Western vs. Eastern Religions Western Religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) Exclusivity – what does this mean? You cannot combine faiths - you have to pick one Communal Prayer weekly services where people pray together. Rigid Doctrine Teachings are established and are not to be challenged. Eastern Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Daoism) Open doctrine Can be interpreted by people in many ways Individual prayer Prayer at any time, any place Less belief in God’s role on Earth Few prophets or belief in God interacting with man Holistic Every aspect of life is affected by the religion – including diet, exercise, architecture, art

Judaism

Judaism Basic Facts One of the oldest religions in the world One of the first monotheistic religions 15 million Jews in the world today Is that a lot of people? Why is such a small religion considered “major”? Judaism has had a major impact on the world Law, ethics, history, other religions Judaism is a culture and a religion

Judaism – Beliefs and Practices What does it mean to be Jewish? God chose the Jewish people for a special covenant Worship God properly and he will guide, protect and reward them A messiah (savior) will be sent by God to end this life and all the faithful Jews will have eternal life in heaven

Judaism - History Jewish History is proud but sad Judaism began about 5,000 years ago Abraham was the first Jewish prophet and founder of Judaism God led him to a holy land and protected him and his descendants The Egyptians and Babylonians enslaved them Moses is seen as the greatest Jewish Prophet after Abraham The Kingdom of Israel was founded 3,000 years ago The Romans and Christians persecuted Jews for centuries Hitler and the Nazis murdered 6 million Jews during World War Two

Judaism – Jerusalem Jerusalem is a city in Israel and the Holy City for Jews It was the capital of the ancient Kingdom Of Israel

Judaism – Beliefs and Practices Holy Book – Torah – has rules and ethics to live by Ten Commandments Must care about your community The Torah is also a history book. Christians call it the “Old Testament” No representation of God – Why not? Kosher laws – restrictions on diet

Judaism – Beliefs and Practices Synagogues – Jewish place of worship. For Jews the holy day (Sabbath) is Saturday Holy days start at sundown the night before. Jews go to synagogue on Friday night or Saturday

Judaism – Beliefs and Practices Rabbis – Jewish spiritual leaders Must be specially trained Lead religious services, counsel and help others. Can be male or female

Judaism – Kosher Laws Kosher Laws outline rules about preparing and eating food. Certain animals are seen as unclean and are prohibited Pigs Shellfish Mice Snakes Birds of Prey (Eagles, Hawks, Owls, etc) Certain Parts of animals are forbidden Hindquarters Foods must be prepared carefully No blood (No rare meat) Animals should be killed as painlessly as possible No mixing blood and milk (dairy and meat)

Judaism - Ceremonies Bar and Bat Mitzvahs This is when the child starts to assume responsibility for their own religious beliefs Boys have Bar Mitzvahs at 13 Girls have Bat Mitzvahs at 12 Not all Jews believe in Bat Mitzvahs Why? The ceremony is held in a synagogue Must read a passage from the Torah Must answer questions about Judaism Most have big parties to celebrate Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

Judaism - Ceremonies Death and Funerals Tradition is for people to be buried within 24-48 hours Why so fast? Sitting Shiva Friends and relatives gather at the family home People bring food and help each other grieve Mirrors and clocks are often covered At the funeral, people usually say something about the deceased and help bury the body with a handful of dirt

Judaism - Holidays There are three very important holidays Passover, Rosh Hoshanah and Yom Kippur Hannukah is important in the US Why? Jewish holidays follow the lunar calendar so they are never on the same day. Easter follows the lunar calendar too.

Judaism - Holidays Passover In the Spring (around Easter time) Celebrates God helping Moses lead the Jews out of Egypt. A special meal (Seder) is held with foods that are symbolic of sadness, joy and new life.

Judaism - Holidays Rosh Hoshanah and Yom Kippur - early Fall Rosh Hoshanah is the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur –The Day of Atonement Ten days after Rosh Hoshanah During these ten days Jews are supposed to reflect on their lives and “atone” for their sins. Yom Kippur is seen as the holiest day of the year

Judaism - Holidays Hannukah- December Festival of Light Celebrates an ancient miracle where one day’s worth of lamp oil lasted eight days. Bigger in America than anywhere else Why? Families light a Menorah each night and exchange gifts

Judaism – Types of Judaism Every Religion has different types Why would this be? Over centuries and millenia people begin to have different views on how to follow a religion There are four major types of Judaism They differ on how strictly they follow the ancient laws More Strict Less Strict Orthodox Conservative Reconstructionist Reform

Judaism – Types of Judaism Orthodox Judaism The most strict form of Judaism Believe that the rules and laws of the Torah MUST be followed. No work on Sabbath at all (no driving, no cooking) Kosher laws must be followed (separate refrigerators) Synagogues segregated (men downstairs, women upstairs) No Bat Mitzvahs for girls Men perform all religious duties Some even have strict dress codes (Hasidic Jews)

Judaism – Types of Judaism Conservative Judaism The Torah must be followed but not as strict as Orthodox Observe the Sabbath but driving and cooking are okay Kosher laws are important Synagogues not segregated but men still run everything. Some allow girls to have Bat Mitzvahs

Judaism – Types of Judaism Reconstructionist Judaism The newest and smallest form of Judaism Believe that the Torah is important but everyone can modify the rules for their lives. Do not believe that God chose the Jewish people Believe that the traditions are very important. Sabbath and Kosher rules are important but not completely necessary to be a good Jew. Allow Bat Mitzvahs and Female Rabbis

Judaism – Types of Judaism Reform Judaism Least strict form Orthodox Jews say Reform Jews aren’t really Jewish Found mostly in the US Believe many of the Torah laws are outdated The Torah is a guide to live your life, not essential Working on the Sabbath is not bad. Kosher laws aren’t that important Girls can have Bat Mitzvahs Women can be Rabbis