1. Judaism and Islam: a Comparison
World History and Geography A
Judaism and Islam: a Comparison

2. Origins Abrahamic About 2000 BC In Palestine Founder: Abraham
Judaism
Islam
Abrahamic
About 2000 BC
In Palestine
Founder: Abraham
Abrahamic
622 A.D.
In Saudi Arabia
Founder: Muhammad

3. View of God Monolithic (believe in one God) Called Yahweh
Judaism
Islam
Monolithic (believe in one God)
Called Yahweh
Monolithic (believe in one God)
Called Allah

4. View of Jesus NOT the son of God He was a teacher
Judaism
Islam
NOT the son of God
He was a teacher
NOT the Messiah; even called “false prophet”
NOT the son of God
One of many prophets

5. Holy Books Torah (Hebrew Bible) Ten Commandments Qur’an Shari’a
Judaism
Islam
Torah (Hebrew Bible)
Ten Commandments
Qur’an
Shari’a

6. Prophets and Messages from God
Judaism
Islam
Believe in prophets
God revealed Himself to Moses
God communicated the Torah (the five books of Moses), including the Ten Commandments
Believe in prophets
God revealed Himself to Mohammad
God revealed the Qur'an (holy book of Islam)

7. Main Teachings Ten Commandments given to Moses Five Pillars Judaism
Islam
Ten Commandments given to Moses
Five Pillars
The Declaration of Faith
Prayer
Fasting
Welfare Tax
Pilgrimage

8. Other Important Teachings
Judaism
Islam
Obedience to God’s will
Covenant between God and people
Jews are God’s chosen people
Coming of Messiah
Judgment Day
Heaven and hell
Life after death
Submission to God’s will
Judgment Day
Heaven and hell
Life after death

9. Celebrations Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Judaism
Islam
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
Hanukah
Pesach (Passover – celebrates escape of the Jews)
Muharram / Festival of Ashura (first month of the year)
Ramadan (Month of Fasting)
The Night of Power (during Ramadan)
Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan)

10. Religious Leaders Rabbi (means teacher) Allowed to marry
Judaism
Islam
Rabbi (means teacher)
Allowed to marry
Imam (means leader)
Allowed t marry

11. Major Branches Orthodox Conservative
Judaism
Islam
Orthodox
Conservative
Reform (wider definition of kosher)
Sunni
Shi’a

12. Place of Worship Synagogue Means Assembly Mosque
Judaism
Islam
Synagogue
Means Assembly
Mosque
Means Place of Kneeling

13. Holy City of Jerusalem Established about 1000 B.C. by King David
Judaism
Islam
Established about B.C. by King David
Home to the Temple that was first built by King Solomon
Remains a place of huge religious importance for Jewish people
After Mecca and Medina, it ranks as Islam's third most holy city.
Jerusalem featured in the story of Muhammad's miraculous journey with the archangel, Jibril (Gabriel) to Jerusalem and then heaven.

14. Holy Places in Jerusalem
Judaism
Islam
Temple Mount (where the Temple was built)
Western / “Wailing” Wall (all that remains of the Temple today)
Islam’s al-Aqsa mosque
Dome of the Rock shrine

15. Worship
Judaism
Islam
Pray a fixed set of times each day – usually three times except for Sabbaths and holidays
Men cover heads during prayer
Men and women worship separately
Required to pray facing Mecca at set times five times a day
Men cover heads during prayer
Men and women worship separately

16. Rites and Rituals
Judaism
Islam
Dietary restrictions: Jewish people eat only “kosher” foods
All Jewish boys are circumcised on the eighth day after their birth.
At age 13, child comes of age – Bar Mitzvah (boy) / Bat Mitzvah (girl)
Men often wear yarmulkes to show respect
Dietary restrictions: Jewish people eat only “halal” foods
Circumcision not required, but standard practice
Modest dress required

17. Time
Judaism
Islam
Religious days begin and end at sunset rather than by a specified time
Own lunar calendars that differ from the accepted standard western calendar
Religious days begin and end at sunset rather than by a specified time
Own lunar calendars that differ from the accepted standard western calendar