judaism “a 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the...
TRANSCRIPT
Judaism “A 4000 year old tradition with
ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life)
A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people
A celebration and sanctification of life
A faith, a people, a way of life…
A 4000 year old tradition… The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob (“Israel”) – origins of the Hebrew people (more than 3800 years ago)
Enslaved in ancient Egypt and freed by Moses (more than 3300 years ago)
Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land of Israel), ends 6th century BCE. Land was pledged to the Jews in return for their adherence to His laws, delivered through Moses
Jews are considered the chosen people
As a faith, Jews Believe… In one God, creator of the universe, personal but
non-corporeal God made the world and created man in his own
image In prophets of old – especially Moses, through
whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people One day a Messiah will come to rebuild the
Temple, gather all Jews back to Israel, and bring peace to the world
All people are = and should be treated w/ respect & love
In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew the Hebrew Bible does not include the New
Testament
As a people, Jews are…
A nation in Diaspora (dispersed) 15 – 16 million in worldwide
population United by a common heritage (an
“ethnic” religion), divided in contemporary practice: Orthodox:
Modern Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox)
Reformed (18th century Germany) Conservative – moderates,
response to reform
As a way of life, Judaism is based on… 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”) Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that
elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through: Dietary rules (Kosher) = certain animals are forbidden to
be eaten (shellfish & pork) Must be prepared in a way; blood is drained from
animal Forbidden foods include: meat taken from animals that
don’t have cloven hooves and chew the cud, fish that don’t have scales and particular birds
Meat & milk don’t mix Dress and other symbols Prayer and devotion to the one God The Temple and Temple rites(house of
worship is called the Synagogue Observance of Holy days Visit the Synagogue in morning, afternoon, & evening Proper social relations between male and female, in
business, judicial rulings, etc. Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way
How does Judaism sanctify life?Life cycle celebrations: Bris – ritual circumcision, sign of
the covenant Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status
and responsibility within the religion. Usually @ 13 yrs.
Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22)
Death – funerals, mourning (sitting “Shiva”), and memorials (“Yartzeits”)
How does Judaism sanctify time? The Jewish Holidays: High Holidays:
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year - September)
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement - late Sept- early Oct)
Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication/ Festival of Lights– Dec/early Jan
Sukkot, the “Feast of the Tabernacles” (fall harvest festival)
More Holy Days…
Purim (“Feast of Lots”) – a carnival (commemorates events told in book of Esther)
Pesach (“Passover”) – commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus)
Shavuot (Pentecost – 50 days after Pesach) – commemorates receipt of Torah at Sinai
Shabbat (Sabbath, 7th day, on Saturday) – the “Day of Rest”
How is Judaism related to Christianity? Judaism predates Christianity – it is
the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it
Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles
Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah
The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth
Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come”
What are Jews really concerned about? Tikun Olam - “repairing this world”
through justice and righteousness; through “deed, not creed”
The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments)
Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be – Holy!
Other Interesting facts:
The Star of David is aka the Shield of David. It is the universal symbol of Judaism, refers to King David who ruled Israel about 1000 yrs before Christ. (the same David who killed Goliath)
The Menorah is a 7-branched candlestick
Many Jews make their way to the “wailing wall” in Jerusalem – a place to worship
More conservative (Orthodox) Jews cover their head out of respect for God- the little hat is called a Yarmulke.
!
Jewish Denominations:
Ashkenazi (European) Sephardi (Oriental) Orthodox Kabbalist Hasidic Reform Liberal
Web resources
Judaism 101: http://jewfaq.org/
”an online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places, things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customs”
ReligiousTolerance.org on Judaism: http://www.religioustolerance.org/judaism.htm
This P0werpoint presentation available at: http://www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/Rel232/resource/judaism.ppt