INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

1. INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM HISTORY

2. Listen to the following descriptions of famous Jews. • How many can you identify? Who’s Who?

3. smallest of the major world religions • 14 million people practice • major contributions to Western religious thought • roots of Christianity and Islam • most persecuted because of religious beliefs. Why Study Judaism?

4. What do you know about Judaism?

5. Judaism is the oldest of the three great monotheistic religions: • JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM Birthplace of Monotheistic Religions

6. Abraham • Moses Jacob Patriarchs of Judaism

7. Hebrewmeans: “From across” -name given to Abraham and his followers Israelites:  Abraham’s grandson Jacob renamed Israel which means “he who has wrestled with God”. His descendants were called “Israelites” . Jews:  named after Jacob’s son Judah, ancient father of tribe of King David’s dynasty Name Changers

8. 1) Abraham and Moses are key figures in Judaism. • 2) Jewish tradition teaches that the Exodus is the formative event in Jewish history. • 3) Kings David and Solomon had great accomplishments, historical impact, and religious significance. • 4) The Temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life and its location is the holiest place in Judaism. • 5) The Babylonian Exile was a transformative event. • 6) Judah, later called Judea, was ruled by various foreign powers and repeatedly attempted to regain independence. • 7) Rome destroyed the Second Temple, exiled the majority of the Jewish population of Judea, and changed the province’s name to try to minimize the Jewish connection to the area. • 8) After the destruction of the Second Temple, Rabbinic Judaism emerged as Jews developed new religious practices and interpretations that remained grounded in ancient traditions. In your Reading today:

9. Read p. 214-224 • Complete Questions 1-5 on p.224 • As you read the text, fill in the graphic organizer about significant events in Jewish history. HOMEWORK

10. Responsibility is one of the most important midot (character traits) to cultivate in one’s soul. Acharayut (responsibility in Hebrew) comes from the root “acher” (other). To take responsibility means to cultivate the “ability” for response” to an “other.” This responsibility to another is born in the moment where no one else is present to assist. As Hillel said (Avot 2:6) “uveemkomsh’ainanashimhishtadaillihiyotish:”in a place where there aren’t people of moral courage taking responsibility, one needs to step up. The Rabbis learned this lesson from Moses himself (Shemot 2:12). He looks both ways to see if someone will help and when he sees that there is no one he takes responsibility. • Rather than look to others to create our meaning, our opportunities, or our missions, we are charged to be proactive. Gandhi famously said “Be the change you want to see in the world.” • Viktor Frankl, the great Jewish psychoanalyst, once said that “Being human means being conscious and being responsible. By becoming responsible agents for social change we actualize not only our humanity but also our mission as Jews. • May we all meditate on the midah of responsibility and set up rituals to grow in our ability to act as moral agents of responsibility. • Rabbi Dr. ShmulyYanklowitz-"Jewish Ethics & Social Justice: A Guide for the 21st Century. Reflection on Social Justice

11. Mesopotamian society was dominated by polytheism • God (Yahweh) appeared before Abraham and told Abraham “to go and raise a great nation” • This began the monotheistic tradition of the Hebrew faith with the establishment of the “Covenant”,  “Chosen People” and “Promised Land” • Abraham settled in Canaan History

12. Possible Route

13. Patriarch • Entered into covenant with God to worship only Him • Name was changed from Abram to Abraham showing his new role as father of a great nation • God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac…. • He was ready to do so, showing his fear and faith in God, but an angel stopped him and promised him many descendants • Connection to Christianity and Islam Why is Abraham so important to the Jewish faith?

14. As used in the bible, a solemn and binding agreement between God and humanity. Covenant

15. http://www.topmarks.co.uk/judaism/moses/ • Children’s book depiction of the story of Moses Why is Moses so important?

16. 10th plague = angel of death • Kill first-born • Moses told the people to smear blood on door step so angel would “passover” • Mass Exodus followed Passover

17. The second book of the Torah • A mass departure • Story of how God freed Hebrews from slavery in Egypt and led them back to Caanan What does Exodus refer to?

18. The idea that God chose the people to be the keepers of his covenant on earth. • “Chosen” is reciprocal- with God choosing humanity and humanity choosing God. Chosen People

19. Area of Caanan that the Hebrews believed was promised to them by God. Promised Land

20. Moses received the laws from God on Mount Sinai • Renewed the covenant • People knew how to keep the covenant- by keeping the laws 10 Commandments

21. Judges: Israelites’ first leaders (like tribal leaders of chieftans) • Kings: Saul, David, Solomon • Established Jerusalem as capital city, built a temple that was the centre of worship • 921 BCE- Northern tribes- Israel and Southern tribes- Judah • Prophets: one who speaks on behalf of God. • One who predicts the future • The coming Messiah Leadership

22. 721 BCE- Assyrians invade and capture Israel • scatter population Exile

23. 586 BCE- Babylonians capture Judah, destroy the temple • Sent into exile in Babylon • Released 538 BCE • Being so spread out, Jewish people needed a new way to honour God- synagogues were created Exile

24. A place for congregational worship that emerged during Exile. • Synagogues are the central place of worship for Jews today. synagogue

25. Jews living in diaspora • 332BCE- influenced by Greeks • Translated bible into Greek • 168BCE- Maccabean revolt • Greek ruler changed the temple to worship Zeus • Maccabeans started a revolt and ruled until the Romans Hellinization

26. 64 BCE • This period focused on the coming of a Messiah • Jews faced hardship during Roman rule Romans

27. Means “anointed one”. The Jews hope that a great king will come to lead them. Messiah

28. 70 CE: Rabbinic Judaism replaced different sects of Judaism Rabbinic Judaism

29. A Jewish scholar or teacher, especially of the law • A person appointed as a Jewish leader Rabbi

30. Torah: Refers to the Law of Moses as well as the rest of the Hebrew scriptures and the entire belief system of the Jewish faith. • Mishnah: Early rabbinic teachings on how to live a life in accordance with the Torah. Compiled around 200CE. Torah and Mishnah

31. Midrash: Interpretation and commentary on the Bible. By 100 CE, the Rabbis had compiled a sizable body of commentary on the bible • Talmud: Rabbinic teachings derived from the Mishnah. Main source of Jewish teaching from the medieval period to the present. Midrash and Talmud

32. Complete handout • Work ahead: Milestones handout. Talmud Interpretation