JUDAISM

HOW DID JUDAISM START?

“Fore Father” of Judaism = Abraham

His son (Isaac) and grandson (Jacob) = 3 “Fathers” of Judaism

The 4 wives = their wives (Jacob had 2)

Abraham was the 1st to realize God controls everything and to

worship him not idols of him

Abraham = Father of the Hebrews

God told Abraham to go to Canaan (a.k.a “promise land” for

the Jews)

HOW DO THE JEWS PRACTICE RELIGION?

Israel = 5 million Jewish people.

Israel = “Most holy place on earth”.

The Western Wall in Israel.

Jews still pray there today.

Synagogue = place where they worship daily

WHAT DOES THIS RELIGION BELIEVE?

One god-creates everything

Communicate with god through prayer

Sacred text-Torah

Torah- most important part of Jewish Bible

All Jews – what they do more important than what they believe

Some Jews- land of Israel most important part of being Jewish-called

Zionists

Believe world will end some day.

Believe god would send a Messiah to save them.

W HAT ARE IMPORTAN T/FAMO US PLAC ES FOR W O RSHIP?

Prayers = Berachat.

Read the Hebrew Bible.

Pray with eyes closed for more concentration.

Believe in one god.

Sabbath = Jewish tradition = Starts on Friday of

every week and goes to Saturday at sundown.

W HAT ARE IMPORTAN T/FAMO US PLAC ES FOR W O RSHIP? CON’T

Sabbath = Religious time for coming together and

celebrating life.

Celebrations = Rosh Ha-Shanah, Yom Kippur, Pass

Over, Hanukkah.

Boys have coming of age ceremony called Bar-

Mitzvah.

Torah = Holy book.

Rabbi = Jewish priest.

WHO ARE THEIR GOD/GODS/LEADERS

Abraham said: There is only one god he creates everything

The god has relationship with people on Earth

God listens and speaks to people through prayers

3 main things in their life,

God, Torah and Israel

The leaders where men and women

Chosen by god as prophets to learn and teach

The 12 tribes were headed by princes

Also had judges, kings & rabbis as leaders

Rabbis has been religious leaders in orthodox

Only men where allowed but with time women came too

They must start praying at the age of 3

W H AT WA S T H E H O L O C A U S T ? Since 18th century in Europe/USA Jews have suffered

Less official persecution

Anti-Semitism still exists

Worst Anti-Semitism took place in the 20th century

In 1930 the Nazi gained control in Germany

During the second world war

Killed all Jews that lived in countries owned by Germany

Killed 6 million Jews

Hebrew= Shoah (holocaust)

Means ‘whirlwind’

From the 19th century Jews began to come back

After the holocaust the United Nation voted that part of Palestine must become the State

of Israel

Which is now where most Jews live

WHAT REL IG IOUS TEXT DO THEY FOLLOW?

The Tanach = made up word taken from the first letter of each Hebrew scripture.

The Torah (Scripture in the Tanach); • 5 books• A.k.a The Laws of the Jews• Given to Moses on Mt. Sinai• Kept in a cabinet called an “Ark”

The Nvi’im (Scripture in the Tanach);• 8 books• Longest section in the Tanach• Combo of historical events, religious teachings, &

prophecies for the future

WHAT REL IG IOUS TEXT DO THEY FOLLOW? (CONT INUED)

The K’tuvim (Scripture in the Tanach); › 11 books› A.k.a Wisdom Literature› Contains: Poetry, history, faith, reward, punishment, &

why bad things happen to people› Written by King David and King Soloman

Many books have been made to interpret the Tanach

The Midrash (Interprets the Tanach); › Explains feelings and motives behind the writing› Incl. stories to explain important messages› Tells some history not told in the Tanach› Written down 2,000 yrs ago

WHAT REL IG IOUS TEXT DO THEY FOLLOW? (CONT INUED)

The Mishnah (Interprets the Tanach);› 1 book w/ 6 sections discussing the Torah› Written down like convo. about different issues all

ending with a ruling› Written down after 70 C.E› Main author = Rabbi Juddah the Prince

The Talmud (Interprets the Tanach);• Incl. writtings of rabbis from 200 to 500 C.E• Rabbis studied the Tanach & wrote qdown their

opinions about its message

Popular festival=among Jews= in western countries.

Falls= December last’s for 8 days.

Evenings Jewish light the Hanukkah=outside or inside the

window.

A Hanukkah spaces for lights.

Light 1 on first night 2 next night and so on.

Hanukkah =dedication=recalls time=Jerusalem

rededicated=after being destroyed.

Hanukkah=1 helper= light the others.

What is Hanukkah?