RELIGIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST JUDAISM

JUDAISM - GOD Followers of Judaism are called Jews The too believe in the God of Abraham The Hebrew word is Adonai Jews believed that God had made a covenant (pact) with the Jews Abraham and his descendants were God’s chosen people Hebrews The land promised to them was Canaan or present day Israel

HOLY BOOK The holy book of Jews is the TeNaKh Torah – stories of the ancient Hebrews and laws Nevi’im the history of Hebrew prophets Ketuvim – writings and psalms The Torah is the most important because it contains the laws for which Jews must live by God gave the Torah to Moses It contains 613 commandments (people have trouble with 10)

KEY BELIEFS Live life according to the Torah and pass on the traditions to your family The Sabbath – from Friday evening to Saturday night is a day of rest and prayer for Jews Talmud – the oral law, where God’s teachings continue to evolve and change The world changes, so does God’s laws to adapt This is done by rabbis

YAMAKA (Yarmulke) Reasons given for wearing a kippah today include: Recognition that God is "above" humankind, "acceptance" of the 613 mitzvot (commandments), "identification" with the Jewish people.

PRACTICES & RITUALS Jews fast during the holiday of Yom Kippur where they do not eat or drink all day A day of atonement On the Sabbath, Jews practice the breaking of bread and sharing wine Jews must also give alms Kosher foods – Jews only eat food that is clean (no dairy, pork, and shellfish)

Passover It is central to Jewish worship and religion. In spring (March-April), commemorates the liberation from the Egypt slavery and the pass of the Red Sea. It is the "Day of Independence" of Israel, celebrated, not with fireworks, but with adoration to God, starting with a good, joyful, family, Seder meal on the first night For 7 days after the Passover is celebrated the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" at the same time that Christians celebrate the "Holy Week", the passion and resurrection of Christ, that also lies at the heart of Christianity.

Rosh Hashanah New Year Festival: In late September or October; it is also called the "Feast of the Trumpets", because the ram's horn ("shofar") is blown in the synagogue summoning men for the period of 10 days to do penance and forgiveness, to start a new life. It is a period of divine judgment in which the fate of the world in the coming year ahead is determined. The Jews eat "sweet foods", a symbol of the good year to come, and "celebrate" to show that they are confident of God's mercy.

Hanukkah   An 8 day "Feast of Lights", on November or December, around Christmas time, also called the "Feast of Dedication of the Temple“ To celebrate the liberation and purification of the Temple by the Maccabees A joyful time exchanging gifts, and giving money to the poor.

WORSHIP SERVICES Jews worship at a synagogue Prayer is led by a scholar of the Torah who is called a rabbi Jerusalem as well is a holy city to Jews as well The Wailing Wall

Orthodox Jews are not the same as Orthodox Christians SECTS OF JUDAISM Orthodox Conservative Reformed Different interpretations, eating habits and beliefs separate this sects of Judaism Orthodox Jews are not the same as Orthodox Christians