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Judaism
G_d’s Promise
Abraham
Abram

Judaism starts with
the Patriarch
Abraham whose
name was changed
from Abram. It is to
him that G_d made
a promise that he
would be the father
of many nations.
Abraham’s journey

Abraham moved to Palestine around 4000
BCE. This was part of G_d’s promise.
The Mighty Nation



The descendents of
Abraham settled in
Egypt where they
had become slaves.
They cried to G_d
for deliverance
from bondage of
slavery.
G_d called Moses
to lead them.
Moses


Moses is a main
figure in Jewish
history.
Born to a Jew he
was rescued from
the Nile by the
daughter of the
Pharaoh of Egypt .
Moses

He grew up probably as
both an Egyptian and a
Jew. Although he was
in the house of Pharaoh
he was "nursed/raised"
by his birth mother.

He was raised to be a
leader and became
second in command of
Egypt.
Moses Flees

It was discovered that he was a Jew
and had to leave because he murdered
an Egyptian.
The Call of Moses

He later returns to
Egypt after the
burning bush
experience to lead
the Israelites out of
Egypt.
Moses Before Pharaoh

Moses comes before
Pharaoh and tells
Pharaoh to let G_d’s
people go.
Pharaoh’s Response
Pharaoh refuses.
 Moses then issues forth the ten plagues.

The Passover


The Jews were
instructed to put
blood on their
doorposts.
When the Angel of
Death came it
“passed over” the
homes with blood
on the doorposts.
Final Plague

When the Pharaoh refused Moses’ last request
the final plague was issued--the death of every
firstborn male.
Haste

Pharaoh relented and let the Israelites leave.
They had to make preparations to leave quickly.
Change


Pharaoh changed
his mind and
decided to chase
the Israelites.
According the the
Hebrew Bible as
the Israelites, lead
by Moses, stood at
the Red Sea or the
Sea of Reeds, G_d
acted on their
behalf and parted
the waters.
The Deliverance

According to the Jews in the
deliverance three things were affirmed.
– Yahweh is the creator of the universe
– Yahweh chose the Israelites
– The Jews are to reveal Yahweh to the rest
of the world.
G_d’s Deliverance

G_d, by way of
Moses, led the
descendents of
Abraham out of
slavery. A covenant
was established by
way of the Ten
Commandments and
the Laws of Moses.
Results of the Covenant
Yahweh is the the G_d not only the
Israelites but of all creation.
 The Israelites are G_d’s people.
 Jewish communal life was established
 The Pentateuch (the first five books of
the Hebrew Bible) tells the history and
regulates the community.

A Light to the Gentiles
(non Jews)

The Jews reveal the nature of G_d and
point the way to G_d for the rest of the
world.
Hebrew Bible
c. 900-200 BCE

3 sections
– the Law - Torah
– the Prophets - Nevi’im
– the Writings - Kethuvim
– Together they are called Tanakh
– The Torah is the core of the Bible

Talmud (oral and written interpretations
of the Torah).
Rites and Festivals
Circumcision of the male child at 8 days
 Bar Mitzvah (Bas Mitzvah girl) boy
reaches 13 years of age demonstrates
acceptance of Covenant
 Marriage
 Burial

Festivals
Pesach (Passover) deliverance from Egypt
 Shavuot (Pentecost) harvest and Torah
 Sukkot (tabernacles) Fall Festival
 Rosh Hashana (New Year)
 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
 Hanukkah (victory over the Syrians in 165 BCE
 Purim (deliverance from the Persian Empire)

Jewish Beliefs
The 13 principles as developed by
Maimonides
13 Principles of the Jewish Faith

1. I believe with perfect faith
that God is the creator and
Ruler of all things.

5. I believe with perfect faith
that it is proper to pray to
God.

2. I believe with perfect faith
that God is one.

6. I believe with perfect faith
that all the words of all of
the prophets are true.

3. I believe with perfect faith
that God does not have a
body.

7. I believe with perfect faith
that the prophecy of Moses
is absolutely true.

4. I believe with perfect faith
that God that God is first and
last.

8. I believe with perfect faith
that the entire Torah that we
how have is that which was
given to Moses.

9. I believe with perfect faith
that this Torah will not be
changed, and there will
never be another given by
God.

10. I believe with perfect
faith that God knows all of a
man's deeds and thoughts.

11. I believe with perfect
faith that God rewards those
who keep his
commandments, and
punishes those who
transgress Him.

12. I believe with perfect
faith in the coming of the
Messiah.

13. I believe with perfect
faith that God that the dead
will be brought back to life
when God wills it to happen.
Jewish Belief

There is no official Jewish creed--however,
there are some basic ideas.
– Belief in G_d. G_d is one, formless, all-knowing,
and eternal. G_d is master of the universe as its
creator and judge. G_d is both loving and just.
– Belief in the words of the prophets.
Jewish Belief
– Belief that G_d gave the law to Moses.
– Belief that the Messiah, the savior to be
sent by G_d, will come some day.
– Belief that there will be a resurrection of
the good “in the world to come.”
Divisions within Judaism
Divisions within Judaism

Cultural Based

Observance Based
Cultural Based

Sephardim

Ashkemazim

Falashas, Ethiopian Jews
Observance Based

Orthodox Judaism

Conservative Judaism

Reform Judaism

Reconstructionist Judaism
The Four Branches of Judaism
Judaism
Orthodox
Maintain traditional beliefs
and practices
Reformed
Incorporated modern
ideas and thinking
into religious practices
Conservative
Make some concessions
but maintain certain
traditional practices
Reconstructionists
Individual interpretation
Symbolisms, Metaphors
Judaism, changing cultural force
Orthodox

Orthodox Judaism
– it came into
existence after the
Reform began.
– A branch of Judaism
committed to
retaining traditional
practice and belief.
– They are hesitant
about discarding any
traditional practices.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/images/judaism/orthodox_jews.jpg
Orthodox

Among the things
that they believe
are:
– In synagogues
women are separate
from men
– There must be a
quorum of men for
service to begin
– Only men celebrate
the coming of age
(bar mitzvah)
http://www.ccoc.net/terror/images/articles/Rachamim-Bar-Mitzvah.jpg
Orthodox
– Males keep their
heads covered
– Social roles are
strictly separate
(trad. Men/Women)
– Orthodox household
keep strict rules
about diet.
http://www.payer.de/kommkulturen/kultur13137.gif
http://i-cias.com/e.o/ill/jud_orth01_large.jpg
Conservative

Frankel Solomon Schchter
was an early leader of this
branch.
– The Reform movement
was too radical.
– The Torah and the
Talmud must be
followed.
– Practices can vary from
synagogue to
synagogue.
– Most of the worship
service is in Hebrew.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/363_Transp/shechter.gif
Conservative
– Males wear head
coverings (yarmulkes or
kippot)
– Members are
encouraged to observe
kashruth, kosher food
laws, Shabbat and
holidays.
– Change is accepted but
with much study and
discussion and carefully
weighing all traditions.
http://www.ajcop.org/images/huberman.jpg
Reform Judaism

David Einhorn and Isaac
Mayer inspired this
movement in the US.
Outline:
– The Torah has moral
authority but ceremonial
and dietary laws are no
longer binding.
– A need for a Jewish
homeland was
recognized.
– An emphasis is placed on
religious practice,
observing the Sabbath,
and keeping the holidays.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/363_Transp/Reform_logo.GIF
Reform Judaism

Outline (continued)
– Most of the services are in
English and males are not
required to wear coverings.
– Men and women can sit
together
– Women can be ordained as
Rabbis.


Mendelssohn was influential
in Europe
He advocated religious
tolerance, Judaism could be
combined with secular
culture and embraced many
of the ideas of the European
Enlightenment.
http://www.betham.org/women/bawconference.jpg
More Reform
Reform synagogue has women and men sitting
together, services are conducted in both
Hebrew and the native tongue, there are choirs
and use of organ.
 Traditional ways of dressing are dropped.
 The idea is to totally modernize Judaism to be
able to survive contemporary cultures.

Reconstructionist Judaism





Founded by Mordecai Kaplan.
Individuals in this form are introduced to traditional
Judaism but are allowed to individually interpret
elements.
Such things as angels, prophecy, revealed law, and
the Messiah are taken as symbols.
G_d is seen as “the Power which makes me follow
even higher ideals.”
Judaism is seen as an changing cultural force.