Judaism

JUDAISM

History of Judaism Judaism is the oldest

monotheistic religion. Monotheism means the belief

in one god. Jewish history begins circa

1812 BC in a town called Ur in Mesopotamia.

It is written that God made a covenant or special agreement with Abraham.

Abraham is considered the founder of Judaism.

On the Move The Jews prospered for awhile then

moved to Egypt when their crops died and no food could be found.

Egypt started out treating them well but then a new king came to power and enslaved all the Jews.

Moses then became important to the Jews. He led the Hebrews/Jews out of Egypt He was also given the 10

Commandments from God. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEOMFjGFS7M

History Continued

The TorahThe Jewish Scripture

According to the Bible God gave Moses the first five books of the Bible. These are known as the Torah.

For the people of Israel the Torah was the basis of life and faith.

AfterlifeThe Jews believe in an afterlife.

Olam Ha-Ba (similar to the Christian Heaven)

Sheol (similar to the Christian Hell)

Symbols of JudaismStar of David

The symbol of the Jewish people is the Star of David.

Menorah• The menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith. It is a candelabrum with seven candle holders. It symbolizes the burning bush seen by Moses on Mount Sinai.

Place of Worship

Jews go to a Synagogue to worship, learn more about their faith, and meet other people.

The word Synagogue means “meeting place.”

Major BeliefsJews believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship.The Sabbath is the Jewish holy

day. It begins at sunset on Friday and lasts until sunset on Saturday. It is the day for rest and religious thought.

HolidaysPassoverPassover (Pesach in Hebrew) is celebrated to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses.

Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival and commemorates the creation of the world.

Holidays cont.Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement Yom Kippur, the most sacred and solemn day of the Jewish year, brings the Days of Repentance to a close. As well as fasting for 25 hours, Jews spend the day in prayer, asking for forgiveness and resolving to behave better in the future.

Holidays cont.HanukkahHanukkah or Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It dates back to two centuries before the beginning of Christianity. It is an eight day holiday starting on the 25th night of the Jewish month of Kislev

This year Hanukkah begins in the evening of Saturday, December 8, 2012 and ends in the evening of Sunday, December 16, 2012.

Persecution

What it Means to be a Jew