Origins of Judaism

Questions and Answers

What is the origin of the term 'Judaism'?

From the name of the Temple of Jerusalem

From the name of Abraham, the first patriarch

From the name 'Judah', the ancestor of the Israelite kingship and the region where the Temple of Jerusalem was built (correct)

From the name of the Israelite kingship

Who is considered the first patriarch, or founding father figure, in Judaism?

Jacob

Moses

Abraham (correct)

Isaac

What is the name of the sacred text of Judaism that contains the first five books of the Bible?

The Talmud

The Torah (correct)

The Koran

The Bible

What did Yahweh promise to the Israelites in the 'Promised Land'?

A land flowing with milk and honey Signup and view all the answers

How many sons did Jacob have, according to the Torah?

12 Signup and view all the answers

When might Abraham, a historical figure, have lived?

Beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE Signup and view all the answers

What are the two most important sacred texts or scriptures for Judaism?

Tanakh and the Talmud Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Shabbat in Judaism?

It symbolizes Yahweh resting on the seventh day after creation Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Babylonian Exile on Judaism?

Judaism functioned without a Temple for the first time Signup and view all the answers

What was the fate of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE?

It was destroyed and the Jews were sent into exile Signup and view all the answers

What led to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust?

Economic, social, and political pressure from the Nazis Signup and view all the answers

Why were ghettos established in Europe during the Middle Ages?

To separate them from the ruling society and provide control over their lives Signup and view all the answers

What is the current percentage of the world's population that practices Judaism?

Less than one percent Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Tanakh in Islam?

Many of its stories are essential components of Muslim scripture Signup and view all the answers

When was the State of Israel officially established?

In 1948 CE Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Origins of Judaism

Judaism is one of the world's oldest major religious traditions still practiced today, and it's the foundation religion for Christianity and Islam.
The term "Judaism" originated from the name "Judah," the ancestor of the Israelite kingship and the name of the region where the Temple of Jerusalem was built.

Abraham and the Founding of Judaism

According to the Torah, Abraham was a nomad who was told by Yahweh that he would become the ancestor of a great nation, known as the Abrahamic covenant.
Abraham's grandson Jacob's story is recounted in the Torah, and Jacob's name is later changed by Yahweh to Israel, becoming the name of their tribe.
Jacob has 12 sons who become founders of their own tribes that are part of the larger tribe of Israel.

Moses and the Exodus

Moses becomes the first major leader of the tradition, leading the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years as they make their way to the "Promised Land" that Yahweh promised to the Israelites.
The Promised Land was described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8, NRSV).

Dating the Origins of Judaism

Historians struggle to date the narrative of Judaism's origins due to a lack of external evidence about whether events were historically factual.
Abraham might have lived as early as the beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE.
The Exodus from Egypt, when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery, might have occurred around the 13th or 12th centuries BCE.
The origins of the Kingdom of Israel, with Judaism as the main religion focused around the Temple of Jerusalem, date to around the 10th century BCE.

Overview of Judaism

Jewish religion was centered around the Temple of Jerusalem, a holy building where Jews could worship Yahweh.
After the destruction of the Temple, worship was congregational and held in synagogues, which are still found around the world today.
The two most important sacred texts or scriptures for Judaism are the Tanakh (also called the Hebrew Bible) and the Talmud, which contains commentaries on the Tanakh.
Shabbat, or the Sabbath, is a weekly holy day observed by many Jews, which occurs from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday.

Jewish Holidays

Many Jews celebrate major holidays, including:
- Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year;
- Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement;
- Sukkot, the fall harvest festival;
- Shavuot, the Festival of First Fruits;
- Hanukkah, a celebration of Yahweh's miracles, light in the darkness, hope, and restoration.

Jewish Diaspora

Throughout history, the Jewish people have been conquered or driven out of their homeland, leading to diasporas or dispersions of the people.
The Babylonian Exile in 586 BCE led to the destruction of the Temple and a religious and identity crisis for Judaism.
During the Persian Empire's rule, the Jews were allowed to return and rebuild their Temple.
However, in 70 CE, the Temple of Jerusalem was again destroyed and the Jews were sent into exile once again.

Contemporary Judaism

The region of Israel and Judah did not fall back into Jewish control until it was officially declared the State of Israel in 1948 CE.
Many Jewish people only had opportunities for semi-permanent living during the near two millennia between the exile and the founding of the State of Israel.
During this time, Jews faced persecution, particularly during the Crusades of the Middle Ages and the Holocaust, which was a period of systematic killing by the Nazis.

Significance of Judaism

Judaism has had a long and impactful history, both as a world power and as a persecuted religious community.
Judaism has played an important role in other major world religions, such as Christianity and Islam, which consider themselves extensions of Jewish teachings.
Today, Judaism is practiced by a small number of people, but its impact on religious society and culture is significant, with Christianity and Islam making up about 31% and 24% of the world's population, respectively.