Judaism PDF

JUDAISM  Founder and Origin 01 of Judaism  JUDAISM an ancient monotheistic religion that traces its origin as an organized belief system during the Bronze Age in West Asia religion professed by the Jews known as the “people of the Book” in reference to their sacred t...

JUDAISM  Founder and Origin 01 of Judaism  JUDAISM an ancient monotheistic religion that traces its origin as an organized belief system during the Bronze Age in West Asia religion professed by the Jews known as the “people of the Book” in reference to their sacred text written The Jews consider themselves as the people chosen by God to serve as an exemplar of devotion and purity to humankind.  JUDAISM world’s oldest monotheistic religion believe in one God who revealed himself through ancient prophets According to the text, God first revealed himself to a Hebrew man named Abraham, who became known as the founder of Judaism.  Yahweh made his appearance to His people by directly making a covenant with Abraham and Moses.  The Forefathers of Judaism ABRAHAM: THE FOUNDER shepherd who came from Ur, Mesopotamia and moved to Harran made a covenant with Yahweh enlightened that there is only one true God  The Forefathers of Judaism ABRAHAM: THE FOUNDER considered as the father of the three great monotheistic religions (Abrahamic religions): Judaism Christianity Islam  The Forefathers of Judaism ABRAHAM: THE FOUNDER God revealed himself to him several times for an agreement to test his obedience. God blessed Abraham and his family in return.  The Forefathers of Judaism God’s Covenant with Abraham Jews believe that God made a special covenant with Abraham  The Forefathers of Judaism God’s Covenant with Abraham be the father of the Canaan nation bring with him his family and his possessions circumcision of the male members of his family sacrifice Isaac, his child with Sarah  Abraham’s son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob, also became central figures in ancient Jewish history. Jacob took the name Israel  The Forefathers of Judaism More than 1,000 years after Abraham, the prophet Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt after being enslaved for hundreds of years.  The Forefathers of Judaism Moses: The Law-Giver He was born when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. To save him, his mother and elder sister put him in a basket that was left floating in the Nile River.  The Forefathers of Judaism Moses: The Law-Giver was raised as a prince and initially identified himself as an Egyptian killed an Egyptian foreman and lived in Midian asked by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt  The Forefathers of Judaism God helped the Israelites cross the Red Sea until they reached dry land, and water returned in time that drowned the Egyptians.  Moses & the Ten Commandments According to scriptures, God revealed his laws, known as the Ten Commandments, to Moses at Mt. Sinai Jewish Sacred Scriptures The Jewish people have been called the “people of the Book” in reference to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh or Mikra) Jewish Sacred Scriptures Tanakh Talmud referred to as the Hebrew composed of books that are Bible commentaries and divided into three books: interpretations of oral laws the Torah, the Nevi’im, and consists of two books: the Ketuvim Mishnah and Gemara Jewish Sacred Scriptures the Hebrew Bible is divided into three principal sections, namely the Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim The foundational text Torah (Teaching) is composed of the first “Five Books” or the Pentateuch Pentateuch narrates the history, religious statues, and moral regulations for individuals and society, ceremonial rites and creation stories by Yahweh, and the origin and growth of mankind. Jewish Sacred Scriptures the Nevi’im (Prophets) is subdivided into Earlier Prophets, Later Prophets, and twelve minor prophets Prophets served as spokespersons who criticized the hypocritical practices of Jewish rituals. Jewish Sacred Scriptures the Ketuvim (“Writings”) from the third section of the Tanakh that contains works on poetry, temple ritual, private prayer, philosophical explorations, and other canonical works Jewish Sacred Scriptures REMEMBER: In the strictest sense, Torah refers to the “Five Books of Moses”. However, it can also pertain to the entire Hebrew Bible known as the Old Testament to non-Jews but Tanakh (or the “Written Torah”) to the Jews. Broadly speaking, Torah could mean the whole body of Jewish laws and teachings. Jewish Sacred Scriptures Talmud Talmud (or the “Oral Torah”) which means “study” contained in Talmud are all studies and interpretations done by Jewish rabbis or teachers of the Torah an authoritative collection of rabbinic interpretations of the sacred scriptures contains materials of law and moral codes the Talmud is also a fountain religious thought and inspiration similar to the Pentateuch Jewish Sacred Scriptures PENTATEUCH the single most important scripture for the Jewish people that became the source of their inspiration and direction for centuries became the foundation of other essential Jewish writings, such as the Talmud and Mishnah Jewish Sacred Scriptures Jewish Sacred Scriptures Book Title Description Mishnah These are composed of a written collection of Jewish oral traditions to be (Oral Torah) passed through generations. Gemara These are composed of legal and ethical commentaries on the Mishnah. (to finish or to complete) General Features of Judaism Establishment The considered birthplace of Judaism is the Land of Canaan. Canaan was situated in the southern Levant territory. General Features of Judaism View of God Judaism is a monotheistic religion. Jews refer to God as Yahweh, written as YHWH, word root of "Ehyeh asher Ehyer." General Features of Judaism View of God Jews believed that the Messiah or the savior who would unite the people worldwide had not come yet. General Features of Judaism Followers can be called Jews, Israelites, or Hebrews “God’s chosen people” anyone can be Jewish through a process governed by a religious court Takeaways Abraham and Moses are considered as the founder and the law-giver of Judaism. Tanakh is one of the Jewish sacred scriptures, composed of the Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim. Talmud is a supplementary scripture composed of Mishnah and Gemara. Takeaways Some of the general features of Judaism that makes it unique from the other religions are: birthplace: Canaan god: YHWH or Yahweh followers: Jews, Hebrews, Israelites  Belief and Doctrines 02 of Judaism  In Judaism, actions are more significant than beliefs. However, while Judaism has no dogma, there is definitely a place for belief within the religion since it focuses on the worship of one god, the practice of good deeds, and the love of learning. Articles of Faith Perhaps the closest approach in having an acceptable creed in Judaism was proposed by the eminent medieval Jewish philosopher Moshe ben Maimon. Jewish Principles of Faith 1. God exists. 2. God is one and unique 3. God is incorporeal. 4. God is eternal. 5. Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other. 6. The words of the prophets are true Jewish Principles of Faith 7. Moses prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets. 8. The Written Torah and the Oral Torah were given to Moses. 9. There will be no other Torah. 10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men. 11. God will reward the good and punish the wicked. 12. The Messiah will come. 13. The dead will be resurrected. Doctrines of Jewish 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) These are Jewish rules and commandments that cover many issues such as food, punishments, and ways to worship Yahweh. These are given by God to Moses as part of the covenant between God and His people. Doctrines of Jewish 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) mitzvot aseh or positive mitzvot 248 in number guide Jews on what they should do mitzvot lo ta’aseh or negative mitzvot 365 in number remind Jews of what they should not do Ten Commandments I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall not have other gods beside me. Ten Commandments You shall not make for yourself an idol or a likeness of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or serve them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but showing love down to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. Ten Commandments You shall not invoke the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished anyone who invokes his name in vain. Ten Commandments Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God. You shall not do any work, either you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your work animal, or the resident alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. Ten Commandments Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Ten Commandments You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor  Worship and 03 Observances of Judaism Dietary Practices One of the areas of Jewish life heavily influenced by the laws from Torah is their food. Such laws were originally designed for those who serve in the temple, but some rules also apply even for the common people. For example, “all blood must be drained before the meat is cooked and eaten, because blood, which gives life, is sacred to God” Sabbath a day of rest and prayer observed by reading or discussing the Torah, going to the synagogue, or sharing meals with other jews Messiah One of the most fundamental Jewish beliefs is that a Messiah, or savior, will come. The belief in the coming of the Messiah is one of those doctrines that have changed across different versions of Judaism. The Days of Awe The first ten days of Tishri are called the “Days of Awe” (Yamim Noraim) wherein the first two days comprise the New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and the tenth day as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Yom Kippur also known as the “Day of Atonement” holiest day of the year for the Jews The eve of the day is called Kol Nidrei which are opening words of a prayer. Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year celebrated through fasting and holding a special religious service also known as the Day of Remembrance, for on this day Jews commemorate the creation of the world The Days of Awe The first ten days of Tishri are called the “Days of Awe” (Yamim Noraim) wherein the first two days comprise the New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and the tenth day as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Passover One of the parts of the Passover is the Seder, or the Paschal meal shared by the family on the eve of the first day of the feast. (Traditionally, first0born sons fast on the day leading to the Seder to commemorate the killing of the Egyptian first-born) The primary food ingested during the Passover is matzah, or unleavened bread. Pilgrimage Festivals Pesach (Passover)- an eight-day festival that originally marked the beginning of the barley harvest. Its principal purpose is to commemorate and create the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. A festive meal (seder) is celebrated wherein the story of Exodus is narrated by the heads of the family to the children. Pilgrimage Festivals Shavout (Weeks or Pentecost)- a two-day festival that was originally a celebration of the wheat harvest. Presently, it is now being held to commemorate the revelation of the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai. Pilgrimage Festivals Sukkot (Tabernacles)- a nine-day festival commemorating the autumn harvest and the forty years of the Israelites stay in the desert wilderness subsisting solely on the bounty of God. Other Important Days Hanukkah (Festival of the Lights)- is a celebration to commemorate the victory of Jewish fighters against the Seleucid Empire in 165 BCE. Purim (Feast of Esther)- celebrates the deliverance of the Jews during the Persian Empire, specifically from the vizier Haman who wanted to annihilate all Persian Jews as recorded in the Book of Esther.  Issues and Challenges of 03 Judaism Issues and Challenges Assimilation and secularism have been the concern of the Jews, hence led to many interpretations of the relevance of the religion to the modern society. These led to the establishment of the three sects: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Liberal Judaism. Jewish Sect Orthodox Judaism Jews who strictly adheres to the oral and written laws of Judaism. Strong belief that both the Torah and the collated oral laws are Divinely inspired. Interpretation away from the prescribed Judaic tradition, alteration and changes to these sacred documents are strictly prohibited. Jewish Sect Conservative Judaism Jews that strictly follows the Torah but oral laws can be viewed on in the context of the modern age. Strong belief that the Torah is Divinely inspired and oral laws can be interpreted through science. Also called as Masorti Judaism, it is a middle ground between the Orthdox and Reform Liberal Judaism Jewish Sect Reform Liberal Judaism Jews that embrace the changes in society while following some traditions of the religion Clamour for the importance of adaptability to the modern society. Relaxation in following religious customs and traditions such as dress code, sabbath practices, inter-religious marriages, and important worship and ritual practices. Issues and Challenges In recent centuries, Judaism faced many issues such as Zionism, Antisemitism, and Holocust. Zionism Jewish nationalist movement that called for a return to the promised land. It came from the experienced of Jews for many centuries as a nation without territory. The movement gave birth to a more complex problem that put the state of Israel in conflict with the Arab states in the West Asia Region. Antisemitism General hatred to the Semitic race or Jewish race. Since the middle ages, Jewish Europeans experienced hostile interaction with non-Jewish population Jewish Europeans experienced discrimination in business, societal status, and priveledges. Prominent European figures had a friendlier relationship with the Jews such as Martin Luther and Napoleon Bonaparte. Holocaust One of the darkest period in history as millions of people were exterminated during World War II. Around 1.1 million to 1.8 million were killed, majority were Jews descent. Auschwitz concentration camp was one of the biggest facilities located in Poland. The defeat of German Empire on 1945 put a halt to the extermination of the Jews in Europe. Takeaways There are three major sects in Judaism, which are Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Liberal Judaism. These sects accept the supremacy of the Torah but differ in the understanding of the role of Oral Laws and Halacha. Orthodox Judaism refrains from assimilation and the influence of secularism to penetrate the Judaic traditions. Takeaways Conservative Judaism accepts science as a tool to interpret the letters of the laws or the Talmud, Halacha, and other important religious laws and books. Reform Liberal Judaism accepts change as it will help the religion to stay relevant to the ever-changing world. Zionism is a nationalist movement that enjoined the Jews from all over the world to go back to Israel. Takeaways Antisemitism is a view that explicitly showed hatred to any Jewish customs, traditions, or origins. The National Socialist German Workers Party of the early 20th century had antisemitism as one of the prevailing political ideologies that resulted in the Holocaust, which is the extermination of minor races such as Jews, Roma (Gypsies), Slaves, Poles, Russians, Disabled, and Homosexuals. Performance Task Choose one commandment from the Ten Commandments presented by God to Moses. Create a poster that signifies your chosen commandment. Then, in 3-5 sentences, write a brief explanation about the poster you’ve made. (Use a ¼ illustration board for the poster and ½ crosswise for the explanation. Refer to the given rubric for this activity.)