1. Origins of Judaism

2. History
The ancient Israelites (Hebrews or Jews) were nomadic people who migrated from Mesopotamia to Canaan (present-day Israel & Lebanon) around 2000 BCE.

3. MESOPOTAMIA

4. History
Almost everything we know about the Israelites is based on the Hebrew Bible.
Hebrew Bible = Old Testament of the Christian Bible.
The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible are know as the Torah, which is comprised of stories about the ancient Israelites and descriptions of Hebrew law.

5. Beliefs
The Israelites were the founders of Judaism, one of the 1st monotheistic religions.
Most other people of the time practiced polytheistic religions.
The Israelites believed their God was all powerful and the creator.

6. Beliefs
Judaism teaches that a person serves God by studying the Torah and living by its teachings.
The Star of David, is the universal symbol Judaism.

7. Beliefs There are 3 major Jewish Sects:
Orthodox Jews – obey the Torah without question.
Conservative Jews Interpret
3. Reform Jews Torah to
make it
relevant today

8. Worship Practices Jews worship in a synagogue or temple.
Usually they are built so that the congregation faces towards Jerusalem during worship.
An ark, or cabinet, at the front of the synagogue contains the scroll of the Torah.

10. Worship Practices
A lamp called the eternal light hangs before the ark, symbolizing the eternal presence of God.
A rabbi (“teacher”) leads prayers and reads passages of the Hebrew Bible or Torah during the service. He or she will also deliver the sermon.

11. Ritual
Some Jews follow strict dietary laws based on passages from the Hebrew Bible.
These laws establish what is kosher, or acceptable for Jews to eat.
Animals that are considered unclean, like pigs & shellfish, are forbidden.