Review Questions 5

To understand Judaism we have to look first at the history of a particular group in Palestine from its legendary origins to the time of the destruction of the Second Temple in the first century CE. Then we look at the history of the Jewish people defining themselves in terms of exile and return.

1. What is the Torah? How does Judaism regard the other books that make up what Christians call "the Old Testament"--and why would this term be offensive to Jews?
2. What is the story of the covenant made with Abraham?
3. What is meant by "the Mosaic law"? What would be necessarily different between how the law was observed before the destruction of the Temple and afterwards?
4. What do these terms mean: mishna, talmud, kosher, minyan?
5. In Jewish history, what is the difference between a priest and a rabbi?
6. What are some of the practices that would characterize someone who is an observant Orthodox Jew?
7. What differences are there among Conservative, Reform and Orthodox Jews?
8. What is Zionism?
9. What is the story behind Passover? How is the festival celebrated?
10. What are the High Holy Days and how are they celebrated?