1. Judaism Christian Ethics 30

2. Origin Judaism traces itself to Abraham There is a distinct patriarchal lineage Based on a Covenant: A promise between God and Abraham that has 3 major attributes: A People: God says that Abraham will be the father of a great nation A Place: God gives the area known as Canaan to Abraham and his descendants A Cause: The descendants of Abraham will live to honor God.

3. Concept of God First organized Monotheistic religion Yahweh is without name (I am) IHWH God is seen first and foremost as a representation of justice A chosen people – a one true God Names of God

4. Practices The religion is very closely related to its history Its major feasts are to mark major past events Life is based on the Law The Sabbath

5. Places of worship Synagogues “Place of Assembly” Extremely important in the life of Jewish people Place of prayer, study, educations, social and charitable work The Temple Central place of worship in ancient Jerusalem Sacrifices were offered Since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, the synagogue has become the central place of worship The Holy Land Jerusalem

6. Major Beliefs God is one and Unique God is the Creator God is transcendent God is immanent God is lawgiver God is personal Obligation to worship The Torah is God’s law God is judge The Messiah will come

7. Religious Symbols The Star of David Appears on Jewish synagogues and on the flag of Israel Jews were required to wear the Star of David on their arms during WWII Menorah A seven branched candle stick used in the Temple The Tzizit Torah commands Jews to wear a tzizit on their garment to remind them of God’s commandments The Yarmulke A piece of garb that Jews wear on their heads during prayer

8. Religious Symbols The Star of David The Tzizit Menorah The Yarmulke

9. Sacred Scripture The Tanakh: Composed of 3 parts Torah (Book of Law) Neviim (Prophets) Ketuvim (Writings) The Talmud Religious Commentary Midrash: a way of making the text speak to people in the current age 613 Commandments of the Talmud: Obey keeping kosher and the Sabbath Kashrut: the act of keeping Kosher

10. Customs and Rituals The Jewish Home Home is a sacred place The Mezuzah: Hebrew for door posts The sh’ma is handwritten in Hebrew and placed on the Mezuzah Sh’ma must be written on kosher parchment Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ‘”Here, O’Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down, and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

11. Customs and Rituals Kosher Animals Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 3-21 Only those animals with 4 legs, cloven hooves and separate stomachs are permitted to be eaten (cattle, sheep, deer, goats) Birds are forbidden (specifically those who kill and eat other animals) Acceptable: chicken, ducks, geese, turkeys Fish: No shellfish, requires both fins and scales All animals that are not kosher are called treif

12. Feasts and Rites Shabbat Friday is used to prepare for Shabbat (shopping, cleaning, cooking) At least 2 candles lit by the mother 18 minutes before sunset Shabbat ends when you can see 3 stars in the sky (after sunset on Saturday) Passover Observed by making pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem previous to 70 CE Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt A sacrificial animal would have to be slaughtered in the temple Matzah: unleavened bread is eaten for 8 days

13. Festivals: Days of Awe Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year: time of introspection and reflection as well as planning for the next year Celebrated for 2 days Shofar: ram’s horn which is sounded to “arouse our souls to God” Read Torah and custom of dipping apples in honey to wish for a sweet year Yom Kipper: The Atonement Brings to close the 10 days to change your ways and habits Whole day is spent in prayer in the synagogue Fast for 24 hours (symbolic for facing death) Dramatic conclusion: the sh’ma is repeated 3 times The book of Jonah is read

14. Festivals: Days of Awe Sukkot Pilgrimage festival: transition from a high holiday of repetance to a holiday of rejoicing Commemorates wondering in the desert Build a sukkah (hut) and make it home for 8 days Hanukah Celebrates the liberation if the temple from the Greeks to Antichus in 200 BCE Maccabbes fought and reclaimed the temple Rabbi’s changed the meaning from a military holiday to the oil: When the Temple was taken back the found only enough oil to burn for one day. Miraculously the oil burned for 8 days.