JudaismJudaism

““The Covenant between God and the The Covenant between God and the people.”people.”

What is Judaism?What is Judaism?

JudaismJudaism

• Monotheistic Monotheistic religion that is an expression of the religion that is an expression of the covenantal relationship God established with the covenantal relationship God established with the Hebrews.Hebrews.

• Patriarch - biblical figures regarded as fathers of the Patriarch - biblical figures regarded as fathers of the human race, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their human race, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their forefathers, or the sons of Jacobforefathers, or the sons of Jacob

• Covenant – Covenant – an agreement established between God an agreement established between God and Abraham. If his people stay loyal to God they and Abraham. If his people stay loyal to God they will be given a great nation. God’s Chosen People will be given a great nation. God’s Chosen People

Judaism Judaism Section 1Section 1

• Judaism in today’s world is:Judaism in today’s world is:

– The interpretation of the history of the The interpretation of the history of the Jewish people.Jewish people.

– The sanctification of life, the means The sanctification of life, the means through which Jews live with each other through which Jews live with each other today. today.

Teachings on God & TorahTeachings on God & Torah

• God’s name is Yahweh God’s name is Yahweh

• God has a personal name and is involved in the welfare of God has a personal name and is involved in the welfare of humans and the created world.humans and the created world.

• God is infinitely powerful, all-knowing, and beyond the limits of God is infinitely powerful, all-knowing, and beyond the limits of space and time.space and time.

• He is the one and only God.He is the one and only God.

• This is practiced when Jews recite the This is practiced when Jews recite the Shema – “Hear, O Shema – “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” Recited Recited twice daily.twice daily.

The Hebrew BibleThe Hebrew Bible

• It is broken up into three partsIt is broken up into three parts– The TorahThe Torah– The ProphetsThe Prophets– The WritingsThe Writings

In Judaism the Bible is often called In Judaism the Bible is often called Tanakh – A name given to the Tanakh – A name given to the Hebrew BibleHebrew Bible

TorahTorah

• Torah – revelation of God’s Torah – revelation of God’s will to the people. The will to the people. The divine Law in the first five divine Law in the first five books of the Bible.books of the Bible.

• The Torah was given to Moses The Torah was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. on Mt. Sinai.

• It is forever Judaism’s central It is forever Judaism’s central code of holiness.code of holiness.

• It contains 613 laws, the most It contains 613 laws, the most famous being the 10 famous being the 10 commandments.commandments.

The Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments

1. I am the Lord thy 1. I am the Lord thy GodGod

2.Thou shalt have no 2.Thou shalt have no other God’s other God’s

3. Do not take the 3. Do not take the Lord’s name in vainLord’s name in vain

4. Remember the 4. Remember the Sabbath DaySabbath Day

5. Honor thy father and 5. Honor thy father and mothermother

6. Thou shalt not kill6. Thou shalt not kill

7. Thou shalt not 7. Thou shalt not commit adulterycommit adultery

8. Thou shalt not steal8. Thou shalt not steal

9. Do not bear false 9. Do not bear false witness against thy witness against thy neighborneighbor

10. Thou shalt not 10. Thou shalt not covet neighbor’s covet neighbor’s househouse

The ProphetsThe Prophets

• Contain historical Contain historical stories from stories from ancient Israel. ancient Israel.

• Also the word of Also the word of God spoken God spoken through the through the prophets. prophets.

The WritingsThe Writings

• These include These include proverbs and psalms proverbs and psalms and were written and were written later than the other later than the other two sections. two sections.

• They contribute They contribute much of the richness much of the richness of the Bible.of the Bible.

Mishnah and TalmudMishnah and Talmud

• Rabbi – a teacher of the Rabbi – a teacher of the Torah or leader of Jewish Torah or leader of Jewish worship.worship.

• Mishnah – Jewish holy book Mishnah – Jewish holy book written about 200 AD. written about 200 AD. Rabbi’s orally told stories Rabbi’s orally told stories prior to this being written. prior to this being written. These stories were then These stories were then written down in this book.written down in this book.

• Talmud – written Talmud – written interpretations of what is interpretations of what is believed to be God’s willbelieved to be God’s will

Section 2: History of the Chosen Section 2: History of the Chosen PeoplePeople

Who are the Jewish People?Who are the Jewish People?

• Jews today are descendants of the ancient Jews today are descendants of the ancient Israelites.Israelites.

• The religion is named Judaism because the The religion is named Judaism because the Jews came from the land of Judah. Jews came from the land of Judah.

• There is no Jewish “race”, rather Jews are There is no Jewish “race”, rather Jews are an ethnic group that share a common an ethnic group that share a common history and religion. history and religion.

Upholding the CovenantUpholding the Covenant

• As we have mentioned, As we have mentioned, Jews believe history is a Jews believe history is a record of God’s will. record of God’s will.

• Many Jewish people Many Jewish people believe that the difficulties believe that the difficulties they have faced they have faced throughout history has throughout history has caused them to question caused them to question how well they have upheld how well they have upheld their covenantal their covenantal responsibilities. responsibilities.

Classical Judaism (70AD – 600AD)Classical Judaism (70AD – 600AD)

• In 70 AD the Temple of In 70 AD the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed a Jerusalem was destroyed a second time by the Romanssecond time by the Romans

• Jews looked at this as a Jews looked at this as a catastrophe and an catastrophe and an opportunity.opportunity.

• From this Classical Judaism From this Classical Judaism developed. In which Jews developed. In which Jews focused more on the focused more on the teachings of the Torah rather teachings of the Torah rather than the rituals in the Temple.than the rituals in the Temple.

Jewish Exile (Classical Judaism)Jewish Exile (Classical Judaism)

• In 135 AD the Romans completely destroyed In 135 AD the Romans completely destroyed Jerusalem and removed the Jews from Israel. Jerusalem and removed the Jews from Israel.

• This gave rise to the Jewish concept of This gave rise to the Jewish concept of Diaspora Diaspora – or dispersion. Jewish people forced to live – or dispersion. Jewish people forced to live away from their homeland but maintain away from their homeland but maintain their religious identity.their religious identity.

• Jews have faced this concept all the way up to the Jews have faced this concept all the way up to the present day.present day.

Medieval Judaism (700AD-1750AD)Medieval Judaism (700AD-1750AD)

• Most Jews during this time period lived Most Jews during this time period lived under the rule of Muslims & Christiansunder the rule of Muslims & Christians

• Jews were generally free and treated well by Jews were generally free and treated well by Muslim rulers.Muslim rulers.

• Under Christian rule varied from good to Under Christian rule varied from good to bad. In many cases they were treated quite bad. In many cases they were treated quite poorly.poorly.

Medieval Judaism Continued.Medieval Judaism Continued.

• Jews were blamed and Jews were blamed and murdered by Christians murdered by Christians during this time for: during this time for: – Blood libelsBlood libels– Causing the Bubonic Causing the Bubonic

PlaguePlague

All of this caused Jews to All of this caused Jews to migrate east to Poland migrate east to Poland for safety.for safety.

http://www.ushmm.org/confront-antisemitism/http://www.ushmm.org/confront-antisemitism/european-antisemitism-from-its-origins-to-the-european-antisemitism-from-its-origins-to-the-holocaustholocaust

Section 3: Jewish PhilosophySection 3: Jewish Philosophy

• Moses Maimonides Moses Maimonides (1135-1204)(1135-1204)

• His work contributed His work contributed to the ongoing to the ongoing interpretation of the interpretation of the Torah.Torah.

• He came up with He came up with thirteen principles that thirteen principles that are the backbone of are the backbone of the Jewish belief the Jewish belief system.system.

MaimonidesMaimonides

• A few of these A few of these principles principles include:include:– The belief in God’s The belief in God’s

existenceexistence– Moses is superior to Moses is superior to

all other prophetsall other prophets– The belief in the The belief in the

coming Messiahcoming Messiah

The KabbalahThe Kabbalah

• Kabbalah – Jewish Kabbalah – Jewish mysticism that mysticism that teaches God can teaches God can best be known with best be known with the heart, through the heart, through lovelove

• God can be found by God can be found by looking inwardlooking inward

Section 4: Modern Judaism (1750-Section 4: Modern Judaism (1750-Present)Present)

• The Enlightenment gave way The Enlightenment gave way to major changes for life in the to major changes for life in the world as well as religions.world as well as religions.

• Hasidism – a Jewish practice Hasidism – a Jewish practice that draws from Kabbalists that draws from Kabbalists and holds that God is and holds that God is known first with the heart. known first with the heart.

• Hasidic Jews emphasize Hasidic Jews emphasize personal relationships with God personal relationships with God and the community, rather and the community, rather than studying the Torah and than studying the Torah and it’s commandments.it’s commandments.

• These Jews typically have These Jews typically have their own communities with their own communities with specific traditions and ways of specific traditions and ways of life. life.

• The leader of these The leader of these communities is known as the communities is known as the zaddikzaddik. He is known to have a . He is known to have a very close relationship with very close relationship with God. God.

• Large Hasidic communities Large Hasidic communities exist today mostly in the exist today mostly in the United States.United States.

Hasidic CommunitiesHasidic Communities

Payot (Curls) Fedora (hat) Payot (Curls) Fedora (hat) Families – Marriage 18-25Families – Marriage 18-25

ZionismZionism

• A movement that arose A movement that arose in the 19in the 19thth century that century that involves the involves the reestablishment of the reestablishment of the Jewish homeland.Jewish homeland.

• Since 1948 this has Since 1948 this has happened. So now happened. So now Zionism typically means Zionism typically means the support of Israel.the support of Israel.

Section 5: The HolocaustSection 5: The Holocaust

God’s Chosen PeopleGod’s Chosen People

• Anti-Semitism – The hatred of Anti-Semitism – The hatred of JewsJews

• Holocaust – The persecution of Holocaust – The persecution of Jews by German Nazis’ from Jews by German Nazis’ from 1933-1945. 1933-1945.

• It is estimated that approx. 6 It is estimated that approx. 6 million Jews were murdered during million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.the Holocaust.

• How could God have allowed such How could God have allowed such a terrible thing to happen?a terrible thing to happen?

http://www.ushmm.org/learn/introduction-to-the-holocaust/path-to-http://www.ushmm.org/learn/introduction-to-the-holocaust/path-to-nazi-genocidenazi-genocide

Israel TodayIsrael Today

• In 1948 – After the Holocaust In 1948 – After the Holocaust Israel was granted statehood for Israel was granted statehood for the Jews. the Jews.

• The first time the Jews have had The first time the Jews have had a national homeland in over a national homeland in over 2,000 years. 2,000 years.

• Jews view Israel as their earthly Jews view Israel as their earthly center and common cause. center and common cause.

• Much support is given financially Much support is given financially and politically by North American and politically by North American Jews and Christians.Jews and Christians.

Problems with the State of IsraelProblems with the State of Israel

• The Palestinians also call The Palestinians also call this land their home.this land their home.

• This is sacred land for This is sacred land for Judaism and IslamJudaism and Islam

• This has cause extreme This has cause extreme violence in the region since violence in the region since the creation of the state.the creation of the state.

• What is the best way to fix What is the best way to fix this problem?this problem?

Section 6: Jewish DivisionsSection 6: Jewish Divisions

• Judaism has been Judaism has been divided up into three divided up into three popular sections in popular sections in today’s world. Most today’s world. Most notably in the United notably in the United States.States.

• These divisions These divisions include: Orthodox, include: Orthodox, Reform, and Reform, and Conservative Jews. Conservative Jews.

Reform JudaismReform Judaism

• Being Jewish and being completely involved Being Jewish and being completely involved in modern society is acceptable. in modern society is acceptable.

• Judaism must adapt to the changes in Judaism must adapt to the changes in modern society. modern society.

• In this division English is spoken during In this division English is spoken during worship, and the rabbi functions like a worship, and the rabbi functions like a Christian priest.Christian priest.

Orthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism

• The Torah is the standard of truth and that life The Torah is the standard of truth and that life within society must always conform to it. within society must always conform to it.

• The Torah never changes therefore Jewish life The Torah never changes therefore Jewish life shouldn’t either. shouldn’t either.

• Deeply traditional and in the United States most Deeply traditional and in the United States most Orthodox Jews live in separate communities in Orthodox Jews live in separate communities in order to uphold these traditions.order to uphold these traditions.

Conservative JudaismConservative Judaism

• They hold a middle position between the other They hold a middle position between the other two divisions.two divisions.

• Somewhat open to change and to modern ways, Somewhat open to change and to modern ways, Conservative Jews are strict regarding traditional Conservative Jews are strict regarding traditional practices. practices.

• Worship in Hebrew, and laws regulating diet and Worship in Hebrew, and laws regulating diet and behavior on the Sabbath are strictly observed. behavior on the Sabbath are strictly observed.

Section 7: Daily Life of JewsSection 7: Daily Life of Jews

• Jews typically regard Jews typically regard themselves as “observers” themselves as “observers” of the commandments of the commandments rather than “believers.”rather than “believers.”

• Ethics: Jews must not only Ethics: Jews must not only worship God but live an worship God but live an ethical life.ethical life.

• Not only follow the Ten Not only follow the Ten Commandments but give Commandments but give to those who are in need.to those who are in need.

Worship & PrayerWorship & Prayer

• Males must pray 3 times a day.Males must pray 3 times a day.

• While doing so they must wear While doing so they must wear a a yarmulkeyarmulke, , boxes of biblical boxes of biblical passages on forehead, prayer passages on forehead, prayer shawl. shawl.

• Worship is most commonly Worship is most commonly done at home. Traditionally done at home. Traditionally Jews are to eat kosher food Jews are to eat kosher food and no pork. and no pork.

• Worship is done publicly at a Worship is done publicly at a synagogue or temple (reform)synagogue or temple (reform)

SabbathSabbath

• ““Remember the Sabbath Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” day and keep it holy.”

• Sabbath – begins at Sabbath – begins at sunset on Friday and sunset on Friday and lasts until sunset on lasts until sunset on Saturday. Is celebrated Saturday. Is celebrated because God rested on because God rested on the 7the 7thth day of creation. day of creation.

Section 8: Jewish Holy Days (Holidays)Section 8: Jewish Holy Days (Holidays)

• Rosh Hashanah – Rosh Hashanah – The The festival of the Jewish new festival of the Jewish new year. It is observed for two year. It is observed for two days. days.

• Jews are to reflect on their Jews are to reflect on their past year and a ram’s past year and a ram’s horn, shofar, is blown to horn, shofar, is blown to remind them of their remind them of their spiritual needs. spiritual needs.

Yom KippurYom Kippur

• Yom Kippur – Yom Kippur – The The Day of Atonement, Day of Atonement, Judaism’s most Judaism’s most important holy day. important holy day.

• A day of confessing A day of confessing sins. Pray all day and sins. Pray all day and do not eat, drink, or do not eat, drink, or work work

PassoverPassover

• An eight day festival An eight day festival that remembers the that remembers the Exodus of the Jews Exodus of the Jews from bondage in from bondage in Egypt. Egypt.

• Only unleavened Only unleavened bread or Matzo is to bread or Matzo is to be eaten during this be eaten during this holiday.holiday.

Hanukah Hanukah

• Known as the “Festival Known as the “Festival of Lights”of Lights”

• Celebrates the oil that Celebrates the oil that lasted eight days lasted eight days when it was only when it was only supposed to last one.supposed to last one.

• Celebrates by lighting Celebrates by lighting the Menorah. the Menorah.

Section 9: Rites of PassageSection 9: Rites of Passage

• Jews also celebrate major events in people’s Jews also celebrate major events in people’s lives. lives.

• At birth they perform circumcision for boys At birth they perform circumcision for boys – done as God instructed eight days after – done as God instructed eight days after birth.birth.

• The girl ritual is naming her at the The girl ritual is naming her at the synagogue during a Sabbath service.synagogue during a Sabbath service.

Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah

• These are both the point in These are both the point in time when a child takes on time when a child takes on the religious the religious responsibilities of an adult.responsibilities of an adult.

• Happens on the 13Happens on the 13thth birthday and a special birthday and a special service takes place in service takes place in which the boy/girl reads which the boy/girl reads from the Torah in front of from the Torah in front of the synagogue.the synagogue.

ConclusionConclusion

• Jews have faced many examples of adversity over the Jews have faced many examples of adversity over the years.years.

• Only 14 million Jews exist in the world today.Only 14 million Jews exist in the world today.

• Many fear their numbers and traditions are Many fear their numbers and traditions are diminishing.diminishing.

• It is important we understand their history and It is important we understand their history and traditions in learning about Jewish culture in our world traditions in learning about Jewish culture in our world today.today.

Jewish Population by StateJewish Population by State