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Understanding Judaism

Understanding Judaism. The Jewish People are descended from the ancient Hebrews and trace their origin to Abraham. The origins of the Jewish people are contained in the first 5 books of the Old Testament also referred to as the Torah or the Law.

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Understanding Judaism

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  1. Understanding Judaism

  2. The Jewish People are descended from the ancient Hebrews and trace their origin to Abraham. • The origins of the Jewish people are contained in the first 5 books of the Old Testament also referred to as the Torah or the Law. • Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the patriarchs of the Israelites. • The name Israel derives from the name given to Jacob (Genesis 32:29). His 12 sons were the kernels of 12 tribes that later developed into the Jewish nation. The name Jew derives from Judah, one of the 12 sons of Jacob (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Benjamin). • After the destruction of the temple by the Romans in A.D. 70, the Jews had no place to offer sacrifices for their sins as required by the Law of Moses (Deut. 12). • After this loss, the Jewish people scattered to almost every nation in the world where they established synagogues to keep their faith. alive. History

  3. The descendants of Abraham crystallized into a nation at about 1300 BC after their Exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Moses. • Soon after the Exodus, Moses transmitted to the people the Torah, and the Ten Commandments (Exodus Chapter 20). • After 40 years in the Sinai desert, Moses led them to the Land of Israel, that is cited in The Bible as the land promised by God to the descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 17:8). • The people of modern day Israel share the same language and culture shaped by the Jewish heritage and religion passed through generations starting with the founding father Abraham (ca. 1800 BC). History

  4. Jews have had continuous presence in the land of Israel for the past 3,300 years. • The rule of Israelites in the land of Israel starts with the conquests of Joshua (ca. 1250 BC). The period from 1000-587 BC is known as the "Period of the Kings". • The most noteworthy kings were King David (1010-970 BC), who made Jerusalem the Capital of Israel, and his son Solomon (970-931 BC), who built the first Temple in Jerusalem as prescribed in the (Old Testament). • In 587 BC, Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar's army captured Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and exiled the Jews to Babylon (modern day Iraq). History

  5. The year 587 BC marks a turning point in the history of the region. From this year onwards, the region was ruled or controlled by a succession of superpower empires of the time in the following order: Babylonian, Persian, Greek Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Empires, Islamic and Christian crusaders, Ottoman Empire, and the British Empire. History

  6. 70 AD Roman Army destroyed Jerusalem. Over 1 million Jews killed and 97,000 taken into slavery and captivity, many others scattered. 135 Serious Roman persecution of the Jews began. Jews were forbidden from practicing circumcision, reading the Torah, eating unleavened bread at Passover, etc. 325 The Council of Nicea – the first edict in favor of the “Venerable Day of the Sun” (Sunday) was made at the Council. Sabbath worship and other Jewish observances became heretical to the Christian faith. Also, Christianity was now the official religion, and Jews could no longer have Roman citizenship. History - Persecutions

  7. 1096 The First Crusade was launched. Although the prime goal of the Crusades was to liberate Jerusalem from the Muslims, Jews were a second target. In Germany, in the cities along the Rhine River alone, 12,000 Jews were killed. This persecution and slaughter continued for eight additional Crusades until the year 1272. 1290 Edward I banishes Jews from England. 16,000 forced to leave the country. 1306 100,000 Jews are exiled from France. They left the country with only the clothes on their backs and food for one day. History - Persecutions

  8. 1540 Jews were exiled from Naples, Italy. 1582 Jews were expelled from Holland. 1933 Hitler rises to Chancellor of Germany. The Nazi era begins.Horribleanti-Semitic propaganda and the ground work for the Holocaust is laid in place. 6 million Jews Killed between 1939-45. . History - Persecutions

  9. After the temple was destroyed in AD 70, sacrifices and the priesthood ceased to exist. • Rather than being guided by prophets, priests, and kings, the rabbis became the authorities who established various laws and practices. • Before the 18th century there was basically one kind of Judaism, • Rabbinic Judaism began in 200 BC, but Judaism would split into 3 branches in the 18th century. • However, modern day nominal Jews may not claim to belong to any of the branches. • The 3 branches that spawned from Rabbinic Judaism were: Orthodox Judaism, Reform Judaism, and Conservative Judaism. 3 Branches of Judaism

  10. 3 MAIN Branches 1. Orthodox Judaism – characterized by an emphasis on tradition and strict observance of the Law of Moses as interpreted by the rabbis. Reform Judaism – began in Germany in the 18th century at the time of the Enlightenment. Sought to modernize what were considered outmoded ways of thinking and doing and to thus prevent the increasing assimilation of German Jews. Emphasizes ethics and the precepts of the prophets. Conservative Judaism – developed in 19th century. A middle ground type branch. It is best to think of all 3 as religions of deed not creed. What one believes about God, sin, or the afterlife is not nearly as import as living a proper life here and now. Doctrine is not taught in Judaism like it is in Christianity. 3 Branches of Judaism

  11. Heavy emphasis on tradition. • Seeks to preserve classical Judaism. • Believe that Torah is truth. • Believe in revelation and divine origin of the oral and written Torah. • Believe God is spirit rather than form. He is personal God – omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal, and compassionate. • Believe Humanity is morally neutral, with a good and an evil inclination. Believes a person can overcome their evil desires and become perfect through their own efforts and observance of the law. Deny Original sin. • Way to salvation is through strict observance of law, prayer, and repentance. • Presume that being Jewish gives them right standing with God. • Believe the Messiah is a human being, not divine, who will restore the Jewish Kingdom and extend rule over earth and execute judgment and right all wrongs. Orthodox Judaism

  12. An American Movement with roots in 19th century Germany. • Believes the Bible and Torah is the word of God and man. It is not inspired though. Revelation is ongoing. • Concept of God is non-dogmatic. God is flexible. • Believe humanity is basically good and has the ability to keep the law perfectly and attain enlightenment. • Do not believe in original sin. • Salvation is obtained through maintaining “Jewish Identity.” • Share the believe in “Messianic Age” with Reform Judaism. Conservative Judaism

  13. Emerged following the emancipation from ghetto life in the late 18th century. Sought to modernize Judaism. Believes that maintaining Jewish identity is vital and best done by modernization. • Believe the Bible is a human document preserving history, culture, legends, and hopes of a people. Valuable for deriving moral and ethical insights. Revelation is ongoing. • Believe that “the truth is that we do not know the truth.” • Believe God is impersonal. • Believe human nature is basically good. Through education, encouragement, and evolution man can actualize the potential already existing within him or her. • Believe the law is ever evolving and changing. • Do not believe in original sin. • Salvation is obtained through the betterment of self and society. It is social improvement. • Same belief as Conservative Jews about the Messianic Age. Reform Judaism

  14. Overarching beliefs that are shared between the branches, and main creed would be The Shemafrom Deuteronomy 6:4 that says: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” • The Unity of God is of paramount importance to ALL Jewish people. • There is no official doctrinal position that unites these branches or distinguishes them either. Similarities in Branches

  15. Other Kind of Judaism Reconstructionist – American offshoot of Conservative Judaism. Maintains that Judaism is a “religious civilization” that must adapt to contemporary life. Hasidic – ultra-Orthodox movement characterized by strict observance of the Law of Moses, mystical teachings, and is socially separatist. Have leaders called rebbe, who is the dynastic head of the particular Hasidic group in which leadership is passed down through generations from father to son. Zionist – Zionism is a political movement dating from the late 19th century, concerned with the return of Jews to the land of Israel. 3 Other Kinds of Judaism

  16. The Torah or Hebrew Bible consisting of the first 5 books of the Old Testament – many Jews do not believe the Torah is the inspired “word of God,” but rather a part of Jewish tradition and history. The Talmud – only considered to be divine by Orthodox Jews. Consists of the Mishnahand the Gemara. Mishnah – consists in large part of various legal ruling and was compiled around 200 AD. Germara – elaborates and comments on the dicussions in the Mishnah and was compiled around 550 AD. Both are considered useful for ethics and instructive for life, but do not contain divine authority. Scripture

  17. Rosh ha Shanah – Jewish New Year in Sept. or Oct. Yom Kipper – The Day of Atonement. Celebrated 10 days after Rosh ha Shanah. Most solemn day of year on the Jewish Calendar. Most Jews attend synagogue and pray to God for forgiveness of sins. Many will fast for 24 hours. Sukkot – celebrated in Sept. or Oct. after Yom Kipper. A festive holiday. A booth is made behind the house or Synagogue and fruit is hung from the roof. People wave branches of various plants. Hanukkah – celebrated in Nov. and Dec. Last 8 days. Festive holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian armies of Antiochus Epiphanes. Characterized by lighting a menorah (Lampstand) over a period of 8 days, spinning the dreidel (a top), and eating potato pancakes called latkes. Jewish Holidays

  18. 5. Purim – celebrated in Feb. and Mar. A party-like atmosphere can prevail. Recounts the story of the book of Esther, which is read. Plays take place in which the entire story is enacted in comedic style. 6. Passover – celebrated in Mar. in Apr. Lasts a week. Traditional meal called The Sedaris eaten on the first two nights. Most popular of all Jewish Holidays. Occasion for family to gather, recount events in Exodus. Unleavened bread is eaten all week. 7. Shvuot – celebrated in May or June. Not widely observed. Celebrates the day the law was given at Mount Sinai. Jewish Holidays

  19. Jewish people do not believe Jesus is the Messiah because they don’t believe that Jesus fulfilled the Messianic requirements and was not a fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies. • They believe that Christianity is for the Gentiles. • Jews don’t believe that they need Jesus. They believe that they are saved by birth. • Jews presume a standing with God. They do not speak of salvation. • Idea of personal faith commitment is not understood. • The idea of a Christian or Gentile following the Jewish Messiah is misguided to Jews. • Jews believe they will cease to be Jewish if they believe in Jesus as the Messiah. To be a Christian means to turn your back on your family and heritage. • Jews think Christians believe in 3 gods. Judaism vs. Christianity

  20. Jews think that if Jesus is the Messiah then there should be peace on earth and the rabbis would believe in him. • Jews do not believe that there is any proof that Jesus is the Messiah. • Jews believe the NT is Anti-Semitic. • Jews do not proselytize. Judaism vs. Christianity

  21. Messianic Prophecies

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