Middle East Religions Judaism Christianity and Islam Judaism

Middle East Religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Judaism Oldest of the 3 major world religions • • Thought to have started 4000 years ago in the area known as the Fertile Crescent • Today there are 13 million Jews • Founded by Abraham in present day Israel • Monotheistic Religion • Believe in the 10 Commandments • Believe in the Messiah(Savior), has not returned yet • Holy book is the Torah(Old Testament Only) • Worship in a synagogue • Worship is led by a Rabbi, or teacher • Holy days: Yom Kippur(Day of praying and fasting • 3 branches: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform • Most holy city: Jerusalem

Orthodox Judaism • All aspects of life is based on the Torah • Adhere strictly to Jewish dietary laws • Won’t work or travel on the Sabbath(Friday night at sundown to sundown of Saturday)

Jerusalem • Entry to the Jewish part of Jerusalem • The Christian and Muslisms have parts of Jerusalem where they live

Holocaust Memorial • Memorial due to genocide of the Jewish people • Over 6 million Jews killed by Nazis

Christianity • 2 nd oldest of the 3 major world religions • Started 2000 years ago by followers of prophet named Jesus • Later called Christ(Messiah) • Over 1 billion followers today • Share many beliefs with Jewish, main difference is the idea of the Messiah • Holy book is the Bible, composed of the Old Testament and New Testament • Worship in a church • Worship led by priest, minister, or pastor • Sabbath is Sunday • Holy days: Easter, Christmas • Branches: Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Protestant

Jerusalem • Picture is of the road where Christ carried the cross before his crucifixion • Roman Empire was polytheistic at the time of Christ, not monotheistic

Picture of the Messiah • Christ, carrying the cross • Jesus is considered to be the savior for Christians, but not for Jews.

Islam • 3 rd and most recent religion that began in the Middle East • Followers called Muslims, “one who submits” • Founder was Muhammad, 570 -632 AD • Over 1 billion followers today • Share many beliefs as Jews and Christians • Believe in Allah, Arabic for God • Holy book: Koran or Quran • 5 main beliefs: one God, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage • Worship in a Mosque • Worship led by Imams • Holy festival: Ramadan(month of fasting) • Branches: Sunni and Shi’ite • Holy cities: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem

Muslims at Kaaba in Mecca

Muslims at worship • Pray 5 times daily facing toward Mecca

Mosque • This is area placed in every Mosque • It is facing Mecca