Transcript Judaism: The Oldest of the Monotheistic Religions

Judaism:
The Oldest of the Monotheistic Religions
Mrs. Martin
World History II
Who is a Jewish person?


According to tradition…
A Jew is someone who is the child of a
Jewish mother, and who has not adopted
another faith.
Someone who isn’t born Jewish can convert
to Judaism, but it is not easy to do so.
Judaism = all in the family

Jewish life is very much the life of a
community. They complete many activities
as a community.
–
For example, the Jewish prayer book uses the
words WE and OUR in prayers.
A summary of what Jews believe…

God exists
A Summary…

There is only one God
A Summary…

There are no other gods
A summary…

God can't be subdivided into different beings
(unlike the Christian view of God)
A summary…
•
God is above and beyond all earthly things.
A Summary of what Jews believe…

God doesn't have a body.
–
Which means that Jews believe God is neither
female nor male.
Summary…

God created the universe without help
Summary…

God is everywhere, all the time
Summary…

God can do anything at all
Summary…

God has and will always exist
A summary of what Jews believe…

God is just, but God is also merciful
–
–
–

God punishes the bad
God rewards the good
God is forgiving towards those who mess up
God is personal and accessible.
–
–
–
God is interested in each individual
God listens to each individual
God sometimes speaks to individuals, but in unexpected
ways
IMPORTANT PEOPLE, PLACES AND
THINGS…

ABRAHAM- “The
father of people who
would be special to
God…”
–
–
Jews (Christians and
Muslims) consider him
the father of the people
of Israel.
He proved his faith in
God.
IMPORTANT PEOPLE, PLACES AND
THINGS…

MOSES–
–
Was given the10
Commandments, or rules,
from God which Jews were
to live by.
Helped the Jews escape
slavery in Egypt.
IMPORTANT PEOPLE, PLACES AND
THINGS…
SIGNIFICANT KINGS:
–
–
–
Saul- first king of Israel. Saul did not trust God.
He was killed.
David-became king when Saul died. First king of
a united Israel.
Solomon- built the first temple in Jerusalem. It
was completed in 960 BCE and destroyed by the
Babylonians in 587/6 BCE.
IMPORTANT PEOPLE, PLACES AND
THINGS…

THE TORAH- The holy
book for Jews.

This holy book is
written in the holy
language: Hebrew.
Important people, places and things…

Synagogue (Temple)The holy place of
worship.

Shabbat- holy day of
obligation for Jews is
from sundown on
Friday until sundown on
Saturday.
Important people, places and things…



JERUSALEM- Is the
holiest location on earth
for Jews.
It is the location of the
first and second
Temples.
Both Temples have
since been destroyed,
but the walls and
foundation of the
second remain.
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

The Old Testament from the Bible is actually
the SAME EXACT TEXT AS THE TORAH!

This holy text is followed by both JEWS and
CHRISTIANS in varying degrees!
Analyzing the holy text

Please read the assigned portion of the
Torah (Old Testament).

What does one learn about Judaism (and
Christianity) from reading this text?

What lines from the text are challenging?