1. World
Religion

2. World Religions

3. Judaism
Judaism Video

4. Countries with large Jewish Populations % of World Jewish Population
Countries with Largest Jewish Populations
World Population
14 m
Countries with large Jewish Populations
Rank
Country
Jews
% of World Jewish Population 1
Israel
5,313,800
40.6% 2
United States
5,275,000
40.3% 3
France
491,500
3.8% 4
Canada
373,500
2.9% 5
United Kingdom
297,000
2.3% 6
Russia
228,000
1.7% 7
Argentina
184,500
1.4% 8
Germany
118,000
0.9% 9
Australia
103,000
0.8% 10
Brazil
96,500
0.7% 11
Ukraine
80,000
0.6% 12
South Africa
72,000 13
Hungary
49,700
0.4% 14
Mexico
39,800
0.3% 15
Belgium
31,200
0.2%

5. Origins around 3500 years old
the oldest of the world's great monotheistic religions (religions with only one god)
developed in the Middle East in and around the area that is currently Israel
its fundamental teachings are the basis for Christianity and Islam

6. Jews & Jesus
Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it
Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles
Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah
The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth
Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come”

7. founder
Abraham is generally recognized as the founder of Judaism due to his covenant with God.
Moses is also considered a founder due to his role in the liberation of the Hebrews from Egypt, and his delivery of the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai sometime around 2000 BC

8. Origins of Judaism Timeline
2000 B.C.
1300 B.C.
1200 B.C.
B.C.
Abraham: Father of Jewish people
Moses: Led Hebrews out of slavery
Deborah: A prominent judge
Saul, David, Solomon: Kings under whom Hebrews united
Origins of Judaism Timeline

9. Abraham’s family tree

10. Early History
2000 BC
Abraham migrates from Mesopotamia to Canaan where he founds the Israelite nation
Famine forces Israelites to migrate to Egypt where they are enslaved
Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt
1000 BC
Israelites enter Canaan, the promised land
Solomon builds capital at Jerusalem, but his rule inspires revolts
922 BC - Kingdom weakens after splitting into Israel & Judah
722 BC - Assyrians conquer Israel
586 BC
Babylonians capture Judah – Babylonian captivity
Persians conquer Babylon and free the Jews from captivity

11. Sacred Texts
Torah - (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) which was revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago – written
Talmud – commentary on the Torah – oral tradition
give the Jewish people ethical rules for everyday life. Observing these rules is central to the Jewish religion.

12. Major Beliefs
teaches that there is one God who is the creator of all things
Believe every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship with God
believe that God appointed the Jews to be his chosen people in order to set an example of holiness and ethical behavior to the world.
believe that God continues to work in the world, affecting everything that people do.
After Hebrew exodus from Egypt (remember Prince of Egypt?), many began to lose their faith in God. Moses went atop Mount Sinai and returned with laws that all Hebrews needed to follow: 10 Commandments

13. Ten Commandments You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make yourself any graven image
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
Honor your father and mother
You shall not commit murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not witness falsely against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house or anything that is your neighbor's

14. Everyday Practices
The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments)
Observation of the weekly Sabbath as a day of rest, starting at sundown on Friday evening
Strict discipline, according to the Law, which governs all areas of life
Regular attendance by Jewish males at Synagogue
Celebration of the annual festivals

15. Jewish Festivals
Passover: recalls Jews' deliverance out of slavery in Egypt circa 1300 BCE
Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year, and anniversary of the completion of creation, about 5760 years ago
Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement, 10 days after RH. A day to reflect on the past year and ask God's forgiveness for any sins. Most important and solemn of Jewish holidays
Hannakuh – festival of lights

16. Jewish Clothing
Kippah (skull cap) - to remind him that he is always duty bound to follow the laws of God at all times and in all places.
Tallit (prayer shawl) Before beginning to worship or pray the devout Jew will often put on a tallit. The fringes on the shawl remind him of the many commandments of the Torah
Tefilin (small leather box with long leather straps) The boxes are worn on the left forearm and on the forehead. Inside the boxes are passages from the scriptures. A tefilin on the left arm is a reminder to keep God's laws with all your heart, because it is near to the heart. A tefilin on the forehead remind the Jew to concentrate on the teachings of the Torah with all your full mind.
Tefilins are worn when praying at home or in the synagogue.

17. Place & Language of worship
Jews worship in temples called synagogues
The sacred language of Judaism is Hebrew. Hebrew would be used the most in an Orthodox service, while it would be used the least in Reform one

18. Spiritual leader
Rabbi

19. Religious Divisions
Orthodox Judaism: Oldest and most conservative. View their religion as close to its original forms as possible. Looks upon every word of their sacred texts as being divinely inspired.
Reform Judaism: A liberal group, the largest of all the divisions (about 70%), Follow the ethical laws of Judaism, but leave it up to the individual the decision whether to follow or ignore the dietary and other traditional laws.
Conservative Judaism: a main-line movement midway between Reform and Orthodox.