Founding Story
Judaism is over 4,000 years old .Early history of Judaism took place in Israel ( early called Canaan and later Palestine) but before they traveled , their ancestors lived in Mesopotamia . Their founder was Abraham. Abraham was a patriarch. He was in charge of his tribe or “family”. He then immigrated his tribe to Haran. This is said to be the place where God revealed himself to Abraham. God told Abraham ( Abram at the time) “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee” Genesis 12:1 ( old testament) God promised Abraham he would give him and the tribe the land of Canaan if they obeyed him. God tested Abraham’s loyalty by telling him to offer (sacrifice) his son Isaac on the top of a mountain called Mount Moriah. Abraham heartbroken, did as God told him . But God said in Genesis 22: 11-12 “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now i know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me”. There he proved that he would give everything to God; he was devoted to him.
Classification:
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Judaism is a monotheistic religion.They believe in one eternal God who created the Universe and set rules that they should live by. The Jewish people only worship God. No one has a higher power than he does.
Key figures:
Moses was a very important person to the Jewish. Moses- Was born in the 13 century B.C. Around this time, the kind (Pharaoh) ordered that every son born of a Hebrew woman should be cast to the Nile River. ( at the time Hebrews were slaves for the Egyptians). His mother hid him for months but then sent him in a basket down the Nile river hoping of the best. Then the daughter of the Pharaoh found him and took him . She raised him as her own and he became a very important prince. Then it is said that God told Moses to return and lead the Hebrews. Moses then asked the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews return to Canaan but he refused so God granted the ten plagues. The pharaoh finally released the Hebrews on the tenth Plague. God ordered the death angel to take every first born ( including the son of the Pharaoh) This day is known as Pesach.
Saul-Was a king of the Israelites for 20 years
David-A king for the Hebrews for 40 years. He is best known for defeated Goliath ( a giant) with a slingshot.
Solomon- Was Davids' son and also ruled for about 40 years.
-Rabbi's -a Jewish scholar or teacher, especially one who studies or teaches Jewish law (a person appointed as a Jewish religious leader)
Saul-Was a king of the Israelites for 20 years
David-A king for the Hebrews for 40 years. He is best known for defeated Goliath ( a giant) with a slingshot.
Solomon- Was Davids' son and also ruled for about 40 years.
-Rabbi's -a Jewish scholar or teacher, especially one who studies or teaches Jewish law (a person appointed as a Jewish religious leader)
Religious Authority:
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The Jewish Bible ( Hebrew Bible) is dived into parts. TORAH (The Law/ten commandments), the NEVI'M ( Prophets), and the KETHUVIM ( the holy writings). The Jewish people worship multiple times a day . They often do it before eating, when awakening , and before bed. They thank God for what they have and ask blessings from him. Many Jews believe when worshiping in a synagogue, their prayers are heard more profoundly. Since the synagogue is a holy place, God will answer fast to their requests of blessings.
Core Beliefs:
Jewish people must treat others (even with different religions) the same because they believe God created everyone, they are all children of god . Those who do not believe in the Jewish faith are said to be “lost children” because they do not follow their creator. Family is very important to the Jewish people. They believe having the family all together worshiping, or dining, etc can be bring good faith. All Jewish people should follow the Ten Commandments because that is their duty and offer to God. Although Jesus came and was a Jewish man, they did not believe he was the messiah ( the savior)Jesus to them is still holy, just not the savior of the Jewish Faith . They are still awaiting for him to come. Some of the most common beliefs are that the words of the prophets are true, Moses was the greatest prophet, and that the dead will be resurrected.
Beliefs about Afterlife:
The Torah says, “And the Almighty formed the man of dust from the ground, and He blew into his nostrils the SOUL of life” (Genesis 2:7). Your soul is actually part of God’s essence. Since God is completely spiritual and non-physical, it is impossible that the soul should die.
That’s what King Solomon meant when he wrote, “The dust will return to the ground as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:17). Some Jews do believe in a "heaven" ( such as Christians) and a "hell" ( like Christians). They believe those who followed God's commands and devoted to him , their souls are rewarded while others go to a "hell" like place.
That’s what King Solomon meant when he wrote, “The dust will return to the ground as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:17). Some Jews do believe in a "heaven" ( such as Christians) and a "hell" ( like Christians). They believe those who followed God's commands and devoted to him , their souls are rewarded while others go to a "hell" like place.
Rules/Guidelines for daily life:
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-The Jewish people follow the ten commandments ( most important rules Jewish people should not disobey)
-I am the Lord your God.
-You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol
-You shall not take the name of God in vain.
-Remember and observe the Sabbath and keep it holy.
-Honor your father and mother.
-You shall not murder.
-You shall not commit adultery.
-You shall not steal
-You shall not bear false witness.
-You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or house.
The word "kosher" can also be used, and often is used, to describe ritual objects that are made in accordance with Jewish law and are fit for ritual use . They also have dietary rules ( they cannot eat certain foods because it is prohibited in the religion such as pigs or rabbits)
-In a Jewish home there is a parchment scroll called a Mezuzah. There is on in each Jewish home and on every door (excluding the bathroom). If they touch or read them they fell God's presences and often do go to the Mezuzah's daily.
-Must celebrate Shabbat. This makes them remember the holy Sabbath day. The fourth Commandment says "...shall do hard labor for six days...seventh is the Sabbath day...".
-Men often wear yarmulke ( in Orthodox Judaism) this shows respect to God. He is above all so they wear the little hat to represent that.
-Orthodox Jews follow the Kashrut diet ( cannot eat pig, eel, lobster, oysters, clams, shark, squid, catfish, vulture, eagle , hawk , swordfish, and milk and meat are never eaten at the same meal ; often kept separate at all times.)
- For reform Jews the most common laws they follow are Jewish laws are not binding, Judaism must change to fit the time, and women should have all equal rights including the ability to be rabbi.
Concept of a higher power:
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They believe in one eternal God who created the Universe and set rules that they should live by. These were delivered to Moses and were written in the Torah ( first part of the holy book for the Jewish people). He is often said to be the "King of the Earth" and is usually represented holding the Earth to show he is taking care of everyone ( even those who defy him).
Key Holidays:
Pesach (Passover)-Moses then asked the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews return to Canaan but he refused so God granted the ten plagues. The pharaoh finally released the Hebrews on the tenth Plague. God ordered the death angel to take every first born ( including the son of the Pharaoh) This day is known as Pesach.
Hanukkah- a Jewish festival, lasting eight days from the 25th day of Kislev (in December) and commemorating the re-dedication of the Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees after its desecration by the Syrians. It is marked by the successive kindling of eight lights
Yom Hashoah -day set aside for Jews to remember the Holocaust. The holocaust was a horrendous genocide lead by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime. He killed over 6 millions Jewish people for their simple existence. He did this "under the noses" of everyone. Along with the mass assassination of the Jews he also killed homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses , and the mentally/Physically disabled. (1939-1945)
Rosh Hashanah-It is the birthday of the universe, the day God created Adam and Eve. It’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year.
Bat Mistzva ( girl turning 12) and Bar Mitzva ( boy turning 13). This is to celebrate the passage from childhood to adulthood.
Yom Kippur- referred as the "day of Atonement", it is the holiest day to the Jewish. Jews pray all day and fast ( and the only time the kneel when they pray). Also called "Sabbath of Sabbaths". They celebrate the holiday in the synagogue.
Hanukkah- a Jewish festival, lasting eight days from the 25th day of Kislev (in December) and commemorating the re-dedication of the Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees after its desecration by the Syrians. It is marked by the successive kindling of eight lights
Yom Hashoah -day set aside for Jews to remember the Holocaust. The holocaust was a horrendous genocide lead by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime. He killed over 6 millions Jewish people for their simple existence. He did this "under the noses" of everyone. Along with the mass assassination of the Jews he also killed homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses , and the mentally/Physically disabled. (1939-1945)
Rosh Hashanah-It is the birthday of the universe, the day God created Adam and Eve. It’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year.
Bat Mistzva ( girl turning 12) and Bar Mitzva ( boy turning 13). This is to celebrate the passage from childhood to adulthood.
Yom Kippur- referred as the "day of Atonement", it is the holiest day to the Jewish. Jews pray all day and fast ( and the only time the kneel when they pray). Also called "Sabbath of Sabbaths". They celebrate the holiday in the synagogue.
Sites and Symbols:
-Israel has the largest amount of Jewish people -Synagogue-Jewish people worship in a synagogue .( often dress very formal and done to show respect for God) . The men sit downstairs and the the women sit upstairs( in an Orthodox Synagogue) The Ark- is the place that holds the most holiest books to the Jewish faith. It is located on the wall close to the city of Jerusalem in Israel Jerusalem- is the holiest place for Jewish people this is where the stones of the ten commandments were kept . -Star of David is The Jewish soul connects to its Creator through the study and observance of Torah. The triangle represents the connection between these three entities. |
Sects and or branches
Conservative Judaism-described as traditional Judaism without fundamentalism
Liberal Judaism-Liberal Judaism is the growing edge of Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, and seeks to preserve all that is good in the Judaism of the past. But it lives in the present.
Orthodox Judaism- a tradition of mass revelation and the interpretation and application laws and ethics of the Torah
Reform Judaism- reformed or abandoned aspects of Orthodox Jewish worship and ritual in an attempt to adapt to modern changes in social, political, and cultural life
Humanistic Judaism-Jewish movement that offers a non-theistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life
Modern Orthodoxy Judaism-movement within Orthodox Judaism that attempts to synthesize Jewish values and the observance of Jewish law in a modern world. Modern Orthodoxy draws on several teachings and philosophies
Re-constructionist Judaism- is a modern American-based Jewish movement (1881–1983). The movement views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization
Liberal Judaism-Liberal Judaism is the growing edge of Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, and seeks to preserve all that is good in the Judaism of the past. But it lives in the present.
Orthodox Judaism- a tradition of mass revelation and the interpretation and application laws and ethics of the Torah
Reform Judaism- reformed or abandoned aspects of Orthodox Jewish worship and ritual in an attempt to adapt to modern changes in social, political, and cultural life
Humanistic Judaism-Jewish movement that offers a non-theistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life
Modern Orthodoxy Judaism-movement within Orthodox Judaism that attempts to synthesize Jewish values and the observance of Jewish law in a modern world. Modern Orthodoxy draws on several teachings and philosophies
Re-constructionist Judaism- is a modern American-based Jewish movement (1881–1983). The movement views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization