JUDAISM Judaism w Worldwide 14 551 000 Jews

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JUDAISM

JUDAISM

Judaism w Worldwide: 14, 551, 000 Jews – US: 5. 6 million – Asia:

Judaism w Worldwide: 14, 551, 000 Jews – US: 5. 6 million – Asia: 4. 5 million – Europe: 2. 4 million w Many different groups/divisions of Judaism that exist – Conflicting beliefs about observances, etc.

Importance of History *The basis of the Jewish religion is its history. It is

Importance of History *The basis of the Jewish religion is its history. It is the most important aspect. – demonstrated through the celebration of life cycle events in people’s lives – holiday celebrations commemorate historic events w The key event is the Exodus from Egypt (recorded Book of Exodus) – Many important aspects of observances are linked to this event

w From the beginning, the Jewish people have interpreted acts of history as God

w From the beginning, the Jewish people have interpreted acts of history as God acting on behalf of the Jewish people – Either to promote them or to punish them – History is seen as the story of God’s intervention in the lives of His “Chosen People”

Six Periods of Jewish History w The Patriarchs: Abraham Moses (19 th - 13

Six Periods of Jewish History w The Patriarchs: Abraham Moses (19 th - 13 th cent. BCE) w Moses the Hebrew Monarchy (13 th - 6 th cent. BCE) w The Babylonian Exile and Post Exilic Judaism (6 th cent BCE - 1 st cent. CE) ("Second Temple" period) w Rabbinic period (1 st - 7 th cent CE) w Medieval Judaism (7 th - 18 th cent. CE) w Modern Judaism (18 th cent. - current)

Judaism as a Race w Judaism is an ethnic religion w Began as a

Judaism as a Race w Judaism is an ethnic religion w Began as a religion of an extended family, a tribe of peoples known as the Hebrews w Jewish people today continue to think of themselves as a family, a nation of peoples, as well as a religion w God is understood by the Jews to intervene, to act, in and through history time and again, especially in the history of Israel (the people) w Jews look to God’s action in the world

Sacred Texts w The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh – Known by Christians as "Old

Sacred Texts w The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh – Known by Christians as "Old Testament“ – contains the same books as the Christian version but in a different order after the first five w Considered revealed and inspired by God – Interpretation of early history of the Hebrew people, establishment of a nation – Story of God’s interaction with His "Chosen People" (His-Story) – Foundation of Jewish life w Called the Bible – (Biblia) means "little books“ – Actually a library of 39 independent books divided into 3 categories:

The 3 Categories 1. Torah o Most important text o Divine instruction and guidance

The 3 Categories 1. Torah o Most important text o Divine instruction and guidance or "Written Law” o Books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy o Covers history from creation through the Exodus and wandering in the desert o 613 commandments from God

Continued… 2. Prophets: Words and revelations of the minor and major prophets o. Ezekiel,

Continued… 2. Prophets: Words and revelations of the minor and major prophets o. Ezekiel, Isaiah, Amos, Jonah, etc. 3. Writings: poetic and devotional material written and used during the same time as the Prophets, words and works of the sages o. Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, etc.

w The Talmud – Oral tradition passed to Moses and beyond – Finally written

w The Talmud – Oral tradition passed to Moses and beyond – Finally written down in the 2 nd century – Contains info on rituals, marriages, agricultural laws, festivals, etc.

The Nature of God w Covenants with good people – Responds to their needs

The Nature of God w Covenants with good people – Responds to their needs deliverance w Guides & directs His people w Compassionate w Controls with justice w Source of forgiving, redeeming love w Establishes peace on earth

The “Name” of God w Written by Hebrew consonants YHVH – Means “I am”

The “Name” of God w Written by Hebrew consonants YHVH – Means “I am” w Jews do not have a personal name for God – Christians and others have Anglicized it to Yahweh or Jehovah – Written by Orthodox Jews as G-d w God referred to as: – Adonai (The Lord) – Elohim, or Ha. Shem (the Name) - the unpronounceable name of God

A Few Main Beliefs w Jews do not believe in "original sin" (no need

A Few Main Beliefs w Jews do not believe in "original sin" (no need for a "savior" in the Christian sense) w The Ten Commandments – first 4 have to do with our relationship with God – Next 6 refer to our relationship with other people

continued w Importance of family w Story/experience of exile and exodus – "Let my

continued w Importance of family w Story/experience of exile and exodus – "Let my people go. " – Compassion and concern for freedom of all peoples – history of continual fight for freedom and continued survival

Humans w God’s highest creatures – Earth has been given to them for food

Humans w God’s highest creatures – Earth has been given to them for food & pleasure – They are the “caretakers” w Created in God’s image – Each is a soul and body united – Each should have a fellowship with God w Responsible – Answer to God for conduct – Humans have choices/can make decisions suffer consequences

Problem for Humans w Rebellion against God and consequential expulsion – Adam and Eve

Problem for Humans w Rebellion against God and consequential expulsion – Adam and Eve w Who is the Messiah? – Has not arrived yet to usher in a new age – He is expected

Life after Death w Emphasis on good life on earth more than good afterlife

Life after Death w Emphasis on good life on earth more than good afterlife w References in Psalms to heaven and hell – Influenced by Zoroastrians? – Lack specific descriptions of life beyond death

Rituals w Jewish calendar based on lunar month w Sabbath/Shabbat – Observed each week

Rituals w Jewish calendar based on lunar month w Sabbath/Shabbat – Observed each week – Sundown on Friday sundown on Saturday w Rosh Hashanah – New year – Begins the Days of Awe – Concentrate on prayer, contemplation, self-searching w Yom Kippur – 10 th day (of awe) – Holiest day observed – Repentance: 24 hours of atonement and fasting

Shabbat dinner Sweets for a sweet new year

Shabbat dinner Sweets for a sweet new year

continued w Chanukkah – Celebrated rededication of Jerusalem temple in 164 BCE (after destruction

continued w Chanukkah – Celebrated rededication of Jerusalem temple in 164 BCE (after destruction by Greeks) – Sacred oil lasted 8 days for celebration – Minor festival

Passover w Most important holiday w Marks deliverance form slavery in Egypt under Moses’

Passover w Most important holiday w Marks deliverance form slavery in Egypt under Moses’ leadership w Sacred meal: seder – Unleavened bread (matzah)

Mitzvah w 613 mitzvot w 258 positive, 365 negative w Boys: 13+1 day, girls

Mitzvah w 613 mitzvot w 258 positive, 365 negative w Boys: 13+1 day, girls 12+1 day – Bar Mitzvah means “son of the commandment” w Commands from God – No immediate reward – Obedience rewards in afterlife