Supplemental
Vocabulary
Jewish Ethics
Musar / Middot · Jewish Ethics and Values
The core values that organize Jewish moral life and obligation.
Tip: hover (or tap) any underlined word for a quick definition.
1
The basics
Name, translation, date and length — the facts to have by heart.
Name and timing
- Hebrew name
- Musar / Middot
- English translation
- Jewish Ethics and Values
- Date / timing
- Ongoing
- Length
- Ongoing
2
Meaning and story
Why this exists, what happened, and the values it carries.
What it means
- Jewish ethics begins with B'tzelem Elohim — every person is created in the image of God.
- Obligation is expressed through and , and lived through deeds of loving-kindness.
Story and history
- Judaism organizes itself around God, Torah and Israel, with the idea of a chosen people understood as chosen for obligation.
Major themes and values
- B'tzelem Elohim and the sanctity of life
- Love your neighbor
- God, Torah and Israel
- Chosenness as obligation
- Free choice and responsibility
3
Practice
Rituals, symbols, prayers and foods — and the reason behind each.
Rituals and observances
- — righteous giving.
- — acts of loving-kindness.
- — the study of Torah.
- — repair of the world.
Why we do these rituals
- Because every person bears the image of God, ethical obligation is not optional but structural.
- is justice, not charity: it is owed.
- Study leads to action.
Symbols and what they mean
- Tzedakah box
- Giving as a regular obligation, not an impulse.
Important prayers and readings
- Blessings and study of ethical texts
4
Words to know
The Hebrew vocabulary for this topic.
Vocabulary
- B'tzelem Elohim
- In the image of God.
- Tzedakah
- Righteous giving; justice.
- Mitzvah
- Commandment; obligation.
- Halakhah
- Jewish law; the way one walks.
- Gemilut chasadim
- Acts of loving-kindness.
- Tikkun olam
- Repair of the world.
- Talmud Torah
- The study of Torah.
- Pikuach nefesh
- Saving a life, which overrides almost all other commandments.
- Lashon hara
- Evil speech; harmful talk about others.
- Kavod habriyot
- Human dignity.
- Hakarat hatov
- Recognizing the good; gratitude.
- Dina d'malchuta dina
- The law of the land is the law.
- Chesed / Rachamim
- Loving-kindness and compassion.
5
Beth Din prep
Answer these out loud before you sit down with the rabbis.
What I should be able to explain to the Beth Din
- 1Explain B'tzelem Elohim and what follows from it.
- 2Explain as justice rather than charity.
- 3Explain and .
- 4Explain and .