World Religions:
Judaism
Our Experiences
 Take Two Sticky Notes:
 Write on #1: What I admire about
Judaism/the Jewish People
 Write on #2: A stereotype I have about
Judaism/the Jewish People
Understanding Judaism Basics
 A monotheistic religion
 Draws its roots from scriptures
 A “rabbinic” tradition of ongoing interpretation
 A diverse history of experiences lived among
other dominant cultures
Understanding Judaism Basics
 A large library of law, ritual practice, and lore
 A modern national identity linked to a specific
land and culture
 A diverse sense of ethnicity that allows for
‘secular’ Jews.
Three Basic Concepts:
#1 God is…
 The Creator of the universe
 The Redeemer from Egyptian slavery
 The Revealer of Torah (Law)
 Humankind is the purposeful creation of God
 Jews are in a covenant relationship with God, both
personal and as a community. Observing the Mitzvot –
Commandments – links Jews as individuals within a
community to God
Three Basic Concepts:
#2 Torah is…
 The Law and Teachings of God.
 The Five Books of Moses (Genesis – Deuteronomy)
 Scripture provides the initial 613 Mitzvot, which are continually
interpreted by rabbinic authorities in every age.
 As revealed on Mt. Sinai, the primary source for interpretations of
behavior, theology, and ethics.
 Includes practices for Sabbath observance, wedding ceremonies,
ethical guides, and liturgical services.
Three Basic Concepts:
#3 Israel is…
 laer;Xo.yI #r,a, Eretz Yisrael (The geographic land of Israel)
 The Community of People from the time of Scripture until now
 The community of Israel live all over the world, speak many
languages, worship in different types of synagogues, and follow
different interpretations of the law
 All of the Nation of Israel is Jewish, all Jews are “Israelites,” but
not all Jews are connected to the political state.
Jewish Denominations/Sects
Jewish Denominations/Sects
 Orthodox Judaism: The most traditional expression of modern Judaism.
Orthodox Jews believe the entire Torah - including "Written” (the the
Pentateuch), and "Oral," (the Talmud).
 Reject the changes of all of the various reformist changes to Judaism and
believe firmly in the traditional Jewish beliefs and practices.
 Continue traditions of their ancestors, such as the dietary laws, traditional
prayers and ceremonies, regular and intensive study of the Torah, and
separation of men and women in the synagogue.
 Strictly observe the Sabbath and religious festivals
 About 7 % percent of American Jews are Orthodox.
Jewish Denominations/Sects

Reform Judaism: known as the most liberal denomination. Founded in Germany in 1800s

Organized under the Union for Reform Judaism in America. Reform Judaism whose mission
is "to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live.”

About 1.5 million Jews in 900 synagogues are members of the Union for Reform Judaism.

About 35% of American Jews regard themselves as Reform.

Interpretations of traditions laws are not as strict in terms of : dietary laws, dress,
instruments in worship, language used in worship.

Women may be rabbis, cantors, and synagogue presidents and intermarried families are
accepted.
Jewish Denominations/Sects
 Conservative Judaism: a moderate denomination that seeks to avoid the
extremes of both, Orthodox and Reform Judaism.

Seeks to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism while also allowing
for reasonable modernization and rabbinical development.
 Founded on the teachings of Zacharias Frankel (1800s)
 Observe the Sabbath and dietary laws, although a few modifications have
been made to the latter. Women may also be rabbis.
 Believe in the importance of Jewish nationalism and they encourage the
study of Hebrew.
Jewish Denominations/Sects
 Hasidic Judaism: founded in the 12th century as a movement that focused on
simplicity and mystical experience born out of love and humility before God.
 The modern Hasidic movement was founded in Poland in the 18th century. It is
heavily influenced by the Kabbalah movement and focuses on personal
experiences of God instead of religious education and ritual.
 Modern Hasidic Judaism has specific dress codes.
 The leader in Hasidic Judaism is known as a Rebbe or Tzaddik. A Rebbe does
not necessarily have to be ordained. However, the Rebbe is considered
especially enlightened and close to God. The Rebbe is looked to for guidance in
all aspects of life, from interpreting the Torah to choosing who to marry, or
what house to buy. A Rebbe’s advice is considered utterly authoritative.
Jewish Denominations/Sects
 Kabbalah: the mystical form of Judaism is Kabbalah.
 Jewish mysticism dating back to the time of the second Temple.
 For many years a carefully guarded oral tradition, it became systematized
and dispersed in the Middle Ages.

The kabbalistic viewpoint was expressed most importantly in the Yalkut
Re'uveni by Reuben Hoeshke in 1660, but also made its way into prayer
books, popular customs and ethics.
 The focus of the Kabbalah is the simultaneous transcendence and
immanence of God, with the latter described in terms of the sefirot, or
attributes of God.
History
Jewish Holidays
Judaism in the World