Judaism 101 Mr. Richards Global Studies

According to most historians, Judaism began around 2000 BC when Abraham made divine covenant with God. Because of this, Abraham is considered to be the Father of the Semitic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).

Important Texts  Tanakh (called the Old Testament by Christians) –The Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy)  “Teaching or Instruction” –The Nevi’im (Joshua thru Malachilsaiah) –The Ketuvim (Psalms thru Chronicles)

Important Texts  The Talmud (a collection of stories, laws, medical knowledge and so on) –“Learning or Study”  The Mishnah’s (Hebrew laws)  The Gemara (a HUGE collection of sayings from Rabbis)

Basic Jewish Beliefs  God exists.  God is one and unique.  God is incorporeal.  God is eternal.  Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other.  The words of the prophets are true.  Moses was the greatest of the prophets and his prophecies are true.

Basic Jewish Beliefs cont.  The Torah was given to Moses.  There will be no other Torah.  God knows the thoughts and deeds of men.  God will reward the good and punish the wicked.  The Messiah will come.  The dead will be resurrected.

Questions  If God knows the thoughts and deeds of men then why do bad things happen?  Why do some deeds go unpunished?  What divisions are apparent between Christianity and Judaism?

Synagogues  Synagogues are led by Rabbis (teachers well educated in Jewish law and thought)  Temples…t he temple is in Jerusalem.  The temple was the only place a sacrifice could be administered.  The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. Baltimore, Maryland

Kosher Practices  Specific Dietary Practices  Blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten.  Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy.  Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa.  Anything in the water that has fins and scales is acceptable. This therefore excludes shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, shrimp, clams and crabs, all of which are forbidden.  Rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects are all forbidden.

The Rabbi  Earned by passing extensive examinations on the Torah and Talmud.  Study at a yeshiva, or holy school, like a seminary program.  He is not required to wear a particular uniform, and he can dress just like any other Jew.  Permitted to Marry.  May have children.  Neighborhood counselor.  Inspire community members to become better people.

All people of the Jewish faith worship on Saturday, follow strict discipline…the laws set forth in the Torah, regular attendance at Synagogue.

Passage into Adulthood  Children are ushered into adulthood with a big ceremony –usually around age 13  Bar Mitzvah for boys  Bat Mitzvah for girls

Liberal Denominations  Reform Judaism –Torah was written by humans, not God, but later combined (liberal). –Does not accept binding nature of Jewish law (halakhah).  Reconstructionist Judaism –“evolving religious civilization” –Jews are not the chosen people by God (less liberal). –Can observe Jewish Law is they choose to because it is a cultural remnant.

Conservative Denominations  Conservative Judaism –Torah comes from God, transmitted by humans, and contains a human component. –Accepts binding nature of Jewish Law but it adapts.  Orthodox Judaism –God gave Moses the entire Torah, written (first 5 books of the bible) and oral at Mount Sinai. –Strictly observe Jewish Law. –613 mitzvot (commandments) –Chasidic Jews do not assimilate.

Important Jewish Holidays:  Passover – Celebrates the birth of the Jewish nation  Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year  Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement," is the holiest day of the Jewish year  Sukkoth – Harvest festival  Hanukkah – Rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem after a military victory  Purim – Queen Esther saved the Jews of Persia from annihilation.  Shavout – Commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Jewish People on Mount Sinai.

Review  This text is the “teaching or instruction” of the Old Testament…  Torah  A collection of stories, “learning or study”  Talmud  The words of the prophets are…  true  Can Rabbis marry and have children?  Yes