Glossary of Jewish and Christian terms

The following is a list of common terms used either in Judaism, in Christianity or in both faiths. Each term is noted as either a Jewish term, a Christian term or a shared term. In cases where a shared term is used in radically different ways by Christians and by Jews, the additional notation of controversial is given.

Complete definitions of these terms, and additional sources, May Be found in the full articles to which each term is linked.

A

• Almah/Isaiah 7:14 (shared term - controversial)

According to Judaism, this is the Hebrew word for young woman. Some Christian scholars agree, but argue that the Septuagint's parthenos (often translated virgin) is a superior translation, other Christian scholars argue that almah is correctly translated as virgin. Christians see this verse as a prophecy or type of the Nativity of Jesus.

• Amen (Shared term—controversial)

The word Amen ( ; , ’Āmīn ; "So be it; truly") is a declaration of affirmation found in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. It has always been in use within Judaism and Islam. It has been generally adopted in Christian worship as a concluding formula for prayers and hymns, most notably in the Lord's Prayer. In Islam, it is the standard ending to Dua (Supplication). Common English translations of the word amen include: "Verily", "Truly", "So be it", and "Let it be". It can also be used colloquially to express strong agreement, as in, for instance, amen to that..

• Amidah (Jewish term)

Heb. Standing, also called HaTefillah, lit. "the prayer" as it is paradigmatic of Jewish prayer. Recited three times a day by observant Jews, based on the prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel.

• Anno Domini (A.D.) (Christian term—controversial)

Latin term for Year of the Lord, the Lord in this case being Jesus, by Christian reckoning, the Messiah. Due to western dominance of the world, this has become the common world calendar system, though many cultures separately maintain their own calendars based on various events. Jews reject the claim of Jesus to being the Jewish Messiah and they reject the claim that the Messianic Age has already begun or began some 2,000 years ago, thus they use the term Common Era (C.E.) or Anno Mundi (A.M.) or none at all.

• Apostasy (Shared term—controversial)

Apostasy (from Greek αποστασία, meaning a defection or revolt , from απο, apo, "away, apart", στασις, stasis, "standing") is a term generally employed to describe the formal abandonment or renunciation of one's religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy. In a technical sense, as used sometimes by sociologists without the pejorative connotations of the word, the term refers to renunciation and criticism of, or opposition to one's former religion.

• Apostle (Christian term)

The Twelve Apostles (, apostolos, "someone sent out", e.g. with a message or as a delegate) were, according to the Synoptic Gospels and Christian tradition, disciples (followers) whom Jesus of Nazareth had chosen, named, and trained in order to send them on a specific mission.

• Antichrist (Christian term)

In Christian eschatology, the Antichrist or anti-Christ, has come to mean a person, an other entity, or an image of a person, that is an embodiment of evil. The word 'Antichrist' is translated from the combination of two ancient Greek words αντί + χριστος ('anti + khristos), which can mean anti "opposite" (of) khristos "anointed" therefore "opposite of Christ" (the meaning of christ as the 'anointed one', having become secondary to its meaning as the honorific of Jesus of Nazareth) or anti "as" (if) khristos "messiah" thus "in place of Christ" or a substitute for Christ. An antichrist can be opposed to Christ by striving to be in the place of Christ.

• Atonement (shared term - controversial)

For Judaism, see Atonement in Judaism, for Christianity see Atonement.

• Avodah (Jewish term)

(Hebrew: עבודה) lit. "work" or "service". Used for manual labor, and for worship of God or of false gods. The Avodah, denoted with a definite article, is a term used for the Temple worship. According to Shimon Ha Tzadik, "The world stands on three things: Torah, avodah, and acts of lovingkindness"

• Avodah zarah (Jewish term–controversial)

lit. "strange worship". Denotes the worship of gods other than God, or even the worship of God through the use of a physical representation. Some Jewish authorities hold that a lesser form of avodah zarah, called shituf, is permissible for non-Jews, and apply this to evaluation of Christian trinitarianism. For the fourth Order of the Talmud dealing with damages, see Avodah zarah.

B

• Baptism (Christian term)

Baptism (Greek βάπτισμα and βαπτισμός, from βαπτίζω, baptizô, immerse, perform ablutions) is a religious act of purification by water usually associated with admission to membership or fullness of membership of Christianity.

• Brit (Jewish term)

lit. covenant. The Torah is the full and formal expression of the covenant between the people Israel and God.

• Brit Chadasha/New Covenant/ (Christian term—controversial)

The term New Covenant ( ; Greek: , diatheke kaine) is used in the Bible (both in the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament) to refer to an epochal relationship of restoration and peace following a period of trial and judgment. As are all covenants between God and man described in the Bible, it is "a bond in blood sovereignly administered by God."

• Brit Milah (Jewish term)

the ritual circumcision of the Jewish male on the eight day after his birth. Talmud professor Daniel Boyarin has proposed two explanations for circumcision. One is that it is a literal inscription on the Jewish body of the name of God in the form of th letter "yud" (from yesod"). The second is that the act of bleeding represents a feminization of Jewish men, significant in the sense that the covenant represents a marraige between Jews and (a symbolically male) God.

C

• Charoset (Jewish term)
• Chesed (Jewish term)

While Chesed has a Kabbalistic term, it's normal usage among Jews is to denote acts of kindness, such as visiting the sick, giving to the needy, taking in guests and the like. In a technical sense, Chesed is compared to Tzedek, or "righteousness", where Tzedek denotes fulfilling commanded obligations, and Chesed means going beyond ones obligations. For the Kabbalistic meaning, see Chesed (Kabbalah).

• Christ (Christian term)

Christ is the English term for the Greek word (Christós), which literally means "The Anointed One." The Hebrew word for Christ is מָשִׁיחַ (, usually transliterated Messiah). The word may be misunderstood by some as being the surname of Jesus due to the frequent juxtaposition of Jesus and Christ in the Christian Bible and other Christian writings. Often used as a more formal-sounding synonym for Jesus, the word is in fact a title, hence its common reciprocal use Christ Jesus, meaning The Anointed One, Jesus.

• Christian (shared term)

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the New Testament and interpreted by Christians to have been prophesied in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Jewish theologians do not generally consider Christianity to be monotheistic.

• Christian Bible (shared term - controversial)

In Christianity, each denomination defines its own Bible, see also Biblical canon. In Judaism, Christian Bible refers to Christian additions to the Masoretic Text.

• Cohen (Jewish term)

Priest. Descendents of Aaron through the male line, during the time of the Temple priests supervised the various sacrifices. Today in traditonal synagogues they are given the honor of reading the first portion of the weekly Torah-reading.

• Covenant (biblical) (shared term - controversial)

Christianity tends to see several covenants in the Jewish Bible, all of which have been replaced by the New Covenant. Judaism believes Moses and the elders received one eternal covenant between God and Israel on the Biblical Mount Sinai.

D

• Devekut (Jewish term)

(Heb. דבקות "clinging on" to God) communion; in Hasidic practice, communion with God.

• Divine law (''shared term—controversial)

For Judaism see Torah, for Christianity see Biblical law in Christianity.

E

• Easter (Christian term)

Easter, Pascha, or Resurrection Day, is an important religious feast in the Christian liturgical year. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred on the third day after his crucifixion some time in the period AD 27 to 33. Easter also refers to the season of the church year called Eastertide or the Easter Season. Traditionally the Easter Season lasted for the forty days from Easter Day until Ascension Day but now officially lasts for the fifty days until Pentecost. The first week of the Easter Season is known as Easter Week or the Octave of Easter. See also Easter controversy.

• Ein Sof (Jewish term)

(Hebrew אין סוף, literally "without end", denoting "boundlessness" and/or "nothingness"), is a Kabbalistic term that usually refers to an abstract state of existence preceding God's Creation of the limited universe.

• Elect (Christian term)
• End time (shared term)
• Eucharist (Christian term)

Known also as Communion, and the Lord's Supper.

F

• Faith (shared term - controversial)
• The Fig Tree (Christian term)

The Fig Tree' and its fruit the fig is mentioned several times in the New Testament, and in the Old Testament as well; but as more than just the common Mediterranean fruit tree, the Common Fig, it is also a symbol or type, subject to various interpretations. The Parable of the barren fig tree is a parable of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Luke . The parable has no parallels in other gospels. A vinekeeper holds out hope that a barren fig tree will bear fruit next year.

• Frum (Jewish term)

G

• God (shared term - controversial)

God () most commonly refers to the deity worshiped by followers of monotheistic and monolatrist religions, whom they believe to be the creator and overseer of the universe.

• God the Father (Christian term—controversial)

For Christians, God the Father is the first member of the Trinity and has a unique relationship with God the Son.

• Golden Rule (shared term - controversial)

Based on Leviticus 19:18 and summarized by Hillel the Elder as "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow" and considered a central teaching of the Torah. Summarized by Jesus as "do to others what you would have them do to you" and considered the central teaching ot the Torah.

• Gospel (Christian term)

Greek for 'good news,' this refers to the good news concerning Jesus Christ. It can also refer to any one of the four canonical gospels, named for their traditional authors: the "Gospel according to Saint Matthew," the "Gospel according to Saint Mark," the "Gospel according to Saint Luke," and the "Gospel according to Saint John." The word "gospel" can also refer to the literal book which contains any one or all of these texts, which in high church traditions may be decorated ornately and given special liturgical prominence.

• Grace (Christian term)

H

• Haftarah

The haftarah or haftorah (Hebrew: הפטרה‎; plural haftarot or haftorahs; "parting," "taking leave") is a text important to the modern observance of Judaism. It consists of selections from the Hebrew Bible (Tanach), specifically from the books of Nevi'im ("The Prophets"), and it is read publicly in the synagogue after the reading of the Torah on each Sabbath, as well as on Jewish festivals and fast days. The haftarah usually has a thematic link to the Torah reading that precedes it. When the haftarah is read in the synagogue it is sung with cantillation ("trop" in Yiddish, "trope" in English), and its related blessings are said before and after it.

• Hanukiah (Jewish term)

Form of menorah with eight lamps, used during Hannukah

• HaShem (Jewish term)

lit. "the name" or "the word". One of the names of God in Judaism, in which it is more than a distinguishing title. It represents the Jewish conception of the divine nature, and of the relation of God to the Jewish people. See also Tetragramaton.

• Hebrew Bible (shared term - controversial)
• Hebrew Christians (Christian term - controversial)
• Hell (Christian term - controversial)
• Holy Spirit (shared term - controversial)
• Hosanna (shared term - controversial)

I

• Idolatry (shared term - controversial)

J

• Jesus (Christian term)
• Jewish Bible (shared term)
• Jewish Christians (Christian term—controversial)

Acknowledgement that the first Christians were largely if not entirely Jewish.

• Jews (shared term)

A Jew (Hebrew: יְהוּדִי, Yehudi (sl.); , Yehudim (pl.); Ladino: ג׳ודיו, Djudio (sl.); ג׳ודיוס, Djudios (pl.); Yiddish: ייִד, Yid (sl.); , Yidn (pl.)) is a member of the Jewish people, an ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of The Ancient Middle East. The ethnicity and the religion of Judaism, the traditional faith of the Jewish nation, are strongly interrelated, and converts to Judaism are both included and have been absorbed within the Jewish people throughout the millennia.

• Judaizers (Christian term—controversial)

Christian term for Christians who adopt too much Jewish culture, for example: Sabbatarians.

• Judeo-Christian (Christian term—controversial)

Christian term, primarily in the U.S., for shared Christian and Jewish beliefs, such as the Ten Commandments, but this is a Christian term, Jews believe that Christianity has borrowed from Judaism, but they believe that there is very little actually in common. Christians actively seek converts, thus they stress commonality, Jews do not actively seek converts, thus they stress uniqueness and advocate Noahide Laws for non-Jews. See also Christianity and Judaism.

K

• Karpas (Jewish term)
• Kingdom of God (shared term—controversial)

In Christianity, still a heavily disputed term. Together with Kingdom of Heaven, these are considered the key concepts taught by Jesus, but since they were taught largely in parables, they are subject to interpretation. For the Jewish viewpoint, see Jewish messianism.

L

• Laying on of hands (Christian term)
• Lord's Prayer (Christian term)

M

• Matzoh (Jewish term)

Unleavened bread. Eaten by Jews during Passover, it is "the bread of affliction" which commemorates the food prepared in haste when the Children of Israel fled Egypt. Eaten by Christians during the mass, it is a sacrament for Catholics, the Body of Christ; for Protestants, symbolizes the body of Christ.

• Maror (Jewish term)
• Menorah (Jewish term)
• Mentsch (Jewish term)

in Yiddish, lit. "man," a virtuous man possessed of courage, strength, generosity and wisdom. from Hillel the Elder's aphorism, "In a place where there are no men, be a man"

• Messiah (shared term—controversial)
• Messiah, False or Failed (shared term—controversial)
• Messianic (shared term - controversial)
• Messianic Age (shared term—controversial)
• Messianic Jews (Christian term - controversial)
• Midrash (Jewish term)

(Hebrew: מדרש; plural midrashim) is a Hebrew word referring to a method of exegesis of a Biblical text. The term "midrash" can also refer to a compilation of Midrashic teachings, in the form of legal, exegetical or homiletical commentaries on the Tanakh (Jewish Bible). Although midrashim often take narrative form, the classic method of midrashic exegesis is the decontextualization and recontextualization of words in the Tanakh, especially through the juxtaposition of similar words from different chapters or books of the Tanakh. Apparently new meanings are created (or discovered) through the play of words in the Biblical text. This form contrasts most disinctly with Remez, the allegorical method of reading texts.

• Mikvah (Jewish term)

is a ritual bath of purification

• Mosaic Covenant (Christian term—controversial)

In Christian theology, the Mosaic Covenant or Sinaitic Covenant refers to the original relationship between God and the Jews that was superseded by the Christian New Covenant.

N

• Ner Tamid (Jewish term)
• New Testament or "new covenant" (Christian term)

New Covenant is a translation of the Greek καινή διαθήκη. New Testament is derived from the Latin of Tertullian. Western Christianity so names its Greek scriptures to distinguish them from the Hebrew scriptures (which it calls the Old Testament). It consists of "Gospels," Epistles, and the Apocalypse (Revelation). The term (new covenant) comes from 1 Cor. 11:25 and its parallel (Luke 22:20) in which Jesus institutes the Christian eucharist.

• Normal mysticism (Jewish term)

Term introduced by Rabbi Max Kadushin to describe the Rabbinic system of promoting a mystical encounter with God through quotidian acts, sanctified by blessings

O

• Oblate (Christian term)
• Observant (Jewish term)
• Olam HaBa (Jewish term)

Lit. "the world to come." Rabbis were divided as to whether this refers to a non-corporeal afterlife of the soul, or a coproprial ressurection of the body in the days of the messiah.

• Old Testament (Christian term—controversial)

Name used by Western Christians for the Hebrew scriptures to distinguish them from the Greek scriptures, which they call the "New Testament." In the "New Testament," the Hebrew scriptures are simply denoted "the scriptures" or "the holy scriptures" (Matt. 21:42, John 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:15-16). In other instances they are referred to by their two divisions ("Law": Gk, νόμος=Heb, and "Prophets": Gk, προφήται=Heb, נביאים ) (Matt. 5:17, 7:12) or three divisions ("Law," "Prophets," and "Psalms") (Luke 24:44). "Psalms" as the largest book in the "Writings", Heb, כתובים designates them in this reference. For the Greek Orthodox, all scripture is Greek scripture, namely the Septuagint and the Kainē Diathēkē. For the Syrian Orthodox, all scripture is Aramaic, namely the Peshitta. Judaism strongly rejects the caricature of its Jewish Bible as Old in the derogatory sense or in need of modernization. Some Western Christians suggest a more neutral term, such as Hebrew Bible.

P

• Paraclete (''Christian term)

Another term for the Holy Spirit.

• Parousia (Christian term)

The Second Coming, when Jesus will return to earth from heaven to fulfil the rest of Messianic prophecy.

• Paul the Apostle (Christian term)
• Pentecost (Christian term)
• Pharisees (shared term - controversial)

The word Pharisees comes from the Hebrew פרושים prushim from פרוש parush, meaning "separated", that is, one who is separated for a life of purity. The Pharisees were, depending on the time, a political party, a social movement, and a school of thought among Jews that flourished during the Second Temple Era (536 BCE–70 CE). After the destruction of the Second Temple, the Pharisaic sect was re-established as Rabbinic Judaism — which ultimately produced normative, traditional Judaism, the basis for all contemporary forms of Judaism and even the Karaites use the Rabbinic canon of the Bible.

R

• Rabbinic (shared term)
• Rapture (Christian term)

In some denominations, part of the Second coming of Christ.

• Redemption (shared term - controversial)

In theology, salvation can mean three related things:

• being saved from something, such as suffering or the punishment of sin - also called deliverance;
• being saved for something, such as an afterlife or participating in the Reign of God - also called redemption
• social liberation and healing, as in liberation theology.

The theological study of salvation is called Soteriology and also covers the means by which salvation is effected or achieved, and its results or effects.

• Reform (Jewish term)
• Reformed (Christian term)
• Remez/Allegory (shared concept)

allegory (from Greek αλλος, allos, "other", and αγορευειν, agoreuein, "to speak in public") is a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than the literal. Generally treated as a figure of rhetoric, but an allegory does not have to be expressed in language: it may be addressed to the eye, and is often found in realistic painting, sculpture or some other form of mimetic, or representative art.

In allegorical representations, relationships between elements of a text or composition are understood to stand for different relationships between elements not found in the text or composition; meaning is thus constituted through the difference between the superficial (or literal) meaning of the text or composition, and a "deeper" meaning. In Jewish thought this method is best known through the works of Philo. The extreme form of remez, sod, understands the Tanakh as an allegory for a mystical understanding of the universe and as a means for mystical communion with God; this approach is best known through Kabbalistic texts such as the Zohar. Traditionally, only Jews who have mastered the midrashic method and the corpus of halakha are encouraged to pursue this form of interpretation. In Christianity this method was first promoted by Saint Paul.

• Resurrection of the dead (shared term—controversial)

S

• Sabbath (shared term—controversial)

For Judaism, see Shabbat, for Christianity see Sabbath in Christianity.

• Saint Peter (Christian term)
• Salvation (Christian term)
• Satan (shared term - controversial)
• Second Coming (Christian term)
• Septuagint (shared term)

The Septuagint (), or simply "LXX", is a collection of Jewish scriptures, largely the Hebrew Bible, in Koine Greek, translated in stages between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC in Alexandria.

• Seven Laws of Noah (Jewish term—controversial)

The Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew: שבע מצוות בני נח, Sheva mitzvot B'nei Noach), often referred to as the Noahide Laws, are a set of seven moral imperatives which, according to the Talmud, were given by God to Noah as a binding set of laws for all mankind..

• Shechinah (Jewish term)

Shechinah is derived from the Hebrew verb שכן. In Biblical Hebrew the word means literally to settle, inhabit, or dwell. The Shekinah is held by many to represent the feminine attributes of the presence of God (shekhinah being a feminine word in Hebrew), based especially on readings of the Talmud. The Shekhinah is referred to as manifest in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem throughout Rabbinic literature. It is also reported as being present in the acts of public prayer, ("Whenever ten are gathered for prayer, there the Shechinah rests" Talmud Sanhedrin 39a); righteous judgment ("when three sit as judges, the Shechinah is with them." Talmud Berachot 6a), and personal need ("The Shechinah dwells over the headside of the sick man's bed" Talmud Shabbat 12b; "Wheresoever they were exiled, the Shechinah went with them." Megillah 29a).

• Shema Yisrael/Hear O Israel (shared term—controversial)

Considered the most important prayer in Judaism and its twice-daily recitation is a mitzvah (religious commandment). Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad ("Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God — the LORD is One!") In Jesus refers to the Shema as the first commandment (in importance.)

• Shofar

A shofar ( (USA) or [ˈʃəʊfə(r)] (UK); Heb.: שופר) is a horn that is used as a musical instrument for Jewish religious purposes. It is intimately connected with both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The shofar originated in Israel for Jewish callings.

• Shituf (Jewish term)

::* Or shittuf describes the worship or belief of other gods in addition to the Hebrew God.

• Sin (shared term - controversial)
• Sin, Original (Christian term)
• Sin, Unforgivable (Christian term)
• Son of God (shared term - controversial)

In Judaism, this is a biblical term applied to Angels, Demigods, the ideal King, or to humanity in general. In Christianity, this is a biblical title of Jesus that expresses divinity.

• Spirit of God (Christian term—controversial)

The third member of the Trinity.

• Suffering Servant (shared term - controversial)
• Supersessionism (shared term—controversial)

T

• Tanakh (Jewish term)
• Tehiyyat ha-Metim (Jewish Term)

Resurrection of the Dead. The most notable Jewish belief concerning the afterlife, according to which the dead will be resurrected during the messianic age.

• Testament (Christian term)
• Tikkun Olam
• Torah (Jewish term)

The Torah () is the most important document in Judaism, revered as the inspired word of God, traditionally said to have been revealed to Moses. The word Torah means "teaching," "instruction," "scribe", or "law" in Hebrew. It is also known as the Five Books of Moses, the Book of Moses, the Law of Moses (Torat Moshe ), Sefer Torah in Hebrew (which refers to the scroll cases in which the books were kept), or Pentateuch (from Greek Πεντετεύχως "five rolls or cases"). Constitutes the covenant between God and Israel. Physical Torah scrolls, written by scribes, are considered sacred symbols of the continuing love between God and Israel and are treated with the utmost care and respect. According to Shimon Ha Tzadik, "The world stands on three things: Torah, avodah, and acts of lovingkindness"

• Trinity (Christian term)

Used as a synonym for God, in order to call attention to the three distinct persons which share the single divine nature or essence. They are traditionally referred to as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, though some modern sects prefer more gender-neutral terms such as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.

• Tzadakah (Jewish term)

From the Hebrew word for justice, and in compliance with Deuteronomy 16:20. Includes the act of helping those in need. Although comparable to Christian notions of charity and philanthropy, this concept is rooted in the value of justice, rather than love. Maimonides detailed eight levels of giving, reflecting different balences of justice and charity.

• The lowest level is when one gives inadequately and begrudgingly.
• The second level is when one gives inadequately, but happily.
• The third level is when one gives adequately, after being asked.
• The fourth level is when one gives before being asked.
• The fifth level is when the donor does not know the benefacor, but the benefactor know the donor.
• The sixth level is to give when the donor knows the identity of the recipient, but the recipient does not know the identity of the donor.
• The seventh level is to give in such a way that neither the giver nor the receiver knows of the others' identity.
• The highest level is to provide someone with a job or interest-free loan that will enable him to help himself and maintain self-respect.

• Tzimtzum (Jewish term)
• Tzitzit (shared term—controversial)

In Judaism, one of the 613 mitzvot, tassels worn to remind Jews to follow the commandments. In Christianity, scholars think Jesus wore the tzitzit, see also Christianity and fringed garments.

V

• The Vine (Christian term)

W

• Walk with God (shared term—controversial)

Following , both Judaism and Christianity believe they Walk with God, but the specific interpretations are radically different.

• Word/Christ the Logos (Christian term)

In Christology, the conception that the Christ is the Logos (the Greek for "word", "wisdom", or "reason") has been important in establishing the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ and his position as God the Son in the Trinity as set forth in the Chalcedonian Creed. The conception derives from the opening of the Gospel of John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." In the original Greek, Logos is used, and in theological discourse, this is often left untranslated. Word and related terms in earlier Jewish tradition prepared the way for its use here to denote Jesus as revealer of the unseen God (see Wisdom 9:1-4, 9, 17-18; Ecclesiasticus 24:1-12).

• Works of the Law (Christian term—controversial)

Term used by Paul the Apostle (for example ) the meaning of which is still heavily debated today. Contrasted with . The related Jewish term is Mitzvah.

Y

• Yeshu (Jewish term—controversial)

Yeshu (ישו in Hebrew), and slight variations thereof such as Jeshu (Bible English transliteration) or Yeishu (Yiddish pronunciation), is the name of at least a few persons in various works of classical Jewish rabbinic literature, including the Babylonian Talmud (redacted before 600) and the classical midrash literature (written between 200 and 700).

• Yeshua (Christian term—controversial)

Spelled in Hebrew, a common name among Jews of the Second Temple Period, and held to be the name used for Jesus by Messianic Jews and Hebrew Christians.

• Yetzer Hara (Jewish term)

In Judaism, yetzer hara (Hebrew for "evil inclination") refers to the inclination to do evil, by violating the will of God. The yetzer hara is identified with Satan. A major distinction between the Jewish and Christian view of Satan is that while Christianity views Satan as operating in opposition to God, Judaism considers Satan to be fulfilling God's will by testing men's faith. This is consistent with the general Jewish view of angels, in which they are deemed incapable of defying God's will.

Z

• Z'roa (Jewish term)

See also

• Messianic Judaism