 Judaism is approximately 4000 years old and is the oldest of the world’s monotheistic religions (religions with only one God).
 On the Jewish calendar, this is the year 5772!
This calendar counts from the “creation” of the world.
 Judaism has the smallest population , with only about 15-16 million followers around the world.
 Judaism’s holy city is Jerusalem , in the State of Israel.
 The Patriarchs of Judaism are: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — who are among the founding stories of Judaism over 3800 years ago.
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 In ONE God, creator of the Universe.
 That human beings are made in God’s image and have the power to choose between good and evil. Jews have a duty to imitate God in their ethical and moral behavior.
 In TORAH , the first five books of the Bible ( Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) which contain the religious, moral and social laws which guide the lives of the Jewish people, as well as the historical stories of the Jewish people.
 In the celebration of and sanctification of life.
 In the ‘covenant relationship’ between God and the Jewish people. Judaism is
LIFE CENTERED.
We have a sacred obligation to do good while on earth, care for family and worship God.
 That sins can be atoned for through asking for forgiveness from others, repentance and prayer, since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
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* In MITZVOT: Jews must study the Torah and observe its teachings (mitzvot).
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Care for the poor
Love their neighbors
Celebrate Shabbat and observe festivals/holidays
Respect God’s rules of honesty, truth and fairness
Observe Jewish laws on matters of life, death, education and marriage
 In a Messiah: Early Israelite prophets predicted a future Messiah.
 Traditional Belief — The Messianic Age will be brought about by a Messiah, a direct descendent of King David and a human being. He will establish an age of complete peace and gather in Jews from around the world.
 Modern Belief — This view, usually expressed in Reform Judaism , stresses that the
Messianic Age will be brought about on earth by people working WITH God to make a better world.
 In TIKKUN OLAM: Literally “healing the world.” (Broken Vessel)
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15-16 million world-wide population
United by a common heritage, history, language (Hebrew) and culture
Jews live in nearly every country in the world : USA, Israel,
Africa, Europe, Australia, England, South America, Mexico,
China, Japan, Russia, Canada +++
There are Caucasian Jews, Asian Jews, Black Jews, Indian Jews
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Different ways of practicing Judaism :
 Orthodox: Modern or Chasidic (ultra-Orthodox)
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Conservative : moderate
Reform : modern
Many other branches, but all are Jewish and all follow the TORAH.
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Bris (Brit Milah): ritual circumcision of 8 day old baby boy— sign of God’s covenant with Abraham
Consecration : 5-6 year old children brought into religious school (done in Reform and some Conservative congregations)
Bar/Bat Mitzvah : 13 year old boy/girl reads from the TORAH
(in original Hebrew) and assumes “adult” responsibility within the congregation.
Confirmation : 10 th 0r 11 th grade “graduation” from religious school (not a Biblical mandate—a modern innovation)
Marriage : sanctifies the loving relationship between two individuals who wish to found a family
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Under a chuppah (wedding canopy)
Breaking a glass
Ketubah—marriage contract
Death : funeral as soon after death as possible; no embalming
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Sitting “Shiva” for 7 days
Memorials “Yartzeit”
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The Menorah is a seven branched candelabrum and is the oldest symbol of the Jewish people. It is said to represent the Burning Bush as seen by Moses on Mount Sinai. It first appears in the Tent of Meeting in the Book of Exodus and the end of each branch is a lamp lit by olive oil.
The Menorah was used in the
Temple in Jerusalem and is still a symbol used in many Temples and
Synagogues, as well as in Jewish homes around the world.
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The Star of David
This six-pointed star has become the symbol of everything Jewish.
Jews started to use the symbol in the
17 th century.
It has been seen as both a badge of courage and as a badge of humiliation at different times through the centuries.
In the late 19 th century, the Magen David became the official symbol of the Zionist movement.
The Star of David is central to the flag of the State of Israel .
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The Mezuzah (Hebrew for door post) is a case containing a parchment scroll.
The mezuzah is affixed to the right side of the door frame in a Jewish home and on doors inside the home.
The Mezuzah is a reminder of God’s presence both inside the home and outside in the world.
On the scroll is written the Sh’ma and two other paragraphs from the books of
Deuteronomy and Numbers.
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Some Jews wear special garments when they go to the synagogue or temple.
A Kippah is probably the most recognized Jewish symbol, after the Star of David. It is a small cap worn on the head. It is worn by some Jewish males
(and females) to show that they respect
God.
A Tallit is a prayer shawl made of wool or silk, with has fringes/knots attached to each of its four corners. The Book of
Numbers states that Jewish men must wear fringes at the corners of garments to help them remember God and the commandments.
There are 613 knots on the tallit to represent the 613 Commandments . The numerical value of the word ‘tzitzit”
(fringes), plus 8 strings, plus 5 knots equals 613 .
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The Torah contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible which are written on a parchment scroll and wound around two wooden poles.
In a broader sense, the term Torah can also include Nevi’im (The Prophets) and
Ketuvim (The Writings).
The Torah is the central text that guides
Judaism. It provides a “moral blueprint” on how to live a good and honest life.
The word TORAH derives from the
Hebrew word “to guide” or “to teach.”
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Justice and equality for all
Respect for life —the life of one person is no less important that the life of another.
Hospitality —the obligation to look after travelers and strangers
Charity—TZEDAKAH —is the duty of every person. We must share what God has given us with others.
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Education —is paramount. The Torah says that it is the duty of every person to pursue a good quality of life through education.
Social Responsibility — means looking after the welfare of others, just as God has done.
TIKKUN OLAM —means that we must do all we can to “repair the world.”
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The Jewish house of worship is called a
SYNAGOGUE OR TEMPLE.
The ‘prayer leader” is called RABBI , which means
“teacher.”
The “song leader” is called a CANTOR .
ALL JEWS around the world read the SAME
EXACT Torah portion on the SAME EXACT day .
The Synagogue or Temple is a place of worship, learning, study and a social center .
The different branches of Judaism may worship differently but all follow the same worship pattern.
Hebrew (and Aramaic) is the language of Jewish prayer.
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Shabbat/Sabbath is the weekly day of rest. It is considered THE MOST
IMPORTANT “holiday.”
All Jewish holidays begin at sunset and end at sunset (Genesis).
ROSH HASHANAH : Jewish New Year
YOM KIPPUR: Day of
Atonement
SUKKOT: Feast of Booths
SIMCHAT TORAH: Rejoicing in the
Torah
CHANUKAH: Feast of Lights
PURIM: From the Book of Esther
PESACH/PASSOVER: Freedom from
Slavery in Egypt
SHAVU’OT: Feast of Weeks
 National Holidays in State of Israel
 Yom HaShoah: Remembrance of the Holocaust
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Yom Ha’Zikaron: Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism
Yom Ha’Atzmaut: Independence
Day
Yom Yerushalayim : Jerusalem
Day commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem in
1967.
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Shabbat begins Friday night at sundown and is over Saturday night at sundown. It is supposed to be a day of rest.
God “ceased work” on the 7 th day of
Creation (Genesis 2:1-3).
In a Jewish home and/or in the Temple, candles are blessed first to welcome the
Sabbath.
The Kiddush is the blessing on the wine.
The Hamotzi is the blessing on the challah, the braided loaves of bread.
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The Shofar is a ceremonial wind instrument usually made from a ram's horn which is sounded during certain
Jewish festivals, especially Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
According to tradition the sound of the
Shofar represents the cry of the human soul yearning to be reunited with God its creator.
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Four days after Yom Kippur; exactly half a year away from Passover,
Sukkot is a week-long festival.
 “Thanksgiving” festival when Jews give thanks for the abundant harvest.
 Many Jewish families build a Sukkah, an outdoor booth, in which to eat and celebrate. The Sukkah represents the temporary dwellings in which people lived during the Exodus from Egypt and during harvests in Israel. Or, they might represent the temporary dwelling of the soul in the body.
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The Chanukkiah is the special ninebranched candelabra associated with
Chanukah.
Chanukah, a Hebrew word which means Dedication, is an eight day
Jewish festival which is celebrated in late November or December.
The Shamash, the candle used to light the other candles, is lit each night. Then the Shamash is used to light one additional candle each night until all eight are lit—on the eighth day.
Gifts are given and fried foods are plentiful.
The “official” Chanukah game is called
Spin the Dreidel (a 4-sided top with the letters nun, gimel, hay and shin printed on each side.
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 Passover is an eight day celebration of spring, of birth and rebirth, and of a journey from slavery to freedom.
 The Haggadah, which is read at the
Seder on the first night of Passover, is the story of the Hebrews escape from slavery in Egypt.
 Special, ceremonial foods are eaten— especially matzah , which is unleavened bread.
 Many families have different traditions, or ways to celebrate
Passover.
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The Torah says that Shavuot should be celebrated 50 DAYS AFTER the
Sabbath of Passover (Leviticus
23:15).
 Shavuot celebrates Moses being given the Torah on Mount Sinai.
 Shavuot also celebrates the shift from spring to summer.
 It is also called the holiday of “first fruits” being brought to the Temple in
Jerusalem as an offering to God.
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 There are laws governing every aspect of Jewish life, and this extends to food.
 The dietary laws are called kashrut and they outline the foods that can be eaten and how they should be prepared.
 The word KOSHER means “fit” or
“proper” and describes food that complies with rules of kashrut.
 Many dietary laws are mentioned in the Torah and others come from rabbinic interpretations.
 The degree of observance varies among Jews, with some following all the rules and some following some.
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Meat and Dairy-animals with cloven hooves and chew their cud are OK
Parev Food-are foods that are neither meat nor dairy and can be eaten with both kinds of meals.
Examples are fruit, vegetables, rice, eggs and lentils.
Seafood —only fish with BOTH fins and scales can be eaten. Salmon, trout and cod are Kosher.
 Pork is a no-no
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Shellfish is a no-no
Animals must be slaughtered painlessly
Blood needs to be drained
Meat and dairy cannot be eaten together
A Kosher household must have two sets of dishes and utensils to keep meat and dairy separate
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JUDAISM TODAY
There are several major Jewish “groups,” each with its own organizational structure. The three below are commonly found in the US; however, these are by no means all of the different branches.
ORTHODOX JUDAISM
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The TORAH is the word of God; it is literally true and must be obeyed as law.
Worship and prayers remain mostly unchanged since the Middle Ages.
Services are conducted in Hebrew, although some
English is used.
Shabbat and holidays are strictly observed according to rabbinic law.
Traditional roles exist for men and women; sexes are separated during worship. Women are not permitted to be rabbis.
Dietary laws (KASHRUT/KOSHER) are strictly observed.
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM
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The TORAH is the divinely inspired word of God.
Conservative Jews believe that the law continues to evolve. Each generation must reinterpret it to preserve its relevance.
Most prayers are in Hebrew, but some are in English.
Rules regarding the Sabbath and other holidays are observed by most.
Men and women may sit together in services.
Dietary laws are observed by some.
REFORM JUDAISM
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 The TORAH means teaching rather than law and it is open to interpretation. Scripture is not literally true; some stories are considered inspired or symbolic.
Services are conducted in both Hebrew and English equally.
Beliefs and practices are more liberal; Reform Jews believe that Jewish life must change with the times.
Reform Jews believe in “informed choice.”
Women actively participate in services and are considered equals; women may be rabbis.
Dietary laws are a personal choice.
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Judaism predates
Christianity—it is the foundation of Christianity but NOT a part of it.
Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the apostles.
Jews believe that Jesus was a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago.
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Jews do not believe that
Jesus was the son of God.
Jews still await the
Messiah.
Jews believe that God will deal mercifully and justly with all of human kind.
Jews do NOT believe in a specific place called heaven or hell.
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Christianity has about 2.1 billion followers worldwide.
It is based on the teachings of
Jesus Christ who lived in Israel
2000 years ago.
Christians believe that Jesus was the Son of God.
Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the 3 rd day after his crucifixion.
Christians believe that Jesus is the
Messiah promised in the Old
Testament.
Christians believe that there is only one God, but this one God consists of three “entities.”
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Christians believe that they can have a personal relationship with
God and that they can be saved by faith and/or good works. Grace is the law code.
Christians believe in actual heaven and hell.
The Bible (both Old and New
Testaments) are holy books.
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Islam is rapidly becoming the world’s largest religion, with over 1.6 billion followers.
Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Those who follow Islam are called
Muslims .
Muslims, like Christians and Jews are monotheistic. Allah is the Muslim name for God.
The Muslim religion has Five Pillars of
Faith.
All Muslims are supposed to make a
Hajj —a pilgrimage—to Mecca at least once in their life.
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The Muslim scripture is called the
Holy Qur’an. It is considered the
‘word of God’.
Muslim beliefs and practices are rooted in the Qur’an.
Muslims believe that the Qur’an is directly from Allah and that every word is sacred.
The Qur’an is read from right to left
(like Hebrew).
The Muslim place of worship is called a Mosque.
Muslims are called to worship five (5) times each day.
Mosques contain no images or furniture, just designs.
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