RELS110:12 2011-01-11 Agenda Attendance :15 Student Presentation Judaism: Basic Principles Jewish scriptures: Proverbs Attendance :15 In the Religious Calendar :19 Religion in the News :23 Announcements / Administrativa :25 Student Presentation or discussion of the scripture reading :35 Explaining a concept– for the exam’s paragraph answer section. :50 Video with focus questions and discussion :04 Homework for Next Time

Zoroastrian afterlife In the final renovation, all of creation—even the souls of the dead that were initially banished to "darkness"—will be reunited in Ahura Mazda, returning to life in the undead form. At the end of time, a savior-figure (a Saoshyant) will bring about a final renovation of the world (frasho.kereti), in which the dead will be revived. (from Wikipedia and Peter C. Rogers, Ultimate Truth: Book I. [Authorhouse, 2009], 142.)

In the Religious Calendar January 4 Zoroastrianism: Ghambar Maidyarem ends Ghambar Maidyarem celebrates the creation of animals and is a time for an equitable sharing of food.

Class Presentation Ian Donovan

Basic Principles of Judaism Judaism is best known as the first monotheistic religion. Jews developed the doctrine of monotheism gradually over their early history. Judaism is both an ethnic group and a religion, and the two identities are brought together in the belief that Jews are “the chosen people.” God is believed to be actively involved in historical events in Judaism, sometimes in a way that permanently changes the relationship between God and God’s people. Judaism is a religion of orthopraxis, valuing ritual and the keeping of God’s laws over holding particular beliefs about God. Monotheism in Judaism 1 Judaism is probably most widely known as the religion that first developed the concept of monotheism: belief in and worship of a single God. Judaism is the oldest of the three monotheistic “Abrahamic faiths” (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) all of which trace their origins back to a single patriarch: Abraham. Monotheism in Judaism 2 Actually, monotheism is an idea that developed gradually over the course of the early history of Judaism. From biblical accounts and recent scholarship, it seems clear that Abraham and other early Jewish figures accepted the prevailing belief that there were many gods. What made the Jews unique as a people was that they chose to recognize and worship only one god who traveled with them wherever they went. Representations of God in Judaism In addition to being their only god, the god of the Jews is an invisible god. In the Bible God declared himself to be beyond any human efforts to depict or imagine him. This resistance to the use of religious images made Judaism unusual among the cultures in which Judaism first arose. To this day, Judaism has preserved its prohibition against making images of God.

Thirteen Principles of Faith God is Creator and Guide. God is One in a unique Way. God does not have a physical form. God is eternal. God and God alone is to be worshiped. God is all-knowing. God gives rewards and punishments. God has revealed his will through the prophets. Moses is the greatest of the prophets. The Torah was revealed to Moses. The Torah is eternal and unchanging. The Messiah will come. The dead will be resurrected. (Moses Maimonides, 13th C.)

Quiz fun

Proverbs Introduces us to the Material, convictions, worldview shared by Jews, Christians, Muslims alike. Proverbs 12:15: “Fools think their own way is right; the wise listen to advice” Same kind of thing we would say today. Sounds the same; meaning a bit different. Divides people into two categories: Fool or wise. An Observation – this is not a command. Proverbs 12:16: “Fools show their anger at once; but the prudent ignore an insult.” Two groups of people: (1) principled; (2) immediate moment. Proverbs 12:19: Truthful lips endure forever; but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 12:21: No harm comes to the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 12:22: Lying lips are an abomination; faithful are his delight.

Proverbs’ View of Reality Concerns are universal, not nation-specific. Israel is not mentioned at all. Concerns are with this life, not the afterlife. With the way of wisdom-created world. Stresses importance of human choice Sayyed Hossein Nasr: Everything in the Universe is Muslim except for Man. Wise=righteous will prosper; foolish=wicked do not. God’s wisdom is reflected in the moral order, as in the physical order “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Wisdom begins by taking God into account.

Choice (in Proverbs’ worldview) Not: a fork in the road, and no one to tell us one is right and one is wrong. Rather: a beautiful intricate rug & a child with muddy boots. It is appropriate to take the boots off. We didn’t make the world; it was made a certain way we didn’t determine. Will we respect the way the world is made? Will we be insensitive, stupid, mean?

Judaism video 1. What is the significance of Canaan and where is it today? 2. What is monotheism? How does it define Judaism?

For next time For Thursday (Cultural Context of Judaism) For Monday: Read Genesis 1-3; 6-9; 12; 13; 16; 17; 21; 22 For Monday: Read first part of “Judaism” in Living Religions (pages 235-252) Write online “Quiz 1 on Judaism” on this reading For Tuesday (Torah): Read Exodus 1-10; 19; Deuteronomy 4-6; 28-30; 2 Samuel 7; Covenants: Read Genesis 12; Exodus 19; 2 Samuel 7; Psalm 51; 92; 122