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Judaism. Beliefs. One all powerful god Monotheism- belief in one god This god is all knowing, all powerful and interested in the history of humanity Belief that the Hebrews, are the original “chosen” people picked to fulfill god’s will The Jewish nation is a model for the rest of humanity.
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Beliefs • One all powerful god • Monotheism- belief in one god • This god is all knowing, all powerful and interested in the history of humanity • Belief that the Hebrews, are the original “chosen” people picked to fulfill god’s will • The Jewish nation is a model for the rest of humanity. • This nation will prepare the way for a coming messiah or saviour • Believe in the authenticity of Old Testament prophets • Jewish people believe they have a covenant with god (a relationship and agreement)
Origins • 4000 years ago, God promised to make Abraham the father of a great people if he left his home in Mesopotamia and move to Canaan (modern day Israel). In return for his faith, Abraham’s descendants would inherit Canaan but God said that Abraham and his descendants must obey God. But it wasn’t simply a matter of obeying rules - God didn't just want the Jews to follow a particular set of laws, but to live their lives in such a way as to show the world that God actually was the one and only all-powerful God, whom people should follow and worship.
Worship • Keep the Sabbath which is to set aside the time from sundown Friday to sundown Sunday for spiritual reflection (as a symbol for God’s day of rest after creation) • Pray • Ritual Sabbath dinner • Quiet time and togetherness
Holy book • The Torah is the first five books of the Old Testament • The Torah tells the beginning of life on Earth and the history of Judaism • Jews find their moral and ethical codes as well as their rules for living for family and education in the Torah
Festivals • Festival of Chanukah/ Hanukah (Nov./Dec.) celebrates the defeat of the Syrian Greeks by the Maccabees in the 165 BCE. Also celebrates the rededication of King Solomon’s Temple and the Festival of Lights • Lights- menorah- 9 branched candlesticks
Symbols -Star of David -Represents eternal light
Building • The Synagogue- place where Jews gather to worship. Also serves as a community center and education center
Menorah- Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the successful Jewish revolt against the Seleucid monarchy. The Jews found only enough ritually pure olive oil to light the menorah for one day, but the supply supposedly lasted eight days until a new supply could be obtained by Shmeckle. In celebration of this happenstance, the Hanukkah menorah has eight branches for eight candles or oil lamps, none higher than any other.