Judaism 101

1. Judaism 101

2. Who Is Jewish? • Any person whose mother was Jewish or any person who has gone through the formal conversion process.

3. What is Judaism? • Is it a religion? • Are Jews a race? • Is it a culture or ethnic group?

4. History of Judaism • G-d promises 2 things to Abraham • Land-important for a nomad • Descendents • Moses receives the commandments and the people accept them and the relationship. • 613 commandments • Prayer shawl has 613 knots • Must be worn when Torah is read

5. History of Judaism • Babylonia takes over North and South Kingdoms of Israel • Israelites exiled • Cultures and practices go with them • First temple is torn down so build synagogues • 70 AD Romans destroy second temple • As Jews are forced to move some new traditions develop and some are given up

6. Jewish Movements Movements are the denominations, branches or sects of Judaism • Orthodox- one of the major movements of Judaism that believes that Jewish law comes from G-d and can not be changed • Conservative-modern stream of Judaism that arose out of the intellectual currents of Germany in the mid-1900’s. • Reform- spectrum of beliefs , practices and organization associated with reform Judaism in North America and the United Kingdom

7. Separate Cultural Traditions • Sephardic Judaism- Jews of Spain and Portugal • Mizrachim-North Africa and the Middle East • Ashkenazic- Jews of France, Germany and Eastern Europe

8. Beliefs of Judaism • Judaism does not have an Apostle’s Creed or Nicene Creed that states this is what we believe. • Do not believe in original sin • Follow the Torah • First five books of the Bible • Judaism cover head as a sign of respect, Gentiles remove hats as sign of respect

9. Beliefs of Judaism • Orthodox Jews believe facial hair was a gift from G-d to distinguish males from females • Do not shave

10. Kosher and Dietary Laws • What does kosher mean? • General Rules • Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals. • Must have hoofs and chew cud • Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.

11. Kosher and Dietary Laws • All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten. • Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten

12. Kosher Dietary Laws • Fruits and vegetables are permitted, but must be inspected for bugs • Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten • Meat cannot be eaten with dairy.

13. Kosher Dietary Laws • Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.

14. Shabbat • The most important ritual observance in Judaism. • Shalom –Hebrew word that literally means peace. A way of saying "hello" or "goodbye."

15. Jewish Holidays • Passover • Rosh Hashanah • Jewish New Year

16. Jewish Holidays • Yom Kippur • Day of Atonement • Chanukkah • the festival of lights • Yom Ha-Shoah • Holocaust Memorial Day