1. JUDAISM

2. HOW DID JUDAISM START?  “Fore Father” of Judaism = Abraham  His son (Isaac) and grandson (Jacob) = 3 “Fathers” of Judaism  The 4 wives = their wives (Jacob had 2)  Abraham was the 1 st to realize God controls everything and to worship him not idols of him  Abraham = Father of the Hebrews  God told Abraham to go to Canaan (a.k.a “promise land” for the Jews)

3. HOW DO THE JEWS PRACTICE RELIGION?  Israel = 5 million Jewish people.  Israel = “Most holy place on earth”.  The Western Wall in Israel.  Jews still pray there today.  Synagogue = place where they worship daily

4. WHAT DOES THIS RELIGION BELIEVE?  One god-creates everything  Communicate with god through prayer  Sacred text-Torah  Torah- most important part of Jewish Bible  All Jews – what they do more important than what they believe  Some Jews- land of Israel most important part of being Jewish-called Zionists  Believe world will end some day.  Believe god would send a Messiah to save them.

5. WHAT ARE IMPORTANT/FAMOUS PLACES FOR WORSHIP?  Prayers = Berachat.  Read the Hebrew Bible.  Pray with eyes closed for more concentration.  Believe in one god.  Sabbath = Jewish tradition = Starts on Friday of every week and goes to Saturday at sundown.

6. WHAT ARE IMPORTANT/FAMOUS PLACES FOR WORSHIP? CON’T  Sabbath = Religious time for coming together and celebrating life.  Celebrations = Rosh Ha-Shanah, Yom Kippur, Pass Over, Hanukkah.  Boys have coming of age ceremony called Bar-Mitzvah.  Torah = Holy book.  Rabbi = Jewish priest.

7. WHO ARE THEIR GOD/GODS/LEADERS  Abraham said: There is only one god he creates everything  The god has relationship with people on Earth  God listens and speaks to people through prayers  3 main things in their life,  God, Torah and Israel  The leaders where men and women  Chosen by god as prophets to learn and teach  The 12 tribes were headed by princes  Also had judges, kings & rabbis as leaders  Rabbis has been religious leaders in orthodox  Only men where allowed but with time women came too  They must start praying at the age of 3

8. WHAT WAS THE HOLOCAUST?  Since 18 th century in Europe/USA Jews have suffered  Less official persecution  Anti-Semitism still exists  Worst Anti-Semitism took place in the 20 th century  In 1930 the Nazi gained control in Germany  During the second world war  Killed all Jews that lived in countries owned by Germany  Killed 6 million Jews  Hebrew= Shoah (holocaust)  Means ‘whirlwind’  From the 19 th century Jews began to come back  After the holocaust the United Nation voted that part of Palestine must become the State of Israel  Which is now where most Jews live

9. WHAT RELIGIOUS TEXT DO THEY FOLLOW?  The Tanach = made up word taken from the first letter of each Hebrew scripture.  The Torah (Scripture in the Tanach); 5 books A.k.a The Laws of the Jews Given to Moses on Mt. Sinai Kept in a cabinet called an “Ark”  The Nvi’im (Scripture in the Tanach); 8 books Longest section in the Tanach Combo of historical events, religious teachings, & prophecies for the future

10. WHAT RELIGIOUS TEXT DO THEY FOLLOW? (CONTINUED)  The K’tuvim (Scripture in the Tanach); › 11 books › A.k.a Wisdom Literature › Contains: Poetry, history, faith, reward, punishment, & why bad things happen to people › Written by King David and King Soloman  Many books have been made to interpret the Tanach  The Midrash (Interprets the Tanach); › Explains feelings and motives behind the writing › Incl. stories to explain important messages › Tells some history not told in the Tanach › Written down 2,000 yrs ago

11. WHAT RELIGIOUS TEXT DO THEY FOLLOW? (CONTINUED)  The Mishnah (Interprets the Tanach); › 1 book w/ 6 sections discussing the Torah › Written down like convo. about different issues all ending with a ruling › Written down after 70 C.E › Main author = Rabbi Juddah the Prince  The Talmud (Interprets the Tanach); Incl. writtings of rabbis from 200 to 500 C.E Rabbis studied the Tanach & wrote qdown their opinions about its message

12.  Popular festival=among Jews= in western countries.  Falls= December last’s for 8 days.  Evenings Jewish light the Hanukkah=outside or inside the window.  A Hanukkah spaces for lights.  Light 1 on first night 2 next night and so on.  Hanukkah =dedication=recalls time=Jerusalem rededicated=after being destroyed.  Hanukkah=1 helper= light the others. What is Hanukkah?