Judaism is…

Judaism is…“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…

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continued . . .

HOME

Abraham:Father of Jewish people

Deborah:A

prominent judge

Moses:Led

Hebrews out of

slavery

Saul, David, Solomon:

Kings under whom Hebrews united

2000 B.C. 1200 B.C.1300 B.C. 1020-922 B.C.

The Origins of Judaism

The Hebrews were the ancestors of the Jews, and most of what we know, including the laws and requirements of their religion, Judaism, comes from their later writings.

• The Torah• Abraham, father of

the Hebrews• God’s covenant• 12 Tribes of Israel• Abraham, Isaac, and

Jacob were patriarchs

• Israelites in Egypt

Hebrew Fathers• Slaves in Egypt• Moses• Pharaoh, plagues• Exodus

– Israelites out of Egypt

– Passover • The Ten

Commandments

Moses and Exodus• Israelites in desert• Canaan• Land of “milk and

honey”• Israelites battled for

land• Canaan = Israel

Promised Land

The Early Hebrews

The Period of the Judges• Scattered communities• No central government• Judges enforce laws• Prophets keep Israelites focused on faith

• Israelites united against Philistines• Saul, first Israelite king• Never won full support• David, second king• Strong king, gifted poet• Solomon, David’s son• Israel reached height of wealth

Saul, David, Solomon• Conflict after Solomon’s death• Two kingdoms, Israel and Judah• 722 BC, Israel fell to Assyrians• 586 BC, Judah fell to Chaldeans• Chaldeans enslaved Jews• Diaspora = scattering of Jews• Persians conquered Chaldeans

Division and Conquest

The Kingdom of Israel

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

*NOTES*

JUDAISM- major world religion founded by the Hebrews in 1400 B.C. which became the first monotheistic belief system. (monotheism-ONE GOD)

IMPORTANT FIGURES:

1. Abraham- first Hebrew to make a covenant with God; father of monotheism

2. Moses- messenger of God (prophet) who led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt and was given the Ten Commandments

3. King David & his son Solomon- created a Jewish empire and built the city of Jerusalem

JUDAISM

Monotheism - 1 God

Torah- holy book Ten Commandments- law code

Synagogue or temple- house of worship

Sabbath- holy day is Saturday

Kosher food (no pork or shellfish)

Orthodox, Conservative or Reformed

Important days: Hannukah, Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah

*NOTES*

The Teachings of JudaismReligion the foundation of Hebrew and Jewish societies • Belief in One God

– Monotheism• Justice and Righteousness

– Kindness, fairness, code of ethics• Obedience to the Law

– Ten Commandments, Mosaic Law• Jewish Sacred Texts

– Torah, Talmud

As a faith, Jews Believe… In one God, creator of the universe,

personal but non-corporeal In prophets of old – especially

Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people

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 Reconstructionalism (20th century

America)

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 (Kashrut/Kosher) Dress and other symbols Prayer and devotion to the one God The Temple and Temple rites Observance of Holy days 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

Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22)

Death – funerals, mourning (sitting “Shiva”), and memorials (“Yartzeits”)

THE SYNAGOGUE

The Synagogue Sanctuary

Contains the scrolls

The reading desk.

Inside the Synagogue

The layout of the building is rectangular, with seats arranged on three sides.

The fourth side is the most important, it holds the Ark.

Almost in the centre of the Synagogue is a raised platform called the Bimah.

At the foot of the Bimah is a group of seats reserved for elders of the synagogue.

The Bimah is used by the Rabbi to read the Torah scrolls from.  It is

raised so that the congregation can see the Rabbi and he can see them.

The scrolls have crowns covering the top of the rollers and a metal plate, called a breastplate hanging around the crowns.  Covering the Torah scroll is a decorated cover called a mantle.  This is usually embroidered with a crown, representing King David.

Torah Scroll

What is a Torah scroll?The Torah contains the Five Books of Moses, whose English and Hebrew names are:

Genesis Beraishit

Exodus Shemot

Leviticus Vayikra

Numbers B'midbar

Deuteronomy Devarim

English Hebrew

Chapter 28 of Exodus describes the garb of the high priest, based off of this the priest’s clothing includes:

-A tunic (the Torah mantle)-A belt (the sash around the Torah)-A Mitre (the crown of the Torah)-A Breastplate

These have all been reproduced in some fashion for the dressing and decorating of the Sefer Torah.

Responsibilities of the Rabbi:(Rabbi means “teacher”)

-Preaching from the pulpit

-Teaching classes

-Individual counseling

Some prayers are said by everyone, and some are recited aloud by the shaliach tzibbur, to which the congregation responds "Amen.“

The chazzan (cantor) is specially trained in the art of Jewish music and liturgy for this role.

Tallit - Before beginning to worship or pray the devout Jew will often put on a prayer shawl.

The fringes on the shawl remind him of the many commandments (613) of the Torah.

He will first cover his head completely with the Tallit.

The Tallit is a prayer shawl, worn around the neck during the service.

  You can see the tassels or fringes hanging down. 

Each one represents the laws Jews must follow in their lives.  This comes from a commandment in the Torah:

The Tephillin are two small boxes with leather straps attached to them.  

You can see them in the picture next to the Siddur, the Jewish prayer book.

  The tephillin contain a small portion of scripture from the Torah, called the Shema

Phylacteries or Tefillin - Phylacteries are small leather boxes that have long straps attached that are worn on the left forearm and on the forehead. Inside the boxes are passages from the scriptures, including the Shema.

Kippur or Yarmulke - On their heads the devout Jew always wears the Yarmulke, a small skull cap, which reminds them that they are always duty bound to follow the laws of God at all times and in all places.

The Menorah : The Menorah is the seven branched candlestick which was placed in the temple in Jerusalem, each home has a Menorah to remind them of the temple and of their hope that one day it will be built again

The Mezuzah : The Mezuzah is a small box fixed to the doorpost on your house, according to the command in scripture.

If you look at a Jewish house there will be a small box fixed to the right hand side of the doorpost.

Inside the Mezuzah is a small piece of parchment with the words of Deuteronomy 13-21 written upon it..

The Magen David : The Magen David is the star of David, this is the representation of the state of Israel.

It is more a political than a religious statement.

The state of Israel was recreated by the United Nations in 1948.

Kosher foods Non-Kosher foodsGoat RabbitTurkey PigAll fish (as long as they have scales) Camel

Cow OctopusSheep EelDuck Horse

Chicken Most birds especially birds of preyInsects

Lev. 11:13-19 : These you shall regard as detestable among the birds. They shall not be eaten; they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, the buzzard, the kite of any kind; every raven of any kind; the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind; the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the water hen, the desert owl, the carrion vulture, the stork, the heron of any kind, the hoopoe, and the bat. 

Kosher AnimalsAnimals are kosher if:1. Their hooves are completely parted

at the bottom to form 2 horny pads2. If it chews the cud

In order for the animal to be Kosher, they must do BOTH. (For example, pigs are not Kosher because they do not chew the cud)

• All Vegetables and fruit are kosher, but they must be carefully checked for non-kosher foods like insects.

• All dairy products are kosher (Must be bloodless), but it must be checked that the product does not contain any meat based products • (for example many cheeses contain rennet which is made from

the stomach of pigs or cows and thus breaks two of the kosher rules (i) that meat and dairy must be separate and (ii) that products from the pig are treyfah).

• Also the kosher Jew must to sure that the milk is only from kosher animals (some farmers made a practice of topping up cow's milk with pig's milk - this would make the milk treyfah)

• All shellfish is treyfah.

Boys : • After a boy child has been born a blessing is said and eight days

later the child will be presented for the ceremony of circumcision. • This may take place in the synagogue or in the home, or at the

hospital. • This is a very important ceremony and the only reason for

delaying it is if the child is ill. • The boy will be placed on the lap of the sandek (A bit like a

Christian godparent). • it is a great honour to be asked to perform this service. • The circumcision is performed by the mohel , who may be a

doctor but does not have to be. • The circumcision of boys is a sign of the covenant that God

agreed with Abraham (more about Abraham).

The ceremony of the Bar Mitzvah is a very important occasion for the young Jewish male. The ceremony, is normally held on the first Shabbat after his 13th birthday.

There are three main reasons why the Bar Mitzvah is so important for every Jewish male:

• The boy who has come of age is given the full religious responsibilities of the adult male. He is allowed to wear the ritual clothes the Tallit and the Tefillin, he can make up the minimum 10 males who must be present for a service to take place (the minyan), and he can take part fully in the worship in the synagogue.

• At any time in the future he can be called upon to read from the Torah. All Jews consider this to be a great privilege.

• In many synagogues this is seen as a serious statement of faith by the young adult. They acknowledge their faith and acknowledge that the responsibility for their spiritual life now passes from their parents to them.

. The Chuppah : The whole of the wedding service takes place under the Chuppah.

This is usually a canopy supported by four poles and normally decorated with fringes and flowers.

The chuppah is a symbol of the home that the couple will set up together after the marriage.

. Signing the KETUBAH : Before the bride enters the synagogue the bridegroom will sign the Ketubah, thus signifying the terms of the contract for the marriage.

The Ketubah is a "bill of rights" for the woman since it sets out the responsibilities of the husband, the wording of the document is about 2000 years old.

The groom now waits for his bride under the chuppah, at a signal the bride enters in procession.

The bride will come with a collection of close relatives and friends who take their place on either side of the chuppah. As the bride enters a special blessing is sung.

The betrothal blessing is recited over a goblet of wine and God is praised for guiding humanity by giving laws about marriage.

The couple then drink from the goblet and the groom places a ring on the right index finger of the bride.

The seven blessings of marriage are then recited. These are called the SHEVA BARACHOTH

After the Sheva Baracoth a cup of wine is then drunk.

The bridegroom then symbolically breaks a glass under his foot

The priestly blessing is then said over the couple the couple leave to sign the registers.

When someone dies the family does something which non-Jewish observers would find very strange they take hold of a garment that they are wearing and tear it.

This is an ancient Jewish customs and helps to vent the anger that they are feeling at the death of a loved one.

• A candle is lit and placed at the head of the bed. • One of the sons remains with the body and quietly recites some

of the psalms• . From now until the burial, the body would not be left alone.• Arrangements are made for the funeral, for it is the tradition for

the Jews to bury the body, if at all possible within 24 hours of death.

• The undertaker provides a simple coffin.

How does Judaism sanctify time?

The Jewish Holidays: High Holidays:

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

Sukkot, the “Festival of Booths” (fall harvest festival)

Simchat Torah – celebrating Torah

Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”

More Holy Days… Purim (“Lots”) – a carnival

(commemorates events told in book of Esther)

Pesach (“Passover”) – commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus)

Shavuot (“weeks,” Pentecost) – commemorates receipt of Torah at Sinai

Other, minor festivals 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?

Tikkun 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!

LeChaim!

To Life!To Life!

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