2. JUDAISM

3. INTRODUCTION Judaism is the Religion of the Jews Not all Jews practice Judaism “our religion” “their religion” Judaism is the 2 nd largest religion in America

4. 3 Branches of Judaism 1.Orthodox Jews –the only kind of Judaism until the 18 th century –Emphasis on tradition and keeping the Law of Moses

5. Reform Judaism Began in Germany Modernize Judaism Emphasizes ethics over doctrine

6. Conservative Judaism Middle ground between the reformed Jew and Orthodox

7. Practices of Judaism 1.Bar Mitzvah (boys) Bat Mitzvah (girls) Coming of age ceremony at the age of 13 Consists of Synagogue service and reception with full meal

8. 2. Jewish Weddings

11. 3. Observing the Sabbath Friday Evening through Saturday evening Abstain from: –Work –Driving –Lighting a fire

12. 4. Dietary Laws Food must be Kosher Given in the book of Leviticus

13. Jewish Holidays 1.Rosh Hashanah (“Russia Shunna”) Jewish new year Special service at the synagogue Marks the first part of 10 day period known as “High Holy Days”

14. Jewish Holidays 2. Yom Kippur –Day of Atonement –Most solemn day of the Jewish Calendar –Many Jews will fast for 24 hours

15. Jewish Holidays Hanukkah –Festival of lights Commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian armies of Antiochus Epiphanes Characterized by lighting the Menorah over a period of 8 days

16. Jewish Holidays Passover –Lasts for one week –Most popular Jewish Holiday –Seder: meal observed first 2 nights –Events of Exodus are read during the Seder –Matzo is eaten (unleavened bread)

17. Beliefs 1.Scripture –Old Testament Especially the Torah

18. BELIEFS 2. GOD Personal One God in 3 persons Deuteronomy 6:4 (The Great Shammah)

19. Beliefs 3. Mankind –Has a good and evil inclination –Mankind can be perfected by observance of the Law

20. Beliefs 4. Sin - Many do not believe in Original Sin –One commits sin by breaking the 10 commandments

21. Beliefs 5. Salvation –Repentance, prayer, obedience to the Law –Believe they are born in a right standing with God

22. Beliefs 6. Messiah –Will be human who is not divine –Will restore the Jewish Kingdom and extend his rule over the earth –Will execute judgment

23. R.C. Sproul "The reality in the first century was that the most intense persecution of the Christian church came, not from the Romans, but from the Jewish community.”