Major Features of Judaism

Special Places: Jerusalem – The Holy City Location: central Palestine – ideal as a capital, a fortress, and a center for marketing. Holy City: site of the Temple, the wondrous building that symbolized and celebrated the Jews’ entire history as a people of faith!

The Temple Rebuilt by Herod: Herod the Great wanted to rebuild the temple as it was in Solomon’s time. Herod’s work began about 15 years before Jesus’ birth. And did not finish until 35 years after his death.

ONLY to be destroyed by the Romans a short time after. The present Wailing Wall, is all that remains of Herod’s efforts. Link on right picture to Wailing Wall Page.

When it did stand, the Temple was huge When it did stand, the Temple was huge! Holding thousands of priests and tens of thousands of believers at once. 13 gates opened into the Temple, one of them – the Nicanor Gate – was made entirely of bronze and took 22 men to open it!

It was a place of offerings, prayers and governing It was a place of offerings, prayers and governing. Housing the religious, political, and judicial body of the Jews – the Great Sanhedrin.

Synagogues After the destruction of the temple in 70 C.E., synagogues became the central places of worship. Each village had at least one synagogue, and any male Jew had the right to erect one of even turn his house into one! What was/still is stored in synagogues? What day do Jews gather in the synagogue?

Central Religious Practices: Daily Life A faithful Jew was expected to pray (at minimum) twice daily – at dawn and nightfall. “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Consecrated to God on the Sabbath The Week: Consecrated to God on the Sabbath Sabbath: day of rest, based on the Creation story – very important Unlike our days that start at midnight – a Jewish day starts at sunset. Therefore, the Jewish Sabbath actually lasts from what we know as Friday evening through the day of Saturday.

To Do: Make a list of the major features of Judaism in Jesus’ day. For each one, try to identify a parallel feature in modern Roman Catholicism