JEWISH HISTORY
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Transcript JEWISH HISTORY
JUDAISM
February 10, 2014
Objectives: Students will be able to
explain the main beliefs of Judaism and
Shintoism
Question: Who founded Confucianism?
Agenda: Notes/worksheet on Shinto and
Judaism
Judaism
Worldwide: 14,551,000 Jews
– US: 5.6 million
– Asia: 4.5 million
– Europe: 2.4 million
Many different groups/divisions of
Judaism that exist
– Conflicting beliefs about observances, etc.
Importance of History
*The basis of the Jewish religion is its history. It is
the most important aspect.
– demonstrated through the celebration of life cycle
events in people’s lives
– holiday celebrations commemorate historic events
The key event is the Exodus from Egypt
(recorded Book of Exodus)
– Many important aspects of observances are linked to
this event
Judaism as a Race
Judaism is an ethnic religion
Began as a religion of an extended family, a tribe
of peoples known as the Hebrews
Jewish people today continue to think of
themselves as a family, a nation of peoples, as
well as a religion
Sacred Texts
The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh
– Known by Christians as "Old Testament“
– contains the same books as the Christian version but in a
different order after the first five
Considered revealed and inspired by God
– Interpretation of early history of the Hebrew people,
establishment of a nation
– Story of God’s interaction with His "Chosen People" (His-Story)
– Foundation of Jewish life
Called the Bible
– (Biblia) means "little books“
– Actually a library of 39 independent books divided into 3
categories:
The 3 Categories
1. Torah
Most important text
Divine instruction and guidance or "Written Law”
Books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy
Covers history from creation through the Exodus and
wandering in the desert
613 commandments from God
Continued…
2. Prophets: Words and revelations of the minor
and major prophets
Ezekiel, Isaiah, Amos, Jonah, etc.
3. Writings: poetic and devotional material written
and used during the same time as the Prophets,
words and works of the sages
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, etc.
The Talmud
– Oral tradition passed to Moses and beyond
– Finally written down in the 2nd century
– Contains info on rituals, marriages,
agricultural laws, festivals, etc.
The “Name” of God
Written by Hebrew consonants YHVH
– Means “I am”
Jews do not have a personal name for God
– Christians and others have Anglicized it to Yahweh or
Jehovah
– Written by Orthodox Jews as G-d
God referred to as:
– Adonai (The Lord)
A Few Main Beliefs
Jews do not believe in
"original sin" (no need for
a "savior" in the Christian
sense)
The Ten Commandments
– first 4 have to do with our
relationship with God
– Next 6 refer to our
relationship with other
people
Problem for Humans
Rebellion against God
and consequential
expulsion
– Adam and Eve
Who is the Messiah?
– Has not arrived yet to
usher in a new age
– He is expected
Life after Death
Emphasis on good life on earth more than
good afterlife
References in Psalms to heaven and hell
– Influenced by Zoroastrians?
– Lack specific descriptions of life beyond death
Rituals
Jewish calendar based on lunar month
Sabbath/Shabbat
– Observed each week
– Sundown on Fridaysundown on Saturday
Rosh Hashanah
– New year
– Begins the Days of Awe
– Concentrate on prayer, contemplation, self-searching
Yom Kippur
– 10th day (of awe)
– Holiest day observed
– Repentance: 24 hours of atonement and fasting
continued
Chanukkah
– Celebrated
rededication of
Jerusalem temple in
164 BCE (after
destruction by Greeks)
– Sacred oil lasted 8
days for celebration
– Minor festival
Passover
Most important holiday
Marks deliverance form slavery in Egypt
under Moses’ leadership
Sacred meal: seder
– Unleavened bread (matzah)
Mitzvah
Boys: 13+1 day, girls 12+1 day
– Bar Mitzvah means “son of the commandment”
Commands from God
– No immediate reward
– Obedience rewards in afterlife