Judaism God Gd First monotheistic religion Abraham Father

Judaism

God, G-d • First monotheistic religion • Abraham, “Father” of Judaism • Holy Book: Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) Other writings, too (Talmud)

History According to Jewish tradition… § God called Abraham to go from Ur in Mesopotamia to Canaan (eastern coast of Mediterranean Sea) around 1800 BCE § the “Promised Land” (a land “flowing with milk and honey”) § Covenant: A binding agreement (with God) § Abraham: “Father” of Judaism § Israelites went to Egypt due to a famine in Canaan; enslaved by a subsequent pharaoh; stayed for 400 years § God sent plagues, including locusts, frogs, killing of the pharaoh’s (and everyone else’s) first born “Let my people go”

History, continued § 1250 BCE, Moses leads Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus). § Moses: rose up to get Israelites out of Egypt; spoke with pharaoh; led Israelites out of Egypt; received Ten Commandments; parted the Red Sea to escape pharaoh’s troops § Exodus: migration of Israelites from Egypt § Wandered in the Sinai desert as nomads for 40 years. § Moses climbed to Mt. Sinai, received the Ten Commandments. • Ten Commandments: basis of the laws of the Israelites, used by Jews & Christians § Headed back to Canaan, § others were living there, had to regain land. § The 12 tribes were used as soldiers to reclaim their land. § One of the first cities they recovered was Jericho, led by Joshua. § The reclaiming of Canaan took 200 years. Many clashes with neighbors.

History, continued § Israel was ruled by judges (mostly men, some women) during this time. Didn’t believe in kings because it was thought they’d be too powerful. § But, one of the neighbors they clashed with were called Philistines— very large and mighty—and the Israelites thought maybe they needed to unite under a king to fight the Philistines. § A judge helped to pick the kings. • Saul: 1 st king, fought with and weakened Philistines • David: 2 nd king, fought with Goliath, defeated Philistines, made peace with neighbors (the David in “Star of David”), served a long time • Solomon: 3 rd king, David’s son, known for wisdom, built temple

History, continued • Israel divides into Israel (10 tribes) and Judah (2 tribes). (Judah is origin of “Judaism” and “Jews”) • Israel taken over by Assyrians (Israel ceases to exist). • Then, Babylonians took over Assyria. – Babylonians then took over Judah and its city, Jerusalem – destroyed the temple Solomon had build – took many Jews to Babylonia as slaves • During captivity, Jews wanted to rebuild the temple and kept hoping for another king to rise up and lead them. – Messiah: “Anointed One”

History, continued • Then Persia conquered Babylonia. – Was tolerant toward Jews and allowed them to return to Judah. – Temple got rebuilt. – Prophets: advised, warned, criticized, comforted, interpreted God’s word • However, the area was controlled by many different groups, including Hellenistic Syria (controlled by Alexander’s empire). -- At first, even though Syrians liked Greek gods, they allowed Jews to be themselves. • Then, a new Syrian ruler insisted that only Greek gods be worshipped: -- offerings had to be made to Greek gods only (Jews refused) -- outlawed Judaism -- placed statues of Greek gods in the newly rebuilt temple -- crime to obey Jewish laws -- crime to study the Torah

History, continued • Some Jews (Maccabees) fought back with some success. – Regained control of Jerusalem. – Rededicated the temple (Hanukkah). • Rome then took over Judah (Judea). – Jews allowed to have Jewish kings and religious leaders but they had to be approved by the Roman rulers. • Some Jews rebelled. Roman troops crushed rebellion. – Temple destroyed again. – Many Jews went to Rome as slaves. • Diaspora: “Scattering” around the world

Practices • • • Rabbi Synagogue/Temple Kippah/yarmulke Mezuzah Shofar Branches: – Orthodox (most strict) – Conservative – Reform (least strict)

Practices, continued • Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Keeping kosher (no pork, no shellfish, food preparation procedure keeping meat and dairy separate)

Holidays • Rosh Hashanah: New Year, begin reflection, repentance • Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement, fasting, pray forgiveness of sins Passover: Commemorates God’s intervention in Egypt (the plague “passed over” the homes of the Israelites) Hanukkah: Festival of Lights (rededication of the second temple, miracle of the oil lasting)

Where? • 43% of the world’s Jewish people live in Israel • 40% live in the United States