Judaism

Origins---Abraham and Race

What is in a name?• Hebrew means “From across”-

name given to Abraham and his followers

• Israelites: Abraham’s grandson Jacob renamed Israel which means “he who has wrestled with God”. His descendants were called “Israelites”

• Jews: named after Jacob’s son Judah, ancient father of tribe of King David’s dynasty

Beginnings…• The story of Israel as a nation unfolds

beginning with the founding of the people by Abraham.

Patriarchs to Judaism

Abraham • God told Abraham to go to Haran then Canaan and

“make of him a great nation”• Began monotheistic tradition• Covenant with God• The story of the Sacrifice of Abraham

Tracing Roots of Israel’s History• Nomadic tribes wandered

into Palestine from east in approximately 1900 BCE

• Mesopotamian society dominated by polytheism

• God (Yahweh) appeared before Patriarch Abraham and told Abraham “to go and raise a great nation”

• This began the monotheistic tradition of the Hebrew faith with the establishment of the “Covenant”, “Chosen People” and “Promised Land”

• Abraham settled in Canaan• Story: Sacrifice of Abraham

Abraham’s GeneaologyAbraham’s Geneaology

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

12 Arabian Tribes

Abraham’s JourneysAbraham’s Journeys

Jacob (grandson of Abraham)• Abraham’s

grandson Jacob took name “Israel” which means “God ruled” and organized Israelites into 12 tribes

• Some tribes settled in Egypt (due to drought and famine) and where subjected to Pharaoh rule and slavery

The journey to Egypt…• Long after the time of Abraham, an agricultural

crisis let the Israelites to move to Egypt.• The JOSEPH story ~ Genesis 37, 39-50. (a long

story highlighting its importance).

Slaves… in Egypt!• The Hebrews grew in number and were forced into

slavery by the Egyptians many years later.• They were slaves for about 400 years – being used

to build structures for the Egyptians.

Moses…• Moses was born as a slave

and hidden in a basket on the river Nile.

• Moses was then found by an Egyptian Princess who raised him in the royal palace.

• Moses grew up thinking he was an Egyptian until he realised who his family were.

• Moses killed an Egyptian for mistreating a Jewish slave.

Moses contd.• Moses ran away and

became a shepherd.• One day he came across a

‘Burning Bush’ where he heard the voice of G-d.

• G-d told him to go back to Egypt to free the Hebrew/Jewish slaves.

• G-d told him that He would help him.

Moses & Exodus: “Let My People Go!”

• Moses received revelations from God: burning bush, rod / staff, 10 plagues, parting of the Red Sea

• End of 13th century BCE- Moses led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt during Rames II reign called the EXODUS

• Moses led the 12 Tribes of Israel to Mount Sinai where Yahweh gave him the 10 Commandments, uniting the Hebrews under one God

• Moses and Hebrews searched for the “Promised Land” or the land of milk and honey, however they wandered in the desert for 40 years

Moses back in Egypt…• Moses returned to ask Pharaoh

to let G-d’s people go free.• Pharaoh refused and G-d sent

10 plagues in total to make Pharaoh change his mind.– Blood – Frogs – Vermin – Beasts – Cattle Disease – Boils – Hail – Locusts – Darkness – Slaying of First Born

FREEDOM!• After the last plague – the death of the first born, Pharaoh decided to let the Jews go.

• But then Pharaoh changed his mind and chased after them.

• At the YAM SUPH (Red Sea) Moses held his staff over the water and the sea parted allowing the Jews to cross.

• When the Egyptians tried to cross the water came down over them and they were drowned.

Route of the ExodusRoute of the Exodus

Desert wanderings…• After G-d gave Moses the

Torah including the 10 commandments the Jews did not follow G-d’s ways.

• They were on their way to the Promised Land – Canaan, but G-d punished them for by making them wander around the desert for 40 years.

Moses and the 10 Commandments

Moses and the 10 Commandments

A new “covenant” with Yahweh

A new “covenant” with Yahweh

Mount SinaiMount Sinai

Kings of Israel• 1230 BCE, Israelites guided

by Joshua, invaded Canaan (Promised Land)

• 1020 BCE: first king of Israelites was Saul, then David, then Solomon

• Under King David the Israelites captured city of Jerusalem

• King Solomon built the Temple of Jerusalem, to house the Arc of the Covenant (sacred box to hold Torah)

• Solomon’s Temple was destroyed during Babylonian invasion, rebuilt in 6th century BCE, and destroyed again in 70 CE by the Romans

• Only remaining part of Solomon’s Temple is the Western Wall

Into the Promised Land…• Over the next several centuries Israel

became a moderately powerful nation under Saul, David, and Solomon.

• After Solomon’s death the Kingdom was divided in two parts.

• The northern segment of Israel was overrun by the Assyrian Empire late in the 8th century BC.

• The southern part known as the nation of Judah was conquered by the Babylonians early in the 6th century.

Lost Tribes of Israel• After the death of Solomon,

Kingdom of Israel split into two (north= Israel; south= Judah)

• Israel was conquered by Assyrians in 722 BCE and the scattered people were known as the ‘Lost Tribes of Israel’

• Judah was eventually destroyed by Babylon in 586 BCE and inhabitants were held in captivity (called the Exile or Babylonian Captivity)

• Emergence of synagogues and rabbis during Exile

• Released by Persians in 538 BCE and returned to Jerusalem to rebuild temple

Solomon’s

Kingdom

Solomon’s

Kingdom

King Solomon’s Temple Floor Plan

King Solomon’s Temple Floor Plan

The First TempleThe First Temple

Inside the Temple Tabernacle

Inside the Temple Tabernacle

The Arcof the

Covenant

The Arcof the

Covenant

The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today

The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today

Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall

Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall

Western Wall

• The Western Wall in the midst of the Old City in Jerusalem is the section of the Western supporting wall of the Temple Mount which has remained intact since the destruction of the Second Jerusalem Temple (70 CE)

• It became a center of mourning over the destruction of the Temple and Israel's exile

• communion with the memory of Israel's former glory and the hope for its restoration

• it became known in European languages as the "Wailing Wall".

Judah…• After the Babylonians conquered Judah they made

most of the people move to Babylon (Iran/Iraq).• Eventually the Jews returned to their homeland.• Next they were conquered by the Greeks.• Then they were conquered by the Romans…

Diaspora

• Diaspora is a Greek word meaning “sowing of seed” or “dispersal” which refers to Jewish population living outside of Israel

• In 332 BCE, Jewish people in fell under Hellenization (Greek culture) as Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Egypt and India

• 164 BCE, group of Jews called the Maccabees revolted against Greek rule, took control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple to God (Hanukkah)

• 64 BCE, Jerusalem fell to Romans and the Kingdom of Judah became one of the provinces of the Roman Empire (Judea). The people living there were called Judeans, and it is from this word that we get the word Jew

• In 66 CE the people of Judea revolted against Rome. This uprising was crushed and the temple was destroyed for a second time in 70 CE

• Despite the dispersion of Jewish people throughout Europe after 70 CE, their culture and religious beliefs have been by far the most influential of all the ancient cultures of the Near East

Expelled! Then return!• The Romans occupied Israel

until 70 CE when they finally expelled the Jews.

• The Jews travelled all over the world not having a country of their own for the next 2000 years until just after the second world war when the nation of Israel was reformed in Palestine. (1948).

Judaism as a Race

• Judaism is an ethnic religion• Began as a religion of an extended family, a tribe

of peoples known as the Hebrews• Jewish people today continue to think of

themselves as a family, a nation of peoples, as well as a religion

• God is understood by the Jews to intervene, to act, in and through history time and again, especially in the history of Israel (the people)

• Jews look to God’s action in the world

Key Leaders and Prophets

*NOTES*

JUDAISM- major world religion founded by the Hebrews in 1400 B.C. which became the first monotheistic belief system. (monotheism-ONE GOD)

IMPORTANT FIGURES:

1. Abraham- first Hebrew to make a covenant with God; father of monotheism

2. Moses- messenger of God (prophet) who led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt and was given the Ten Commandments

3. King David & his son Solomon- created a Jewish empire and built the city of Jerusalem

Beliefs and Practices

JUDAISM

Monotheism - 1 God

Torah- holy book Ten Commandments- law code

Synagogue or temple- house of worship

Sabbath- holy day is Saturday

Kosher food (no pork or shellfish)

Orthodox, Conservative or Reformed

Important days: Hannukah, Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah

*NOTES*

Beliefs and Practices

• Monotheistic (belief in one God).

• Humanity is the pinnacle of creation and people are indebted to their Creator.

• Human bodies are from the earth, their souls are from heaven.

• Humans were created with “free will”, giving them the option of choosing “life and prosperity” or “death and adversity”.

The “Name” of God

• Written by Hebrew consonants YHVH– Means “I am”

• Jews do not have a personal name for God– Christians and others have Anglicized it to Yahweh or

Jehovah– Written by Orthodox Jews as G-d

• God referred to as:– Adonai (The Lord)– Elohim, or HaShem (the Name) - the unpronounceable

name of God

A Few Main Beliefs• Jews do not believe in

"original sin" (no need for a "savior" in the Christian sense)

• The Ten Commandments – first 4 have to do with our

relationship with God – Next 6 refer to our

relationship with other people

Beliefs

• Importance of family• Story/experience of exile and exodus

– "Let my people go." – Compassion and concern for freedom of all

peoples– history of continual fight for freedom and

continued survival

Humans

• God’s highest creatures– Earth has been given to them for food & pleasure– They are the “caretakers”

• Created in God’s image– Each is a soul and body united– Each should have a fellowship with God

• Responsible– Answer to God for conduct– Humans have choices/can make decisionssuffer

consequences

Problem for Humans

• Rebellion against God and consequential expulsion– Adam and Eve

• Who is the Messiah?– Has not arrived yet to

usher in a new age– He is expected

Life after Death

• Emphasis on good life on earth more than good afterlife

• References in Psalms to heaven and hell– Influenced by Zoroastrians?– Lack specific descriptions of life beyond death

Afterlife and Salvation

• Belief in heaven.

• When the body dies, the soul remains in heaven.

• Both Jews and righteous Gentiles (non-Jews) have a reserved place in heaven based on their study of the Torah along with prayer, repentance, and good deeds.

Funerals

Jewish beliefs about life after death:Orthodox Jews

Heaven and hell A bodily resurrection when the Messiah

comes

Conservative Jews Resurrection – either bodily or spiritual –

when the Messiah comes

Reform Jews: No bodily resurrection; the soul returns to God

Not all Jews believe in life after death. Some believe that we live on through our good works and our descendants

Prayer

Several times a day – when waking, before and after meals, before bed and any other time you wish during the day

Major Prayers: Shema Amidah – 19 blessings, thanks and petitions

(said at synagogue) Aleinu – affirms that there is one God Kaddish – prayer of praise. Always said in

Aramaic. The Mourners Kaddish is associated with praying for the dead.

Place of Worship

The Synagogue

Jewish place of prayer and worshipDates back to time of Babylonian ExileServices dailyRequires a minyan = ten adultsUsually led by rabbi; can be led by any

adultMain services held on the Sabbath

(Shabbat) – either Friday evening or Saturday morning

The Synagogue Sanctuary

Contains the scrolls

The reading desk.

Inside the Synagogue

All Synagogues contain . . . Aron Kodesh – also called the Ark. Holds

Torah scrolls. Ner Tamid – “eternal light”. Near the Ark;

symbolizes the presence of God.Bimah – the lectern from which the Torah is

read

Synagogue Service

There are communal prayers in the synagogue daily

Main service is on Shabbat (the Sabbath)Service is led by the Rabbi and perhaps a

cantorService is often a mixture of Hebrew and

EnglishLasts between 30 and 90 minutes

Religious Leaders: Rabbi

Rabbi holding a Torah scroll – the scrolls are written in Hebrew by hand on parchment

Rabbi

• He (or she in Reform and some Conservative communities) leads services, educates, and officiates at events like bar mitzvahs, weddings and funerals

• It usually takes five years of postgraduate study to become a rabbi.

Chapter 28 of Exodus describes the garb of the high priest, based off of this the priest’s clothing includes:

-A tunic (the Torah mantle)

-A belt (the sash around the Torah)

-A Mitre (the crown of the Torah)

-A Breastplate

These have all been reproduced in some fashion for the dressing and decorating of the Sefer Torah.

Responsibilities of the Rabbi:

(Rabbi means “teacher”)

-Preaching from the pulpit

-Teaching classes

-Individual counseling

Some prayers are said by everyone, and some are recited aloud by the shaliach tzibbur, to which the congregation responds "Amen.“

The chazzan (cantor) is specially trained in the art of Jewish music and liturgy for this role.

Clothing Specific to Faith

Clothing worn during worship:

tallit

kippah

teffilin

Tallit - Before beginning to worship or pray the devout Jew will often put on a prayer shawl.

The fringes on the shawl remind him of the many commandments (613) of the Torah.

He will first cover his head completely with the Tallit.

The Tallit is a prayer shawl, worn around the neck during the service.

  You can see the tassels or fringes hanging down. 

Each one represents the laws Jews must follow in their lives.  This comes from a commandment in the Torah:

The Tephillin are two small boxes with leather straps attached to them.  

You can see them in the picture next to the Siddur, the Jewish prayer book.

  The tephillin contain a small portion of scripture from the Torah, called the Shema

Phylacteries or Tefillin - Phylacteries are small leather boxes that have long straps attached that are worn on the left forearm and on the forehead. Inside the boxes are passages from the scriptures, including the Shema.

Kippur or Yarmulke - On their heads the devout Jew always wears the Yarmulke, a small skull cap, which reminds them that they are always duty bound to follow the laws of God at all times and in all places.

Religious Objects and Symbols

Symbols• Star of David= shape

of King David’s shield; symbol adopted by Zionists

• Menorah= ancient source of light

7 branched= Sabbath

9 branched= Hanukah

The Menorah : The Menorah is the seven branched candlestick which was placed in the temple in Jerusalem, each home has a Menorah to remind them of the temple and of their hope that one day it will be built again

The Mezuzah : The Mezuzah is a small box fixed to the doorpost on your house, according to the command in scripture.

If you look at a Jewish house there will be a small box fixed to the right hand side of the doorpost.

Inside the Mezuzah is a small piece of parchment with the words of Deuteronomy 13-21 written upon it..

The Magen David : The Magen David is the star of David, this is the representation of the state of Israel.

It is more a political than a religious statement.

The state of Israel was recreated by the United Nations in 1948.

Interesting Facts

• The Israeli flag is rooted in Jewish tradition. The white background symbolizes purity. The symbols on the flag are two stripes—one on the top and one on the bottom—and the Star of David emblem adorning the center. The stripes and blue color are inspired by the techeileth dye of the tallit (Jewish prayer shawl)

• Jews have regarded the Land of Israel as their homeland, both as a Holy Land and as a Promised Land. The Land of Israel holds a special place in Jewish religious obligations, encompassing Judaism's most important sites — including the remains of the First and Second Temples

Holy Texts

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People

The TorahThe Torah

The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

The 3 Categories

1. Torah Most important text Divine instruction and guidance or "Written Law”

Books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Covers history from creation through the Exodus and wandering in the desert

613 commandments from God

Continued…

2. Prophets: Words and revelations of the minor and major prophets

Ezekiel, Isaiah, Amos, Jonah, etc.

3. Writings: poetic and devotional material written and used during the same time as the Prophets, words and works of the sages

Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, etc.

Torah Scroll

What is a Torah scroll?The Torah contains the Five Books of Moses, whose English and Hebrew

names are:

Genesis Beraishit

Exodus Shemot

Leviticus Vayikra

Numbers B'midbar

Deuteronomy Devarim

English Hebrew

Tanukh• Jewish Bible, consisting of

Torah (Law of Moses), the Prophets, and the Writings

Talmud• second most important source

of rabbinic Jewish law based on Mishnah, which complements and interprets the Torah and applies scripture to everyday life and observance

Mishnah• Early rabbinic teachings on how

to live according to Torah

Sacred Texts

• The Talmud– Oral tradition passed to Moses and beyond– Finally written down in the 2nd century– Contains info on rituals, marriages, agricultural

laws, festivals, etc.

Kosher Food

Kashrut

(Kosher Food Laws)

Kosher Food laws concern:1. What foods can be eaten

2. How foods must be prepared

The laws are found in the Torah

Trayf – food that is not kosher and cannot be consumed

Pareve – food that can be eaten at any time, with any other food

General information . . .

Kosher animals chew their cud and have cloven hoofs (cattle, sheep, goats, deer)

Animals must be humanely slaughtered under the supervision of a trained shochef

Seafood must have scales and finsDomesticated fowl can be eaten; birds of

prey cannot

Reptiles, amphibians and insects are trayfBlood cannot be consumedMeat and milk cannot be consumed at the

same mealRules for Passover are stricter

Kosher foods Non-Kosher foods

Goat Rabbit

Turkey Pig

All fish (as long as they have scales)

Camel

Cow Octopus

Sheep Eel

Duck Horse

ChickenMost birds especially birds of prey

Insects

Lev. 11:13-19 : These you shall regard as detestable among the birds. They shall not be eaten; they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, the buzzard, the kite of any kind; every raven of any kind; the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind; the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the water hen, the desert owl, the carrion vulture, the stork, the heron of any kind, the hoopoe, and the bat. 

Kosher AnimalsAnimals are kosher if:1. Their hooves are completely parted

at the bottom to form 2 horny pads2. If it chews the cud

In order for the animal to be Kosher, they must do BOTH. (For example, pigs are not Kosher because they do not chew the cud)

• All Vegetables and fruit are kosher, but they must be carefully checked for non-kosher foods like insects.

• All dairy products are kosher (Must be bloodless), but it must be checked that the product does not contain any meat based products • (for example many cheeses contain rennet which is made from

the stomach of pigs or cows and thus breaks two of the kosher rules (i) that meat and dairy must be separate and (ii) that products from the pig are treyfah).

• Also the kosher Jew must to sure that the milk is only from kosher animals (some farmers made a practice of topping up cow's milk with pig's milk - this would make the milk treyfah)

• All shellfish is treyfah.

Different branches of Judaism have different attitudes towards these laws:Orthodox – follow strictlyConservative – some follow strictly; many follow a

modified versionReform – following is up to the individual; many

follow partially

Special Ceremonies

Brit Milah

“The Covenant of Circumcision”

8 days after birth Performed at home or

at the synagogue Mohel – performs the

ceremony The child is officially

given his name

Boys : • After a boy child has been born a blessing is said and eight days

later the child will be presented for the ceremony of circumcision. • This may take place in the synagogue or in the home, or at the

hospital. • This is a very important ceremony and the only reason for

delaying it is if the child is ill. • The boy will be placed on the lap of the sandek (A bit like a

Christian godparent). • it is a great honour to be asked to perform this service. • The circumcision is performed by the mohel , who may be a

doctor but does not have to be. • The circumcision of boys is a sign of the covenant that God

agreed with Abraham (more about Abraham).

Brit Ha-bat

The naming ceremony for a daughter

A modern celebration done mostly in Reform synagogues

Bar MitzvahBat Mitzvah

Son or Daughter of Commandment – the child officially becomes an adult in the Jewish community

Takes place at the synagogueThe child reads (in Hebrew!) and

comments on the Torah portion for the day

The Bat Mitzvah ceremony is modern and is not done in Orthodox communities

Mitzvah

• 613 mitzvot • 258 positive, 365 negative• Boys: 13+1 day, girls 12+1 day

– Bar Mitzvah means “son of the commandment”

• Commands from God– No immediate reward– Obedience rewards in afterlife

The ceremony of the Bar Mitzvah is a very important occasion for the young Jewish male. The ceremony, is normally held on the first Shabbat after his 13th birthday.

There are three main reasons why the Bar Mitzvah is so important for every Jewish male:

• The boy who has come of age is given the full religious responsibilities of the adult male. He is allowed to wear the ritual clothes the Tallit and the Tefillin, he can make up the minimum 10 males who must be present for a service to take place (the minyan), and he can take part fully in the worship in the synagogue.

• At any time in the future he can be called upon to read from the Torah. All Jews consider this to be a great privilege.

• In many synagogues this is seen as a serious statement of faith by the young adult. They acknowledge their faith and acknowledge that the responsibility for their spiritual life now passes from their parents to them.

A Bar Mitzvah at the Wailing Wall, Jerusalem

Bar Mitzvah

In Reform Judaism teens are often confirmed as well as bar or bat mitzvahed.

Confirmation takes place when they are older and is a personal commitment to Judaism.

Holidays

Rituals• Jewish calendar based on lunar month• Sabbath/Shabbat

– Observed each week– Sundown on Fridaysundown on Saturday

• Rosh Hashanah– New year– Begins the Days of Awe– Concentrate on prayer, contemplation, self-searching

• Yom Kippur– 10th day (of awe)– Holiest day observed– Repentance: 24 hours of atonement and fasting

continued

• Chanukkah– Celebrated rededication of Jerusalem temple in 164

BCE (after destruction by Greeks)– Sacred oil lasted 8 days for celebration– Minor festival

Passover• Most important holiday• Marks deliverance form slavery in Egypt

under Moses’ leadership• Sacred meal: seder

– Unleavened bread (matzah)