Jewish Practices and Beliefs

1. Jewish Practices and Beliefs

2. Torah • Torah –not arbitrary list of rules • ** God’s revelation of self – what he expects in response to his covenant love ** • Studying Torah is a form of worship – lifelong tasks for practicing Jews • The Jews attempted to live Torah-law perfectly – in belief that they will then be the blessed, special, forever protected favorite people

3. Synagogue • -house of prayer (prayer always best in a quorum of 10 adult men…) • -house of study (observant Jew – study of sacred texts is a life-long task) • -place of discussion for legal settlements

4. Sabbath: Day of Rest • precious gift from God, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, • a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher pursuits. • ** The most important ritual observance in Judaism ** • (radical concept in ancient times, when only the wealthy ruling class rested…)

5. Pilgrimage Holy Days • Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year • -no work, much of day in synagogue • -eat apples with honey – symbol of wish for a sweet year • -“tashlikh” – casting off – walk to flowing water, empty pockets (small pieces of bread) casting off sins… •  Theological significance? • Restore covenantal relationships

6. Days of Awe – 10 days starting with Rosh Hashanah & ending with Yom Kippur • -time to consider the sins of previous year and repent before Yom Kippur

7. Yom Kippur – “Day of Atonement” • -day set aside to “afflict the soul” to atone for the sins of the past year • -complete Sabbath – no work whatsoever • -complete 25 hour fast • -wear white – symbolizing our sins to be white/pure as snow

8. Chanukkah • -festival of rededication of lights – 8 day • -ran out of non-defiled oil for Lampstand… miraculously 8 days lasted…) • Faith in G-d’s miraculous and active work in in history and lives of faithful

9. Shavu’ot, Festival of Weeks, Pentecost • -agriculturally commemorates time when the first fruits harvested are brought to Temple • -historically celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai • -from 2nd day of Passover to Day before Shavu’ot – 49 days – 7 weeks

10. Sukkot – Festival of Booths (7 days) • -commemorates 40 years in desert, wandering, living in temporary shelters • -Fall harvest celebration – pilgrims to Jerusalem built huts of branches (to recall time spent in wilderness), approached Temple in procession with branches raised…

11. Ideas of Messiah in Judaism • Basic & fundamental part of traditional Judaism is belief in the eventual coming of the Messiah. (Concept introduced during age of the prophets) • Term “meshiach” – literally means “the anointed one” • -refers to ancient practice of anointing kings with oil as they took the throne • “Meshiach” will be anointed as king in the “End of Days”

12. Messiah will be: • -great political leader descended from King David • -well-versed in Jewish law & observant of its commandments • -charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example • -great military leader who will win battles for Israel • -great judge, who makes righteous decisions • -human being – 100%

13. Messiah will: • -bring political and spiritual redemption of the Jewish people by bringing them back to Israel & will restore Jerusalem • -establish a government in Israel that will be the center of all world government – both for Jews & gentiles • -rebuild Temple and re-establish its worship • -restore the religious court system & will establish Jewish law as rule of the land

14. Messianic Passages • -Isaiah 2, 11, 42, 59:20 • -Jeremiah 23, 30, 33, 48:47; 49:39 • -Ezekiel 38:16 • -Hosea 3:4-5 • -Micah 4 • -Zephaniah 3:9 • -Zechariah 14:9 • -Daniel 10:14