JUDAISM

Judaism  Worldwide: 14,551,000 Jews – US: 5.6 million – Asia: 4.5 million – Europe: 2.4 million  Many different groups/divisions of Judaism that exist – Conflicting beliefs about observances, etc.

Importance of History *The basis of the Jewish religion is its history. It is the most important aspect. – demonstrated through the celebration of life cycle events in people’s lives – holiday celebrations commemorate historic events  The key event is the Exodus from Egypt (recorded Book of Exodus) – Many important aspects of observances are linked to this event

 From the beginning, the Jewish people have interpreted acts of history as God acting on behalf of the Jewish people – Either to promote them or to punish them – History is seen as the story of God’s intervention in the lives of His “Chosen People”

Six Periods of Jewish History  The Patriarchs: Abraham  Moses (19th - 13th cent. BCE)  Moses  the Hebrew Monarchy (13th - 6th cent. BCE)  The Babylonian Exile and Post Exilic Judaism (6th cent BCE - 1st cent. CE) ("Second Temple" period)  Rabbinic period (1st - 7th cent CE)  Medieval Judaism (7th - 18th cent. CE)  Modern Judaism (18th cent. - current)

Judaism as a Race  Judaism is an ethnic religion  Began as a religion of an extended family, a tribe of peoples known as the Hebrews  Jewish people today continue to think of themselves as a family, a nation of peoples, as well as a religion  God is understood by the Jews to intervene, to act, in and through history time and again, especially in the history of Israel (the people)  Jews look to God’s action in the world

Sacred Texts  The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh – Known by Christians as "Old Testament“ – contains the same books as the Christian version but in a different order after the first five  Considered revealed and inspired by God – Interpretation of early history of the Hebrew people, establishment of a nation – Story of God’s interaction with His "Chosen People" (His-Story) – Foundation of Jewish life  Called the Bible – (Biblia) means "little books“ – Actually a library of 39 independent books divided into 3 categories:

The 3 Categories 1.Torah  Most important text  Divine instruction and guidance or "Written Law”  Books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy  Covers history from creation through the Exodus and wandering in the desert  613 commandments from God

Continued… 2. Prophets: Words and revelations of the minor and major prophets  Ezekiel, Isaiah, Amos, Jonah, etc. 3. Writings: poetic and devotional material written and used during the same time as the Prophets, words and works of the sages  Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, etc.

 The Talmud – Oral tradition passed to Moses and beyond – Finally written down in the 2 nd century – Contains info on rituals, marriages, agricultural laws, festivals, etc.

The Nature of God  Covenants with good people – Responds to their needs  deliverance  Guides & directs His people  Compassionate  Controls with justice  Source of forgiving, redeeming love  Establishes peace on earth

The “Name” of God  Written by Hebrew consonants YHVH – Means “I am”  Jews do not have a personal name for God – Christians and others have Anglicized it to Yahweh or Jehovah – Written by Orthodox Jews as G-d  God referred to as: – Adonai (The Lord) – Elohim, or HaShem (the Name) - the unpronounceable name of God

A Few Main Beliefs  Jews do not believe in "original sin" (no need for a "savior" in the Christian sense)  The Ten Commandments – first 4 have to do with our relationship with God – Next 6 refer to our relationship with other people

continued  Importance of family  Story/experience of exile and exodus – "Let my people go." – Compassion and concern for freedom of all peoples – history of continual fight for freedom and continued survival

Humans  God’s highest creatures – Earth has been given to them for food & pleasure – They are the “caretakers”  Created in God’s image – Each is a soul and body united – Each should have a fellowship with God  Responsible – Answer to God for conduct – Humans have choices/can make decisions  suffer consequences

Problem for Humans  Rebellion against God and consequential expulsion – Adam and Eve  Who is the Messiah? – Has not arrived yet to usher in a new age – He is expected

Life after Death  Emphasis on good life on earth more than good afterlife  References in Psalms to heaven and hell – Influenced by Zoroastrians? – Lack specific descriptions of life beyond death

Rituals  Jewish calendar based on lunar month  Sabbath/Shabbat – Observed each week – Sundown on Friday  sundown on Saturday  Rosh Hashanah – New year – Begins the Days of Awe – Concentrate on prayer, contemplation, self-searching  Yom Kippur – 10 th day (of awe) – Holiest day observed – Repentance: 24 hours of atonement and fasting

Passover  Most important holiday  Marks deliverance form slavery in Egypt under Moses’ leadership  Sacred meal: seder – Unleavened bread (matzah)

Mitzvah  613 mitzvot  258 positive, 365 negative  Boys: 13+1 day, girls 12+1 day – Bar Mitzvah means “son of the commandment”  Commands from God – No immediate reward – Obedience rewards in afterlife