Judaism and Islam: a Comparison World History and Geography A Judaism and Islam: a Comparison

Origins Abrahamic About 2000 BC In Palestine Founder: Abraham Judaism Islam Abrahamic About 2000 BC In Palestine Founder: Abraham Abrahamic 622 A.D. In Saudi Arabia Founder: Muhammad

View of God Monolithic (believe in one God) Called Yahweh Judaism Islam Monolithic (believe in one God) Called Yahweh Monolithic (believe in one God) Called Allah

View of Jesus NOT the son of God He was a teacher Judaism Islam NOT the son of God He was a teacher NOT the Messiah; even called “false prophet” NOT the son of God One of many prophets

Holy Books Torah (Hebrew Bible) Ten Commandments Qur’an Shari’a Judaism Islam Torah (Hebrew Bible) Ten Commandments Qur’an Shari’a

Prophets and Messages from God Judaism Islam Believe in prophets God revealed Himself to Moses God communicated the Torah (the five books of Moses), including the Ten Commandments Believe in prophets God revealed Himself to Mohammad God revealed the Qur'an (holy book of Islam)

Main Teachings Ten Commandments given to Moses Five Pillars Judaism Islam Ten Commandments given to Moses Five Pillars The Declaration of Faith Prayer Fasting Welfare Tax Pilgrimage

Other Important Teachings Judaism Islam Obedience to God’s will Covenant between God and people Jews are God’s chosen people Coming of Messiah Judgment Day Heaven and hell Life after death Submission to God’s will Judgment Day Heaven and hell Life after death

Celebrations Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Judaism Islam Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Hanukah Pesach (Passover – celebrates escape of the Jews) Muharram / Festival of Ashura (first month of the year) Ramadan (Month of Fasting) The Night of Power (during Ramadan) Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan)

Religious Leaders Rabbi (means teacher) Allowed to marry Judaism Islam Rabbi (means teacher) Allowed to marry Imam (means leader) Allowed t marry

Major Branches Orthodox Conservative Judaism Islam Orthodox Conservative Reform (wider definition of kosher) Sunni Shi’a

Place of Worship Synagogue Means Assembly Mosque Judaism Islam Synagogue Means Assembly Mosque Means Place of Kneeling

Holy City of Jerusalem Established about 1000 B.C. by King David Judaism Islam Established about 1000 B.C. by King David Home to the Temple that was first built by King Solomon Remains a place of huge religious importance for Jewish people After Mecca and Medina, it ranks as Islam's third most holy city. Jerusalem featured in the story of Muhammad's miraculous journey with the archangel, Jibril (Gabriel) to Jerusalem and then heaven.

Holy Places in Jerusalem Judaism Islam Temple Mount (where the Temple was built) Western / “Wailing” Wall (all that remains of the Temple today) Islam’s al-Aqsa mosque Dome of the Rock shrine

Worship Judaism Islam Pray a fixed set of times each day – usually three times except for Sabbaths and holidays Men cover heads during prayer Men and women worship separately Required to pray facing Mecca at set times five times a day Men cover heads during prayer Men and women worship separately

Rites and Rituals Judaism Islam Dietary restrictions: Jewish people eat only “kosher” foods All Jewish boys are circumcised on the eighth day after their birth. At age 13, child comes of age – Bar Mitzvah (boy) / Bat Mitzvah (girl) Men often wear yarmulkes to show respect Dietary restrictions: Jewish people eat only “halal” foods Circumcision not required, but standard practice Modest dress required

Time Judaism Islam Religious days begin and end at sunset rather than by a specified time Own lunar calendars that differ from the accepted standard western calendar Religious days begin and end at sunset rather than by a specified time Own lunar calendars that differ from the accepted standard western calendar