1. Judaism

2. Where did the name “Jew” come from?
When the Babylonians conquered Judea they referred to the people as Judah-ites. This later became shortened to Jews.

3. Sects of Judaism There are many different sects of Judaism
The most popular are Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Non-religious

4. Major difference between Orthodox and Liberal Jews
Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah was directly given to the Jews from “God”
Liberal Jews believe that the Torah may have been Divinely inspired but influenced by man

5. Why do some Orthodox Jews wear all black clothes?
They are in mourning for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (over 1,900 years ago)

6. Why do some Orthodox Jews have long hair growing from the sides of their forehead?
A commandment in the Torah says “don’t round off the corner of your beard”
Some Jews interpret this as to not cut that hair at all…

7. Reform Judaism The largest Jewish group in the U.S.
Seat men and women together in synagogues
Dropped dietary laws
Has music in services
Women are ordained as Rabbis

8. Conservative Judaism
Follows some laws from the Orthodox Jews and some from the Reform Jews
Were the largest Jewish group before the 1900s

9. Reconstructionist Judaism
Believe that “God” is not a being but a natural, underlying moral and creative force of the universe, the force that creates order”
Each generation of Jews must reinterpret Judaism to make it relevant for the time

10. Renewal Judaism Mixes traditional and feminist ideals
Uses lessons from diverse spiritual traditions including those from Eastern philosophy
Invites all Jews from every sect to celebrate together

11. Secular Humanist Judaism
Follow the Jewish holidays, food, music, etcetera
Minimize the role of “God” or any cosmic forces

12. monotheistic
Believe in one “God”

13. God is not human
He is not human nor does he have a human body

14. G-D Traditional Jews do not write the word “God”
Ancient peoples believed that if you named something you had power over it

15. Other names for “God” “The Name” “Without End” “Not” “Lord” “Yahweh”
“To Be”
“I Am”
“Almighty”

16. “It” There is no “it” in Hebrew Everything is masculine or feminine
So “God” is often referred as “He” although he not a boy or a girl

17. “God” still speaks to Jews
Many Jews believe that “God” continues to talk to Jews through relationships such as love and compassion.

18. Satan? Jews do not believe in a Satan
They do believe that all humans have good and evil in them
That evil is more like a shadow that light casts when it shines

19. The Torah The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible Genesis Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

20. Sefer Torah Torah scroll Takes about a year to create
Copied letter by letter
Costs between $20,000 to $50,000
If damaged it is buried in a Jewish cemetery
Is kept in a a cabinet in synagogues

21. The Hebrew Bible: The Tanach
Contains 39 books
The first 5 books of the Torah are the first 3 sections of the Hebrew Bible
The other sections were collected over the last 2,000 years

22. The Talmud
a record of discussions about Jewish ethics, law, customs and history.