World Religion 3106 ~ Notes on Judaism – Chapter 6
Mr. C. Wells
Judaism is the smallest of the major world religions – only @14 million worldwide - @6 million which live in the
modern state of Israel.
Jewish people have been very influential in the development of Western thinking and philosophy.
The ‘Old Testament’ is an important part of our Western world consciousness and the master stories that
affect our view of morality etc. Quite a few influential scholars and scientists (such as Einstein)
Judaism is the first of 3 monotheistic (one god) religions (Judaism > Christianity > Islam)
Jews have experienced more persecution than any other group.
Babylonian Captivity - Spanish Inquisition - Nazi Germany
Roots of Judaism
Genesis 1 -12: They deal with the world from creation to Abraham. It tells the story of the beginning of the
world - creation, sin, Satan, humanity, God’s attempts to be known by mankind, God’s attempt to restart
the human family on different terms after the flood of Noah.
Genesis 12 – 50 establishes the father of Judaism – Abraham, and the story of his descendants as the
(1)“chosen people” who are being led to a (2)“promised land” – these two religious themes shape the
whole religion. As a chosen people they promised to love and live in a relationship with Jehova God and no
other god and he promised to love and lead them and protect them from all the other warring tribes
around them. (The laws of Moses and the 10 commandments were part of learning to keep this covenant.)
These two ideas form the covenantal relationship between the Children of Israel - later, the Jewish
nation) and God. (A covenant is a serious and binding contract.) They viewed themselves as
representatives of the true one God in the midst of polytheistic peoples of their times. And the whole
‘tribe’ was to be led to the Promised Land where they would eventually develop into a great nation and be
a blessing and light to all nations. (Abraham’s grandson Jacob, renamed Israel, had twelve sons that
formed the twelve tribes of Israel.
These ancient peoples are sometimes called Hebrews or Semites because of the language that they spoke.
There is a long history of a struggle for land and freedom. Various captivity periods such as when the
children of Israel (a whole tribe of people) were in Egypt as slaves, and later when they were carried off to
Babylon (modern day Iraq) as slaves.
After freedom from Egypt under the leadership of Moses, the tribes settled in what is now modern day
Israel, Jordan, and Syria. During this period they were lead by tribal leaders known as Judges and later they
selected Kings such as Saul, David and Solomon.
After King Solomon died the nation separated into the northern tribes which took on the name Israel.
Judaism gets its name from – the name of the southern region of the land that these ‘Israelites’ settled.
This southern area contained people from the tribe of Judah. This region also contained what is now
modern day Jerusalem.
Once again outside forces would cause people from both of these regions to be brought into slavery by
other invading nations. These events were often prophesied by a special person – as God’s punishment to
the people for not keeping the covenant – living as God wanted them to.
While in captivity / exile the belief in a coming King – deliverer – messiah or anointed one developed. It
was for many an expectation that this person would deliver them from exile and back into the Promised
Land. Babylon fell to outside invaders and the Jewish people were free to return to their native land.
The Jewish / Hebrew version of Scriptures – were consolidated and translated between the 3rd and 1st century BC.
The Tanakh is the Bible used in Judaism. The name "Tanakh" is a Hebrew acronym formed from the initial
Hebrew letters of the Tanakh's three traditional subdivisions: The Torah ("Teaching," also known as the
Five Books of Moses), Nevi'im ("Prophets") and Ketuvim ("Writings") - hence TaNaKh. The elements of the
Tanakh are incorporated in various forms in Christian Bibles, in which, with some variations, it is called the
"Old Testament."
The first five books - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – are called the Torah and
contain the beginnings and the “Law of Moses.
The books from Joshua to Esther are considered to be a history of the Jews.
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon are considered to be Wisdom Literature
The rest of the books were books written by or about a particular prophet that had a message from God
for the Jewish people at the time.
The selection of writings considered sacred and authoritative in matters of faith is contested and debated
over time but eventually a consensus is agreed on and the books are considered part of the Hebrew
cannon – an authoritative list of books recognized as bearing the mark of divine inspiration.
Various writings of interpretation of the law know as the Mishnah and other commentary on scripture
develop to later form a large collection know as the Talmud; at times these interpretation were
considered as authoritative in guiding Jewish life as the scriptures themselves.
In 64 BC the Romans expanded their empire to include Jerusalem and the Jews were once again subjected to
foreign domination.
Around this time there were 5 major sects within Judaism.
Sadducees – Pharisees – Zealots – Essenes – Samaritans => Religious diversity within a religion
(See chart on p.222 )
After a revolt and renewed effort to dominate the Jews by the Romans, a battle in 70 AD lead to the destruction of
the important Second Temple of Judaism – this was never rebuilt; all that remains is the Western Wall which
continues to be a place of devotion to this day.
(First Temple was built by Solomon C.968 BC and destroyed in 586 BCE when the Jews were exiled into Babylonian
Captivity. Second Temple was rebuilt again by 516 BC. Many artifacts such as the Ark of the Covenant were never
recovered. Much speculation as to where it is? Temple Mount – Judaism / Dome of the Rock- Mulsim ? There is
contention between the two over this issue.)
Renewed emphasis and belief in a liberating messiah grew up again around this time.
(Christianity was built as the fulfillment of this expectation and promise of a Second Adam – Issac – Moses.)
See Genesis 3, Isaiah 53 as types of Christ
Examination of the Jewish Scriptures
Number of Books in the Old Testament: 39
Number of Authors: 28
Types of Books in the Old Testament: There are three types of books in the Old Testament: historical, poetical, and
prophetical. While the Old Testament books are placed in one category or another, the books often contain a little
of the other styles. For instance, a historical book can contain some poetry and some prophecy, but it may
primarily be historical in nature.
The Historical Books : The first 17 books of the Old Testament are considered historical, because they outline the
history of the Hebrew people. They discuss the creation of man and the development of the nation of Israel. The
first five (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) are also known at the Pentateuch, and they
define Hebrew law. Here are the historical books of the Old Testament:
Genesis
Joshua
Exodus Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy (The Torah / Pentatuech)
Judges Ruth 1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings 2 Kings
1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
The Poetical Books/ Wisdom Writings: The poetical books contain the poetry of the Hebrew nation and they
provide the reader with important stories, poetry, and wisdom. They are the 5 books after the historical books of
the Old Testament. Here are the poetical books:
Job Psalms Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
The Prophetical Books: The prophetical books of the Old Testament are those that define the prophecy for Israel.
The books are divided among major prophets and minor prophets. These are the prophetical books of the Old
Testament:
Major Prophets:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel
Amos Obadiah
Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk
Zechariah
Malachi
Minor Prophets:
Hosea
Haggai
Joel
Master Stories of the Old Testament – Selected Readings:
Zephaniah
Genesis Creation Story ch 1-2
- consider the text = ch1 and ch2 has some contradictions in the order of the days of creation
- this should possibly clue us into not taking the story as a serious attempt to give a literal account of
creation but a narrative that shows the beginnings of humans in relationship to God.
- the creation and ‘fall’ of man depicts an understanding of many aspects of the human condition:
our ability for good and evil, our distorted sense of sexuality, pain in childbirth, struggle with survival from
the land, the character of God wanting communion with mankind in the blissful garden created for them.
Noah and the Flood Genesis Ch. 6
Interpretation Issue: Flood was regional or worldwide; animals / species represented?
Interpretation Rule: “When plain sense makes good sense seek no other sense.” When it does not make
good sense according to our scientific knowledge then we are faced with either discrediting the bible or
seeking another sense of understanding of the text. Hyperbole – Oral Legend – that are based on a real
event but the literary form needs to be understood and the point of the story is the moral that is taught or
the relational aspect of man with God that is illustrated. It is also conceivable that there was a flood of
such global nature but it is difficult to hold such a view in light of science as we know it today.
Important for us to not get caught up in such controversy and yet to feel the freedom to think / question
and search for truth. Yet as we learned from other religions that we have studied we can learn truths
about the human condition from these stories – perhaps that is how we are meant to understand some of
these difficult stories in the bible.
Calling of Abraham Gen. Ch 12. – the covenant established – monotheism begins
Abraham is promise a son and this was to be the beginning of making him the father of a great nation but
Sarah is barren until late in her years. Sarah convinces Abe to take her handmaiden as the surrogate
mother according to local custom – having children was very important to this culture.
Jealousy develops between Sarah, and Hagar and her son Ishmael. They are later banished from the
community. Genesis 21:10-14. Both Jewish and Islamic traditions consider Ishmael as the ancestor of Arab
people and Islam recognizes itself as descendants of Abraham’s first and eldest son. Whereas Judaism and
Christianity believe the Isaac who was later born to Sarah (a miracle because of her age) was the true
promised son through whom God would create the great nation / children of Israel.
In Exodus, the second book of the Torah, the religious identity of the Hebrew tribes is firmly established
through the leadership and inspiration of Moses - as he brings them north towards Canaan, escaping from
a state of slavery in Egypt. It is to Moses that God reveals his name (from the burning bush), saying 'I Am
Who I Am'. This gives him a name written with four Hebrew letters, YHWH, meaning 'He Who Is'. God's
name is later considered too holy to be spoken, but with its vowels added it is Yahweh. In Christian
versions of the Old Testament it becomes written as Jehovah. God also reveals to Moses the Ten
Commandments. If the Hebrews obey these laws, God will favor them as his chosen people and will bring
them into the promised land of Canaan where they will be free to practice their religion and develop as a
great nation – a light to all other nations and proving the superiority of their god..
Moses led the Hebrew people from slavery in the land of Egypt and towards the promised land (Canaan –
modern Israel). While still in the midst of these wandering they were given the The Ten Commandments:
(Exodus 20) see biblegateway.com
1. You shall have no other gods before [a] me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath
or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a
jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those
who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my
commandments.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who
misuses his name.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but
the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your
son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on
the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving
you.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant
or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Samson – a might strong man
David –was victorious, felling the giant Goliath with a stone from his sling, at which the Philistines flee in
terror and the Israelites win a great victory. David cut off the giant's head, and brought it to king Saul.
David later became the second king; a righteous man and highly favored with God; most famous king of
Israel; He is depicted as a righteous king, although not without fault, as well as an acclaimed warrior,
musician and poet (he is traditionally credited with the authorship of many of the Psalms). David’s sin in
taking Bathsheba – in a fit of sexual lust and murder! Yet the love-child Solomon becomes the 3rd King of
Israel and was known for his wisdom and many concubines and the famous building of the Temple.
Solomon is often credited with the writings of Songs and Proverbs. These writings are unique.
Select Bible passages:
the story of Esther (told in the Book of Esther), Elijah on the mountain with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings
18), the story of Gideon (starts in Judges 6
http://www.illustratedbiblestories.ca/
Jewish Beliefs about a Messiah:
Jews believe that the Messianic prophecies are not fulfilled in Christ…
Build the third temple (Ezekiel 37:26-28).
Gather all Jews back to the land of Israel (Isaiah 43:5-6).
Usher in an era of world peace, ending hatred, oppression, suffering and disease (Isaiah 2:4).
Spread universal knowledge of the God of Israel – uniting the entire human race as one (Zechariah 14:9).
Jews believe that the Messiah will be a prophet, and because prophecy can only exist in Israel when the
land is inhabited by a majority of the world Jewery, Jesus was not a prophet (during the time of Ezra –
circa 300 B.C. – this time the majority of Jews refused to move from Babylon to Israel, thus ending the line
of prophets with Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).
He must be descended on his father’s side from King David (Genesis 49:10 & Isaiah 11:1). Of course,
according to the Christian tradition Jesus was born of a virgin, and therefore the Jewish believer holds that
Christ could not possibly have fulfilled this messianic requirement.
The Messiah will lead the Jewish people into full Torah observance. Deuteronomy 13:1-4, states that all
mitzvahs (laws) remain binding forever, and anyone coming to change the Torah is immediately identified
as a false prophet…(see Jesus’ words on this in John 1:45, 9:16, & Acts 3:22, 7:37).
Modern Jewish Beliefs / Divisions
See Maimonides, the Jewish philosopher (thinker, scholar) physician to Saladin the Sultan of Egypt, and
writer of the 13 Articles of Faith (see YouTube.com/craigpwells1962 – Science and Religion Playlist for
resources on these articles about belief in God.
Synagogues with Rabbis (not temples with Priests)became the center of Jewish life since the diaspora –
scattering of the Jews in many different nations.
Services are similar to Christian services with the reading of scriptures, teachings, prayer, singing and
ceremonies such as the name giving to children etc.
Kosher food is important to Judaism. Certain foods are considered correct or now correct and the reasons
are not necessarily hygiene or values, and although the method of slaughter can make a food non-kosher
some meats such as pork are considered non-kosher no matter how they are killed. Kosher foods and
methods of preparations are mainly such because the Torah says so and good Jews want to follow the
Torah. Kosher food laws create an identity for the Jews and it also shows humanity and high standards for
animal treatment and even food preparation to some extent.
See http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm for detailed explanations.
Shabbat / Sabbath is an important ritual – keeping a day separate from the rest of the week to cease from
regular work etc and to gather with family and other Jews for Shabbat supper, family and synagogue
worship . The Sabbath begins on Friday evening and ends Saturday evening.
Yom Kippur – Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do
not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this
day. The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday
is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year – sins between man and
God. On Yom Kippur, the judgments of God are entered into “the books” and then sealed. This day is,
essentially, the last appeal, the last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate repentance and make
amends.
Rosh Hashanah – In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year."
Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because
there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the Jewish year, and the
American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game. There is, however, one important similarity
between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan
a better life, making "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking
back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.
Passover – Passover is the time when each Jew embarks on a personal journey from slavery to freedom.
Much like God delivered the Hebrew people from their enslavement in Egypt (“passing over” their
firstborn, further convincing Pharaoh to free the Hebrews).
The Star of David and the Menorah are two important symbols of Judaism.
Circumcision of 8 day old males, bar mitzvah (13 yr old males) and bat mitzvah (12 yr old girls) are
important rituals and identity shaping experiences for young Jewish children.
Divorce is permitted but frowned on.
Shiva is a 7 day period of mourning rituals that Jews observe when someone dies.
Modern Jewish Identity
Being Jewish can mean you are a part of a religious movement. However, the great majority of Jews
become a part of the religious movement through birth and not due to their beliefs or actions. In this way,
being Jewish is like being a citizen of a religious movement. A Jewish identity is automatically bestowed on
the babies of Jewish mothers. And this identity stays with them throughout life no matter what they
believe or how they act.
A person who was born to a Jewish mother or has gone through the conversion process is considered a
Jew even if he or she does not believe in Judaism and does not observe Jewish practices. Thus, there are
non-religious Jews or secular Jews.
A person who was not born to a Jewish mother or has not gone through the conversion process is not
considered a Jew even if he or she believes in Judaism and observes Jewish practices. Thus, the conversion
process is a very meaningful because it is the only way for a non-Jew to become Jewish.
Groups / Institutions / Divisions within Judaism
Jews were often forced to live together in areas of a city called ghettos in the middle ages.
Orthodox (which literally means – right thinking) Jews believe the Torah is THE word of God from heaven.
Not in a simplistic way but in a profound way it has been communicated to man and protected from man
over many years and stand authoritive in matters of faith and practice. Sabbath and Kosher are strictly
observed, and male and female roles are very clearly defined and guarded – especially when it comes to
the synagogue (separation into one side and the other etc). Modern dress codes are accepted for most
except for one very conservative group known as Hasidic Jews – they wear very plain black clothes,
beards, hats.
Reformed Judaism is a more liberal (or to the left) and believes the nature of the Torah is more human
than divinely inspired and God allow us to interact with these stories in different ways in different
generations and in the light of science and new ideas. They do not practice separation of men and women
in the synagogue, they ordain female Rabbis. Reformed Jews
Conservative Judaism is somewhere in the middle of the Orthodox on the ‘right’ and the Reformed on the
‘left’. They believe many of the same things and live many of the same ways as their more liberal
Reformed cousins but will not go quite as far in how flexible they are on Torah interpretation
Reconstructionist Judaism is a modern off shoot that sees Judaism as a ‘work in progress.’ They would say
God is not a personal God but that God is the sum of all natural processes that allow man to become selffulfilled. To believe in God means to take for granted that it is man's destiny to rise above the brute and
to eliminate all forms of violence and exploitation from human society.
Uses of the terms Conservative, Liberal, Orthodox, Unorthodox, Modernist, Post Modernist, Evangelical,
Fundamentalist
Liberal - broad: showing or characterized by broad-mindedness; "a broad political stance"; "generous and
broad sympathies"; "a liberal newspaper"; "tolerant “, having political or social views favoring reform and
progress whether it refers to religion or politics, tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism,
orthodoxy, or tradition , individual liberties are more important than any restrictive laws.
Ultra Liberal – radical change, most traditions and all religion can be seen as changeable with no real
supernatural being behind it.
Modernist - progressive trend of thought, that affirms the power of human beings to create, improve, and
reshape their environment, with the aid of practical experimentation, scientific knowledge or technology.
In terms of religion that would call for abandoning traditions seen as a thing of the past and restrictive.
Changing old ways of dress, worship, views of scripture etc.
Post Modern - a radical reappraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history, or language, or
religion. Lack or confidence that our modern view are right, we have gone to far, we have too much
confidence in our ability to understand and control – too much confidence in our science or even our
religion (modernism has gone too far; conservatism of the present is blinded by arrogance.
Conservative -advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes; the ‘right’,
the moral majority, those who feel like we need less government intervention and more free market in
politics and economics, those who hold on to older views of truth as opposed to more recent views,
characterize their view as correct or orthodox
Orthodox - is typically used to mean adhering to the accepted or traditional and established faith; ‘right
thinking’
Neo-Orthodox – updated from the older orthodox, a new right thinking that has corrected the past
Fundamentalist - refers to a belief in, and strict adherence to a set of basic principles (often religious in
nature), sometimes as a reaction to perceived doctrinal compromises with modern social and political life.
Originally it referred to a narrow set of beliefs that were agreed upon as the fundamentals that need to be
protected and held as true – not narrow mindedness or radical.
Radical - the political orientation of those who favor revolutionary change in government and society;
when used in religion it often refers to those with very different views or very strong and sometimes
violent ways of getting the changes they want
Anti Semitism / The Holocaust
Why were the adherents ( ) of Judaism the target of hatred and prejudice over so many centuries?
Jews were almost always the outsiders – small groups with very different clothing style, religious customs,
and viewed as strange and untrustworthy because they were different than those around them in foreign
nations.
Many Xtns interpreted the bible to blame the Jews for the crucifixion of Christ. (Mel Gibson and his father
controversy).
In many places in Europe (in the past) Jews were frequently forbidden to own property so they were
frequently on the move and did not integrate into any community or nation.
Jews were often used as scapegoats for any problem that cropped up in society.
In the Middle Ages, Christians were forbidden to charge interest on money lending, so when Jews did this
work it created a need-hate relationship and they were often accused of being cheats and thieves.
Later when Jews received more freedoms and liberties in Europe and began to earn success in a number
of fields, they were viewed with jealousy and suspicion.
Zionism and Present Day Israel Politics
Zionism – the idea and promise of the return of the people of Israel to the promised land. This started as a
movement in the late 1800’s and grew slowly until the end of WWI after which it gained more support under the
British control of Palestine, and the ‘Balfour Declaration’ (1917) – which favored the establishment of Palestine as
a national home for the Jews. Though there had always been some Jews in Palestine, the sudden increase in
immigration cause unrest with the Arabs in the land. At the end of WWI, what was previously a large geographic
area controlled by Turkey (Ottoman Turks) was not setup as various Arab nations – largely under the influence of
France and Britain. In the 1930’s many more Jews immigrated to Palestine, fleeing the rise of Nazism in Germany.
Arab riots broke out and in response Britain tried to limit immigration. Jewish nationalism began to rise and defied
the limits. WW2 and boat loads of Jews being turned away from Cuba, USA, and even Canada began to create
more sympathy for allowing them in Palestine (as their God given right and deflecting them from other nations).
Then the revelation of the Holocaust led the UN to solve the problem of the Arab vrs Jew by partitioning Palestine
into Arab sections and Jewish section – in effect physically moving Arabs from sections of Israel into other areas
and relief camps. In the minds of many there was no perfect justice here but an attempt to find the least amount
of injustices…and the debate and struggle to find a peaceful solution rages on. The land has traded hands many
times in the last 3000 years. Over time the land has traded hands from the Philistines and ancient Hebrews,
Assyrians, Babylonians, European Christians, Islamic Arabs, Ottoman Turks, to the British and the modern official
but controversial state of Israel. There have been terrorist groups on both sides of the conflict; it is difficult to
justify the displacement of the Palestinians but it is overly simplistic to say that the issue is a black and white issue
(but perhaps that is my bias). What has happened there is not uncommon throughout history – but it is too close
to the modern western world feeling that we are somehow more civilized for comfort. A guest lecturer that we
had this year also tried to make us aware that despite the politics and image we get from the media – many Jews
and Palestinians actually do live in peace and may Jews themselves are divided about how they should be treating
the Palestinians – it seems that there is a hope for peace by the growing self criticism of the Israeli people
themselves – but then the most recently elected Prime Minister is possibly more conservative and to the right of
the secularist left who favor peace talks that would lead to compromising with the Palestinians and even groups
that others label terrorist. One reporter has recently written that “Netanyahu’s government will enshrine the neocon values of Bush just as America swings back to the left under Barack Obama.”
Judaism in Canada
Jews have been in Canada since 1768. Toronto and Montreal have the largest populations of Jews. Canada has
shown intolerance towards Jews – turning away boat loads of refugees – many of whom were later killed in the
Holocaust. This shame later helped Canada embrace multiculturalism and develop its immigration policy and
human rights policy – leading Canada to a place of great respect and admiration once it cleaned up its image.