At the end of this lesson, you will…  Know who founded Judaism  Understand the geographic origins of Judaism  Know some essential Jewish stories, customs and holidays.

World Religions: Judaism

Why put Judaism first? Because…of the top three, this is where it all began…4000 years ago!

History of Judaism  Back in the “old days” – 4000 years ago and beyond – most people believed there were a lot of different gods or goddesses that controlled things.  This concept is called polytheism (belief in many gods)

History of Judaism  The start of Judaism is actually found in the first five books of the Bible.  These books are called the Torah and they make up the Hebrew Bible.

The founder of Judaism  A man named Abram (later changed to Abraham) was inspired by God to spread the word that there was only ONE god.  He convinced his immediate family to stop worshipping idols and begin following One God (monotheism)

Jews led to the “Promised Land”  Because their beliefs – in ONE God – were so out-of-step with everybody else, Abram’s family was persecuted (harassed).  In addition to the persecution, a famine struck the area.

Jews led to the “Promised Land”  God told Abram to leave, that He would guide them to a place where they could practice their faith openly.  This place was called “the Promised Land”

Along the way…  The Jews (as they were now called) traveled for many years.  Along the way, they settled in Egypt where they were made to become slaves to the Egyptian pharaoh.

Egyptian Slavery  While they were slaves, they were made to work very hard. The Jews were persecuted and mistreated to the point where many died.

Holy Moses!  At the time, a new Pharaoh had come into power. This new Pharaoh decided to kill all the Jewish newborn boys to keep the Jewish people from coming into power.  Moses was born a Hebrew (Jew) but was given up as a baby by his mother to protect him from harm.

Holy Moses!  Moses was placed in a basket made of reeds and floated across the Nile River towards the Pharaoh’s palace.

Holy Moses!  Later that day, the Princess (the Pharaoh's daughter) came down to the water. She saw the basket. When she saw the baby, she knew that he was a Jewish baby and was supposed to be killed.  She took him home anyway, called him Moses, and raised him in the palace

Holy Moses!  Moses became very popular and well-liked within the palace. He could have become a Pharaoh himself but then…

“Essential Story”  He saw an Egyptian hitting a Jew. Moses became angry and hit the Egyptian back, killing him.  Moses ran away into the desert where he became a shepherd.  Then one day, while tending the sheep, he saw a bush that was burning. He went to have a closer look, the fire went out, and then…

“Essential Story” (cont’d)  …strangely enough, he looked at the bush and it wasn’t burnt at all. He thought this was very odd  Suddenly, he heard a voice saying “Stop! And take your shoes off, for this is sacred ground."

“Essential Story” (cont’d)  God then spoke to Moses and told him to go back to Egypt, back to the Pharaoh, and ask him to let the Jews go free.  Moses did so, but the Pharaoh told him “No!”

“Essential Story” (cont’d)  Moses told him if he didn’t, God would punish him severely.  The Pharaoh didn’t care. And so God sent Ten Plagues (bad things) to happen to Pharaoh and his armies.

“Essential Story” (cont’d) The Ten Plagues of Egypt were as follows: 1st plague: God changed water into blood. 2nd plague: God made frogs appear everywhere. 3rd plague: God put lice everywhere. 4th plague: God sent flies everywhere. 5th plague: All livestock were mysteriously killed.

“Essential Story” (cont’d) The Ten Plagues of Egypt were as follows: 6th plague: The Egyptian people developed gross sores. 7th plague: Hailstones and fire destroyed crops. 8th plague: God sent locusts to eat the crops 9th plague: Darkness everywhere EXCEPT where the Jews were. 10th plague: The oldest son in every Egyptian family died.

Finally…  Pharaoh gave up and allowed the Jews to leave.  The Jews were so excited to leave that they didn’t even wait for their bread to rise…which is why unleavened “flat bread” is so important to the Jewish story.

Jewish Culture and Customs  Jewish celebrations are often centered around Jewish historical events.

Hanukah  Hanukah is NOT the Jewish version of Christmas!!  Instead, Hanukah celebrates Hanukkah is the festival of lights.  Jewish temples have “eternal lights” which are lamps that are always lit.  The Jewish temple was rededicated after a period of persecution and the eternal light was rekindled but there was only enough oil for a few days.

Hanukah The oil lasted for eight days, until more oil could be found. That’s why you see a Menorah (a 9 pillar candlestick)

Bar (or Bat) Mitvah  Bar Mitzvah takes place when a boy turns thirteen.  Bat mitzvah is the same, but for girls.  The first act of adulthood is reading from the Torah scroll during services

The Jewish Sabbath  All Jewish holy days begin at sundown and end at sundown.  The Shabbat (Sabbath) begins at sundown each Friday and lasts until dark on Saturday.  There is a special Sabbath meal which includes special foods, songs and readings and prayers.

Test Time How much do you remember? Answer the following questions to find out just how much you really KNOW! (click the navigation buttons)

Question One: Who is the founder of Judaism?

Answer One: Abraham (Abram)

Question Two: The name of the area that was promised to the Jewish people by God; now known as Israel…

Answer Two The “Promised Land” (also known now as the country of Israel)

Question Three: Known as the Festival of Lights, this holiday celebrates that the oil in the temple lasted for eight days, instead of just one day…

Answer Three Hanukah

Question Four Who led the Jews from slavery in Egypt? (hint: he was personally given the Ten Commandments by God)

Answer Four Moses

Question Five: God changed water into blood. God made frogs appear everywhere. God put lice everywhere. God sent flies everywhere. All livestock were mysteriously killed. The Egyptian people developed gross sores. Hailstones and fire destroyed crops. God sent locusts to eat the crops Darkness everywhere EXCEPT where the Jews were. The oldest son in every Egyptian family died What were these called?

Answer Five: The Ten Plagues of Egypt

Bonus Question: What is Polytheism?

Bonus Answer: Belief in many gods, not just one.