1. Three Monotheistic Religions of the Middle East

2. Worship (places, times)
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Approx. Date of Origin
2000 BCE
33 CE
622 CE
Founder
Moses/Abraham
Jesus
Muhammad
Symbol
Sacred Text/ Law
Torah
Bible
Quran
Worship (places, times)
Synogogue, Saturday
Church, Sunday
Mosque, Friday (pray 5x/day)

3. Judaism: the basics Oldest monotheistic religion!
Central city is Jerusalem
Founded in 2,000 BC (approx.)
Founder = Moses/Abraham
God known as “Yahweh”
Trace origin to ancient Israelites, Kingdom of Israel. Eventually scattered
Mainly found in Israel, but is in diaspora (spread throughout the world)
Current number of Jews: million worldwide

4. Jewish Practices & Beliefs
Place of worship is the synagogue
Holy day = Saturday
Torah is the sacred text
Believed to be written by Moses, inspired by God
One of several books (Old Testament) record Jews’ history
613 laws, first 10 are most important
Talmud (“oral law”): how to apply God’s law to everyday life through
Dietary rules (kosher)
Dress & other symbols
Prayer & devotion to one God
Proper social relations
Observance of holy days

5. Synagogue in Jerusalem
Torah

7. Beliefs & Practices Thoughts on Jesus
He was a good, wise (but ordinary) man who died thousands of years ago. Was NOT resurrected, but did die.
Still awaiting the messiah, or the political figure (not divine!) who would bring peace to earth.
What they’re concerned about:
“repairing this world” through justice & righteousness
Doing good deeds based on God’s commandments
Emphasis on family, home, responsibility, hard work & education
Through all of this, the world will be what it’s supposed to be: HOLY!

8. Jewish Traditions & Celebrations: Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Coming of age ritual
Bar Mitzvah = 13-year-old boy
Bat Mitzvah = 12-year-old girl
Idea that boys & girls are responsible for their actions at this point; boys (and some girls) can lead prayer in family or community
Fun fact: can be legally married…..according to Jewish law
Must study a lot before the actual event
At the event: recites speech/reading for family & friends, receives gifts

10. Jewish Traditions: Rosh Hashanah
Jewish New Year (October 2-4, 2016)
Occurs around September or October and lasts from evening to evening. Beginning of the “Days of Awe” (from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur)
Seen as a time to look back on mistakes of the past year & make changes in the new one
No work permitted on Rosh Hashanah—most of the day spent in synagogue

11. Yom Kippur Day of Atonement
This year: October 11-12(evening to evening)
Must practice self-denial— prohibitions (can’t do certain things)
Includes no eating, drinking, bathing, etc.
Idea is to seek forgiveness for sins. Highest synagogue attendance rate of the year!

13. Hanukkah
“Festival of Lights” commemorating the religious history of the Jews—rededication of the Holy Temple
In December, before Christmas
Is NOT the equivalent of the Christian Christmas! (doesn’t have as much religious significance)
Lasts 8 days
Light one candle per day, families exchange one small gift a day
Sing songs, play with dreidels, eat fried foods (latkes)

15. Christianity 2nd oldest Monotheistic religion (33AD)
Prophet: Jesus, who was God’s son and is the eternal savior
Most practiced religion in the world with 2 billion Christians worldwide
Also has holy city of Jerusalem
Found in Europe, North & South America, and Africa
Three divisions: Catholicism, Orthodoxy & Protestantism

16. Practices Attend church on their holy day, Sunday Sacred text: Bible
Wednesday sometimes, too
Church led by preachers, priests
Sacred text: Bible
Jewish Old Testament + New Testament
10 Commandments as a “how-to” guide for living a Christian life
“you shalt not murder…commit adultery..”

18. Beliefs Life & teachings of Jesus as basis for Christianity
Jesus, who was Jewish, preached renewal; was eventually executed and then resurrected
God encompasses three spirits: the father, the son,, and the Holy Ghost (aka: HOLY TRINITY)
Way to heaven is through faith in God, good deeds, sacrament
Sacrament: baptism, communion, Lord’s Supper, etc.
No coming-of-age ritual, as seen in Judaism

19. Christian Traditions & Celebrations: Christmas
Comes from the word “Christes” (Old English) meaning “Christ’s mass”
December 25, every year
Attend Christmas Eve worship services, prayer in celebration of Jesus Christ’s virgin birth in Bethlehem
Christmas Day: typically presents!
Also Christmas trees, lights, candy canes, stories of Old St.Nick, waiting for Santa Claus…did I mention presents?!

20. Good Friday Good Friday Friday before Easter Sunday
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
How it’s celebrated:
Day of rest (no work/school)
Fasting in the Catholic Church, reparations in Roman Catholicism (prayer)

21. Easter Sunday AKA-Pascha in some Asian countries
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Marks the end of the 40-day period of fasting in some Christian religions (Lent)
How it’s celebrated:
Church services
Recitations of the Old Testament
Both Good Friday & Easter Sunday take place in either March or April

22. Islam: The Basics Founded in 622 AD
Currently the second-largest religion (1 .3 billion)
Prophet: Muhammad
Gabriel the Angel came to him & delivered a message from the one, true God  monotheism in a polytheistic world
Sacred text: Qur’an
Major religion in Middle East & Southeast Asia
Two major sects: Sunni (majority) & Shia

23. Muslim Beliefs Muhammad was the last of a great line of prophets
Idea that Islam has existed since the creation of the world
Other prophets include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus
There will be a day in which people are judged for their deeds on earth (AKA- Judgment Day)
Account puberty
either be rewarded with heaven or punishment in Hell
Jesus IS a prophet and was born from the Virgin Mary, but was not God’s son
Jesus escaped death on the cross & was taken up to Paradise instead

24. Muslim Practices Attend mosques, Friday = holy day
Leaders called “imams”
Call to prayer 5 times a day
Do not eat pork, gamble, do illegal drugs, etc.
Pronounce God’s name before eating & drinking, eat and drink with right hand
Follow the Five Pillars of Islam

28. Muslim Celebrations:Ramadan
Month of fasting
2016: June 6-July 5
No eating, drinking between dawn & sunset
Purpose is to teach about patience, spirituality, humility & submissiveness to God
Encouraged to read the entire Qur’an

29. Eid-Al Fitr Marks the end of the fasting of Ramadan What happens:
Food donated to the poor
Everyone wears best (usually new) clothes
Communal prayers
Feasting & visiting with family & friends
Gifts (money & clothes) given

30. Eid Al-Adha
Celebration of sacrifice (sheep replaces Ishmael, Abraham’s son who was ordered to be
Sacrifice animal (goat, sheep, ram, cow or camel), divide meat in 3 parts
One for poor & needy
One for relatives & friends
One for the family