1. Judaism Oldest of the Major Western Religions

2. Began around 1500 BC in the Middle East

3. Founded by Abraham –Moses: Great Jewish leader who gave the Hebrews the 10 Commandments and led the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt

4. Monotheistic: belief in one God –Name of God: Yahweh

5. Torah: the Jewish holy book –becomes the Old Testament in the Christian Bible

6. Symbol: Star of David –named after a famous Jewish king of the ancient world

7. Place of worship: synagogue

8. Day of worship is called the Sabbath and is on Saturday

9. Title of priest: Rabbi

10. Major areas or countries where people practice Judaism: –Israel: the Jewish homeland formed after World War II –United States –Eastern Europe

11. Past and Current Conflicts: –Holocaust: World War II genocide in Europe –4000 years of anti-Semitism => bias against Semites/Jews –Palestine – Israel: basic question if Israel should exist. Surrounding Muslim countries believe Israel really should belong to Muslims and that the Jews should find another homeland

12. Jerusalem: holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims –part of a shared religious heritage

13. Distinctly Jewish: smallest number of followers among the five major religions Hebrew: name of language and people Wailing Wall: last major holy site remaining from ancient history; in Jerusalem Kosher: rules for what to eat and how to prepare food –cannot eat pork, shellfish, or shrimp –dairy and meat should not be cooked or served together