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WHAT IS JUDAISM??
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Judaism is one of the world’s oldest religions.
People who believe in Judaism, are called Jews.
Jews believe in ONE GOD.
They believe they share a “covenant relationship”
between God and themselves (the Hebrew people)
Jews believe in obeying the “10 commandments”
Commandments are like religious laws.
Jews believe God leads them to the “promised
land”
HOW IT ALL BEGAN?
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The profits: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob & Moses.
God communicated to a man called Moses
Jews were slaves in ancient Egypt and freed by
Moses (more than 3300 years ago)
Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land
of Israel), ends 6th century BCE
AS A RELIGION (FAITH), JEWS BELIEVE…
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Jews believe there is one, single God, creator of the universe
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In prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was
revealed to the Hebrew people and Abraham (father of Judaism)
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In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral
and social law which guides the life of a Jew
WHO MADE JUDAISM?
Who is the founder of Judaism?
Jewish history begins with the covenant established between God
and Abraham around 1812 BC.
Abraham is considered as the father of the family of Jews.
Moses, is also an important figure as he gave the Jews the Torah around
1250 B.C. The Torah contains the laws of God.
Who is Abraham?
Abraham is the father of the Jewish people.
Jews see Abraham as a symbol of trusting and obeying God.
Abraham is also important to followers of Christianity and of Islam.
Who is Moses?
Moses is the leader who freed them from slavery in Egypt.
Moses protected the Jews from the rage of God, and negotiated with God
on their behalf. He also gave the Jews the ‘Torah’
AS A WAY OF LIFE, JUDAISM IS BASED
ON…
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Commandments are found in Torah (“Written Law”)
Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis
that explain how to apply God’s Law in everyday life
through:
 Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher)
 Dress
 Prayer and devotion to the one God
 The Temple and Temple rites
 Observance of Holy days
 Proper social relations between male and female,
in business, judicial rulings, etc.
THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS:
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Passover- Jewish celebration of freedom from the Egyptian
slavery
High Holidays:
 Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
Sukkot, the “Festival of Booths” (fall harvest festival)
Simchat Torah – celebrating Torah
Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”
Shabbat (Sabbath, 7th day, on Saturday) – the “Day of Rest”
JEWISH FACTS
Place of Origin Israel
Founder
Abraham
Sacred Text
The TeNaCh (Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim)
Sacred
Building
Synagogue
Holy Place
Jerusalem
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Pesach
Major Festivals (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), Sukkot
(Tabernacles)
Main Branches Orthodox, Reform, Conservative
JEWISH SYMBOLS & VOCAB
Star of David: symbol of Judaism.
This star was later painted yellow and used by the
Nazis to identify Jews.
Jews were forced to wear the Star of David as a
badge.
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Rabbi: Teacher of Torah
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Synagogue : Jewish version of a
“church” or “temple” in which they pray.
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Torah: 1 of 5 books of Jewish history &
law. “Written law” = Jewish
commandments
HOLOCAUST GHETTO
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An area of a city in which a minority
groups (for example the Jews) lived. It had
lots of people living closely together in a
small space.