Faith in the Middle East

Birthplace of 3 Monotheistic Religions... Judaism - 4,000 years ago Christianity - 33 AD Islam - 600 AD Ancient Religions of the ME Polytheistic Believed in forces in nature

Judaism Founded by Abraham - the patriarch Based on Covenants (agreements) between the Hebrews and their God (Yahweh)

Three Major Covenants… Main beliefs of Judaism Monotheism - Hebrews are to worship one God - In return, God promises to bless and protect their descendants “Promised Land” - God promises a Jewish homeland - Canaan - modern day Israel Chosen People - For worshiping him, God would protect the Hebrews

Major events in Hebrew History Abraham & the Covenant Isaac  Jacob  12 sons (Joseph) Joseph sold to into slavery in Egypt Famine …Jacob and his sons leave Canaan and relocate to Egypt Hebrew people become slaves in Egypt Moses frees the Jewish people…cross the Red Sea back to Canaan

Holy Books - Torah – (First 5 books of Old Testament) - Talmud - Teachings of Rabbis & Religious decisions House of Worship - Temple Holidays - Hanukkah - Festival of Lights - Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year - Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement - Passover Holy Sites - Tombs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - Western Wall (Wailing Wall) - remaining wall built by Jewish exiles in 536 BC

The Wailing Wall Jerusalem, Israel

Foundations of Christianity Canaan falls under Roman rule. Renamed Palestine Jesus = Jewish carpenter Preached throughout ancient Palestine Followers believed he was the Messiah (deliver)

Death of Jesus Many Jews feared Jesus was a danger to stability Did not want to upset the Romans Rulers Romans crucified Jesus in 33 AD

Main Beliefs of Christianity One, Merciful God Jesus is the Son of God Resurrection of Jesus The death of Jesus atones for the sins of man  Kingdom of Heaven

Holy Book - Bible Old & New Testament - N.T. - Life and teachings of Jesus - Gospels -Mathew, Mark, Luke, John House of Worship - Church Holidays - Christmas - Birth of Christ - Good Friday - Death of Christ - Easter Sunday - Christ rises from the Dead Holy Sites - Bethlehem - site of Christ’s birth - Golgotha - site of Christ’s death - Church of the Holy Sepulcher - site of Christ's burial

Church of the Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem

Islam Islam - “to submit” to God Teachings of God (Allah) through the prophet Muhammad Muslims do NOT worship Muhammad - he is a messenger and a teacher The Divine Chain Muhammad last in the line of Prophets Abraham / Moses / Jesus / Muhammad Christians & Jews = “People of the Book”

Life of Muhammad Taught and preached in Mecca Warned against worshiping many gods Merchants in Mecca became angry (gained $ from pagan festivals) 622 AD Muhammad fled to Medina - from there the faith took root Hejira - Journey from Mecca to Medina - Start of the Islamic Calendar Hajj – Journey from Medina BACK to Mecca - Ends w/ smashing statues in Ka’bah

Main Beliefs 5 Pillars of Islam Shahada - Declaration of Faith in Allah Salat - Prayer towards Mecca 5x a day Zakat - Charity Swam - Fasting during the month of Ramadan Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca Jihad - Defense of Islam

Holy Book - Koran - Word of God spoken to Muhammad and translated into Arabic House of Worship - Mosque Holidays - Ramadan - Month of Fasting Holy Sites - Ka’bah, Mecca - Mosque of the Prophet, Medina - Dome of Rock Mosque, Jerusalem

Ka’bah - Mecca Dome of Rock, Jerusalem