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Why Study Religion? Religion IS current events! – If you read anything about Israel versus the Palestinians, this story is essentially about religion! – If you read anything about Muslims in the media, this story is about religion! At the end of this lesson, you will… Know who founded Judaism Understand the geographic origins of Judaism Know some essential Jewish stories, customs and holidays. World Religions: An Introduction What is Religion? Few factors have influenced the history of the world more than religion. From the spread of language to the clothes people wear, religion has played a major role. Throughout history, religion has played a key role in shaping events. What is religion? Through the centuries, people have done much good in the name of religion, but religious differences have also been the source of division and conflict. Religion is multifaceted There are many religious “sects” and denominations (too many to count!) There are also millions of people who do not follow any faith – Some follow moral codes or philosophies – Some do not believe in any divine powers (atheism) “The basic five” There are 5 major religions that we will be studying – Judaism – Christianity – Islam – Buddhism – Hinduism World Religions: Judaism History of Religion Back in the “old days” – 4000 years ago and beyond – most people believed there were a lot of different gods or goddesses that controlled things. This concept is called polytheism (belief in many gods) The Hebrew People The Hebrews were an early people in Southwest Asia. Later they were known as the Israelites. Today they are the Jews, the founders of the first monotheistic religion: Judaism. History of Judaism The start of Judaism is actually found in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (which is the Old Testament writings in Christian scripture). These books are called the Torah. The Torah holds the early history, laws, and beliefs of the Hebrews. The founder of Judaism Around 2000 BCE, Yahweh (God) spoke to Abraham and told him to spread the word that there was only ONE God. Abraham was a shepherd in this location: 30 N, 46 E. Find it on the map! The Covenant Abraham and his family stopped worshipping idols and began following ONE God- monotheism! Because their beliefs were so different Abram’s family was persecuted. God made a covenant, a binding agreement, with Abraham and promised Canaan to him and his descendants. This is “The Promised Land,” a place to practice their faith openly. In the“Promised Land” • Canaan is located in present day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel. • While in Canaan, there was a terrible famine and the starving Israelites went to Egypt. Egyptian Slavery Around 1440-1220 BCE a different Pharaoh came to power and enslaved the Israelites. They were forced to work on his building projects. They were persecuted and mistreated to the point where many died. The Pharaoh decided to kill all the Israelite newborn boys to keep the people from coming into power. Holy Moses! Moses was born an Israelite but was given up as a baby by his mother to protect him from harm. The Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and took him as her own to raise in the palace. He was well-liked, but ran away after killing an Egyptian who hit Israelite slave. In the desert he saw a “burning bush”- a bush on fire but wasn’t burnt. From it came the voice of Exodus Moses went to the Pharaoh, but he wouldn‘t let his people go. Moses warned him God would punish him, but he Pharaoh didn‘t care, and so God sent Ten Plagues upon the Pharaoh and his armies. Finally, the Pharaoh gave up and allowed the Jews to leave. The Jews were so excited to leave that they didn’t even wait for their bread to rise…which is why unleavened “flat bread” is so important to the Jewish story. The Ten Commandments Moses and the people wandered through the Sinai Desert. There, Moses climbed Mount Sinai and God spoke to him, giving him two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. These ten rules became the basis of the Israelites religious and social laws. The Jewish Struggle Fought for 200 years to regain Canaan. 597 BCE: the “Babylonian Exile”Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem 167-161 BCE: The Maccabees revolt against the Hellenistic Greek Empire. 60 – 120 CE: Jewish-Roman Wars 1095-1291: Christian Crusades 1880-1920: Russian and /Ukraine pogroms 1938-1945: The Holocaust - 6 million Jews are exterminated and thousands are refugees 1948 – Present: The Jewish state of Israel created, and conflict ensues. Jewish Faith Today There are 14 million followers. It is the 12th largest religion in the world. The majority of followers live in Israel, Europe, and USA. There are three forms: Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative. Jewish celebrations are often centered around Jewish historical events. Hanukah Hanukah is NOT the Jewish version of Christmas!! Instead, Hanukah is the festival of lights. Jewish temples have “eternal lights” which are lamps that are always lit. The Jewish temple was rededicated after a period of persecution and the revolt by the Maccabees in 167-161 BCE. The eternal light was rekindled but there was only enough oil for a few days. The oil lasted for eight days, until more oil could be found. Bar (or Bat) Mitvah Bar Mitzvah takes place when a boy turns thirteen. Bat mitzvah is the same, but for girls. The first act of adulthood is reading from the Torah scroll during services The Jewish Sabbath All Jewish holy days begin at sundown and end at sundown. The Shabbat (Sabbath) begins at sundown each Friday and lasts until dark on Saturday. There is a special Sabbath meal which includes special foods, songs and readings and prayers. Test Time How much do you remember? Answer the following questions to find out just how much you really KNOW! (click the navigation buttons) Question One: Who is the founder of Judaism? Answer One: Abraham (Abram) Question Two: The name of the area that was promised to the Jewish people by God; now known as Israel… Answer Two The “Promised Land” (also known now as the country of Israel) Question Three: Known as the Festival of Lights, this holiday celebrates that the oil in the temple lasted for eight days, instead of just one day… Answer Three Hanukah Question Four Who led the Jews from slavery in Egypt? (hint: he was personally given the Ten Commandments by God) Answer Four Moses Question Five: God changed water into blood. God made frogs appear everywhere. God put lice everywhere. God sent flies everywhere. All livestock were mysteriously killed. The Egyptian people developed gross sores. Hailstones and fire destroyed crops. God sent locusts to eat the crops Darkness everywhere EXCEPT where the Jews were. The oldest son in every Egyptian family died What were these called? Answer Five: The Ten Plagues of Egypt Bonus Question: What is Polytheism? Bonus Answer: Belief in many gods, not just one.