JUDAISM The Tenets

2 EARLIEST KNOWN WORLD CIVILIZATIONS  3100 BC: Nile River Valley (Egypt)  3000 BC: Tigris-Euphrates River Valley (Iraq) – “Fertile Crescent”  2000 BC Hebrews migrated to Canaan with sheep and goats

The Early History of the Jews Also known as the Israelites and Hebrews Their history effects relations in the Middle East today!

Genealogy Judaism Heritage Chart BCE

The Israelites were monotheistic, believing in one true God. The Israelites believed God to be all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere. The Israelites believed that they were God’s “chosen people.” Judaism

Israelites  The ancestors  were pastoralists who migrated from southern Mesopotamia around the twentieth century B.C.E.  Driving their livestock according to seasonal rainfall patterns, the early Israelites moved south into the region of present-day Israel.  In Egypt  Drought may have forced them to seek greener pastures in Egypt  Enslavement in Egypt and then flight, or Exodus, are a central part of the Hebrew Bible.  Exodus  May have led to forty years of wandering in the desert that the Israelites developed many of their religious beliefs

Map of Exodus

Escape from Egypt  Moses leads the Hebrews out of Egypt  10 plagues Water to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock disease, boils, thunder and hail, locust, darkness, and finally death of first born  Waters Part-> Red Sea ->10 Commandments from Mt. Sinai -> 40 years of wondering-> Promise Land  Why 40 years of wondering?

Kings of Israel  Saul – established the monarchy  David – second king, completed the transition to monarchy  King Solomon – Israel reached its greatest height  After Solomon, Israel was divided into two kingdoms  Assyrian destruction of northern kingdom (Israel 721 BCE)  Fall of southern kingdom (Judah) to the Babylonian monarch Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE  Led to diaspora

Teachings on Law and Morality  The laws of the Torah address all aspects of life, from cleanliness and food preparation to criminal matters.

Define: The Diaspora of the Jews The regained their homeland in 1948 when Israel is reestablished by the United Nations. -Took Arab land? What do you think? -Why Would the UN do that? -What has been the result? Still great prejudice, why?

As a way of life, Judaism is based on…  Is written and should be read in Hebrew  613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”)  Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through:  Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher)  Dress and other symbols  Prayer and devotion to the one God  The Temple and Temple rites  Observance of Holy days  Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc.  Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way

How does Judaism sanctify life? Life cycle celebrations:  Bris – ritual circumcision, sign of the covenant  Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status and responsibility within the religion  Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22)  Death – funerals, mourning (sitting “Shiva”), and memorials (“Yartzeits”)

Important Holidays in Judaism  Passover  Commemorate Exodus from Egypt, 7-8 days, usually in April  Rosh Hashanah  Jewish New Years, between Labor Day & Columbus Day, look back on last year, make resolution, start preparing for Yom Kippur  Yom Kippur  Day of atonement, fasting & repentance, late Sept. or early Oct., many take off work/school  Chanukah  Festival of lights, rededication of Temple on Jerusalem, 8 days, usually in December, light of the Menorah

After Life