REL 1300-19: Introduction to World ReligionsSpring 2012Final Exam Study Guide Key Terms: For each of the key terms provided, be able to provide the meaning, context, and importance for the traditions with which they are associated. At the very least, you should be able to identify these terms in matching and fill-in-the blank questions. Key Concepts/Questions: These are more specific concepts and questions to think about in preparing for the exam. These questions may appear in short answer, true or false, or multiple-choice formats. I. Judaism A. Key Terms- Tanak – The entire Hebrew bible, consisting of Torah or law, Nebi’I, or prophets, and Ketuvim or sacred writings, and named as an acronym of these three terms. - Documentary Hypothesis – The theory (1894) that the Pentateuch (first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible) was not written by one person (Moses) but compiled over a long period of time from multiple sources. These sources include:- J Source (Yahwist): Oldest source: 10th century (during the reign of Solomon). Emphasis on traditions important to Judah (southern). Fullest of sources.-E Source (Elohist): Has emphasis on traditions important in the northern part of Israel. Style: somber; indicative of national crisis.-P Source (Priestly): Final editor of the already existing sources. Emphasis on religious observance and ritual. Concerned with the reinstitution of national order. High literary style: poetic, elevated language, ordered.-D Source (Deuteronomic). A time of religious revolution and renewed adherence to the covenant. A series of sermons from Moses to the new generation of Israel east of the Jordan River before his death. Deuteronomic theology: obedience brings divine blessing, disobedience brings a divine curse.- Covenant – A formalized agreement governed by binding conditions. Principally refers to any of a number of solemn agreements made between God and the children of Israel in the Hebrew Bible. - Abrahamic Covenant – God calls on Abraham and promise him 3 things; Land, descendants, andblessing. The sign of this covenant(agreement) is circumcision. - Maccabean Revolt - A revolt that broke out in 166 BCE by a group of moderately traditionalist Jews that called themselves the Maccabeans. They were fighting back against Hellenistic Judaism and were fighting to take Jerusalem back from the Seleucids who transformed Jerusalem’s temple in a cult place of Zeus.- Pharisee- The most popular sect of Judaism during the first-century. It represented the middle class. Some were skilled workers, and many were professional scribes. - Synagogue – The local place of assembly for congregational worship, which became central to the tradition after the destruction of the Jewish temple. - Midrash- Commentary on biblical (written) scripture. - Mishnah – The Hebrew summary of the oral law- inherited from Pharosaism and ascribed to Moses- arranged by topic; edited by Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi before 220 CE, it has authority paralleling that of the written Torah. - Talmud – Commentaries on the Mishnah- Torah – Division of the Hebrew Bible that discusses law. It is written and includes the first 5 books for the Hebrew Bible (the Pentateuch) - Exodus - The Exodus was the migration of Hebrews from Egypt under the leadership of Moses, understood in later Hebrew thought as marking the birth of the Israelite nation.- Kabbalah – The medieval Jewish mystical tradition that attempts to gain access to the divine andto affect the future course of events and so participate in the divine plan for the universe.- Sabbath- The seventh day of the week, observed by Jews since ancient times as a day of rest from ordinary activity. Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday. Day of rest; no work; Day for song, prayer, and quiet contemplation ; Sign of the Covenant; Sabbath meal—singing psalms, hymns, and special Sabbath songs - Kosher- Term for food that is ritually acceptable , indicating that all rabbinic regulations regarding animal slaughter and the like have been observed in its preparation- Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement, ten days after Rosh Hashanah; solemn day of contemplation, fasting, moral inventory, and examination of one’s conduct.- Zionism – Modern movement to found a modern nation in the ancient holy land of Israel. They desire to revive Hebrew as a unifier of national identity.B. Key Concepts/Questions(1) Creation accounts in Genesis 1 vs. Genesis 2: How do they differ and how is this related to the Documentary Hypothesis? Proof for the documentary hypothesis can be argued because of the some of the literary and stylistic differences in the some of the stories of the Hebrew bible. This is the case in the two creation accounts. In the first creation account (P)God is transcendent, distant and removed. Majestic and powerful. In the second (J)he is anthropomorphic and immanent. Therefore in the first (P) God creates with speech and in the second (J) he creates by personal interaction (2:21-23). Additionally, male and female created at same time in first vs. male created first and females second.(2) Maccabean Revolt: Understand causes, significance, and relationship to Hanukkah. A revolt that broke out in 166 BCE by a group of moderately traditionalist Jews that called themselves the Maccabean. They were fighting back against Hellenistic Judaism and were fighting to take Jerusalem back from the Seleucids who transformed Jerusalem’s temple in a cult place of Zeus. The rededication of the temple brought the divided Jewish community together and is commemorated in the minor Jewish holiday, Hanukah. Hanukah means rededication.(3) Pharisaism and the origins of the Rabbinic movement. How did the Pharisees lay the foundation for the Rabbinic movement?In 70 CE the second temple was destroyed, so all temple forms of Jewish practice disappeared and it was up to the Pharisees to carry on the tradition. The Pharisees tried to establish principles and procedures for scriptural interpretation- which were eventually developed in the rabbinic perioid. They also assigned priorities to the various commandments, and focused on the intention with which they were observed, as a way of making the law humane and livable. (4) What is the Talmud and why is it significance for Jewish tradition?It is the 2nd basic literature of Rabbinic Judaism, the first being the Mishnah (both are books of ‘oral law’). There is one Mishnah and it is about the length of
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