JUDAISMJUDAISM

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 people’s lives

– holiday celebrations commemorate historic events The key event is the Exodus from Egypt

(recorded 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 God’s 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 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 God’s 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 God’s 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 2nd century– Contains info on rituals, marriages,

agricultural laws, festivals, etc.

The Nature of God

Covenants with good people– Responds to their needsdeliverance

Guides & directs His people Compassionate 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 Anglicized 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

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

God’s highest creatures– Earth has been given to them for food & pleasure– They are the “caretakers”

Created in God’s 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

Problem 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– Influenced by Zoroastrians?– 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– 10th 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

Passover Most important holiday Marks deliverance form slavery in Egypt

under Moses’ leadership Sacred meal: seder

– Unleavened bread (matzah)

Mitzvah

613 mitzvot 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