mitzvah ... Daughter of the commandment, i.e., a girl reaching the age of 12 and therefore accountable for her obedience to the commandments. Also refers to the ceremony/celebration of her reaching that age.
BCE ... Before the Common Era, a way to date something as BC (Before Christ) without referring to Christ's birth as the starting point.
Beards ... Full Jewish beards and curled sideburn-locks, Leviticus 19:27 & and 21:5.
Blintz ... A Yiddish word for rolled crepe-like pancakes with fillings of fruit, potatoes, cheese, etc.
Boychick ... A young boy.
B'nai Brith ... The oldest Jewish service organization in the world (founded in New York in 1843).
Bris ... Yiddish for Brit Milah.
Brit Milah … The covenant of circumcision or the ritual of circumcising a Jewish male child on the 8th day of his life or of a convert after conversion, Genesis 17:9-14. See also Deuteronomy 10:16 & 30:6 and Jeremiah 4:4 & 9:25-26 for circumcision of the heart not just of the flesh.
CE ... Common Era, a way to date something as AD (Anno Domini, in the Year of the/our Lord) without referring to Christ's birth as the starting point.
Chai ... Life or living.
Challah ... An eggy bread, usually braided, served on Shabbat and holidays.
Cheshvan ... Month 8 of the Jewish calendar, falling in October-November.
Chutzpah (hootspah) ... A presumptive brazen arrogance, courage, and gall.
Circumcision ... Removal of the foreskin of an 8-day old male child, see Brit Milah.
Chanukkah ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Conservative Judaism ... See The Types of Judaism.
Day of Atonement ... See Yom Kippur in The Jewish Holidays.
Dispora ... Any place outside of Israel where Jewish people live ... particularly those displaced from Israel by the Romans.
Dreidle ... A simple, spinning, top-like toy often associated with Chanukkah.
Elul ... Month 6 of the Jewish calendar, falling in August-September.
Essenes ... A Jewish mystical sect from about 100 BCE to the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. They are not mentioned in the Hebrew orChristian Bibles.
Feast on Ingathering ... See Sukkot in The Jewish Holidays.Feast of Tabernacles/Booths ... See Sukkot in The Jewish Holidays.
Feast of Unleavened Bread ... See Passover in The Jewish Holidays.
Feast of Weeks ... See Pentecost and The Jewish Holidays.
Firstborn ... The first-born male child in a family.
Fleishik ... Yiddish for Kosher meat and utensil categorization ... see Milchik and Pareve.
Gefilte Fish ... Yiddish for a traditional food of a ball, or cake, of chopped fish.
Gentile ... A non-Jew.
Gesundheit ... A Yiddish wish for good health often used in response to a sneeze.
Goy (plural, Goyem) ... A non-Jew. Goy literally means nation ... meaning someone who is non-Jewish in a nation other than Israel. It is not inherently derogatory, but is often taken that way.
Hadassah ... A very large and Zionist Jewish organization named after Esther of the book of Esther. Hadassah is the Hebrew name of Esther. It focuses on health care, education, and youth programs. It was founded by Henrietta Szold in 1912 in New York City and has been awarded for its equal treatment of all regardless of religion, ethnicity, or nationality.
Hanukkah ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Hasidic Judaism ... A pious, very orthodox movement originating in the 18th century. With beliefs and practices differing from Orthodox communities, they were, at one time, excommunicated.
Holocaust (the Shoah) … the Nazi's systematic imprisoning, abusing, torturing, and killing of over 6 million Jews (and others) in death camps. They were worked to death, medically abused and experimented upon, executed by shooting and hanging, deprived, and poison-gassed before their bodied were burned.
Hootspah (chutzpah) ... A presumptive brazen arrogance, courage, and gall.
Iyar ... Month 2 of the Jewish calendar, falling in April-May.
Jew ... To the Orthodox Jew, it means being born as a member of the tribe tracing back through one's Jewish mother, through one of the 12 Tribes of Israel, to Isaac, and to Abraham and Sarah, Genesis 12-50. More liberal Jews believe also that if your father was Jewish, then you are Jewish. Some people, following a set of rituals, become Jewish by conversion.
Judaism ... The religion of the Jews. See also The Types of Judaism
.Kabbalah ... Mystical Jewish tradition.
Kasher ... To render a food or utensil fit for Kosher use.
Kasrut ... Kosher, or the body of Kosher rules.
Ketuvim ... The writings, the 3rd section of the Hebrew Bible (the Tanach) containing various writings not necessarily connected to each other. See the section The Hebrew Bible.
Kibbitz ... Yiddish meaning to give advice when not invited to do so, to butt in.
Kibbutz ... A collective, usually agricultural, community often combining socialism and Zionism.
Kike ... A derogatory, insulting slang word for a Jew that should never be used. A story of its possible derivation is that illiterate Jewish immigrants coming through Ellis Island into the US would not use an "x" for their mark on immigration papers because of its identification as a symbol of Christ. They used a circle mark instead. The Yiddish word for circle is kikel ... a word Ellis Island officials began using as slang for the Jews. Over time, the final letter was dropped from the end of the word.
Kippah ... See Yarmulke.
Kislev ... Month 9 of the Jewish calendar, falling in November-December.
Knish ... Traditional potato and flour dumpling stuffed with onion, chopped liver, cheese, etc.
Kosher ... Something that is proper and correct, especially food prepared under strict Hebrew dietary laws.
Kristallnacht ... The night of broken glass (November 9-10, 1938) that marked the beginning of the Holocaust in Germany. Jews were attacked ... 91 killed, 30,000 taken to concentration camps, windows broken, and buildings burned.
Latkes ... Potato pancakes normally associated with Chanukkah.
L'Chayim ... A traditional and customary toast meaning to life.
Levites ... Descendants of Jacob's (Israel's) 3rd son Levi who served in the Temple. Moses' brother Aaron's descendants were also of the tribe of Levi and served specifically as the Priests.
Lox ... Smoked salmon often eaten with cream cheese and red onion on bagels.
Maccabees ... Jewish patriot family of the 2nd to 3rd centuries BCE who freed Judea from Syria.
Matzah ... Unleavened cracker-like bread normally associated with Passover, Exodus 12.
Matzah Ball Soup ... Traditional chicken soup with matzah-meal dumplings.
Maven ... A Yiddish word for an expert or connoisseur.
Mazel Tov ... A traditional wish expressing congratulations rather than wishing good luck.
Menorah ... The 9-branched Chanukkah candle stand … or the 7-branched one used in Temple.
Mensch ... A person of exceptional character, strength, and honor ... one who is moral, ethical, and noble.
Messianic Jews and Assemblies ... Those who recognize Jesus (Y'shua) as the Messiah (Mashiach). They celebrate the Passover and other Jewish holidays, wear yarmulkes and prayer shawls, and believe in Jesus as their Savior.
Milchik ... Yiddish for Kosher dairy food and utensil categorization ... see Fleishik and Pareve.
Mishnah ... The early written compilation of the oral tradition of Judaism.
Mishneh Torah ... A respected compilation of Jewish law written by Rambam.
Nevi'im ... The 2nd section of the Hebrew Bible (the Tanach) of the books of the prophets.
Nisan ... Month 1 of the Jewish calendar, falls in March-April.
Nosh ... Little snacks.
Nu? ... A very common Yiddish expression of many meanings depending on tone, expression, and context such as How are you?, Really?, What?, or Isn't that obvious?
Old Testament ... The Hebrew Bible as referred to by non-Jews. Jews generally do not accept the New Testament. Therefore, they see no reason to call their Bible the Old Testament.
Oy! ... An expression of surprise, joy, dismay, or pain ... more than Oh! Pronounced as in boy.
Oy Vey! ... Oy, woe!
Pareve ... Yiddish for Kosher neutral food, neither meat nor dairy ... see Fleishik and Milchik.
Passover ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Pentecost ... See Shabuoth in The Jewish Holidays.
Pesach ... See Passover in The Jewish Holidays.
Pentecost ... The festival celebrating the giving of the Torah and the harvest of first fruits, Leviticus 23:15-21. Referred to by Jews as Shavuot distinguishing it from the Pentecost events of Acts 2. Celebrated on the fiftieth day after the second day of the Passover ... also called the Feast of Weeks.
Pentateuch ... See Torah.
Pharisees ... A separatist sect (often of teachers) that believed in the strictest and most literal interpretation and observance of the Torah and Talmud (written and oral Jewish Laws). Their outward observance without inward observance could be described as following the letter of the Law at the expense of the spirit of the Law, earning the distinction of being examples of legalistic hypocrites.
Phylacteries ... Leather pouches containing small scrolls of Scripture passages (particularly Deuteronomy 6:4-9 & 11:1-16, and Exodus 13:1-16. In a literal application of Deuteronomy 6:8, they are strapped to the left arm and forehead during weekday morning prayers.
Promised Land ... The Land of Israel promised to Abraham and his descendants, Genesis 12:7, 13:14-15, and 15:18-21.
Purim ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Putz ... A fool, jerk, or pain-in-the-butt person. Pronounced as the golf stroke on a green (he putts the ball). Considered vulgar because it is a word for the male genitalia.
Rabbi ... A religious teacher who may also make decisions about the application of Jewish law.
Reconstructionism ... See The Types of Judaism.
Rosh Hashanah ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Sabbath ... The 7th day each week given to man to rest and for spiritual enrichment, Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8 ... also referred to as Shabbat.
Sadducees ... The priestly, aristocratic sect, probably from the 2nd century BCE until the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. They denied the Resurrection and the existence of angels.
Sanhedrin ... The Jewish supreme court, Numbers 11:16. There last decision was in 358 A.D.
Seder ... The family meal celebrating the Passover.
Shabbat ... See the Sabbath. There are many special Shabbats such as Ha-Chodesh, Ha-Gadol, Hazon, Mevarekhim, Nachamu, Parah, Sheqalim, Shirah, Shuvah, and Zakhor.
Shabuot / Shavu'ot ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Shalom ... A greeting of peace used as hello or goodby. Shabbat shalom is the special Sabbath greeting.
Shemini Atzeret ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Shevat ... Month 11 of the Jewish calendar, falling in January-February.
Shlemazl ... An insulting reference to someone of chronic bad luck.
Shlemiel ... An insulting reference to a foolish person who has a propensity to constantly make mistakes.
Shlep ... To carry or drag something around.
Shlock ... Junky stuff that may be overpriced when free.
Shmear ... To spread thinly as cream cheese on a bagel. Also used of giving a bribe.
Shmuck ... An insulting reference to a fool. Once considered vulgar because it actually is a word used for the male genitalia. Shortened by some to shmo as in, "He is such a shmo."
Shiva ... A seven-day mourning period after the death of a close relative.
Shkutz ... An insulting reference to a non-Jewish male.
Shofar ... A long horn (animal) blown trumpet-like to signal the beginning or end of religious ceremonies ... also used for battle signals.
Simchat Torah ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Sivan ... Month 3 of the Jewish calendar, falling in May-June.
Six-Day War ... In May of 1967 Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria announced their intended attack of Israel. On June 5th Israel launched a one-day pre-emptive strike knocking out the Egyptian and Syrian Air Forces. After six days, Israel defeated the coalition of enemies and captured the Golan Heights from Syria, the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and the West Bank and Eastern Jerusalem from Jordan.
Star of David (Magen David) ... The six-pointed star emblem of Israel and the Jewish people that has no particular connection in history to King David.
Sukkot/Succoth ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Synagogue / Shul ... A local Jewish congregation or the place where they meet. Going to Temple really means going to Synagogue because the Temple was the one in Jerusalem.
Talmud ... The oral Torah, or the written version of the Jewish oral traditions interpreting and commentating on the Torah. This is a massive work published in as many as 30 volumes.
Tammuz ... Month 4 of the Jewish calendar, falling in June-July.
Temple ... The center for worship in Jerusalem, which was built by Solomon during his reign 967 BCE to 928 BCE. This First Temple was destroyed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE. After the 70-year Exile, Zerubbabel led the people back from Babylonia after it fell to Persia. They rebuilt the Temple ... see the book of Ezra for this account. Around 70 CE, Titus the son of Roman Emperor Vespasian put down a Jewish uprising and destroyed the Second Temple. Many believe that the Temple will be rebuilt on its original site where the most holy Arab Dome of the Rock now stands.
Tanach / Tanakh ... The Hebrew Bible consisting of 39 books. The Tanach (Tanakh) is called the Old Testament by Christians but not by Jews since they do not recognize the New Testament. The Tanach has 3 sections ... the Torah (5 books of Moses, also called the Pentateuch), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Kethuvim (Writings). Tanach can be seen as the acronym T-N-CH ... T for Torah, N for Nevi'im, and KH for Kethuvim.
Tevet ... Month 10 of the Jewish calendar, falling in December-January.
Tishri ... Month 7 of the Jewish calendar, falling in September-October.
Torah ... The first 5 books of the Bible, also called the Pentateuch, the 5 books of Moses, i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Some refer to the whole of Jewish teaching as Torah.
Wailing Wall ... The western retaining wall of the ancient site of the Temple where Jews go to pray.
Western Wall ... The Wailing Wall …another name for the same western retaining wall of the ancient site of the Temple where Jews go to pray.
Yarmulke ... Also Kippah, the skullcap worn by Jewish men (and by some women in Conservative and Reform communities) as a head covering at services and by Orthodox men at all times as a symbolic statement that God is above, that the 613 Torah commandments are accepted, as a declaration of being Jewish, and of commitment to ministry to all Jews. The basis of wearing a Yarmulke is in the Talmud and not the Torah ... in Shabbat 156b and Kiddushin 31.
Yente ... An insulting term for a vulgar, gossipy woman. Yentle, a woman's name, is not associated with this.
Yeshiva ... A place of sitting designating a school, particularly one focusing on Torah and Talmud study.
YHVH ... The most revered and unspoken name of God, the Shem Ha'M'forash (the ineffable, not to be spoken, name). Adonai (meaning Lord) is substituted for YHVH when reading out loud. Jehovah comes from a combination of the consonants of YHVH and the vowels of Adonai.
Yiddish ... A common Jewish language mixing Hebrew, German, Polish, Slavic, and Russian.
Yom Kippur ... See The Jewish Holidays.
Yom Kippur War ... A war commenced on Yom Kippur in 1973 as Israel was surprise-attacked by Egypt and Syria. Israel was victorious in three weeks.
Zion ... Another name for Jerusalem.
Zionists ... Jews who believe, strive for, and fight for the continuance of the State of Israel.
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