UNDERSTANDING JUDAISM

HISTORY

•The Jewish People are descended from the ancient Hebrews and trace their origin to Abraham.•The origins of the Jewish people are contained in the first 5 books of the Old Testament also referred to as the Torah or the Law.•Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the patriarchs of the Israelites. •The name Israel derives from the name given to Jacob (Genesis 32:29). His 12 sons were the kernels of 12 tribes that later developed into the Jewish nation. The name Jew derives from Judah, one of the 12 sons of Jacob (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Benjamin).•After the destruction of the temple by the Romans in A.D. 70, the Jews had no place to offer sacrifices for their sins as required by the Law of Moses (Deut. 12). •After this loss, the Jewish people scattered to almost every nation in the world where they established synagogues to keep their faith. alive.

HISTORY

•The descendants of Abraham crystallized into a nation at about 1300 BC after their Exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Moses. •Soon after the Exodus, Moses transmitted to the people the Torah, and the Ten Commandments (Exodus Chapter 20). •After 40 years in the Sinai desert, Moses led them to the Land of Israel, that is cited in The Bible as the land promised by God to the descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 17:8).•The people of modern day Israel share the same language and culture shaped by the Jewish heritage and religion passed through generations starting with the founding father Abraham (ca. 1800 BC).

HISTORY

•Jews have had continuous presence in the land of Israel for the past 3,300 years. •The rule of Israelites in the land of Israel starts with the conquests of Joshua (ca. 1250 BC). The period from 1000-587 BC is known as the "Period of the Kings".•The most noteworthy kings were King David (1010-970 BC), who made Jerusalem the Capital of Israel, and his son Solomon (970-931 BC), who built the first Temple in Jerusalem as prescribed in the (Old Testament).•In 587 BC, Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar's army captured Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and exiled the Jews to Babylon (modern day Iraq).

HISTORY

•The year 587 BC marks a turning point in the history of the region. From this year onwards, the region was ruled or controlled by a succession of superpower empires of the time in the following order: Babylonian, Persian, Greek Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Empires, Islamic and Christian crusaders, Ottoman Empire, and the British Empire.

HISTORY - PERSECUTIONS

70 AD Roman Army destroyed Jerusalem. Over 1 million Jews killed and 97,000 taken into slavery and captivity, many others scattered.135 Serious Roman persecution of the Jews began. Jews were forbidden from practicing circumcision, reading the Torah, eating unleavened bread at Passover, etc. 325 The Council of Nicea – the first edict in favor of the “Venerable Day of the Sun” (Sunday) was made at the Council. Sabbath worship and other Jewish observances became heretical to the Christian faith. Also, Christianity was now the official religion, and Jews could no longer have Roman citizenship.

HISTORY - PERSECUTIONS

1096 The First Crusade was launched. Although the prime goal of the Crusades was to liberate Jerusalem from the Muslims, Jews were a second target. In Germany, in the cities along the Rhine River alone, 12,000 Jews were killed. This persecution and slaughter continued for eight additional Crusades until the year 1272. 1290Edward I banishes Jews from England. 16,000 forced to leave the country.1306 100,000 Jews are exiled from France. They left the country with only the clothes on their backs and food for one day.

HISTORY - PERSECUTIONS

1540 Jews were exiled from Naples, Italy. 1582 Jews were expelled from Holland. 1933 Hitler rises to Chancellor of Germany. The Nazi era begins. Horrible anti-Semitic propaganda and the ground work for the Holocaust is laid in place. 6 million Jews Killed between 1939-45..

3 BRANCHES OF JUDAISM

•After the temple was destroyed in AD 70, sacrifices and the priesthood ceased to exist. •Rather than being guided by prophets, priests, and kings, the rabbis became the authorities who established various laws and practices. •Before the 18th century there was basically one kind of Judaism,•Rabbinic Judaism began in 200 BC, but Judaism would split into 3 branches in the 18th century.•However, modern day nominal Jews may not claim to belong to any of the branches.•The 3 branches that spawned from Rabbinic Judaism were: Orthodox Judaism, Reform Judaism, and Conservative Judaism.

3 BRANCHES OF JUDAISM

3 MAIN Branches1. Orthodox Judaism – characterized by an emphasis

on tradition and strict observance of the Law of Moses as interpreted by the rabbis.

2. Reform Judaism – began in Germany in the 18th century at the time of the Enlightenment. Sought to modernize what were considered outmoded ways of thinking and doing and to thus prevent the increasing assimilation of German Jews. Emphasizes ethics and the precepts of the prophets.

3. Conservative Judaism – developed in 19th century. A middle ground type branch.

4. It is best to think of all 3 as religions of deed not creed.

5. What one believes about God, sin, or the afterlife is not nearly as import as living a proper life here and now.

6. Doctrine is not taught in Judaism like it is in Christianity.

ORTHODOX JUDAISM

•Heavy emphasis on tradition.•Seeks to preserve classical Judaism. •Believe that Torah is truth. •Believe in revelation and divine origin of the oral and written Torah. •Believe God is spirit rather than form. He is personal God – omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal, and compassionate.•Believe Humanity is morally neutral, with a good and an evil inclination. Believes a person can overcome their evil desires and become perfect through their own efforts and observance of the law. Deny Original sin.•Way to salvation is through strict observance of law, prayer, and repentance. •Presume that being Jewish gives them right standing with God.•Believe the Messiah is a human being, not divine, who will restore the Jewish Kingdom and extend rule over earth and execute judgment and right all wrongs.

CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM

•An American Movement with roots in 19th century Germany.•Believes the Bible and Torah is the word of God and man. It is not inspired though. Revelation is ongoing. •Concept of God is non-dogmatic. God is flexible.•Believe humanity is basically good and has the ability to keep the law perfectly and attain enlightenment. •Do not believe in original sin.•Salvation is obtained through maintaining “Jewish Identity.”•Share the believe in “Messianic Age” with Reform Judaism.

REFORM JUDAISM

•Emerged following the emancipation from ghetto life in the late 18th century. Sought to modernize Judaism. Believes that maintaining Jewish identity is vital and best done by modernization.•Believe the Bible is a human document preserving history, culture, legends, and hopes of a people. Valuable for deriving moral and ethical insights. Revelation is ongoing.•Believe that “the truth is that we do not know the truth.”•Believe God is impersonal. •Believe human nature is basically good. Through education, encouragement, and evolution man can actualize the potential already existing within him or her.•Believe the law is ever evolving and changing. •Do not believe in original sin. •Salvation is obtained through the betterment of self and society. It is social improvement. •Same belief as Conservative Jews about the Messianic Age.

SIMILARITIES IN BRANCHES

•Overarching beliefs that are shared between the branches, and main creed would be The Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4 that says: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” •The Unity of God is of paramount importance to ALL Jewish people. •There is no official doctrinal position that unites these branches or distinguishes them either.

3 OTHER KINDS OF JUDAISM

Other Kind of Judaism1. Reconstructionist – American offshoot of

Conservative Judaism. Maintains that Judaism is a “religious civilization” that must adapt to contemporary life.

2. Hasidic – ultra-Orthodox movement characterized by strict observance of the Law of Moses, mystical teachings, and is socially separatist. Have leaders called rebbe, who is the dynastic head of the particular Hasidic group in which leadership is passed down through generations from father to son.

3. Zionist – Zionism is a political movement dating from the late 19th century, concerned with the return of Jews to the land of Israel.

SCRIPTURE

1. The Torah or Hebrew Bible consisting of the first 5 books of the Old Testament – many Jews do not believe the Torah is the inspired “word of God,” but rather a part of Jewish tradition and history.

2. The Talmud – only considered to be divine by Orthodox Jews. Consists of the Mishnah and the

Gemara. Mishnah – consists in large part of various legal

ruling and was compiled around 200 AD. Germara – elaborates and comments on the

dicussions in the Mishnah and was compiled around 550 AD.

Both are considered useful for ethics and instructive for life, but do not contain divine authority.

JEWISH HOLIDAYS

1. Rosh ha Shanah – Jewish New Year in Sept. or Oct.

2. Yom Kipper – The Day of Atonement. Celebrated 10 days after Rosh ha Shanah. Most solemn day of year on the Jewish Calendar. Most Jews attend

synagogue and pray to God for forgiveness of sins. Many will fast for 24 hours.

3. Sukkot – celebrated in Sept. or Oct. after Yom Kipper. A festive holiday. A booth is made behind the house or Synagogue and fruit is hung from

the roof. People wave branches of various plants.4. Hanukkah – celebrated in Nov. and Dec. Last 8

days. Festive holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian armies of

Antiochus Epiphanes. Characterized by lighting a menorah (Lampstand) over a period of 8 days, spinning the dreidel (a top), and eating potato

pancakes called latkes.

JEWISH HOLIDAYS

5. Purim – celebrated in Feb. and Mar. A party-like atmosphere can prevail. Recounts the story of the book of Esther, which is read. Plays take place in

which the entire story is enacted in comedic style.

6. Passover – celebrated in Mar. in Apr. Lasts a week. Traditional meal called The Sedar is eaten on the

first two nights. Most popular of all Jewish Holidays. Occasion for family to gather, recount events in Exodus. Unleavened bread is eaten all

week. 7. Shvuot – celebrated in May or June. Not widely

observed. Celebrates the day the law was given at Mount Sinai.

JUDAISM VS. CHRISTIANITY

• Jewish people do not believe Jesus is the Messiah because they don’t believe that Jesus fulfilled the Messianic requirements and was not a fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies.

• They believe that Christianity is for the Gentiles. • Jews don’t believe that they need Jesus.

They believe that they are saved by birth. Jews presume a standing with God. They do not

speak of salvation. • Idea of personal faith commitment is not

understood.• The idea of a Christian or Gentile following the

Jewish Messiah is misguided to Jews. • Jews believe they will cease to be Jewish if they

believe in Jesus as the Messiah. To be a Christian means to turn your back on your family and heritage.

• Jews think Christians believe in 3 gods.

JUDAISM VS. CHRISTIANITY

• Jews think that if Jesus is the Messiah then there should be peace on earth and the rabbis would believe in him.

• Jews do not believe that there is any proof that Jesus is the Messiah.

• Jews believe the NT is Anti-Semitic. • Jews do not proselytize.

MESSIANIC PROPHECIES

PROPHECY FULFILLMENTThe Messiah will be from the seed of Abraham (Ge. 18:18, 21:12, Num. 24:17, 19).

Jesus… the son of David, the son of Jesse… the son of Judah.. The son of Abraham. (Lk. 3:31)

Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) Joseph also went up from the town… to Bethlehem the town of David. (Lk 2:4)

He was despised and rejected by men (Isa. 53:3)

Those who passed by hurled insults at him… (Matthew 27:39-44)

A man of sorrows (Isa. 53:3) Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. (Matt. 26:38)

Familiar with suffering (Isa. 53:3) He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things (Mk 8:31)

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. (Isa. 53:3)

Jesus drove out the spirits with a word and healed the sick. (Matt. 8:16-17)

The Stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. (Ps. 118:22)

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir, Come, let’s kill him…” (Matt. 21:28-42)

They must not break any of his bones. (Ps. 22)

When they found him dead, they saw that they did not break his legs. (Jn. 19:33-37)

Will enter Jerusalem on a donkey. (Zech. 9:9)

The Disciples brought the donkey and Jesus sat on it. Matthew 21, Mark 11, Jn. 12.