Introduction to Judaism

Rituals, symbols, and approaches to the Jewish religion

The ‘Shema’

• The ‘Shema’ is the oldest and most important prayer in Judaism. It is the centerpiece of morning and evening prayer services.

• The prayer is derived from Deuteronomy 6: 4-9; 11:13-21; and Numbers 15: 37-41.

The Torah

• The Hebrew word for ‘Law’, Torah specifically refers to the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).

• However, depending on context, it can refer to the entire Old Testament.

• Torah can also refer to the whole body of Jewish Law and Teaching.

The Temple

• The Temple generally refers to the Temple in Jerusalem (either Solomon’s Temple or Herod’s Temple). This Temple was believed to be the dwelling place of God.

• Some Jews refer to the synagogue as “temple”. (A synagogue is where Jews meet for prayer services, equivalent to a Christian Church).

Circumcision

• The commandment to circumcise is given in Genesis 17: 10-14 and Leviticus 12:3.

• Jews believe that this is an outward, physical sign of the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people.

• Circumcision is generally performed by a mohel 8 days after a child is born in a ceremony called a ‘brit milah’ or a ‘bris’.

Jewish Symbols - Mezuzah

• The ‘mezuzah’ is a small case with a scroll of parchment placed inside (upon which is written the ‘Shema’, an important Jewish prayer). It is then affixed to the right side doorpost of a Jewish home.

• This custom is derived from Deuteronomy 6:9 “Write [these commandments] on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

• This is done so that every time you enter the home, you are reminded of God and his commandments.

Jewish Symbols - Tefillin

• The ‘Shema’ also commands Jews to bind the words to their hands and between their eyes. This is done by binding a leather pouch containing scrolls of Torah passages to their arms and foreheads.

• Like the mezuzah, they serve as a reminder of God’s commandments.

Jewish Symbols – Tzitzit and Tallit

• Numbers 15: 37-41 commands Jews to wear tzitzit (fringes) at the corners of their garments as a reminder of God’s commandments.

• Observant Jews wear a tallit katan under their clothing and allow the tzitzit to hang out so they can be seen.

Jewish Symbols - Yarmulke

• Known in Hebrew as a ‘kippah’, the yarmulke is one of the most recognizable symbols of Judaism.

• There is no commandment that says the head must be covered, but it is generally viewed as a sign of respect towards God, a sign that the Jew is a servant of God, and a reminder that God is always above them.

Jewish Symbols - Menorah • The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum

that was used in the Temple.• Instructions for the construction of a menorah

are given in Exodus 25: 31-40.• It is believed to be a symbol of the nation of

Israel as a “light unto all nations” (Isaiah 42:6).• The nine-branched menorah commemorates

Hanukkah (which is found in the Book of Maccabees).

Jewish Symbols – Star of David

• The Star of David is a relatively new symbol of Judaism. It is also called the ‘Magen David’ which means ‘shield of David’.

• There is much debate about how it came to be associated with Judaism, but it wasn’t until the 17th century (1600s) that it came to represent the Jewish community as a whole.

• Many have assigned theological symbolism to it (ex. – it symbolizes God’s rule over the universe in all directions: north, south, east, west, up, and down), but these attempts have no basis in historical fact.

Jewish Holidays - Passover

• Passover commemorates the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt.

• The Scriptural reference for this feast is the Book of Exodus, which we will be discussing later this week.

Jewish Holidays - Sukkot

• Sukkot (also called the Feast of Tebernacles) commemorates the 40-year journey of the Israelites in the wilderness after fleeing Egypt.

• Sukkot means “booths” and during this holiday Jews build and dwell in temporary shelters, like their ancestors did in the wilderness.

• Scriptural references for this feast can be found in Exodus 23:16, 34:22; as well as in parts of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Jewish Holidays – Yom Kippur

• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the most solemn and important Jewish Holiday.

• In Biblical times, the High Priest would make a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. After the sacrifice, a goat was released into the wilderness to symbolically carry away the sins of the people.

• Scriptural reference is Leviticus 16:8-34, 23:27-32.

Jewish Holidays – Rosh Hashanah

• Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) is also called the Feast of Trumpets. It is called this because it begins the “High Holy Days” with the blowing of a shofar (ram’s horn) which calls the people together to repent their sins.

• Scriptural reference for this feast is Leviticus 23: 23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6.

Movements within Judaism

• There are three main approaches to Judaism that have different views regarding how to observe Jewish law:– Orthodox Judaism

– Reform Judaism

– Conservative Judaism

Orthodox Judaism

• Orthodox Jews all believe that God gave Moses the whole Torah (both written and oral) at Mount Sinai. They believe that the Torah is true and has come down to us intact and unchanged.

• They also believe that all 613 commandments are binding upon all Jews and strictly observe Jewish Law.

Reform Judaism

• Reform Jews do not believe that God wrote the Torah. Rather, they believe that Biblical criticism explains where the Bible came from.

• They do not believe all 613 commandments are binding and do not strictly observe all of Jewish Law. However, Reform Jews do retain much of the values and ethics of Judaism.

Conservative Judaism

• Conservative Jews believe that the ideas in the Torah come from God, but were transmitted by humans and contain a human component.

• They generally accept the binding nature of Jewish Law, but believe that the law should adapt to the modern culture while remaining true to the values of Judaism.