Glossary of Words in the Book

Abraham – He lived around 1800 BCE.	Abraham is the man chosen by G-d to make an eternal covenant with; a covenant between the G-d of the universe and Abraham and his descendants.
Adam and Eve	Adam was the first man and Eve was the first woman to be created by G-d. G-d placed them in the Garden of Eden, which was perfect. When they disobeyed G-d, they were forced to leave the Garden. All human beings are descendants of Adam and Eve.
Adonai – Another name for the G-d of the Bible	In Judiasm, the name of G-d is so holy that is cannot be spoken. The word Adonai mean ‘Lord’ and is often used as a substitute for G-d. Adonai refers to the one and only G-d who created the heavens and the earth and is the King of the universe.
Ark of the Covenant	This was a wooden chest covered completely with gold (inside and out) and contained the Ten Commandments and a couple of other artifacts. The Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies, inside the Holy Temple until it disappeared around 600 BCE. The presence of G-d rested on top of the Ark.
Chuppah (hoopa)	A canopy made of fabric and used during Jewish weddings and betrothals. The bride and groom stand under the canopy, which represents heaven.
Elijah – He lived around 900 BCE.	One of the most famous prophets and miracle workers of the Old Testament. He defended the worship of G-d over the worship of Baal.
Ephod	A piece of garment worn by the High Priest; it was similar to an apron and worn over robe. The front of the ephod contained a breastplate with 12 semi-precious stones, each stone represent one of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Essenes	The Essenes were a religious group in Israel over 2,000 years ago. They lived a righteous lifestyle and believed the Zadok priestly lineage to be the true priest of Adonai.
G-d (God)	The G-d of the Bible and the creator of the universe and everything in it. G-d is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient.
Holy Temple	Over 2,000 years ago, the Holy Temple was located on a small mount in the city of Jerusalem. It was the most holy place in Judaism and where animal sacrifices were made as ordained by G-d. Over 1,000 priests served at the Temple in various duties.
Jewish Calendar	A lunar calendar currently used by the Jewish people. There is a civil calendar which begins in the fall and a religious calendar which begins in the spring. The seven Jewish festivals are based on the religious calendar.
King David – He live around 1000 BCE.	David was a shepherd boy who lived in Bethlehem. He became famous for killing the giant Goliath, who was an enemy of Israel. David later became the King of Israel. He was also a musician and a poet and was the father of King Solomon. It was prophesied that the coming Messiah (Savior) would be a descendent of David.
Ketubah	An ancient Jewish contract between two families with children who are pledged to each other in marriage.
King Herod	The evil king who ruled Israel, over 2,000 years ago, during the renovation of the Jewish Holy Temple (sometimes called Herod’s Temple).
Levites	One of the twelve tribes of the Jewish people who descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. All priests who served in the Holy Temple were required to be from the tribe of Levi and were called Levites.
Messiah	The Hebrew word translated as ‘Messiah’ means an ‘anointed one’, a person anointed or empowered for a specific task. In ancient Judaism, a future Messiah was promised through the lineage of Abraham and King David. The Jewish Messiah would defeat evil, save the people of Israel and bring peace to the world.
Moses – He lived around 1300 BCE.	Moses, also known as Moshe, is the most important prophet of Judaism. He led the children of Israel (about 3 million people) out of slavery in Egypt, where they had lived for 400 years. Moses led them to Mt. Sinai where G-d gave Moses the Ten Commandments, written on stone. Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah (or the Law).
Most High	A title used for the G-d of the Bible, the G-d who is higher than any other god.
Pesach (Passover)	One of the three main festivals in Judaism. During ancient times in Israel, all Jewish men were required to travel to the Holy Temple, in Jerusalem, for this festival. This festival occurs in the spring and is called Passover by Christians. This festival has been celebrated for over 3,000 years.
Pharisees	The Pharisees where successful businessmen and leaders of the Jewish people 2,000 years ago. They were an influential religious (and sometime political) sect within ancient Judaism. They tried to force others to follow their beliefs (and rules) and they believed in the supernatural (such as miracles and the resurrection).
Sabbath	The Sabbath is considered a Jewish holy day. It is basically Saturday, but it begins on Friday night at sundown and lasts until sundown on Saturday.
Sadducees	The Sadducees were Jewish aristocrats in Israel, over 2,000 years ago, and had legal and philosophical power. But, they were not deeply religious and rejected the supernatural elements of Judaism (angels, demons, miracles, the resurrection, etc.).
Shavuot (Pentecost)	One of the three main festivals in Judaism. Also called the Feast of Weeks; it took place 7 weeks after Passover. During ancient times in Israel, all Jewish men were required to travel to the Holy Temple, in Jerusalem, for this festival. This festival occurs in early summer and is called Pentecost by Christians.
Shema Prayer	This prayer is the best known Jewish prayer and has been recited for over 3,000 years. It is the most essential element of the Jewish faith. The prayer is considered the Greatest Commandment for Jews. The Jewish Shema prayer is spoken twice a day: “Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad. V’ahavta et Adonai Eloheicha b’chol l’vavcha u’vchol nafshcha uvechol modecha”, which means “Hear O Israel: The Lord our G-d, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your G-d with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” (Deu 6:4-5)
Sukakh	A temporary three sided shelter, built during the Feast of Tabernacles.
Sukkot (Tabernacles)	One of the three main festivals in Judaism. During ancient times in Israel, all Jewish men were required to travel to the Holy Temple, in Jerusalem, for this festival. This is a seven day festival which occurs in early fall. This festival is also called the Feast of Emmanuel (God with us).
Synagogue	A Jewish place for worship and teaching, similar to a church.
Tanakh	The first half of the Bible; Christians call this the Old Testament.
Temple Mount	This is another name for the mount on which the Jewish Holy Temple stood until 70AD. While it stood, the Holy Temple was the center of Jewish worship. The Temple Mount also contained other buildings and a large plaza and was enclosed by a huge retaining wall. Part of this wall still stands today in Jerusalem; it is called the Western Wall (or Wailing Wall) and is a holy place for Jewish people.
Ten Commandments	Ten instructions (commandments) for how to live a holy life pleasing to G-d; these commandments are central to the teaching of Judaism and Christianity.
Torah	The first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy).
YHVH	The four Hebrew letters yod, hey, vav, hey spell the holy name of G-d. The English equivalent is YHVH. In the Jewish tradition, the name of G-d is so holy that it cannot be spoken by anyone except the High Priest and then only at certain times.
Yom Kippur	The holiest day in Judaism, also called the Day of Atonement; it has been observed for over 3,000 years.
Yehovah (Jehovah)	The name of G-d in Hebrew is spelled with the letters yud-hey-vav-hey. Only the High Priest was allowed to speak this sacred name, and only during certain times of worship. So, Yehovah became another way to say the name of G-d. This was later translated (incorrectly) into Jehovah in the middle ages.
Zadok	The High Priest during King David’s reign. His descendants were the only ones allowed to enter into the Holy Temple and offer incense to G-d.

Glossary of Words