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Judaism
The Story of Judaism
Israelites
A small group of Semitic-speaking
people who lived in the Levant.
Their religion, known today as Judaism, continues as a
world religion and influenced the development of
Christianity and Islam.
Judaism began with Abraham. The term ‘Children of Israel’
refers to the descendants of Abraham through his son
Isaac.
Abraham was the first to believe in only ONE GOD (Yahweh).
He is considered the first Hebrew and the Father of
Judaism.
A covenant was
made between
Abraham
and Yahweh:
If the Hebrews
believed in only one
God (Yahweh), they
would inherit the
land of Israel
(the Holy Land).
Jewish Displacement and the
Spread of Judaism
Exodus
The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. God commanded Moses to
lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. The escape of the Israelites out of
Egypt is known as the Exodus.
According to the Torah, the Israelites
wandered the desert for 40 years before
reaching the holy land (Palestine/Israel).
King Solomon
United the tribes of Israel. During this time,
Jerusalem became the capital and a great
temple (the Western or Wailing Wall)
was built and became the focal
point of the Jewish religion.
After establishing themselves in Israel,
the Jewish people were conquered by
the Babylonians and then the Romans,
causing two Diasporas – the scattering
of the Jewish people, which continued
until 1948. As the Jewish people were
forced to move from one place to
another, their religious beliefs spread.
Beliefs of Judaism
• Monotheism: Judaism was the first
religion to worship only one God. The
Jews view Yahweh (God) as being allknowing (Omniscient), all-powerful
(Omnipotent), and in all places at all
times (Omnipresent).
• 10 Commandments: Laws given by
Yahweh which must be followed
10 Commandments
• I am the Lord thy God…You shall have no other Gods before me
• You shall not worship idols
• You shall not use the Lord’s
name in vain
• Remember the Sabbath and
keep it Holy
• Honor your father and mother
• You shall not murder
• You shall not commit adultery
• You shall not steal
• You shall not lie about/to your
neighbor
• You shall not want something
that does not belong to you (do not covet)
Sacred Text
The Torah is the holy book of Judaism,
which outlines the laws of the Jewish
people. It is also the first five books
of the Christian Bible.
A Rabbi is a teacher of the Torah.
The Western (Wailing) Wall – Most
important of all Jewish monuments
Synagogue – Central place for
worship
According to Jewish law, when
Jewish children reach the age of
maturity (12 years for girls, 13
years for boys) they become
responsible for their actions.
At this point a boy is said to
become Bar Mitzvah – one to whom
the commandments apply. A girl is
said to become Bat Mitzvah
Before this age, all the child's
responsibility to follow Jewish law and
tradition lies with the parents.
Passover commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites
from ancient Egypt and the "birth" of the Children of Israel who
become the Jewish nation.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, which represents the
creation of the world.
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement
(asking for forgiveness). It is 25 hours of
prayer and fasting.
Sabbath is the weekly day of rest. It is
observed from sundown on Friday until
sundown on Saturday. During this time no
work is supposed to be done – reserved for
worship and attention to family and community.
Menorah and Dreidel
Hanukah
Jewish Holiday often called the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the
rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem. Lasts 8 days.
Exit Slip
Identify two major beliefs of Judaism.
Which of the 10 Commandments do you
think is most important and why?