judaism
judaism
Pronunciation
Judaism (English pronunciation)
ˈd͡ʒuː (first syllable)
/d͡ʒ/: voiced palatal-alveolar affricate (combine the sounds of "d" and "j")
/uː/: long "oo" sound (as in "boot")
deɪ (second syllable)
/deɪ/: "ay" sound (as in "day")
ɪz.əm (third syllable)
/ɪ/: short "i" sound (as in "hit")
/z/: voiced alveolar fricative (like the "z" in "zebra")
/əm/: schwa sound (a neutral vowel sound, like the "uh" in "but")
Word Form Variations
Judaism is primarily a singular noun referring to the entire religion itself. Here are some variations you might encounter:
Plural: In very rare cases, you might see "Judaisms" used to discuss different interpretations or branches of Judaism. However, this usage is uncommon.
Adjective: "Judaic" can be used as an adjective to describe things related to Judaism, such as "Judaic studies" or "Judaic law."
Other: Here are some related terms you might find:
Judaism + denominations: When referring to specific branches of Judaism, you'll use phrases like "Orthodox Judaism," "Conservative Judaism," or "Reform Judaism."
People: "Jews" is the term for people who practice Judaism.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Primary Definition: An Abrahamic monotheistic religion with a rich history and culture, centred around the belief in one God who established a covenant with the Jewish people.
Synonyms: Jewish faith, Mosaic tradition
Antonyms: polytheism (belief in many gods)
Less Common Definition: The collective traditions, culture, and legal system of the Jewish people. (This definition is less common in everyday conversation but can be found in academic contexts.)
Synonyms: Jewish heritage, Jewish way of life
Adjective:
Judaic: Of or relating to Judaism or Jewish culture.
Synonyms: Jewish
Antonyms: non-Jewish, gentile (informal, can be considered offensive)
Examples of Use
Noun:
Book: "Judaism offers a rich ethical tradition that emphasises social justice and compassion." (The World's Religions by Huston Smith)
Newspaper: "The rise of anti-Semitism is a worrying trend for the future of Judaism in Europe." (The New York Times) [Newspapers often use Judaism when discussing issues related to the Jewish community]
Online Publication: "MyHeritage.com allows users to explore their ancestry, including their Jewish roots and traditions of Judaism." (Forbes)
Judaic (Adjective):
Entertainment Medium: In the movie "Schindler's List," the Schindler family's Judaic heritage plays a significant role in the plot.
Public Discourse: "The upcoming Judaic studies conference will explore the diversity of Jewish thought." (University website)
General Conversation: "They're having a Judaic art exhibit at the local museum this weekend."
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Judaism
Here are ten famous quotes using the word "Judaism":
"Judaism is not a monolithic religion but one which loves debate, in which scholarship has played a big part. Scholars never agree about anything." (Salo Baron, Jewish historian)
"The two pillars of Judaism are Torah and justice; one teaches what is right, and the other motivates us to do what is right." (Maimonides, mediaeval Jewish scholar)
"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy. Anne Frank (diarist, wrote in a hidden annex during the Holocaust) "[Anne Frank Diary]"
"A righteous man falls down seven times and gets up." (Proverbs 24:16, a verse from the Hebrew Bible)
"The memory of the Holocaust is a chilling reminder of the fragility of tolerance and the dangers of unchecked hatred. It is a solemn obligation for every generation to fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance." (Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate)
"Judaism is the story of a people which was scattered over all the world and yet remained a single family, a nation which time and again was doomed to destruction and yet, out of the ruins, rose to new life." (Golda Meir, former Prime Minister of Israel)
"In Jewish history there are no coincidences." (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Hasidic rabbi)
"The Jews were the first to teach the oneness of God, and the immortality of the soul." (Voltaire, French Enlightenment writer)
"The strength of the Jewish people lies in its unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning." (Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist)
"Judaism is the mother of two daughters, Christianity and Islam." (Heinrich Heine, German poet)
Etymology
The word "Judaism" comes from a journey through a few languages! It all starts with the Hebrew word "Yehuda," which means "Judah." This refers to the ancient kingdom of Judah, one of the Israelite kingdoms.
Around the 2nd century BCE, Greeks interacted with the people of Judah and created the word "Ioudaismos" based on "Yehuda." This Greek word meant something like "acting like the people of Judah" or "following the traditions of Judah."
Finally, the Romans borrowed the Greek word and turned it into "Iudaismus," which eventually became our English word "Judaism" around the 17th century. So, "Judaism" basically means "the religion of the people of Judah."
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Judaism
While there aren't many common idioms directly using "Judaism," here are some phrases and expressions that incorporate the word:
Judaism 101: This is a casual way to refer to a basic introduction to Judaism, its beliefs, and practices.
In the tradition of Judaism: This phrase indicates that something is done according to Jewish customs and teachings.
A pillar of Judaism: This describes a fundamental concept or practice that is essential to the religion. (e.g., "The Torah is a pillar of Judaism.")
Convert to Judaism: This refers to someone formally adopting Judaism as their religion.
Secular vs. Religious Judaism: This distinction refers to the spectrum of Jewish practice, with secular Jews focusing less on religious rituals and observant Jews adhering more strictly to religious laws.
Yiddishkeit (Yiddish): This term refers to the totality of Jewish culture, traditions, and way of life, encompassing more than just religious practice.
Here are some idioms from Yiddish, a language closely linked to Judaism, that you might encounter:
A shonda (Yiddish): This means a big disgrace or embarrassment.
A mentsh (Yiddish): This describes a person of good character and integrity.
Posts Related to Judaism
Source Information
Definition of judaism from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
