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Judaism is…

Judaism is…. “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life) A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people A faith, a people, a way of life…. First Monotheistic religion.

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Judaism is…

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  1. Judaism is… • “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life) • A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people • A faith, a people, a way of life… First Monotheistic religion

  2. A 4000 year old tradition…ç • The Patriarchs: • Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (“Israel”) – origins of the Hebrew people (more than 3800 years ago) • Enslaved in ancient Egypt and freed by Moses (more than 3300 years ago) • Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land of Israel), ends 6th century B.C.

  3. Abrahamç • Father of Judaism • 8th descendant of Noah • Traveled from Ur (Iraq) to Canaan c.2000 BC

  4. Abraham’s Geneaology HAGAR ABRAHAM SARAH Ishmael Isaac 12 Arabian Tribes Jacob Esau 12 Tribes of Israel

  5. Abraham’s Journey from Ur Canaan  The “Promised Land”

  6. Abraham’s journey

  7. MOSES’ EXodus • Pulled out of the Nile by the Pharaoh’s daughter • Killed an Egyptian and fled • God appeared to him as a burning bush and told him to bring the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt and to the “promised land” in Canaan.

  8. Egyptian plagues • God sent 10 plagues to Egypt to convince the Pharaoh to let Israelites go. • Water to Blood • Frogs • Insects • Mix of Wild Animals • Diseased Livestock • Boils • Fiery Hail • Locusts • 3 Days of Dark

  9. Egyptian plagues 10. Death of First born sons. passover Friday April 19 – Saturday, April 27

  10. As a faith, Jews Believe… • In one God, (Yahweh or Jehovahcreator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal (not a physical body) • In prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people • In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew • the Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament

  11. Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People • The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible. • The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition. The Torah

  12. As a people, Jews are… • A nation in Diaspora (dispersed) • 15 – 16 million in worldwide population • United by a common heritage (an “ethnic” religion), divided in contemporary practice: • Orthodox: follow every word of the Torah • Modern • Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox) • Reformed (18th C. Germany) contemporary worship—female rabbis, limited restrictions • Conservative – moderates, response to reform • Reconstructionalism (20th century America)

  13. Rabbi • A rabbi is not a priest, neither in the Jewish sense of the term nor in the Christian sense of the term.. A rabbi is simply a teacher, a person sufficiently educated in halakah (Jewish law) and tradition to instruct the community and to answer questions and resolve disputes regarding halakhah. When a person has completed the necessary course of study, he is given a written document known as a semikhah, which confirms his authority to make such decisions.

  14. As a way of life, Judaism is based on… • 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”) • Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through: • Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher) • Dress and other symbols • Prayer and devotion to the one God • The Temple and Temple rites • Observance of Holy days • Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc. • Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way

  15. What is Kosher? Kosher – In determining whether a recipe is kosher, bear in mind the basic concepts of kosher food: no mixing of dairyand meat; no pork or pork products; no shell fish. This also applies to food products containing such ingredients. For example, a food coloring made from a shell fish would be considered un-kosher and would taint the food in which it might be used. Similarly, using animal fat together with dairy ingredients renders the product un-kosher and taints even the implements used in making it.

  16. How does Judaism sanctify life? Life cycle celebrations: • Bris – ritual circumcision, sign of the covenant • Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status and responsibility within the religion • Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22) • Death – funerals, mourning (sitting “Shiva”), and memorials (“Yartzeits”)

  17. How does Judaism sanctify time? The Jewish Holidays: • High Holidays: • Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) • Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) • Sukkot, the “Festival of Booths” (fall harvest festival) • Simchat Torah – celebrating Torah • Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”

  18. More Holy Days… • Purim (“Lots”) – a carnival (commemorates events told in book of Esther) • Pesach (“Passover”) – commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus) • Shavuot (“weeks,” Pentecost) – commemorates receipt of Torah at Sinai • Shabbat (Sabbath, 7th day, on Saturday) – the “Day of Rest”

  19. Jewish house of worship Synagogue Anchorage Synagogue TiferetYisrael Synagogue (Jerusalem)

  20. The wailing wall

  21. How is Judaism related to Christianity? • Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it • Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles • Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah • The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth • Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come”

  22. What are Jews really concerned about? • Tikkun Olam - “repairing this world” through justice and righteousness; through “deed, not creed” • The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments) • Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be – Holy!

  23. Religion or Ethnicity? • A person who was born to a Jewish mother or has gone through the conversion process is considered a Jew even if he or she does not believe in Judaism and does not observe Jewish practices. Thus, there are non-religious Jews or secular Jews.

  24. Web resources • Judaism 101: http://jewfaq.org/”an online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places, things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customs” • ReligiousTolerance.org on Judaism: http://www.religioustolerance.org/judaism.htm

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