GLOSSARY-Cont.

Patriarch Penance Presbytery Redemption Ritual Sacramental Synod Vestment Vicar An Eastern Orthodox bishop of highest rank, standing above metropolitans and ruling patriarchates. An ecclesiastical punishment inflicted for sin, or a sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church. A church court or assembly having the ecclesiastical or spiritual rule and oversight of a district or the district itself. God’s deliverance of man from sin and death through the sacrificial atonement of Christ. Religious ceremony or its verbal form. A religious rite composed of two elements, a physical sign and a spiritual good. An ecclesiastical council either of regular standing or appointed as needed; in Presbyterian churches a body between the presbyteries and the general assembly. Article of clothing worn by a religious officiant. Priest or incumbent of a parish; clergyman who serves as the deputy or substitutes for another. J U D A I S M Judaism is the oldest of the three major western religions. For 4,000 years—first as Hebrews, then as Israelites, as Judeans, and finally as Jews—the adherents of this faith have continued to develop religiously and culturally. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Abraham is referred to as the first Jew although Jews were called Hebrews in Abraham’s time. The age of Abraham begins around 2000 B.C. It was during this generation that the idea of ethical monotheism was established. Ethical monotheism is the belief in one God who demands that people behave according to God-given rules of conduct. During the period 2000 B.C. to 150 B. C., the Israelite community formed as a family, as a people, and then as a nation in its own land—Israel. Many Jews feel that the age of Moses— 1300 B.C.—is the most important in Jewish history. Moses is considered to be a prophet, lawyer, military commander, judge, sage, and political leader. The Jews believe that the first five books of the Bible, which contain 613 commandments, were given to them by God through Moses. 2-42