Judaism – History, Covenant, Faith

1. Judaism – History, Covenant, Faith Western/Semitic religion Abrahamic People of the Book Strict monotheism

2. Using your notes from the slideshow and the handouts, put the events together with the dates: See pages 151 – 168 in the Great Religions of the Worldtext 1000 BCE Romans destroy Temple (all but Western Wall) 970 – 922 BCE Nazi party takes control of Germany 721 BCE Persecution. Many Jews flee to Poland, etc. 587 BCE Assyrian Empire defeats northern kingdom 515 BCE Solomon’s reign. Temple built 400 BCE King David captures Jerusalem 70 CE Temple rebuilt. Some Jews return 300’s CE Holocaust 600’s Roman Empire becomes Christian 1135 – 1204 Pogroms in Russia (formerly Poland) 1290Growth of Islam 1700’sTorah recognized as Jewish Scripture 1930’sState of Israel established 1940 – 45 Babylonians defeat Judah. Temple destroyed. 1948Maimonides working in Spain.

3. Jewish Beliefs • Read pages 226-229 in Exploring World Religions and the article “What Do Jews Believe?” and create your own note. • At the very least, your note should include: Definitions: shema, gerut, mitzvah/mitzvoth • A summary of: • Who the Jews are (how Jewish heritage is established) • Philo’s 5 Fundamental Concepts • Maimonides’ 13 Articles of Faith, including the 3 that are absolute (and an explanation of the authority of the rest) – from the article “What do Jews Believe?” • How the covenant between the Jews and God is demonstrated (a chart would be helpful here to show the two sides of the covenant) • The significance of the name of God • Read page 232, “Kashruth” and “Shabbat” and add the concepts to your 6 traits.

4. Covenant • The Jewish people believe that God chose them for a special relationship with him – responsibilities and privileges. • They believe that they keep this covenant through moral living – following God’s mitzvot. • This term is translated often to be “laws” or “commandments” but means “guidance”. • Jews believe that the holiness of their lives should reflect the holiness of God. • Living according to the mitzvot (aka following Halakhah) helps people to live in a right relationship with God. (Living a life that is pleasing to God) • Expressed as a chart, it would look like this…

5. The Covenant The Jewish People • the people worship only one God • follow God’s laws (613 commandments) • perform mitzvoth (good works, follow the commandments) • (for the Orthodox) - observe laws, including chukkim (which are the true test of faith because some are unexplainable) – wearing mixed fibres, kosher laws – observed for holiness, separateness, obedience God • God cares for the people (“Chosen People”) – God will provide, • God saves His people (e.g. Exodus) • God will send a Messiah to bring peace (Jews expect this leader to be a king and military leader) • God will provide a future time of peace and prosperity • God promises a land, which the Jews believe to be Israel

6. The 10 Commandments • God gave the mitzvoth to Moses, the summary of which is the 10 commandments. • In addition to the 10, many Jews try to follow as many of the other 613 mitzvoth as they can • The laws were clarified by Maimonides - 12thcentury –also wrote a list of main Jewish beliefs (read these) • Failure to live by the covenant (that is, failure to follow the mitzvoth) is the Jewish definition of sin. • Sin stands in the way of a relationship with God. • While the Temple existed, rituals and sacrifices were carried out to repair the relationship with God. • Yom Kippur fills that role today.

7. Covenants in Jewish history • Jewish covenants with God have been initiated by several people – Abraham, Noah, Moses and others • These covenants describe what those who love God will do – especially what is appropriate morally. • Sexuality is seen as a blessing from God and meant to be enjoyed. • Halakhah states that sexuality belongs in marriage. • Orthodox Judaism’s emphasis on modesty protects the dignity of sexuality • Moral values do vary slightly by branch (Reform Jews will share some cultural values of the culture where they live)

8. Jewish Family Life

9. Family life • The home is the main place for Jewish prayer • The mother is responsible for family purity (e.g. kosher, niddah laws) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJlO4Ge5yVk – Oprah visits a mikvah • Children are educated in the faith at home – e.g. all meals begin and end with prayer • The most important prayers are on Shabbat in the home • The mother lights 2 candles, offers a silent prayer for her family and waves her hands over the candles – this welcomes in the light of Shabbat • How to light Shabbat candles - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kb-LcBU1Y4 • Special blessings are said over wine – to thank God and to welcome a holy Shabbat

10. Shabbat • Mealtime is important especially on Shabbat • Shabbat is observed in varying levels of strictness depending on branch – what defines work? • All branches follow Halakhah (living a moral life that is pleasing to God) – they differ in how they interpret and carry out the requirements. • Shabbat – Jew in the City - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHtM6mDbUzM

11. Women in Judaism: Family Customs – matchmaking, niddah • Hasidic Marital Customs and Matchmakers - Oprah's Next Chapter - Oprah Winfrey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsshqthTTOk • Jewish Women Dirty? – Jew in the City • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUlfjvIC5sQ • Are Orthodox Jews Sexist? – Jew in the City • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLfZ2tmM3vY • Role of Women in Hasidic Judaism – Oprah • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsshqthTTOk

12. Shabbat and Kosher– Jew in the City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHtM6mDbUzM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsshqthTTOk - How to light Shabbat candles with Alana

13. Kosher food – more than just Jewish cuisine

14. Kashrut • The term “kashrut” applies specifically to dietary laws, while “kosher” could apply to other objects. • Kosher = “fit”, “appropriate”,or “proper” • Laws include not eating pork or shellfish, not combining milk and meat, among others • There are more laws during Passover • Some homes that keep kosher have separate sets of dishes, pots, and utensils for dairy and meat. • Kashrut law fits into a class of laws called “chukkim”, meaning Jews observe them simply because it is commanded in the Torah