JUDAISM

Judaism
Worldwide: 14,551,000 Jews
US: 5.6 million
Asia: 4.5 million
Europe: 2.4 million
Many different groups/divisions of Judaism
that exist
Conflicting beliefs about observances, etc.
Importance of History
The basis of the Jewish religion is its history. It is
the most important aspect.
demonstrated through the celebration of life cycle events
in peoples lives
holiday celebrations commemorate historic events
The key event is the Exodus from Egypt (recorded
in the Book of Exodus)
Many important aspects of observances are linked to this
event
From the beginning, the
Jewish people have
interpreted acts of history as
God acting on behalf of the
Jewish people
Either to promote them or to
punish them
History is seen as the story of
Gods intervention in the lives
of His Chosen People
Six Periods of Jewish History
The Patriarchs: AbrahamMoses (19th - 13th
cent. BCE)
Mosesthe Hebrew Monarchy (13th - 6th cent.
BCE)
The Babylonian Exile and Post Exilic Judaism
(6th cent BCE - 1st cent. CE) ("Second Temple"
period)
Rabbinic period (1st - 7th cent CE)
Medieval Judaism (7th - 18th cent. CE)
Modern Judaism (18th cent. - current)
Judaism as a Race
Judaism is an ethnic religion
Began as a religion of an extended family, a tribe of
peoples known as the Hebrews
Derive their name from Judah, a former King
Jewish people today continue to think of themselves
as a family, a nation of peoples, as well as a religion
God is understood by the Jews to intervene, to act, in
and through history time and again, especially in the
history of Israel (the people)
Jews look to Gods action in the world
Sacred Texts
The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh
Known by Christians as "Old Testament
contains the same books as the Christian version but in a different
order after the first five
Considered revealed and inspired by God
Interpretation of early history of the Hebrew people, establishment
of a nation
Story of Gods interaction with His "Chosen People" (His-Story)
Foundation of Jewish life
Called the Bible
(Biblia) means "little books
Actually a library of 39 independent books divided into 3
categories:
The 3 Categories
1. Torah
Most important text
Divine instruction and guidance or "Written Law
Books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy
Covers history from creation through the Exodus and
wandering in the desert
613 commandments from God
Continued
2. Prophets: Words and revelations of the minor and
major prophets
Ezekiel, Isaiah, Amos, Jonah, etc.
3. Writings: poetic and devotional material written
and used during the same time as the Prophets,
words and works of the sages
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, etc.
The Talmud
Oral tradition passed to Moses and beyond
Finally written down in the 2
nd
century
Contains info on rituals, marriages, agricultural
laws, festivals, etc.
The Nature of God in Judaism
Covenants with good people
Responds to their needsdeliverance
Guides & directs His people
Compassionate yet firm
Controls with justice
Source of forgiving, redeeming love
Establishes peace on earth
The Name of God
Written by Hebrew consonants YHVH
Means I am
Jews do not have a personal name for God
Christians and others have translated it to Yahweh or
Jehovah
Written by Orthodox Jews as G-d
God referred to as:
Adonai (The Lord)
Elohim, or HaShem (the Name) - the unpronounceable
name of God
A Few Main Beliefs
Jews do not believe in
"original sin" (no need for a
"savior" in the Christian
sense)
The Ten Commandments
first 4 have to do with our
relationship with God
Next 6 refer to our
relationship with other
people
The 10 Commandments
continued
Importance of family
Story/experience of exile and exodus
"Let my people go."
Compassion and concern for freedom of all
peoples
history of continual fight for freedom and
continued survival
Humans
Gods highest creatures
Earth has been given to them for food & pleasure
They are the caretakers
Created in Gods image
Each is a soul and body united
Each should have a fellowship with God
Responsible
Answer to God for conduct
Humans have choices/can make decisionssuffer
consequences
Problems for Humans
Rebellion against God
and consequential
expulsion
Adam and Eve
Who is the Messiah?
Has not arrived yet to
usher in a new age
He is expected
Life after Death
Emphasis on good life on earth more than
good afterlife
References in Psalms to heaven and hell
Lack specific descriptions of life beyond death
Rituals
Jewish calendar based on lunar month
Sabbath/Shabbat
Observed each week
Sundown on Fridaysundown on Saturday
Rosh Hashanah
New year
Begins the Days of Awe
Concentrate on prayer, contemplation, self-searching
Yom Kippur
10
th
day (of awe)
Holiest day observed
Repentance: 24 hours of atonement and fasting
Sweets for a sweet new year
Shabbat dinner
continued
Chanukkah
Celebrated rededication
of Jerusalem temple in
164 BCE (after
destruction by Greeks)
Sacred oil lasted 8 days
for celebration
Minor festival in
importance
Passover
Most important holiday
Marks deliverance form slavery in Egypt
under Moses leadership
Sacred meal: seder
Unleavened bread (matzah)
Mitzvah
There are 613 Mitzvah
Mitzvah are the laws/commandments that Jews are
supposed to live by
258 positive, 365 negative
Boys: 13+1 day, girls 12+1 day
Bar Mitzvah means son of the commandment
Commands from God
No immediate reward
Obedience rewards in afterlife