Judaism

1. Judaism At the outset, it is important to note that there is a distinction between the Jewish people and the religion of Judaism; not all Jewish people are religious. Many profess to be atheists or agnostics. There are also Jews who are religious, yet have converted to other religions. Of the some 15 million Jewish people in the world today: • around 4.5 million are in Israel • some 7 million are in North America • approx.1 million are in countries that were part of the former Soviet Union • approx. 2 million are spread throughout European countries

3. Judaism • Monotheistic belief in G-d also called Yahweh (YHWH – I am), sometimes written in English Bible translations as Jehovah (some Jews prefer not to write out His name as that would violate the Third Commandment – Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.) Jews also call Him Adonai, which means Lord • Began with Abraham, who was called out of the land of Ur in Mesopotamia, to the land of Canaan, which is where present day Israel is located. • Following the Law of God given to the people by Moses (which is why it is sometimes called the Law of Moses) • Following scriptures such as the Torahand Talmud

4. Is “Jewish” a Religious or Ethnic Identity? Yes and no. Being Jewish can mean you are a part of a religious movement. However, the great majority of Jews become a part of the religious movement through birth and not due to their beliefs or actions. In this way, being Jewish is like being a citizen of a religious movement. A Jewish identity is automatically bestowed on the babies of Jewish mothers. And this identity stays with them throughout life no matter what they believe or how they act. 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. A person who was not born to a Jewish mother or has not gone through the conversion process is not considered a Jew even if he or she believes in Judaism and observes Jewish practices. Thus, the conversion process is a very meaningful because it is the only way for a non-Jew to become Jewish.

5. Basic Worldview • Universe is made by G-d but is an arena for humans to live in and enjoy, exercising free will, in cooperation with G-d’s guidance. • G-d is the omnipotent, sovereign, personal, all-good Creator. • People were created by G-d to follow His Will which can improve the human condition until a paradisal age is reached

6. Destiny of the World • Will be led by God through various historical periods • A messiah that has been prophesied about will come in and lead the world into a paradisal state

7. What Is Expected of Humans? • To honor and serve G-d by following the Law of Moses in letter or spirit • To maintain the identity of the people • To promote the ethical vision of the great prophets and humanitarians • Jewish customs are followed in the home as well as in the place of worship.

8. Origins • Adam and Eve – First humans created by God disobeyed Him and were forced to leave the Garden of Eden • They continue to procreate to make the human race but humanity is very sinful • Noah and family (wife, sons and their wives) are chosen to survive along with male and female animals on the Ark as God destroys the world with a flood • God makes peace with humanity but it continues in its sinfulness

9. Abraham – Father of the Hebrew people • Lived near Ur in Mesopotamia (between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers) • Obeyed a command by God to leave his relatives and take his wife and household westwards to the land God wanted him to have • God appeared to him in a dream and told him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands of the beach

10. Abraham and Sarah • Abraham was visited by three angels, who told him that by the following year his wife Sarah would be pregnant. • Sarah was believed to be barren. She told Abraham to sleep with her servant Hagar, who bore him Ishmael. Perhaps, this is what God intended. • Not so, eventually Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son, who was named Isaac. • Sarah regretted telling Abraham to be with Hagar and feared that Ishmael would take Isaac’s inheritance. She pestered Abraham until he sent Hagar and Ishmael away. • According to Islamic tradition, Abraham and his son Ishmael were the founding fathers.

11. Abraham and Isaac • While Isaac was still a boy, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. • Abraham was going to follow through with it. • God sent an angel to stop Abraham before he killed Isaac. This act of obedience was credited as obedience to Abraham. • Abraham and God made a covenant (agreement). Abraham would make sure all his descendants were circumcise their sons, and God would bless them. This would be an outward sign of their cleanliness, holiness, and dedication to God.

12. Sacrifice of Isaac (Brunelleschi)

13. Genealogy • Abraham begot Isaac • Isaac begot Jacob • Jacob begot twelve sons who will become the Twelve Tribes of Israel • Jacob led the family down to Egypt, where one of his sons Joseph had been taken and risen in power, in search of food. • The family remains but later generations of Egyptian rulers enslave the Jews living in Egypt • They remain in bondage for 400 years until they are freed by G-d through Moses

14. Moses Moses was the greatest prophet, leader and teacher that Judaism has ever known. In fact, one of the primary Principles of Faith is the belief that Moses‘ prophecies are true, and that he was the greatest of the prophets. He is called "Moshe Rabbeinu," that is, Moses, Our Teacher/Rabbi. Interestingly, the numerical value of "Moshe Rabbeinu" is 613: the number of mitzvot that Moses taught the Children of Israel! He is described as the only person who ever knew God face-to-face (Deut. 34:10) and spoke directly to God (Num. 12:8)

15. Moses continued God spoke to Moses directly, in plain language, not through visions and dreams, as God communicated with other prophets. The story Moses is so central to the Jewish faith because of his leadership in the Hebrew exodus from Egypt, his founding of the nation of Israel, and his role as the person receiving the law of the Jewish people (the Ten Commandments & the Torah).

16. The Ten Commandments • For Jews, they are rules to follow in their relationships with G-d and people. • According to tradition, G-d carved five commandments onto two tablets. • The first tablet deals a person’s with relationship with the Divine (G-d). • The second tablet deals with a person’s relationship with other people. • The Fifth Commandment – honor father and mother, appears to deal with human relationships. However, rabbis teach that parents can be looked at as creators, and reflect a Jew’s relationship with God.

17. The Ten Commandments • 1. Belief in G-d • This category is derived from the declaration in Ex. 20:2 beginning, "I am the L-rd, your G-d..." • 2. Prohibition of Improper Worship • This category is derived from Ex. 20:3-6, beginning, "You shall not have other gods..." It encompasses within it the prohibition against the worship of other gods as well as the prohibition of improper forms of worship of the one true G-d, such as worshiping G-d through an idol. • 3. Prohibition of Oaths • This category is derived from Ex. 20:7, beginning, "You shall not take the name of the L-rd your G-d in vain..." This includes prohibitions against perjury, breaking or delaying the performance of vows or promises, and speaking G-d's name or swearing unnecessarily. • 4. Observance of Sacred Times • This category is derived from Ex. 20:8-11, beginning, "Remember the Sabbath day..." It encompasses all mitzvot related to Shabbat, holidays, or other sacred time. • 5. Respect for Parents and Teachers • This category is derived from Ex. 20:12, beginning, "Honor your father and mother..."

18. 6. Prohibition of Physically Harming a Person • This category is derived from Ex. 20:13, saying, "You shall not murder." • 7. Prohibition of Sexual Immorality • This category is derived from Ex. 20:13, saying, "You shall not commit adultery." • 8. Prohibition of Theft • This category is derived from Ex. 20:13, saying, "You shall not steal." It includes within it both outright robbery as well as various forms of theft by deception and unethical business practices. It also includes kidnapping, which is essentially "stealing" a person. • 9. Prohibition of Harming a Person through Speech • This category is derived from Ex. 20:13, saying, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." It includes all forms of lashon ha-ra (sins relating to speech). • 10. Prohibition of Coveting • This category is derived from Ex. 20:14, beginning, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house..."

19. Key Leaders from Ancient Israel • Abraham – father of the Hebrew people; set them on the path of monotheism – different from neighboring tribes • Moses – giver of God’s law which includes Ten Commandments (called the Law of Moses) • Joshua – successor to Moses; led the conquest of Canaan giving Hebrews a foothold in Palestine • The Judges – spoke God’s word • David – Greatest king of Israel in terms of pleasing God; a man after God’s own heart • Solomon – Son of David, wisest man who ever lived, built the first permanent temple for God

20. Civil War Through Captivity • Two of Solomon’s sons had a civil war over the kingship of Israel the nation. The northern 10 tribes of Israel retained the name Israel, the southern two tribes – Judah and Benjamin – were called the Kingdom of Judah. These two nations became rivals • Both nations had a sequence of kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord (idol worship and associated rituals); occasionally a good king would come along and attempt to right the kingdom; eventually both kingdoms lapsed back into idol worship • Israel was conquered by the Assyrian Empire and the people were separated and relocated throughout the Assyrian Empire. • Judah lasted longer but was conquered by the Babylonians led by King Nebuchadnezzar. The Temple of Solomon was plundered and destroyed. Most of the Jews were brought to Babylon.

24. Captivity to Freedom • The Jews in Babylon had to stay there for 70 years to atone for the sins of their predecessors. • Babylon was conquered by the Persians. The Jewish people were freed and even given money and other provisions to return to Jerusalem and rebuild. • Some Jews preferred to remain in Babylon, which they had come to accept as their home.

25. Deed – Not Creed Judaism focuses on the importance of the righteous deeds and obedience, rather than justification found in faith (like Christians). “Correct actions” are spelled out in the Torah. Whether one is an Orthodox, Reform, or Conservative Jew, the unifying belief is that the goal of all humanity is to live in such a way as to perpetuate the betterment of self and of society, therefore affirming one’s standing before God’s standard. If there is any one religious principle that all Jews explicitly affirm and teach, it is the unity and singularity of God as He is revealed though the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”) This – the Sh’ma as it is called – is the cornerstone of all Jewish belief.

26. The Jewish life is one of duty and deed; it is what you do to improve the here and now that matters – the idea of “storing up treasure for heaven” is unknown to the Jew (This is a Christian concept). Jews believe that they are born in grace, live in grace, and that they will die in grace (sin is not a fact of birth, it is a matter of choice).

27. What’s the Purpose Then? Tikun Olam: “Fixing the World” – the Jewish believer is engaged in the literal process of fixing a broken world. This is the ultimate purpose of every Jewish believer’s life. Through the observance of the law, the Jew will contribute to the restoration of the nation of Israel, preparing the way for the Messiah to come and take his place in God’s kingdom on earth: “Judaism is a faith that believes in the renewal and change of the human being. Change is hard and arduous but possible. We can remake ourselves, because more than anything else, what we are is a product of our own choice and our own work.” Rabbi David Wolpe

28. Olam Ha-Ba: “The World to Come” – Jews believe that there is a world to come in which the Messiah will reign, a world in which the Jewish temple will be rebuilt and the nation of Israel will be fully restored, instituting a world order of justice and compassion.

29. The Daily Life of a Jew Mizvot: Rules - the 613 “do’s and don’ts” regarding the daily life of a Jew – none of the Mizvot deal with beliefs, each of them deal specifically with a particular action. “Some look at the teachings of the Mizvot and deduce that Jews are trying to earn their way into Heaven by observing rules. This is a gross mischaracterization of the Jewish religion. It is important to remember that unlike other religions, Judaism isn’t focused on the question of how to get into Heaven. Judaism rather, is focused on our life on earth and how to best live that life. Rabbi Izakson

30. Non-Jews frequently ask me, ‘do you think that you will go to Hell if you don’t do such-and-such?’ – to which I always respond that the question of where I’m going after death simply doesn’t enter into the equation when I think about observing the Mizvot. We perform the Mizvot because it is our privilege and our sacred obligation to do so…we perform them out of a sense of love and duty to our Creator, not out of a desire to get something in return.” Rabbi Izakson

31. The “Branches” of Judaism • Reform Conservative Orthodox Ultra Orthodox &Hasidism Orthodox Jews are the oldest, most conservative, and most diverse group of religious Jews. Modern Orthodox, Hasidism and Ultra Orthodox share a basic belief in the derivation of Jewish law, even as they hold very different outlooks on life. They attempt to follow the original form of Judaism as they view it to be presented in the Torah. They look upon every word in their sacred texts as being divinely inspired.

32. Chasidism (Hasidism) • Began in 1700s in Eastern Europe as another way for people to become closer to G-d. • Judaism focused on obeying Law of Moses to have a good relationship with G-d, but a new leader Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer aka Baal Shem Tov or Besht for short focused on mysticism (more spiritual, meditative approach than practical obedience) • Believe Torah is word of God, daily praying, observing holidays, raising children in Jewish ways, eating kosher • Conservative colored nice clothes and hats for men; nice clothes for women and COVERED hair – going out well dressed and covering head shows respect for G-d • Beards and curly hair – Leviticus 19:27 – You shall not round the corners of your hair or the edges of your beards

33. Reform Jews are a liberal group, comprised of mostly North American Jews, although the movement started in the 1790's in Germany. They follow the ethical laws of Judaism, but leave up to the individual the decision whether to follow or ignore the dietary and other traditional laws. They use modern forms of worship. There are many female rabbis in reform congregations. Often this group is referred to as practicing “contemporary Judaism.”

34. Conservative Judaism began in the mid-nineteenth century as a reaction against the Reform movement. It is a main-line movement midway between Reform and Orthodox. Some of the more “obscure” or “ancient” traditions are not observed, however the goal is to avoid changing the religion to simply conform to cultural norms.

35. The Messiah? Jews believe that the Messianic prophecies are not fulfilled in Christ… 1) Build the third temple (Ezekiel 37:26-28). Gather all Jews back to the land of Israel (Isaiah 43:5-6). Usher in an era of world peace, ending hatred, oppression, suffering and disease (Isaiah 2:4).

36. Messiah continued • Spread universal knowledge of the God of Israel – uniting the entire human race as one (Zechariah 14:9). • 5) Jews believe that the Messiah will be a prophet, and because prophecy can only exist in Israel when the land is inhabited by a majority of the world Jewry, Jesus was not a prophet (during the time of Ezra – circa 300 B.C. – this time the majority of Jews refused to move from Babylon to Israel, thus ending the line of prophets with Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).

37. Messiah cont. He must be descended on his father’s side from King David (Genesis 49:10 & Isaiah 11:1). Of course, according to the Christian tradition Jesus was born of a virgin, and therefore the Jewish believer holds that Christ could not possibly have fulfilled this messianic requirement. 7) The Messiah will lead the Jewish people into full Torah observance. Deuteronomy 13:1-4, states that all mitzvahs (laws) remain binding forever, and anyone coming to change the Torah is immediately identified as a false prophet…(see Jesus’ words on this in John 1:45, 9:16, & Acts 3:22, 7:37).

38. Jewish Life: Keeping Kosher Kosher – follows dietary laws set out in the Law of Moses (In determining whether a recipe you want to post is kosher, bear in mind the basic concepts of kosher food: no mixing of dairy and 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 unkosher and would taint the food in which it might be used. Similarly, using, e.g., an animal fat together with dairy ingredients renders the product unkosher and taints even the implements used in making it.

39. Kosher If a recipe is not in keeping with these basic requirements, consider whether substitutions can be made to adjust it (e.g., substituting margarine for butter in a meat recipe). If you are unsure of how to make such substitutions, post the recipe and ask for suggestions as how to do so.

40. Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Bar/Bat Mitzvah (“son/daughter of the commandment”) – Under Jewish Law, children are not obligated to observe the commandments, although they are encouraged to do so as much as possible to learn the obligations they will have as adults. At the age of 13 (12 for girls), children become obligated to observe the commandments.

41. Bar/Bat Mitzvah • The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony formally marks the assumption of that obligation, along with the corresponding right to take part in leading religious services, to count in a minyan (the minimum number of people needed to perform certain parts of religious services), to form binding contracts, to testify before religious courts and to marry.

42. Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Although a Jewish girl or Jewish boy automatically becomes a Bar Mitzvah upon reaching the ages of 12 & 13 years, technically no ceremony is needed to confer these rights and obligations. The popular ceremonies are not required, and do not fulfill any commandment. It is a relatively modern innovation, not mentioned in the Talmud, and the elaborate ceremonies and receptions that are commonplace today were unheard of as recently as a century ago.

43. Significant Jewish “Holy” Days • Shabbat – The Sabbath (or Shabbat, as it is called in Hebrew) is one of the best known and least understood of all Jewish observances. It is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. Shabbat is the most important ritual observance in Judaism. • It is the only ritual observance instituted in the Ten Commandments. It recalls how God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. • It is also the most important special day, even more important than Yom Kippur.

44. Shabbat: Sabbath • "Shabbat" means to cease, to end, or to rest. Third Commandment – Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. • People who do not observe Shabbat think of it as a day filled with stifling restrictions, or simply as a day of prayer; • Those who observe Shabbat consider it a 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 spiritual pursuits. The following are forbidden on the Sabbath:

45. Sowing, plowing, reaping, binding sheaves, threshing, winnowing, selecting, grinding, sifting, kneading, baking, shearing wool, washing wool, beating wool, dyeing wool, spinning, weaving, making two loops, weaving two threads, separating two threads, tying, untying, sewing two stitches, tearing, trapping, slaughtering, flaying, salting meat, curing hide, scraping hide, cutting hide up, writing two letters, erasing two letters, building, tearing a building down, extinguishing a fire, kindling a fire, hitting with a hammer, taking an object from the private domain to the public, or transporting an object in the public domain. Also prohibited are travel, the use of electricity, buying and selling of goods or services, and other weekday tasks that would interfere with the spirit of Shabbat.

46. High Holy Days – Most Important Jewish Holidays • Day begins as sunset (Genesis – “And there was evening and morning, the first day”) and ends sundown next day • Rosh Hashanah – Beginning of new year (first and second days of Tishri) – Jewish holidays are often a day longer than mentioned in the holy scriptures • Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) – the ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur • Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement

47. Rosh Hashanah – In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. • Little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the Jewish year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game. • Important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making "resolutions." • Jewish New Year is a time of introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.

48. “Holy” Days cont. • Yom Kippur – very important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. • "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement.”It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year – sins between man and God. On Yom Kippur, the judgments of God are entered into “the books” and then sealed. • This day is, essentially, the last appeal, the last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate repentance and make amends.

49. Passover – Passover is the time when each Jew embarks on a personal journey from slavery to freedom. • God performed many miracles and sent plagues upon Egypt until Pharaoh freed the Hebrews from slavery. God sent an angel to destroy all the first-born males in Egypt. Moses instructed his people to put the blood of a lamb on the door lintel and door jambs. The angel would know to pass over these homes and the first-born therein would be spared. • Much like God delivered the Hebrew people from their enslavement in Egypt (“passing over” their firstborn, further convincing Pharaoh to free the Hebrews).

50. Passover continued • In order to guide Jews in their quest, their Sages carefully wrote an outline of 15 steps to freedom. • It's called the Haggadah. The Sages say that Passover occurs on the 15th of Nissan (the Jewish month), to teach us that just as the moon waxes for 15 days, so too our growth must be in 15 gradual steps. Think of these as 15 pieces of the Passover puzzle. Assemble them all and you've got freedom!