1. World Religions: Judaism

2. History of Judaism  The start of Judaism is actually found in the first five books of the Bible.  These books are called the Torah and they make up the Hebrew Bible.

3. The founder of Judaism  A man named Abram (later changed to Abraham) was inspired by God to spread the word that there was only ONE god.  He convinced his immediate family to stop worshipping idols and begin following One God (monotheism)

4. Jews led to the “Promised Land”  Because their beliefs – in ONE God – were so out-of-step with everybody else, Abram’s family was persecuted (harassed).  In addition to the persecution, a famine struck the area.

5. Jews led to the “Promised Land”  God told Abram to leave, that He would guide them to a place where they could practice their faith openly.  This place was called “the Promised Land”

6. “Essential Story”  Moses saw an Egyptian hitting a Jew. Moses became angry and hit the Egyptian back, killing him.  Moses ran away into the desert where he became a shepherd.  Then one day, while tending the sheep, he saw a bush that was burning. He went to have a closer look, the fire went out, and then…

7. “Essential Story” (cont’d)  …strangely enough, he looked at the bush and it wasn’t burnt at all. He thought this was very odd  Suddenly, he heard a voice saying “Stop! And take your shoes off, for this is sacred ground."

8. Video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V HTBfAt0_zo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V HTBfAt0_zo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V HTBfAt0_zo  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U 0Mg-eZqEdI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U 0Mg-eZqEdI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U 0Mg-eZqEdI

9. “Essential Story” (cont’d)  God then spoke to Moses and told him to go back to Egypt, back to the Pharaoh, and ask him to let the Jews go free.  Moses did so, but the Pharaoh told him “No!”

10. “Essential Story” (cont’d)  Moses told him if he didn’t, God would punish him severely.  The Pharaoh didn’t care. And so God sent Ten Plagues (bad things) to happen to Pharaoh and his armies.

11. Video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O Yeox3LLQ08 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O Yeox3LLQ08 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O Yeox3LLQ08

12. Finally…  Pharaoh gave up and allowed the Jews to leave.  The Jews were so excited to leave that they didn’t even wait for their bread to rise…which is why unleavened “flat bread” is so important to the Jewish story.

13. Jewish Culture and Customs  Jewish celebrations are often centered around Jewish historical events.

14. Hanukah  Hanukah is NOT the Jewish version of Christmas!!  Instead, Hanukah celebrates Hanukkah is the festival of lights.  Jewish temples have “eternal lights” which are lamps that are always lit.  The Jewish temple was rededicated after a period of persecution and the eternal light was rekindled but there was only enough oil for a few days.

15. Hanukah The oil lasted for eight days, until more oil could be found. That’s why you see a Menorah (a 9 pillar candlestick) http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=iW138NkFoI8

16. Bar (or Bat) Mitvah  Bar Mitzvah takes place when a boy turns thirteen.  Bat mitzvah is the same, but for girls.  The first act of adulthood is reading from the Torah scroll during services

17. Video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s 30XA1vmTs8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s 30XA1vmTs8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s 30XA1vmTs8

18. The Jewish Sabbath  All Jewish holy days begin at sundown and end at sundown.  The Shabbat (Sabbath) begins at sundown each Friday and lasts until dark on Saturday.  There is a special Sabbath meal which includes special foods, songs and readings and prayers.

19. Test Time How much do you remember? Answer the following questions to find out just how much you really KNOW!

20. Question One: Who is the founder of Judaism?

21. Answer One: Abraham (Abram)

22. Question Two: The name of the area that was promised to the Jewish people by God; now known as Israel…

23. Answer Two The “Promised Land” (also known now as the country of Israel)

24. Question Three: Known as the Festival of Lights, this holiday celebrates that the oil in the temple lasted for eight days, instead of just one day…

25. Answer Three Hanukah

26. Question Four Who led the Jews from slavery in Egypt? (hint: he was personally given the Ten Commandments by God)

27. Answer Four Moses