Judaism, Christianity
and Islam
People, Texts, Ideologies, and Places
Words to Know!
Abraham
Messiah
Torah
Synagogue
Jerusalem
Diaspora
Jesus
Bible
Monotheism
Catholic/Protestant
Church
Right Side
Mecca
Muslims/Islam
Muhammad
Caliph
The Quran
Sunni/Shia
Mosque
Monotheistic
Polytheistic
Ethnic group vs
Religious Group
►Ethnic groups share many common characteristics such as
language, physical features, customs, and traditions
►Religious groups share a common belief system but are not
necessarily composted of a single ethnic group.
Abraham, founded the
religion now known as
Judaism, and his
descendants are the
Jewish people.
Judaism is a
monotheistic religion
based on principles in
the Hebrew Bible, the
Torah.
Abraham
►According to Jewish tradition, Abraham was born under the name Abram in the city of Ur in
Babylonia in the year 1948 from Creation (circa 1800 BCE). He was the son of Terach, an idol
merchant, but from his early childhood, he questioned the faith of his father and sought the
truth.
►He believed the universe was the work of a single Creator (Monotheistic).
Ancient Babylon
►Abram tried to convince his father, Terach, of the folly of idol worship. One day, when Abram
was left alone to mind the store, he took a hammer and smashed all of the idols except the
largest one. He placed the hammer in the hand of the largest idol. When his father returned
and asked what happened, Abram said, "The idols got into a fight, and the big one smashed all
the other ones." His father said, "Don't be ridiculous. These idols have no life or power. They
can't do anything." Abram replied, "Then why do you worship them?"
►According to the story, God offered a B’rit (convenant , agreement, or
contract with God). If Abraham would leave his home and his family,
then God would make him a great nation and bless him.
►Abraham was subjected to ten tests of faith to prove his part of the
covenant. Leaving his home is one of these tests.
►Abraham, raised as a city-dweller, adopted a nomadic lifestyle, traveling through
what is now the land of Israel for many years. According to the Torah God
promised this land (present day Israel) to Abraham's descendants
(Present day Israel).
Interactive Notebook Questions
(left side)
►How many gods did Abrahams father worship; what is the term for
multiple gods?
►Abraham had a son, Ishmael, who, according to both Muslim and
Jewish tradition, is the ancestor of the Arabs. (Gen 16)
►Another of Abrahams’ sons Isaac was the ancestor of the Jewish
people. Thus, the conflict between Arabs and Jews can be seen as a
form of sibling rivalry!
Abraham
Ishmael
Father of the Arabs
Isaac
Father of the Jews
►Slowly Judaism spread through the Middle East.
►In 2007, the world Jewish population was estimated at 13.2 million people—41%
of whom lived in Israel. In modern Judaism, central authority is not vested in any
single person or body, but in sacred texts, traditions, and learned Rabbis who
interpret those texts and laws.
►The term Diaspora refers to the forced or voluntary dispersal of any population
sharing common ethnic identity to leave their settled territory.
Jewish Holy Places
►Jerusalem is the holyest place in Judaism. Jerusalem is
also a holy place for Christians and Muslims.
►It is mainly because of the destroyed Temple that Jerusalem has become so important to
Jewish identity. The only remaining part of it, the Western Wall, or Wailing Wall is it is also
called, is the holiest place on earth for Jews.
►The second most important place is Hebron, Palestine, where Abraham was buried.
►Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the covenant from God is also important to Jews.
The Western Wall in Jerusalem is a remnant of the
wall encircling the Second Temple. The Temple
Mount is the holiest site in Judaism.
Synagogue
►A house of worship for Jews. There is no standard synagogue
architecture. A typical synagogue contains an ark (where the scrolls of the Law are
kept), an "eternal light" burning before the ark, two candelabra, and pews
Jesus in Judaism
►Jews believe the Messiah has not yet arrived.
►Jesus is accepted in Judaism as a teacher, not the son of God.
Denominations
►Orthodox Judaism
►Modern Orthodox Judaism
►Haredi Judaism
►Hasidic Judaism
►Conservative Judaism
►Reform Judaism
►Reconstructionist Judaism
►Jewish Renewal
►Humanistic Judaism
Hanukkah
►also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight day Jewish holiday.
The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the kindling of lights on each of
the festival's eight nights, one on the first night, two on the second night
and so on.
►Spiritually, Hanukkah commemorates the "Miracle of the Oil". According to the
Talmud, at the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem following the victory of the
Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated oil to fuel
the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight
days - which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate new oil.
►Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Bible and was never considered a major holiday
in Judaism, but it has become much more visible and widely celebrated in modern
times, mainly because it falls around the same time as Christmas and has national
Jewish overtones that have been emphasized since the establishment of the State of
Israel.
Graphic Organizer (Right Side)
About Yeshua (Jesus):
• Christians follow the teachings of Yeshua of Nazareth, commonly
referred to as Jesus Christ.
• Jesus is seen as the Messiah
• He was executed by the Roman occupying authorities in Palestine
(present day Israel).
• The Trinity consists of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; three separate
persons, all eternal, all omnipresent, all omnipotent, all beneficent,
who form a single, unified deity [Monotheistic].
Church history:
After Jesus' death, his followers formed
the Jewish Christian movement, centered
in Jerusalem. One of Jesus' followers, Simon
Peter, may have headed the group. James,
who was either Jesus' brother, cousin, or
friend, took over leadership later. They
regarded themselves as a reform
movement within Judaism; they continued
to sacrifice at the temple, follow Jewish
kosher food laws, etc.
• The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to a split within
Christianity. The Protestant movement further fragmented into what is
now thousands of individual denominations and groups of
denominations.
• Pope-Human leader of the Catholic Church.
Modern Christianity
Catholic
Protestant
Roman Catholic
Baptist
Orthodox Catholic
Methodist
Eastern Orthodox
Presbyterian
And so on…
Christian Holy Places
• Jerusalem is believed to be the site of some of
Jesus' teaching, the Last Supper, as well as his entombment;
Christians believe He was crucified on a nearby hill, Golgotha
(sometimes called Calvary). It contains the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
and the Church of All Nations.
• Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus.
• Nazareth is Jesus' hometown
• Christians meet in a place of worship known as a
Church.
• What other religions also considers Jerusalem to be
a holy city?
Graphic Organizer (Right Side)
Christianity
Islam/Muslim
Texts=Torah+Bible----Quran
Figures=Jesus
Mohammad
God-----------Allah
Ideas=
10 Commandments
5 Pillars
1. Which of the following is a true statement:
A. All Arabs are Muslims
B. All Muslims are Arabs
C. Iran is an Arab country
D. None of the above
1. Which of the following is a true statement:
A. All Arabs are Muslims
B. All Muslims are Arabs
C. Iran is an Arab country
D. None of the above
2. During prayer a Muslim should face:
A. Mecca
B. Islamabad
C. Jerusalem
D. Washington, DC
2. During prayer a Muslim should face:
A. Mecca
B. Islamabad
C. Jerusalem
D. Washington, DC
 Muslims are strict monotheists.

They believe in God, which they call Allah.

Muslims believe that the Torah
and the Bible, like the Qur’an,
is the word of God.
114
suras (chapters).
Written
in Arabic.
Important People in Islam
Adam
Noah
Abraham
Moses
Jesus
Muhammad
The Origins of Islam
Muhammad-born
Abraham.
in Mecca in 571, descendent of
Muhammad
spoke to the angel Gabriel, spread
the word of Allah. Muhammad is not the messiah!
Muhammad’s
revelations were compiled into the
Qur’an after his death.
Caliph-Spiritual
leader of Islam
Viewpoint of Jesus
Jesus
the
is a prophet but not the son of Allah (GOD).
Qur'an emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal man
who, like other prophets, had been divinely chosen to
spread God's message.
Islam by the death of Mohammed 632
732, 100 Yrs after Mohammed
The 'Five Pillars' of Islam
The framework for Muslim life. Essential practices
1. The declaration of faith:
• "There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the
messenger of God"
2. Prayer:
• Five obligatory prayers each day.
* dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset
* before going to bed
•Wash before praying
•Face Mecca and use a
prayer rug.
The 'Five Pillars' of Islam
• 3.Zakat:
• Obligatory charitable giving.
• Wealth belong to God and it is held in trust by humans.
• Zakat, or, "purification" by setting aside a portion (2.5%) for the needy
• 4.Fasting:
• From sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan
he 'Five Pillars' of Islam
• 5.Pilgrimage:
• A pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, Arabia. Only
those who can.
• Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.
• 2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.
Graphic Organizer (Right Side)
Christianity
Islam/Muslim
Tests=Torah+Bible----Quran
Figures=Jesus-----------Muhammad
God-------------AKA-Allah
Ideas=
10 Commandments
Jihad and the Conduct of War
• Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not one of its "pillars”
• Jihad in Arabic does not mean "holy war”. It means "struggle” or “strive”.
• It is the difficult effort needed to put God's will into practice at every level
Relation with other Faiths
• Like the Torah, the Quran permits retaliation eye for eye, tooth for tooth.
But, like the Gospels, it says “it is meritorious to forgo revenge in a spirit of charity
(5: 45)
• Acknowledges Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses,
David, Solomon, Zacharia, Jesus, John the paptist, and others as the “the good
prophets of God”
• A special place for Jesus and Mary (e.g., 3:45,46; 4:156-158; 19:1-98)
• Accepts that Mary’s conception is from God’s soul.
• Rejects the divinity of Jesus (no trinity).
• Jesus was not killed (e.g., 4:155-159; 5:17-19)
Sunni and Shia(Shiite) Split
Like many other religions the Islamic faith is divided between two separate groups (the
Sunni and the Shia). Approx 90% of muslims are Sunnis.
Shias are Muslims who follow Ali, Muhammad’s closet relative. Ali was Muhammad’s
cousin And was married to his daughter. After Muhammad died, Muslims split over
The Sunnis
wanted the Community to choose the best leader
to succeed Muhammad, while the Shia favored Ali,
feeling that leadership should stay within the
prophet’s family.
Who would succeed Muhammad as leader of Islam.
*Most Iranians are Shia muslims.
Sunni and Shia Split
Three holiest cities in Islam: Mecca, Medina,
Jerusalem.
Mount Moriah Rock
where Muhammad ascended into heaven.
Interactive Notebook Questions
(left side)
►How does sharing Jerusalem as a holy city in each of the major
religions in the area cause conflict?
Graphic Organizer (Right Side)
Christianity
Islam/Muslim
Tests=Torah+Bible----Quran
Figures=Jesus-----------Muhammad
God-------------AKA-Allah
Ideas=
10 Commandments
Holy Place=
Jerusalem----------Mecca
Ideas
5 Pillars
So who’s religious site is it?
The Dome of the Rock is one of the holiest sites in Islam. Its significance is from the
religious beliefs regarding the rock at its center. According to Islamic tradition, the rock
is the spot from where Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel
Gabriel.
The stone hillside over which the Muslim shrine was built is also the holiest site in
Judaism. Just as Muslims pray towards the Kaaba in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam,
Jews pray towards the site of the the Foundation Stone, the holiest site in Judaism.
In Christianity it is called the Church of the Holy Wisdom.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The Ka'aba (literally "the cube" in Arabic) is an ancient stone structure that was built
and re-built by prophets as a house of monotheistic worship. It is located inside the
Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Ka'aba is considered the center of the
Muslim world, and is a unifying focal point for Islamic worship.
House of Worship= Mosque
Islamic public place of prayer.
Mosques are the centre of
community worship and the site of Friday prayer services. Essentially an open space,
usually roofed, with a minaret sometimes attached. Statues and pictures are not
permitted as decoration. The minaret, originally any elevated place but now usually a
tower, is used by the muezzin (crier) to proclaim the call to worship five times each day.
During prayer, Muslims orient themselves toward the qiblah wall, which is invariably
oriented toward the Ka'bah in Mecca. The mosque has traditionally been the centre of
social, political, and educational life in Islamic societies.
Graphic Organizer (Right Side)
Christianity
Islam/Muslim
Tests=Torah+Bible----Quran
Figures=Jesus-----------Muhammad
God-------------AKA-Allah
Building=
Church
Building=
Mosque
Ideas=
10 Commandments
Holy Place=
Jerusalem----------Mecca
Ideas
5 Pillars
Activating Activity #1
(Left Side)
List the differences between Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam
Summarizing Activity #1
(Left Side)
List the following for Judaism:
Holy Text
Holy place of Worship
Holy City
Role of Jesus
Summarizing Activity #2
(Left Side)
List the following for Christianity:
Holy Text
Holy place of Worship
Holy City
Role of Jesus
Summarizing Activity #3
(Left Side)
List the following for Islam:
Holy Text
Holy place of Worship
Holy City
Role of Jesus
Bibliography
Islam's Sunni-Shiite split. Dan Murphy | Staff writer of The Christian Science
Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0117/p25s01-wome.html
•Rich, T. R., The Patriarchs and the Origins of Judaism,
http://www.jewfaq.org/origins.htm, August 19, 2007
•http://www.jesuswalk.com/abraham/1_call.htm, August 19, 2007
•http://www.starbeck.com/judaism.html
•http://prophetess.lstc.edu/~rklein/Documents/mblb.htm August 13, 2008
•http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00maplinks/overview/sunnishia/sunnis
hia.html September 1, 2010