1. Judaism World Religions

2. Background Judaism is a major world religion with over 18 million members. Jews believe in one God whom they call “Yahweh”. Judaism began in Canaan in modern day Palestine. The religion of Judaism was founded by Abraham, about 4000 years ago.

3. Abraham Abraham stopped believing in many gods, he believed in one God over all other gods. (first vision) Abraham had a calling from God, he left his home and travelled to Canaan. Abraham believed that God made a covenant with him. A covenant is a sacred agreement.

4. The Covenant There were two sides to the agreement 1.Abraham promised to worship God and do what God asked. 2.God promised Abraham many descendants and the land of Canaan. (second vision)

5. Continued…… Abraham and his wife Sarah had a baby boy whom they called Isaac. When Isaac was born he was circumcised Circumcision is a physical sign that Abraham’s descendants have a special relationship with God.

6. Moses Even though Moses had a good life in Egypt he was always aware of the suffering of the Jewish people. He prayed on Mount Sinai that their problems would soon be over. God spoke to Moses in his heart, He asked Moses to lead the Jewish people out of Slavery in Egypt.

7. The Passover The Jewish people ate a special meal the night they left Egypt, it was called the Passover meal. They sprinkled blood of a lamb on their door posts so that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes. That night the Jewish people escaped slavery in Egypt with Moses as their leader.

8. Covenant with Moses The Jews spent sometime wandering in the dessert. Moses again went to Mount Sinai and prayed to God. God renewed the covenant with Moses and gave him The Ten Commandments to help the Jewish people live good lives.

9. The Tenakh The Tenakh is the name of the Jewish sacred text. It contains 3 main parts. 1.The Torah (holiest part of the Tenakh and means teaching) 2.The Prophets (stories about Jewish history after death of Moses) 3.The Writings (poetry, stories and hymns of praise)

10. Prayer The Shema is the name of the Jewish creed. Jewish people put their beliefs into practice through a range of prayer: 1.Daily – Saying the Shema 2.Weekly – Celebrating the Sabbath. 3.Annual – Yom Kippur, Peasch. 4.Life Changing – Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

11. Prayer Clothes. Kippah – a skull cap worn on the head by men. Tallit – A shawl worn around the shoulders, contains 613 tassels to represent 613 laws in Judaism. Tefillin – a small leather box worn on the forehead and left arm close to the heart, contains a tiny scroll with the shema written on it.

12. Synagogue. The synagogue is the centre of Jewish community life. It is both a religious and social meeting place. It contains certain features: 1.Bimah – a raised platform in the centre used for reading the scrolls. 2.Everlasting Light – a lamp that burns day and night in front of the Ark. 3.The Ark – a special cabinet containing the Torah scrolls.

13. Pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy or sacred place. People who go on pilgrimage to holy places are called pilgrims. The Western Wall in Jerusalem is the holiest site in Judaism. Prayer is the main form of worship here: 1.Private prayer: facing the wall. 2. Public prayer: in which pilgrims attend services and bar mitzvahs near the wall.

14. Festivals Jews celebrate many major and minor festivals throughout the year. Peasch – is a major festival celebrated in the spring time, it is a special time when Jews celebrate the Exodus. Yom Kippur – Is the holiest day in the Jewish calender. On this day victims of the Holocaust are remembered.

15. Leadership. The rabbi is the leader of the local Jewish community. He teaches people how to obey the laws of the Torah. Obeying the Laws is how Jews show love and respect for God.

16. Life style. Jews obey moral laws such as the Ten Commandments. They also follow ritual laws such as eating only kosher food.

17. Branches of Judaism. Orthodox: 1.The Torah is the literal word of God. 2.The rabbi is male. 3.Food laws must always be obeyed. Non-Orthodox: 1.The Torah is peoples interpretation of God’s word. 2.The rabbi can be male or female. 3.Food laws may be changed or left out.