modern judaism

MODERN JUDAISMReligion of Obedience to the Righteous

GodTORAH

Founder of Judaism Often associated with Moses and

receiving the law Biblically starts with Abraham

Historical Development God’s Election of Israel Revealed (See

timeline) God in the world, Gen. 1-11

God to all people All people answerable to God

God’s election of Abraham for a chosen people A people through whom all peoples would be

blessed Abraham (2100 B. C.) Joseph in Egypt (1900 B. C.)

Two Commonwealths Law given to fall of southern kingdom (1446 B. C. –

587 B. C.) Fall of southern kingdom to destruction of

Jerusalem (586 B. C. – A. D. 70)

Historical Development First Commonwealth (1446 – 587 B. C.)

Exodus and the Law (1446 – 1406 B. C.) Period of Judges (1406 – 1050 B. C.) United Kingdom (1050 – 931 B. C.) Fall of Northern Kingdom, Israel (722 B. C.)

Features of First Commonwealth Identity as a nation Legal code Worship & sacrificial system

Historical Development Second Commonwealth (586 B. C. – A. D. 70)

Fall of Southern Kingdom, Judah (586 B. C.) End of Exile (537 B. C.) Last Biblical Prophet, Malachi (440 B. C.) Conquest of Alexander the Great (332 B. C.) Maccabean revolt (166 B. C.) Herod the Great, Hasmonean Kingdom (37 B. C. to A.

D. 4) Destruction of Jerusalem (A. D. 70) & Masada (A. D.

74) Features of Second Commonwealth

Ethnic Identity Legal Code: Keeping the Law Devotion to God Party Division: Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, etc. Messianic expectation

Historical DevelopmentMasada (Breached Spring of A. D. 74)

Historical Development Rabbinic Judaism

Developed after fall of Masada from Pharisees as the source of Rabbis Emphasized obedience to the law Today Judaism emphasizes obedience to the

law, not a personal belief Rabbis kept the Tanakh (Jewish scripture)

alive Collecting the Mishnah begun Sacrificial system replaced with liturgical

prayer and ethical behavior Synagogues centers of worship Minyan – quorum of ten adult males for

community worship

Historical Development Rabbinic Judaism into Middle Ages

A. D. 136 Bar Kochba rebellion put down and Jerusalem razed Jews dispersed to various parts of the Roman

Empire Mishnah completed by Rabbi Judah, the

Prince in A.D. 200 (completed legal teaching of oral Torah).

Jews that dispersed to Persia prospered among Zoroastrians Became the center of Jewish intellectual activity

until 10th century When Shi’ite Islam came to Persia in 7th cent.

Judaism began moving to Iberian Peninsula Further movement to Europe because of anti-

Semitism of Islam and Christianity and Crusades

Historical Development Talmudic Tradition to Middle Ages

Time of the Crusades Began in the 11th century Jews victims of the Crusades Jews pressured with force to convert

Rashi - Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac (1040-1105) Literal interpretation

Rambam (Rabbi Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) Know for his intellectual defense of Judaism Commentary on the Mishnah Quoted by Thomas Aquinas

Historical Development 1492 - Messianic Hope but Persecution

Kabalic scholars had predicted 1492 as a redemptive year

Ferdinand and Isabella unified Spain under Catholic rule and expelled Jews Many Jews settled in Southeastern Europe under

Turkish rule and lived fairly peaceful lives and others move further north in Europe

Some Jews “converted” rather than be expelled Inquisition used to violently enforce proper Catholic

doctrine After 1555 Italy and Germany forced Jews into

“Ghettos” and wore yellow bands (later used by Nazi)

Historical Development Forced migration gave rise to two main

Jewish Groups: Two main Jewish groups by language

Sephardic Jews – Spanish roots, Turkish & Arab influence, “Ladino” language, Spanish dialect, Hebrew script

Ashkenazic Jews – north & northeastern European roots. Separate from Gentile Europeans. Yiddish – German with Hebrew script.

Historical Development 17th Century – Renewal of Messianic

Expectation Sabbatai Zevi

Jews from Europe, Middle East, and North Africa thought him to be the Messiah

Publicly proclaim by Nathan of Gaza as the Messiah

Sabbatai went to convert the Turkish Sultan but was given the choice to convert to Islam or be killed, he became a Muslim

General despair among Jew over messianic hope

Historical Development New Movements and Reinterpretation of

Judaism Hasidism

Hasid = pious one Eastern Europeans Communal nature

Organized around Tzaddik (righteous man) direct link between God and humans

Gave rise to Kabbalism Central figure – Israel ben Eliezer

Know as Baal Shem (master of the good name or good master of the name)

Also know as Besht Born 1700 Miracle worker in Eastern Europe


Judaism Hasidism

God is found not in study or obeying the law but found inside the person and manifested in singing and dancing. Joyful expression of God in their midst. Not antinomians Followed Talmudic tradition but more mystical Access to God could be found through devotion and

prayer After Besht’s death, villages setup centered around

rebbe or Zeddik who was believed to have healing powers Rebbe was given absolute obedience Persecution drove them to the U. S. European Jews were most exterminated by Nazis Some objected to new state of Israel with no Messiah

but changed

Historical Development New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism

Hasidism Current Hasidism retains those cultural forms of the 18th century (like the Amish) Black clothing with beard and braids In Middle Ages non-people could not wear colorful clothing like those of high rank and so they wore a yellow armband (later used by Nazis)

Currently about 650,000 worldwide Beliefs:

Panthiestic as the world is part of God’s being Devekut – interconnectedness between God & humanity


Judaism Reformed Judaism

Arose in 18th century Accepted European culture and intellectual climate Central figure: Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786)

Studied in University of Berlin Abandoned outward Jewish forms Adopted the enlightenment ideal of the universality of

humanity Jews were free to adopt the culture in which they lived Followers felt like traditional Jewish practices were

hindering Jews from integrating into modern life


Judaism Reformed Judaism

Main Characteristics Traditional forms not authoritative Talmud not considered authoritative Following orthodox practices not wrong but not binding Religious practice is in a state of continues development Not an unchanging eternal truth Do not seek a Messiah – if a Messiah exists, it is people

working to make a better world. God acting in history toward messianic freedom

Initially opposed a separate homeland for Jews but in the wake of the Holocaust they supported the state of Israel

Meeting place called a temple Similar concerns as mainline Protestants & worship


Judaism Orthodox Judaism

Arose in the late 18th and early 19th century in opposition to Reformed Judaism which was continuing away from traditional Judaism

Considers itself as true Judaism Main figures were:

Moses Sofer (1762-1839) Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsh (1808-88) Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin Salanter (1810-83)



Orthodox can be either Zionest or non-Zionest Zionist movement

Theodor Herzl (1860-1904) a journalist believed the Jews could not defend themselves against anti-semitism without a nation

Zionism – salvation linked with retaking the Holy Land Many sects



Main Characteristics God revealed himself only in eternal, unchanging

covenant given at Sinai Literal messianic belief Keeping of written and oral Torah Return to Jerusalem to await deliverance of the messiah Strict adherence to traditional Jewish Law Some acceptance of modern culture to outright

rejection Jewish religion studied in traditional style with no

modern forms of scholarship


Judaism Conservative Judaism

Arose in 19th century Central figure: Zecharias Frankel in Germany Characterized by adhering to the law and adapting

to the contemporary culture Reconstructionist Judaism (1934)

Central figure: Mordecai Kaplan Small movement attempting to integrate religious

Judaism into all aspects of Jewish life with evolution of total Jewish culture

Not a covenant people Goal is pursuit of morality and justice

Historical Development Third Commonwealth (Proposed by

Some) Migration to Palestine in the 19th century English took over Palestine from Turkey in

1917 Both Arabs and Jews migrated Holocaust moved international opinion in

favor of Jews Creation of state of Israel 1948 Recapture of Jerusalem in 1967

Sacred Writings of Judaism

Biblical – canon agreed on in A. D. 90 at Jamnia, lead by Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai Torah (Genesis – Deuteronomy) Prophets

Early prophets – Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings

Later prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and twelve minor prophets (Hosea to Malachi)

Writings (Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1-2 Chronicles


The Talmud – the books containing both the Mishnah and Gemara Mishnah (Halakah) + Gemara (Haggadah) =

Talmud Gamara – less formal traditions, stories

illustrating the application of the law Two versions of the Talmud

Palestinian – completed in the 4th century Babylonian – completed in the 5th century

Seventeen dense volumes Orthodox – inspired Liberals – historical value Others – authoritative but not necessarily

inspired


The Mishnah – collection of interpretations of the law by Rabbis Collected over decades by Rabbis who met

at Tiberius Rabbi Meier and Rabbi Akiba lead the

process Came to a halt temporarily in A. D. 136

with the second conflict with Rome under Bar Kochba Rabbi akiba and bar Kochba executed Jerusalem razed and Hadrian rebuilt

Jerusalem Jerusalem dedicated to Jupiter, Aeolia

Capitolina


The Mishnah Mishnah completed by Rabbi Judah the

Prince in A. D. 200. Six categories

Seeds – agriculture and prayer Feasts – holy days and writing of scrolls Women – marriage and other vows Damages – criminal and civil laws, idolatry Holy Matters – sacrifices and laws Purities – ritual cleanliness and purification

Halakah – application of the law

Divisions of Judaism Five Primary Divisions of Judaism

Hasidic Judaism Reform Judaism Conservative Orthodox – primary religious Judaism Secular Judaism

No belief in God Jewish by birth and culture Not religious

Other smaller groups

Hasidic Division of Judaism


Leading Figures Israel ben Eliezer or Baal Shem Tov -

“Besht” (1700-1760) Zaddik – Group leader

God God is understood to be diffused through

the world and interacts with it in an omnipresent manner. He is compassionate and desires a relationship with humans.


Humanity People were created to commune with God

and are unique in His creation. People can know God, influence Him and improve their spiritual conditions with Him.

Authority & Scripture The source of authority is primarily through

their religious experience. The Hebrew scriptures are important containing the literal words of God. Male leaders have unquestioned authority.


Sin Failing to keep one’s thoughts on God and

appeal to Him in all of life’s situations is sin in that it fails to draw on God’s righteous influence. There are various forms of retribution.

Salvation Continues communion with God brings

righteousness. A person must confess to the tzaddik for forgiveness of sins.

Messiah Rebbe may be a possible messiah at any

one time. Acts of kindness can facilitate the coming of the messiah.


Afterlife Heaven is a place for souls to serve God.

Rabbis instruct various groups to improve their abilities to serve God.

Creation World created in seven 24 hour days. God the creator and creation are not totally

separate with God’s substance diffused throughout the creation although God exist independently of the creation, he permeates it.

Through the created one glimpses God’s reality.


Important Characteristics Panentheism – the world is part of God’s

being like the soul is part of the human body

Devekut – communion between God and humanity whose acts and communications bring a response from God.

By contemplating on God a person can unite with Him and influence Him.

Reform Division of Judaism

Leading Figures Moses Mendelssohn (1729-86) Samuel Holdheim (1806-60)

God One living God, the source of everything

and reigns over the world with love and mercy. He provides moral ideals. God seen from mystical to humanist


Humanity Created in the image of God and are

children of God. Some believe there is an immortal soul, basically good, and have free will. Should resist evil and fight injustice

Authority & Scripture Canon same as Orthodox but seen as

human documents but valuable for ethical insights. Revelation is an ongoing process but individual is the locus in autonomous individual.


Sin Sin is primarily about unjust social

structures and humans are not innately sinful but it is evil behavior that is the problem. Sickness and death are not part of the fall.

Salvation Betterment of oneself and society.

Messiah No actual messiah but a humankind will

bring about a utopian time of justice.


Afterlife No one belief but generally no literal

afterlife, you live on in the minds of others through the good you do

Creation There is no one position but theistic

accounts of creation are generally espoused.

Creation is of great value and humanity is responsible for preserving it.

Conservative Division of Judaism Leading Figures

Rabbi Zecharias Frankel (1801-75) God – wide range of views

Mystical view Panentheism with God in process, limited

or evolving God is finite

Conservative Division of Judaism Humanity

People bear the image of God and are of great value and are created for a relationship with God and other people. People should work with God to improve it.

Authority & Scripture God gave the Torah and Talmud to His

people and they are to obey scripture as best they are able. Scripture is a mixture of revelation and human interpretation.

Conservative Division of Judaism Sin

People essentially good Can become ethically flawless by education

and self-effort Personal sin and social-structure sin

Salvation Social progression by improving socio-

cultural aspects of society, improving education, scientific advancement.

Messiah Sometimes viewed as a person or just a

time of justice.

Conservative Division of Judaism Afterlife

Diverse view, may even include reincarnation but main focus is on conditions in this life

Creation Most understand God as a personal creator

with many of the divine attributes traditionally associate with God. Others may take the view that he is a creative force or symbol of goodness. Overall he is viewed as involved in the world and cares about his creation, especially humanity with whom he has a special bond.

Orthodox Division of Judaism

Orthodox Division of Judaism Leading Figures

Rabbi Samson Pahael (1808-88) Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin Salanter (1810-83) Theodor Hersl (1860-1904)

God God is extremely sacred God’s name is not

pronounced, G-d, or incorrect vowels. Infinite, supreme, everlasting, almighty


Humanity A person is body and spirit but morally

neutral. Can do good or evil. Overcomes evil by observing Jewish law but every person has a choice and responsible for one’s decisions.

Authority & Scripture Law, Prophets, Wisdom Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) is God’s revelation

with the main focus on the Torah and rest interpreted through the Torah. Oral and written traditions are authoritative.


Sin Go astray by moral inclinations Pesha - intentional breaking of God’s law Avon-willingly disobeying God’s law but by irresistible

impulse Cheit - unintentional

Salvation Keeping a covenant relationship with God through

prayer, repentance for sins, and obedience to the law.

Messiah Person from line of David will come that bring global

peace and prosperity where he takes people back to Israel, restores Jerusalem, and redeems the Jews.


Afterlife Physical resurrection and obedient living with

God forever, disobedient suffer the justice but disagree on how.

Creation Various position but theistic accounts of

creation are generally espoused. Literal six day creation less than 10,000 years

ago Day in Genesis could be a time period other

than 24 hours Modern science does not contradict but

attests to God’s power

Orthodox Judaism Worldview Spiritual Realm

Ultimate Reality One supreme holy God Covenant maker with His people

Spiritual Beings Angels Satan

Type of Spiritual Existence Resurrection Heaven – Gehenna (temporary for most)

Relationship to Humanity Covenant relationship

Orthodox Judaism Worldview

God & Spiritual Realm

Material Realm

Law/Repentance

Orthodox Judaism Worldview Physical Realm

Belief system Worship of one God Obedience to God Prayer Community Keeping Kosher Keeping the Sabbath

Source of revelation or enlightenment Torah and Talmud


Relation to spiritual realm Belief in God Keeping the law

Ultimate goal of religion Live as God’s chosen people according to law Resurrection Hope of Messiah Welfare of other people


Rituals: Orthodox dress Mezuzah in home on doorposts containing

Shema Dietary laws Prayer Life cycle

Birth – circumcision for boys, naming for boys & girls

Boy’s bar mizvah at thirteen – now accountable for keeping the law (conservative and reformed have for girls)

Marriage Death – short wait between death and funeral

Orthodox Judaism Worldview Physical Realm - Significant days

Sabbath Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement Sukkoth – Feast of Booths Simchat Torah – final day of reading entire Torah Hanukkah – commemorating purification of

Temple Purim – rescue of Jews by Esther Passover – Deliverance of Jews from Egypt Shavuot - Pentecost or Feast of Weeks (Giving

of Law to Moses)

Orthodox Judaism Worldview Physical Realm – Worship

Synagogues Orthodox have separate place for women Ark, Bema, & Menorah

Ark – Bema – Menorah –

Leaders Cantor – song leader Rabbis – preachers Conservative and Reformed have women cantors

and Rabbis

Divisions of Judaism Kabala – Jewish mysticism

Mysticism – attaining an unmediated link to the divine

Kabala means “tradition” Jewish mysticism is called “merkavah mysticism

fro the word for “chariot” (Elijah) Could have started as early as 2nd

commonwealth Schools of kabala developed in Middle Ages

Moses de Leon – most famous book called Zohar (Book of Splendor or Book of Lights)

Isaac de Luria – fled Christian persecution in Spain, setup school in Safed, Galilee

Divisions of Judaism Other Isolated Groups

Yemenite Jews – transported from Arabian peninsula to Israel in 1940

Karaite Jews – Accept Torah only and live in Jewish quarter of Old Jerusalem

Falasha Jews – from Ethiopia from 2nd commonwealth but moved to Israel to avoid fanines in the 1980s

modern judaism

Documents

fall of southern kingdom

fall of northern kingdom

hasmonean kingdom

united kingdom

lawtoday judaism

rabbi judah

destruction of jerusalem

catholic rule