1. ©2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Branches of Contemporary Judaism Reform Men and women do not sit separately at synagogue Services conducted in native language and Hebrew Use of talit and tefillin is optional or dropped altogether Espouses equality for men and women Girls have coming of age ceremonies Women can become rabbis Conservative Accepts some change, but uses study and discussion to guide it carefully. Approximately half of American Jews Reconstructionist Newest and smallest branch of Judaism Favors symbolic interpretations that allow for more individual interpretations.

2. ©2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Central Beliefs of Judaism Belief in God—monotheism, one God, formless, omniscient, eternal, loving, just, creator and judge of the universe Belief in the words of the prophets Belief that God gave the law to Moses Belief that the Messiah, a savior sent by God, will come someday Belief in the resurrection of the good in “the world to come” All of the above are core beliefs, held in common, but there is no universal agreement on interpretation

3. ©2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Religious Practices The ten commandments are at the heart of morality in Judaism, but there are also numerous additional laws. 10 commandments 1. Worship no other gods 2. Make no images 3. Do not misuse the Lord’s name 4. Keep the Sabbath day 5. Honor your parents 6. Do not murder 7. Do not commit adultery 8. Do not steal 9. Do not give false testimony 10. Do not covet.

4. ©2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Religious Practices Sabbath—Friday sundown to Saturday sundown Restrictions on labor interpreted differently by different branches Restrictions on cooking, traveling, using phone, turning on light switch. Candles lit right before sundown on Friday Sabbath meal eaten with family Some attend synagogue services

5. ©2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Religious Practices Regular daily prayers at dawn, noon and dusk. Use of tefillin (scripture boxes strapped to hands and foreheads) and talit (prayer shawl) Use of yarmulke (skullcap) Mezuzah (miniature scripture scroll tacked to doorpost. Circumcision of baby boys Bar Mitzvah—coming of age ceremony for 13 year old boys Bat Mitzvah—some branches have coming of age ceremonies for girls too.

6. ©2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Religious Practices—Major Festivals Rosh Hashanah—new year—autumn recalls the creation story Yom Kippur—day of atonement—autumn observed with prayer and strict fasting The most sacred day of the year Sukkot—harvest festival—autumn the eighth day of the Sukkot festival is called the Day of Rejoicing Hanukkah—rededication of the second temple—winter often called the feast of lights celebrated for 8 days using a nine-branched menorah or candelabra, games and gifts

7. ©2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Religious Practices—Major Festivals Purim—winter commemorates the story of Esther Pesach—passover—spring week-long festival including the Seder meal celebrates the escape from Egypt Shavuot—summer commemorates the gift of the law to Moses Two minor festivals Yom Hashoah—remembrance of holocaust with a “Never again” theme Tish Be-Av—a day of fasting to commemorate the destruction of the two temples

8. ©2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Traditional Dietary Laws of Judaism Kosher refers to “ritually correct” food preparation and consumption No pork is allowed. No shellfish is allowed. Separation of meat and dairy products in cooking and consumption. Use of different cookware, sinks, etc. Meat must have all blood removed and have been prepared under approved rabbinic supervision Other very specific rules for methods of slaughter, inspection and preservation of meat.