Judaism

 One of the three Abrahamic faiths  Christianity and Islam  13 million Jewish people in 2007  Most reside in United States and Israel  Judaism is the interpretation of the history of the Jewish people “the Jews of the past”  Judaism is the sanctification of life- Jews of the present Judaism

 Originated in the Middle East over 3,500 years ago  Abraham- Judaism is the Covenant between God and his people  Covenant-agreement established a long time ago between God and the ancient Israelites  First covenant through Abraham, then through Moses  Jews are understood to be God’s Chosen People  Exchange for the Covenant, Jewish people keep God’s laws and try to bring holiness to every aspect of their lives History of Judaism

 Early history is told in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)  God chose Abraham, then Moses  Became a powerful people with kings like Saul, David and Solomon History

 God’s revelation of the divine will to the Jewish people.  Recorded in the Hebrew bible  Revelation is called the Torah Judaism’s Central Teachings

 Master of the Universe:  Observant Jews may never pronounce or may avoid pronouncing the divine name  Name is written YHWH (Yaweh)  Say “Lord” when reading from the Bible  One God- only God Judaism’s Central Teachings

 Three parts:  Torah  The Prophets  The Writings  Bible itself is sometimes referred to as the Tanakh  Contents are also found in Christian Old Testament  But ordered and named differently The Hebrew Bible

Torah  Literally means ‘instruction’  Refers to the will of God as it is revealed to humankind  First five books are thought to have been revealed directly by God to Moses- Jewish laws

 Comprises books that are historical accounts of ancient Israel and proclamations of the will of god spoke to those called to serve God as mouthpieces  Prophet means “one who speaks for” The Prophets

 Diverse in both content and literary form  Composed later  Include:  Psalms  Proverbs The Writings

 “oral Torah” is taught by rabbi  Teacher of Torah or Jewish worship  Mishnah  Written down in 200 AD- sacred text  Talmud  Based directly on Mishnah  Grand scheme of interpretation of God’s will Mishnah & Talmud

 Jews were the descendants of the Israelites  Exile became known as the Jews  Religion known as Judaism (people of Judah) The History of the Chosen People

 Earlier Period  587 B.C. Babylonian exile  Diaspora  66 A.D. -Jews in Palestine initiated the Jewish War  135 A.D.- Roman rule Classical Judaism

 8 th Century- 18 th Century  Most part lived under the rule of Muslims  Generally free to practice their own religion  Conditions under Christian rule varied  Persecution  Sought asylum in Poland Medieval Judaism

 Moses Maimonides ( )  Represents a great number of Jewish philosophers  Applied philosophy top biblical tradition  The Guide for the Perplexed  Thirteen Principles

 Kabbalah  Jewish mysticism  Teaches God can be best known through the heart, through love  Does not abandon basic forms of Judaism Medieval Judaism

Modern Judaism  Hasidism  Meaning ‘pious’  Draws from Kabbalah teachings  Emphasizes personal relationships with God and the community, rather than the study of the Torah

 Zionism  Originally a movement in late nineteenth century  Zion- biblical name for Jerusalem  Generally refers to the support for Israel Modern Judaism

Holocaust & Anti- Semitism  Sometimes called Shoah (Hebrew for mass destruction)  Persecution of Jews from  Response-  Punishment for sins  God has broken the Covenant

 Zionist movement- large move of Jews to Palestine  Israel granted statehood  Land religious significance for Jews and Muslims State of Israel

 Guided through regulations in the Torah (defines both ethical conduct and worship)  Teaches many ethical duties Jewish Beliefs & Daily Practices

 Predominant form of daily worship is through prayer  Mandatory only for males over age 13  Women excused for household responsibilities  Males required to wear certain accessories  Pray at least 3 times daily Daily Practices

 Home  Family center  Mezuzah  Social center the table  Synagogue  Center of prayer and worship post Babylonian exile  Led by rabbis Home & Synagogue

 Also known as Shabbat  Sunset Friday to sunset Saturday  Religious and social high point of the week  Avoid labor  Refrain from usual activities  Day of rest, worship and celebration Sabbath

 Rosh Hashanah  Yom Kippur  Passover Annual Calendar Holy Days

 Birth and Naming  Circumsion  Coming of Age  Bar mitzvah  Bat mitzvah  Marriage  Death & Mourning Rites of Passage