Judaism and Christianity World Religions Judaism and Christianity

Judaism

Brief History Judaism- Founded by Abraham around 2000 B.C.E. Judaism is the oldest of the monotheistic faiths (religions with one God). Christianity - Founded by Jesus Christ, who was crucified around C.E. 30 in Jerusalem. Islam - Founded in Arabia by Muhammad between C.E. 610 and C.E. 632

Judaism Judaism is around 3500 years old and is the oldest of the world's four great monotheistic religions. It's also the smallest, with only about 12 million followers around the world. Its holy city is Jerusalem.

Judaism - Origins The Jewish origin story is told in Genesis of the Old Testament Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve The story continues with Abraham and God’s (or Yahweh's) promise to make his decedents (the Hebrews) the chosen people

Judaism - Origins This tie was continued through Moses Burning bush Plagues of Egypt Parting of the Red Sea Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai

Judaism - The Ten Commandments http://www.rwf2000.com/gifs/10-God-Man.jpg

Judaism - Beliefs Jews believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe Jews can have an individual and personal relationship with God. They await the Messiah, or Savior. They believe in heaven, but that God determines where they go after life on earth.

Judaism - Holy Books The Jewish holy books are written in Hebrew. The most holy Jewish book is the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). The Torah contains the five books revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

Judaism – Holy Books The Talmud includes a written version of Judaism's oral tradition and laws such as: 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.

Judaism - Place of Worship Jews worship in Synagogues, or temples. Men and women usually sit separately. Worship is led by a Rabbi. Friday evening is time for worship. Stamford Hill, London

Judaism – Holy Days High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Passover (commemorates the story in Exodus, where the ancient Israelites or Hebrews were freed from slavery in Egypt) Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights” Shabbat (Sabbath, 7th day, on Saturday) – Day of Rest

Christianity

Christianity - Origins Christianity is the world's biggest religion, with about 2.2 billion followers worldwide. It is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ who lived in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago. His story is told in the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Christianity - Beliefs Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins Around age 30, Jesus began preaching, teaching, and healing as an itinerant teacher Had a following of 12 primary disciples and countless multitudes attracted by his miracles and words of wisdom A political threat to Roman and Jewish authorities, he was put to death through torturous crucifixion (a Roman punishment) Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his Crucifixion (the Resurrection)

Christianity - Beliefs Jesus’s Teachings taught through parables (“the Kingdom of God is like…”) a miracle worker and faith healer (Lazarus) preached forgiveness of sin over punishment for sin (“Turn the other cheek”) Inspirational words of wisdom: The “Sermon on the Mount” The “Golden Rule”: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you The “Lord’s Prayer” (“Our Father who art in heaven…”)

Christianity - Beliefs Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament Messiah = Christ in Hebrew There is only one God, but that this one God consists of 3 "persons" The Trinity - Father, Son, Holy Ghost They believe in life after death, where one’s soul will exist through eternity either in heaven or hell.

Christians - Holy Book The Bible is the Christian holy book. It combines the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) with the New Testament. The New Testament was written after Jesus’ death, by his followers, during the first century. It includes: Four gospels (“good words”) about the birth, life, teaching, acts, death, and resurrection of Jesus The Book of Acts of the apostles – earliest history of the developing church Epistles (“letters”) of Paul and other evangelists addressed to the churches they founded and led throughout the Mediterranean The Book of Revelation – a vision of the future, the ultimate destiny of mankind, the culmination of God’s plan for humanity

Christian Place of Worship The Christian place of worship is called a church, which are built in the shape of a cross with the altar facing east towards the rising sun. Services are led by a priest, pastor or reverend. Day of worship is normally Sunday. Westminster Abbey London

Christianity – Holy Days Two major seasons in the Christian calendar: Christmas – celebrating the birth of Jesus Easter – commemorating Jesus’s resurrection Ash Wednesday and Lent (40 days before Easter, a period of sacrifice and spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter) Holy Week: Palm Sunday (Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem) Maundy Thursday (The Last Supper – basis for sacrament of communion) Good Friday (Jesus’ Passion and crucifixion) Easter Sunday (celebrating the resurrection)

Christianity – Medieval Catholicism The Church was the intermediary between humans and God The Pope spoke with God’s authority. Church’s power came from its ability to control the Sacraments (a rite that will bring salvation to those participating in or receiving it).

Christianity - Medieval Catholicism Sacraments include: Baptism Communion (Eucharist, Mass, the Lord’s Supper) Confirmation Confession of sins, penance, atonement Marriage (“Holy Matrimony”) Ordination (“Holy Orders”) “Holy Unction” or “Last rites”

Christianity - Medieval Catholicism Being denied the Sacraments could result in eternal damnation The Church used the threat of excommunication (being kicked out of the Church so you couldn’t receive any of the Sacraments) to keep believers in line