Judaism: Beliefs & Teachings Key terms

God's agreement to look after the Jews as his chosen people, subject to Israel's obedience.

The person through whom God set free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, to whom God gave the Ten Commandments and through whom God made a covenant with Israel.

The divine presence

The mitzvah of ‘saving a life’ which overrides all other religious laws.

The books that comprise the Jewish scriptures.

Literally ‘the anointed one’. Orthodox Jews believe that he will be a human person sent by God to establish justice and peace on the earth. For Reform Jews, he is a symbolic figure.

Holy day of the week; day of spiritual renewal beginning at sunset on Friday and continuing to nightfall on Saturday.

Jews who believe God gave the complete Torah to Moses and therefore live according to Jewish laws and traditions.

Jews who believe the Torah was inspired by God and was developed through their history – therefore laws may be changed or adapted to modern life.

The belief that human life is holy, precious, sacred and God-given