Judaism

1. Judaism Clint Heinze

2. The Beginning of Judaism • Circa 2000 BCE near Canaan (Israel area). • Abraham is “founder” and lineage are a part of his covenant with God. It is the first monotheistic religion. His son, Ishmael is said to be the start of the Arabs. • Isaac – almost Sacrificed • Jacob (Israel) – 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel.

3. The Beginning of Judaism • Judaism really became a structured religion in 1312 BCE with the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. • Moses is their main prophet • Ten commandments and Mt. Horeb (Sinai) • Torah/Pantateuch

4. Name of Deity • The names given to the one Creator and Ruler of all: • Considered the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob • God (a large portion of Jews will not say this, though. It might not be said with enough respect: a sin. • Yahweh (YHWH – no vowels in Hebrew) • Elohim • Adonai - Lord • Hashem

5. Holy Books • They follow written as well as oral law. • Written Law – Torah/Pentateuch ( generally the most important) • The first five books of the Old Testament - the Jewish Hebrew version called the Tanakh- of the Bible. • Also known as the Books of Moses

6. Holy Books • After the diaspora by the Romans after the fall of the second temple, Jerusalem was renamed Capitolina Aelia and Judah was renamed Palestine. • During this time of separation, Judaism entered the time of “tannaim,” or teachers. • Oral Law was practiced. • Eventually written down into the Mishnah. • The Mishnah uses laws from the Torah and legal traditions used since the time of Ezra (450 BCE).

7. Holy Books • The Amoraim, or rabbi scholars, studied the Mishnah and added comments explaining the Oral Law. • This became what is now the Talmud or Gemara. • Two Talmuds developed • Palestinian Talmud – the shorter of the two due to unrest in Palestine. Finished in CE 425. • Babylonian Talmud – finished in the end of the 5th century.

8. Holy Books • The Zohar – 13th Century • Gives instruction on Messiah identification • Gives meaning of Biblical texts.

9. Places of Worship • Synagogues (shuls to Orthodox Jews and temples to Western Jews) • Worship, education center, community Center • Men and Women sit separately in more traditional places, together in reformed . • Services usually led by a rabbi • Hebrew is mainly spoken

10. Spread of Judaism • There are some possible explanations for the spread of an ethnic religion. • The first monotheistic religion (seen as more credible) • People that are born Jewish generally remain Jewish. The religion is passed down by generations. • Jews were frequently exiled or moving (diffusion) • The Jewish Diaspora • The exodus with Moses • Exile during Spanish Inquisition

11. Current Locations and Numbers • 1. Israel – 5,901,100 • 2. USA – 5,425,000 • 3. France – 480,000 • 4. Canada – 375,000 • 5. U.K. – 291,000 • 6. Russia – 194,000 • World total: 13,746,100

12. 2 Main Branches of Judaism • Orthodox • Torah comes directly from God and cannot be altered. • Humans must rely on rabbis to understand it. • Rabbi understanding of the Torah has been gathered to make the “halachah,” or Jewish law. • Everything is literal; from the concept of Mitzvah (commandment).

13. 2 Main Branches of Judaism • Reform/mainstream • Torah is God-inspired and used to understand surroundings and relationship with God. • Torah is holy but dated and discernment can be used. • Judaism can evolve by coming to our own understandings of scripture. • Jewish law is a guideline rather than a requirement. *There are also several other branches. These are the main two.

14. Symbols • Numbers (some of them) • 1 – Unity, divinity, and wholeness, as portrayed by God • 3 – Completeness and stability • 7 – The greatest number. Their word for luck, gad, equals seven in gematria. Seven days for creation, Seven laws of Noah, Seven branches on the Menorah, Seven days a week, and several others. • 10 – Good will and power (10 Commandments).

15. Symbols • Shield of David (Star of David) • Represents the Jewish Community. • Was not a religious sign prior the Jewish adaption of it. Since it is so popular, though, nobody cares about its pagan origin. • Has a messianic association/meaning • Is plastered on the US dollar. • Story

16. Symbols • The Menorah • Symbolizes the nation of Israel and its mission to be a light to other nations. • Yarmulkes • Used during prayer – a traditional symbol of respect.

17. Holy Sites • The Western, Wailing, Wall • Most visible remaining structure from the Second Temple complex • Represents indestructible Jewish attachment to their land • Jews come from everywhere to place notes and prayers in the cracks of the wall. • Dome of the Rock • Where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac

18. Holy Sites • Mt. of Olives • Those buried there are said to be the first resurrected from the dead when the Messianic Age comes. • King David’s Tomb • Jerusalem • The eternal capital of the Jewish people. • Numerous holy sites

19. Holy Sites • The Ramban Synagogue • The oldest active synagogue in Israel • The Temple Mount • Likely the location of the old temple of Israel • Several important things in Jewish history occurred here.

20. Major Beliefs - Creation • The same as Christianity – same book • One alteration • It says God essentially messed up on women once before actually making Eve from Adam’s rib.

21. Major Beliefs – End Times(Jewish eschatology) • The Messiah (a dynamic Jewish leader) will come descending from David • Rebuild Temple • He will bring all Jews back to Israel • He will bring world peace and great living standards. • He will be the world leader • The world will worship one god, Jewish nation will be preoccupied with studying the Torah • God’s purpose would then be fulfilled

22. Major Beliefs - Laws • The halakhah, or Jewish Law • 613 Mitzvots, or commandments • Rules regarding how to act, treat people, animals, and God, grooming rules, who to marry, what to eat, etc. • The Ten Commandments

23. Major Beliefs – Purpose of Life • Depends on branch • Become holy through observance of commandments. • Care for people • Live a holy life and try to imitate God. • Work for world peace • Enjoy life

24. Holidays • Rosh Hashanah: The beginning of the Jewish New Year. • Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement, the last 10 days of penitence which marks the opening of the New Year. • Sukkot: A harvest festival giving thanks for the safe 40 year journey from Egypt to Israel • Simchat Torah: Giving thanks for the Torah • Hanukkah: An eight day festival which commemorates the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem after expelling the occupying Syrians in 164 BCE • Purim: Celebrating the Saving of the Persian Jews, as told in the biblical book of Esther

25. Holidays • Passover (Pesach): Week long memorial retelling the Israelites’ release from Egypt • Shavuot: Harvest festival celebrating the gift of the Torah to Moses • Bar Mitzvah: Coming of age for boys aged 13. In liberal traditions, an equivalent ceremony (Bat Mitzvah) is carried out for girls • Shabbat (Sabbath): Day of rest, worship and fasting, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, requiring strict observance for Orthodox Jews. • Rosh Chodesh: This is observed on the first day of each month, a minor festival. This is the day that women do not work.

26. Roles of Men and Women • Women - traditional • Wives, mothers, keepers of the house • Discouraged higher education and religious pursuits • Encouraged to be an entrepreneur and hard worker • Instrumental in spiritual growth at home • Helper to man/keeps everything working

27. Roles of Men and Women • Men – traditional • Head of house • More public • Religious leader • Men and women have equal importance, just different roles. Emphasis on partnership.

28. Jewish Influence on the Arts • Architecture • Mainly all borrowed, especially from Romans • Old times – clay bricks, stone walls, wood ceilings, circular or rectangular build. • They like wood to build things • Arches • Walls

29. Jewish Influence on the Arts • Art • Shows Jewish wanderings around the globe • Graven images forbidden – no new artistic creations • Many religious in nature • No pictures of God.

30. Jewish Influence on the Arts • Literature • Frequently depicts struggles of immigrant life, the odd lives they have lived, and the unique struggles regarding cultural acceptance

31. Jewish Influence on the Arts • Food • Again, mostly borrowed from other cultures, but the combination of all of them is unique • Unleavened bread • Challah – sweat bread for holidays • Knishes – potato and flour dumpling stuffed with various things; a snack food.

32. Thank You THE END

33. http://www.patheos.com/Library/Judaism.htmlhttp://www.myjewishlearning.com/beliefs/Issues/Magic_and_the_Supernatural/Practices_and_Beliefs/Incantations/Names_and_Numbers/Numbers.shtml?p=2http://www.menorah.org/starofdavid.htmlhttp://www.jewfaq.org/signs.htmhttp://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/beliefs/god.htmhttp://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/jewpop.htmlhttp://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s796551.htmhttp://www.truthnet.org/TheMessiah/3_Books_of_Judaism/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/worship/synagogue_1.shtmlhttp://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/re/information/creation/jewish_creation.htmhttp://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/108400/jewish/The-End-of-Days.htmhttp://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/Jewish_History/http://www.patheos.com/Library/Judaism.htmlhttp://www.myjewishlearning.com/beliefs/Issues/Magic_and_the_Supernatural/Practices_and_Beliefs/Incantations/Names_and_Numbers/Numbers.shtml?p=2http://www.menorah.org/starofdavid.htmlhttp://www.jewfaq.org/signs.htmhttp://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/beliefs/god.htmhttp://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/jewpop.htmlhttp://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s796551.htmhttp://www.truthnet.org/TheMessiah/3_Books_of_Judaism/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/worship/synagogue_1.shtmlhttp://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/re/information/creation/jewish_creation.htmhttp://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/108400/jewish/The-End-of-Days.htmhttp://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/Jewish_History/ Sources *I got several different things from each site, but I only listed them once.