Temple/Israel Synagogue, worship, branches of Judaism

Types of Jewish Practice All the way up until the 19th century, there were just Jews. We kept the halachah -- which means the rabbinical interpretation of the rules and guidelines of the Torah -- and kept a steady tradition for 3,000 years since Sinai. Then came Reform. They said, "Things are changing. We are smarter now. We know there is no need to keep kosher, Shabbat, circumcision or believe in a return to Zion." In Germany, they said, "Berlin is our Jerusalem." In America, it was Washington. Then came Conservative. They said, "These Reform rabbis have gone too far. We need to conserve some of the basic traditions of Judaism." So they revived a form of kosher eating, Shabbat and circumcision. And they weren't so convinced about the Washington thing. The Jews who did not go along with any of this were labeled "Orthodox." They never asked for it, but that's what they got called. By Tzvi Freeman, Jewish author

Reconstructionist Judaism a recent development in American Judaism Branch of Conservatives attempts to focus on Judaism as a civilization and culture constantly adapting to ensure its survival

Hasidic Jews

Exiles from the Promised Land Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 587 BCE. It lasted 37 years. They were allowed back in 550 BCE to rebuild the Temple. – Changed Jewish thinking, similar to Holocaust Jerusalem fell to the Romans in 63 BCE. The Temple was destroyed in 70 CE – Changed Jewish thinking, similar to Holocaust

Synagogue Purposes House of assembly House of study House of prayer NO IMAGES OF PEOPLE OR ANIMALS – 2 nd commandment!

Synagogues, of course, vary in style around the world, but all contain certain features. The Holy Ark with one or more Torah scrolls, covered by curtains. A six-pointed star, the Star of David, is often found both inside and outside synagogues. An eternal light in front of the ark, which represents the light which led the Hebrew people through the Sinai and was in the original temple, is kept lit at all times. A reading table, at the front or in the middle of the sanctuary, sometimes on a stage, or bimah. A replica of the ten commandments. A special seat for the rabbi. No images of God since images are forbidden in the commandments.

Can you spot the features?

Jerusalem is important because it is the ancient capital of Israel and the site of the original temple.

This is where the tablets that Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai with the ten commandments were stored in a golden box, the Ark of the Covenant.

The Temple

The Western Wall

Prayers tucked into the wall

Jewish Scapegoats? In Roman Empire, with rise of Christianity Strict Kosher laws misunderstood Specialized trades, banking “Chosen People” implies superiority (but perceived as a lifestyle challenge by Jewish people) Holocaust – final solution for rebuilding Germany after WWI