1. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Middle East Religions
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

2. Judaism Oldest of the 3 major world religions
Thought to have started 4000 years ago in the area known as the Fertile Crescent
Today there are 13 million Jews
Founded by Abraham in present day Israel
Monotheistic Religion
Believe in the 10 Commandments
Believe in the Messiah(Savior), has not returned yet
Holy book is the Torah(Old Testament Only)
Worship in a synagogue
Worship is led by a Rabbi, or teacher
Holy days:Yom Kippur(Day of praying and fasting
3 branches: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform
Most holy city: Jerusalem

4. Orthodox Judaism All aspects of life is based on the Torah
Adhere strictly to Jewish dietary laws
Won’t work or travel on the Sabbath(Friday night at sundown to sundown of Saturday)

5. Jerusalem Entry to the Jewish part of Jerusalem
The Christian and Muslisms have parts of Jerusalem where they live

6. Holocaust Memorial Memorial due to genocide of the Jewish people
Over 6 million Jews killed by Nazis

7. Christianity 2nd oldest of the 3 major world religions
Started 2000 years ago by followers of prophet named Jesus
Later called Christ(Messiah)
Over 1 billion followers today
Share many beliefs with Jewish, main difference is the idea of the Messiah
Holy book is the Bible, composed of the Old Testament and New Testament
Worship in a church
Worship led by priest, minister, or pastor
Sabbath is Sunday
Holy days: Easter, Christmas
Branches: Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Protestant

8. Jerusalem
Picture is of the road where Christ carried the cross before his crucifixion
Roman Empire was polytheistic at the time of Christ, not monotheistic

9. Picture of the Messiah Christ, carrying the cross
Jesus is considered to be the savior for Christians, but not for Jews.

10. Islam 3rd and most recent religion that began in the Middle East
Followers called Muslims, “one who submits”
Founder was Muhammad, AD
Over 1 billion followers today
Share many beliefs as Jews and Christians
Believe in Allah, Arabic for God
Holy book: Koran or Quran
5 main beliefs: one God, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage
Worship in a Mosque
Worship led by Imams
Holy festival: Ramadan(month of fasting)
Branches: Sunni and Shi’ite
Holy cities: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem

11. Muslims at Kaaba in Mecca

12. Muslims at worship
Pray 5 times daily facing toward Mecca

13. Mosque
This is area placed in every Mosque
It is facing Mecca