Introduction to Judaism Unit 4 HRT 3M1

Judaism is… “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life) A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people A celebration and sanctification of life A faith, a people, a way of life…

A 4000 year old tradition… The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (“Israel”) – origins of the Hebrew people (more than 3800 years ago) Enslaved in ancient Egypt and freed by Moses (more than 3300 years ago) Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land of Israel), ends 6th century BCE

Jewish History: Covenant with Abraham The Patriarchal Period (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) was the time of the establishment of a covenant where in God agreed to love humanity and humanity agreed to love God rather than the many Gods of Polytheistic Mesopotamia. 1. Idea that Jews represented God's Chosen People 2. Idea of a Promised Land Link:

Jewish History: Slaves in Egypt Moses emerged as a liberator - born a Hebrew Slave and later adopted by the Pharaoh's family, Moses grew up in the imperial court. The story of Moses the Ten Plagues on the Egyptians in order to convince the Pharaoh to let the Hebrew people go

Jewish History: Passover The tenth Plague called on the angel of death to descend on Egypt and take the first-born of al who lived in the region. God instructed Moses to tell the Hebrews that they could escape this plague by smearing lamb's blood over their doors. In this way, death would "pass over" their homes because the blood would be a sign that the house belonged to a descendant of Abraham. This event is celebrated in the Jewish festival of Passover. Link:

Jewish History: Covenant with Moses God provided his people with the commandments that would allow them to keep the covenant - the Ten Commandments emphasized the nature of God's existence as well as the laws that the people would need to follow in order to keep their covenant with God. The Passover, the Exodus, and the Ten Commandments serve as specific renewals of the covenant between God and the people. 1. Nature of God's existence 2. Law

Judges & Kings The Jews lived a nomadic existence in the Sinai for forty years until they reached the land of Canaan. This marks the beginning of the biblical period of Judges and Kings. First the Jews were lead by people referred to as Judges - Judges were like tribal leaders or Chieftains who led the people through periods of crisis. Judges were charismatic (charming) and inspiring people, were either men or women, and helped the Jews establish a sense of identity. The Israelite Kings were Saul, David (a great political and spiritual leader!) and Solomon.

Jewish History: The Temple In the 10 th Century BCE King Solomon built a temple in Jerusalem that would serve as the centre of worship for the Jewish faith for the next millennium. However, after the death of Solomon, the kingdom broke up. In 586 BCE, Babylonian invaders captured Judah and destroyed Solomon's Temple. 10,000 Jewish community leaders were captured and sent into exile in Babylon. This event is known as the Exile or the Babylonian Captivity. They were held there until Cyrus the Great of Persia released them in 538 BCE, when he defeated the Babylonians. With the temple destroyed and the Jews dispersed, Jews had to find a new way to honour God - placed of worship, now know as synagogues, were created.

Jewish History: The Temple With the temple destroyed and the Jews dispersed, Jews had to find a new way to honour God - placed of worship, now know as synagogues, were created. After the conquest of Babylon, the Jews were encouraged to return home. In 515 BCE, a second temple was completed.

The Diaspora By the third century BCE, the majority of Jews lived in the Diaspora, so they created new standards for their faith traditions. In 332 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world including Persia, Egypt and India. Thus Jews in those regions fell under the influence of Greek Culture, a process called Hellenization. Jews embraced Greek culture to the point that the Bible was translated into Greek.

Jewish History: Maccabean Revolt In 168 BCE, the Greeks converted the Temple into a shrine to the Greek god Zeus - growing dissatisfaction with the Greek ruling culture amongst the Jewish population lead to a group of rebels, called the Maccabees, to lead a revolt against the Greeks. By 164 BCE, the Maccabees were in control of Jerusalem and the temple was restored. The Maccabees would rule until the Roman conquest.

Jewish History: Roman Conquest In 64 BCE, Jerusalem was conquered by the Romans. By this time, several Jewish sects emerged. The growing sophistication of Jewish belief, combined with the harshness of Roman rule, lead to a renewed emphasis on the coming of the Messiah. Heavy taxation, unfair administration of justice, and Roman control of both the temple and the high priest soon proved too much for the Jews. In 66 CE, the Jews revolted and eventually gained control of the temple and a Roman fortress. Rome responded with force. In 70 CE, the temple was destroyed and the Jews were to once again reform their ways.

Judaism 70 CE: Designing a New Way Temple ---- Synagogue Priesthood ---- Rabbis Tithes and offerings ---- Prayer Sabbath ---- Sabbath Community Festivals ---- Holy Days

As a faith, Jews Believe… In one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal In prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew The Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament

Judaism: Belief and Observance Observance = to follow or not to follow (the Torah and ritual boundaries) Belief = to believe or not to believe (the central tenants of Judaism) Rabbi Maimonides: Thirteen Articles of Faith

As a people, Jews are… A nation in Diaspora (dispersed) 15 – 16 million in worldwide population United by a common heritage (an “ethnic” religion), divided in contemporary practice: Orthodox (believe and observe everything) Modern Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox) Reformed (belief and observe a few things) Conservative (belief and observe most things) Reconstructionalism (20 th century America) Non-Religious (believe nothing; observe few things)

As a way of life, Judaism is based on… 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”) Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through: Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher) Dress and other symbols Prayer and devotion to the one God The Temple and Temple rites Observance of Holy days Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc. Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way

The Jewish Shema The Shema (Sh’mah) is a very important prayer which Jewish people say 3 times a day. “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God; the LORD Is one.” (Deut 6:7) Jews think that the name of God is too special to write down –sometimes it is written like this – G*d or Adonai

How does Judaism sanctify life? Life cycle celebrations: Bris – ritual circumcision, sign of the covenant Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status and responsibility within the religion Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22) Death – funerals, mourning (sitting “Shiva”), and memorials (“Yartzeits”)

How does Judaism sanctify time? The Jewish Holidays: High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Sukkot, the “Festival of Booths” (fall harvest festival) Simchat Torah – celebrating Torah Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”

More Holy Days… Purim (“Lots”) – a carnival (commemorates events told in book of Esther) Pesach (“Passover”) – commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus) Shavuot (“weeks,” Pentecost) – commemorates receipt of Torah at Sinai Other, minor festivals Shabbat (Sabbath, 7 th day, on Saturday) – the “Day of Rest”

Jewish Artefacts The Tallit is the prayer shawl The Kippah is the skull cap worn by men in the synagogue. The Torah is the Jewish Holy writing – it is a scroll and is the same as the first five books in the Christian Bible. The yad is used to point to the words as it cannot be touched by hands.

Jewish Artefacts The Seder plate is used for Pesach- a celebration Matzah are crackers eaten at Pesach (Passover)

Jewish Artefacts Channukiah is the candlestick used at the festival of light- Channukkah. Mezuzah are fastened to door posts. They have the Shema written inside.

How is Judaism related to Christianity? Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come”

What are Jews really concerned about? Tikkun Olam - “repairing this world” through justice and righteousness; through “deed, not creed” The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments) Through education and hard work they make their lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be – Holy!

LeChaim! To Life!