Download Session Notes Jewish and Islam Religions - 82 KB

ELDER Project
Fairfield University School of Nursing
Cultural Diversity
Jewish and Islam Religions
Objectives:
At the end of this session, the participants will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast the belief systems of Judaism and Islam.
2. Discuss the role of religion, traditional health care beliefs, social values, and
family structure of Judaism and Islam and the impact these factors have on
health care.
3. Identify specific culturally sensitive practices that can be incorporated into your
work with Jewish and Muslim patients.
Food Presentation……………………………………….…….………….……5-10 minutes
Depending on one or two presenters
Introduction……………………………………………………………………….....5 minutes
Judaism and Islam are known as Abrahamic faiths since they trace their lineage from
Abraham in the Torah (the Five Books of Moses); both accept the idea of one creator
and the importance of written scripture. Both religions are very rich and diverse with
numerous cultural inferences. Although they do share some similarities many
differences exist in their practices and beliefs. The backgrounds of these two religious
groups have influenced the way they respond to illness and other life crises.
Areas of focus……………………………………………………………...……...20 minutes
1. Judaism
 History: Jews were dispersed after an insurrection against Roman
authority and lived all over the world until founding the state of Israel in
1948. Much of Jewish history has been marveled by persecution by other
societies, from ancient Egypt and Babylon to expulsion of Jewish people
from Spain in the 15th century and the Holocaust of World War II. They
developed various subcultures with distinct histories, languages, religious
practices, customs and cuisine. Groups within the U.S. include Orthodox
(believe Jewish law is unchanging and mandatory), Conservative (believe
God’s laws change and evolve over time), Reform and Reconstructionist
(laws are guidelines that the individual can choose to follow or not). Many
Jews are also secular or atheist. For them, Judaism is a culture rather
than a religion.
 Origin of the name: from the Hebrew - Yehudim or Judah.
 Founder: Abraham
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Estimated followers: 14 million; 12th largest religion in the world; The
majority of the Jews live in the United States and Israel.
Original language: Hebrew
Holy book: the Hebrew Bible - Tanakh, the Old Testament: inclusive of
the Torah (Five Books of Moses). The Talmud is an oral tradition
explaining and interpreting the Tanakh. It includes the Mishnah, a code of
Jewish law
Rituals:
o Circumcision of the newly born Jewish male,
o Bar/Bat mitzvah- ceremony marking the coming of age (13) for
Jewish boys (bar) and girls (bat) mitzvah,
o Shabbat observance,
o Prayer - held in high regard, the Jewish prayer book is called the
siddur.
Religious law: Halakhah, which covers prayer and ritual, diet, rules
regulating personal status and observances of holidays.
Clergy: Rabbis, Cantors
House of worship: Synagogue (aka: Temple, Shul)
Main Day of Worship:
o Sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night
o All holidays begin the night prior in this manner
2. Islam
 History: Began in Mecca and was developed from the Judeo-Christian
tradition and cultural values of Nomadic Bedouin tribes of Arabia. It spread
to North Africa and Europe into Central Asia, as it expanded the new
Islamic societies and adopted many of the customs they encountered.
There are two main denominations: Sunni (90%) and Shi’ite (10%).
Muslims in the U.S. come from many different cultures and schools of
thought.
 Origin of the name: derived from an Arabic word for submission
 Founder: Mohammed
 Followers: 1.57 billion; second largest religion in the world
 Original language: Arabic
 Holy book: The Quran or Koran which was revealed to the prophet
Mohammed over a period of about 20 years. It is believed to be the final
revelation given by Allah to mankind. The Hadith is a collection of
traditions/sayings of the prophet Mohammed and functions as a
supplement to the Quran, giving guidance to Muslims for daily living.
 Rituals: Five important rituals, known as the pillars of Islam which include
o Shahadah -profession of faith,
o Salat –prayer 5 times a day on a prayer mat facing in the direction
of Mecca. Prayer includes movements such as bowing, prostrating
and sitting. It can be done in bed or sitting if the person is ill
o Zakat –alms giving
o Sawm –fasting during the holy month of Ramadan
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o Hajj – the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Required once in a lifetime if
physically and financially able.
Religious Law: Sharia – the code of conduct
Clergy: Imams
House of worship: Mosque
Main day of worship: Friday
Both religions follow the cycle of the moon (the lunar calendar) to determine when a
holiday will occur, thus each year the holidays begin differently on the Gregorian
calendar. The Jewish calendar is adjusted each year to correspond with the seasons by
adding a leap year occurs every few years. The Islamic calendar does not adjust, thus
holidays will appear at no certain time during the Gregorian calendar.
3. Important Dates/Holidays
Judaism Pesach (Passover) – Eight day celebration in commemoration of the
escape of the Jewish people from Egypt. The name originated from the
10th plague that God sent upon the Egyptians killing the first born.
Israelites marked their homes with blood of sacrificial lamb and the angel
of death “passed over” them, sparing their children. Ritual dinner is
conducted (Seder) that avoids bread and grain products in memory of the
urgent departure from Egypt.
 Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) - Occurs in September/October. It is
a celebration of the Jewish New Year and a time to reflect on the past
year.
 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) - Special day of fasting and repentance
to reconcile with the creator all mistakes over the last year. Second holiest
day of the Jewish calendar. Occurs ten days after the first day of Rosh
Hashanah.
 Purim-Commemorates events in the Book of Ester in the Hebrew bible
which describes how the Israelites avoided extermination.
 Hanukkah- Eight day festival of lights that is celebrated by lighting
candles each night. It celebrates the rededication of the Temple in
Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt; it is considered a minor holiday.
Occurs sometime in November/December.
 Shabbat- Holiest day on the Jewish calendar; a day of rest and spiritual
enrichment. Represents the 7th day of creation when God rested from his
work. Observed from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.
Islam Ramadan- Holiest period in the Islamic year signifying when the Qur’an
was revealed to Muhammad. Followers do not eat or drink anything from
dawn until dusk. They may consume a pre-dawn meal before fasting
during the day. Usually occurs in the 9th month of their calendar year.
 Eid al-Fitr- Festival of breaking the fast that is celebrated on the final day
of Ramadan where the fast is broken and people gather in the community
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to celebrate with a community meal. The head of each household pays
annual alms to a charity of their choice. May see decorations and gift
giving being done.
Eid al-Adha- The festival of the sacrifice. It occurs during Hajj (pilgrimage)
that celebrates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael.
Al-Hijra- First day of Islamic New Year celebration. Marks the end of the
period of persecution in Mecca and the transition to a recognized faith
community in Medina.
Milad al-Nabi- Celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
Some sects do not celebrate this day.
Ashura- Day of mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson
of Muhammad.
4. Family
 Judaismo Strong family ties:
 Grandparents are respected and offer financial support to
young families and become dictators of family matters.
 Grandmother is in charge of household chores.
 Male parent has the authority in family matters.
 Islamo Emphasis is on respect for older people.
o Children have special responsibilities towards their parents.
o Communal obligation to care for the elderly.
5. Diet/Food
 Judaismo Practice kosher laws or Kashrut, which describe how meat needs to
be prepared (slaughtered) according to Jewish law.
o Can only eat meat from animals that part the hoof and are clovenfooted and chew the cud, such as cattle, sheep, and goats.
 Other types of meat, such as pork and rabbit are forbidden.
o Sea creatures with fins and scales are allowed, but shellfish and
crustaceans are not.
o Most non-predatory fowl like chicken and turkey is allowed.
 Can only eat eggs from kosher fowl.
o All fruits and vegetables are kosher, but must be washed
thoroughly.
o Cannot cook or eat dairy products with meat.
 This is based on a biblical law that prohibits boiling a kid in
its mother’s milk.
 Use separate dishes, utensils, and pots for meat and dairy
dishes.
 Also wait a number of hours after eating meat before
consuming any dairy products.
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o Practice ritual hand washing with associated blessings over various
foods.
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Islamo Follow a halal diet, they will not consume the following:
 pork,
 alcohol,
 animals that were dead prior to slaughtering,
 animals that have not been slaughtered according to Islamic
rites,
 blood or blood products,
 carnivorous animals
 birds of prey
 land animals without external ears
o Followers will not take any medications that contain alcohol or pork
by products unless they are life-saving drugs with no substitutes.
o Will wash hands before and after meals.
o Use of the right hand to eat and drink.
 If they need to be fed, use the right hand if you have to touch
the food.
 Either hand is appropriate to use if using utensils.
6. Modesty/Dress
 Judaismo Jewish modesty (tznuit) is not just about how a man and a woman
dresses, but how they behave.
 Modesty implies a sense of humility and downplaying one’s
attributes.
o In the more traditional groups, women will cover their torso up to
the neck, along with their arms and legs when in public.
 Keeping covered is a way of separating oneself from
regularity or mediocrity and increasing the individual to a
higher level of respect.
 It is also a way to protect their inner sense of who they are.
o Orthodox women cover their hair as well – either with a scarf or a
wig.
o Orthodox men wear a hat or skull cap called a yarmulke/kippah.
o Orthodox men and women will sit separately in public.
o Orthodox women do not wear pants.
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Islamo Muslims also practice modesty (hejab) when in public or when they
are in the presence of non-family members of the opposite sex.
 Modesty is described as one of the five pillars of faith which
includes restriction on dress, privacy and mentioning of
anything related to bodily functions.
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o Modesty of dress:
 Clothing must cover the entire body, including the neck and
head.
 Clothing should not be form-fitting, sheer or eye-catching.
 Men keep the area between their navel and knees covered.
o Women only expose their face, hands and feet.
 A veil may be worn as a symbol of modesty.
o Not all Muslims follow these standards.
o A locket containing religious writings is sometimes worn around the
neck in a small leather bag.
 It is kept for protection and strength and should not be
removed by healthcare workers without permission.
o Body exposure can prevent some from seeking health care.
o Eye contact is not made between members of the opposite sex.
o Touching is also not allowed between opposite genders.
NOTE: Both religions prefer the same gender healthcare practitioners in order to follow
rules of modesty. Healthcare workers should ask permission to uncover parts of the
body out of respect. They should also knock on the door before entering in order to
provide the patient time to cover themselves.
7. Illness
 Judaismo View illness as a part of a natural order that God sets in motion, but
does not control.
o They recognize that illness and suffering can strike anyone.
o They believe in actively seeking healing through medical treatment.
o Prayer is an important means of healing.
 They believe that visiting the sick is an important element of
healing.
 Their custom of performing a good deed (a mitzvah) is
viewed as a religious obligation in which the community is
supposed to comfort and care for the sick.
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Islamo Does not have any specific codes for medical treatment of physical
illnesses in the Qur’an.
o The Islamic tradition recognizes the difference between health and
illness as balance or imbalance.
o Historically there has been a close relationship between religion
and medicine and its practices.
o Muslims use home-made herbal and medicinal tonics, dietary
restrictions and amulets to ward off bad spirits.
 Male circumcision, cupping, bloodletting, cauterization and
ligation are also used.
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o The contemporary Muslim approach to healthcare is based strongly
on preventative measures such as personal hygiene, dietary
restrictions and avoidance of addictive habits like smoking or
overeating.
o Some Muslims may perceive a sudden death or illness as a sign of
punishment or test from God.
o They tend to find strength in prayer and meditation.
o Spiritual healing is sought by reciting from the Qur’an.
8. Death and Dying
 Judaismo The Jewish patient may wish to recite or hear special psalms or
prayers, especially Ps 23: The Lord is My Sheppard.
o They may appreciate being able to hold the page on which it is
written.
o Prayers may also be said by relatives.
o Rabbis bring comfort and help the dying with a formal confession.
o The son or closest relative may wish to close the eyes and mouth
of the deceased. The body should be handled as little as possible
by non-Jews. Usually three members of the community of the same
sex of the patient wash the body for burial. The body is covered
with a clean white sheet and placed feet pointing towards the door
and a candle is light. Someone will stay with the body from death to
burial, which usually takes place within 24 hours. Orthodox Jews
are always buried. Non-orthodox Jews do allow cremation. Post
mortems are not usually permitted unless it is a legal requirement.
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Islam- believes life is sacred and belongs to God. Everyone dies at a time
determined by God. Suicide and euthanasia are forbidden. Advance
directives and DNR orders are acceptable. Withdrawal of support when in
a vegetative state is less clear. May stop treatment if there is no hope for
recovery. Death is seen as a transition for the soul to depart the body and
enter another realm. When a person dies, they believe the soul returns to
the creator. There is no elaborate or complicated ritual done at the time of
death. Others may sit near the bed of the patient and read from the Qur’an
and pray for the peaceful departure of the soul. If the patient is conscious,
they may want to recite the Shahadah or declaration of faith and pass
away while reciting the words. Healthcare providers should handle the
body as little as possible. Gloves should be worn if it is necessary to touch
the body. Muslims believe the body “feels” any pressure that is applied
after death. They also believe the soul remains close to the body until
burial, therefore they prefer to prepare for burial as soon as possible after
death. The face of the deceased should be turned towards Mecca (NE
direction in the US). Clothes are removed by the same gender family
member and the body is covered with sheets. The family prepares
arrangements for washing and burial. Autopsy is only allowed if it is a legal
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requirement. Embalming and cremation are forbidden. This culture tries to
bury the body before it decays. Public grieving is only allowed for three
days. This gives non-family members a chance to visit and offer
condolences. After that the family is left to grieve privately.
Activity……………………………………………………………………….……...20 minutes
Jeopardy game
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...5 minutes
Religion, like culture, consists of patterns of beliefs, values and behaviors acquired by
members of a society. There are different interpretations of principles and meanings
within all religions. Diversity in America includes the rich heritages and cultures that are
seen in our population,that make up our country and coexist to create a nation.
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References:
Christianity in View. Retrieved March 6, 2011 from
http://christianityinview.com/xncomparison.html.
Healthcare Providers’ Handbook on Muslim Patients. Retrieved January 9, 2011 from
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/multicultural/support_tools/islamgde2ed-s2.pdf
International Strategy and Policy Institute. (1999). Guidelines for Health Care Providers Interacting
with Muslim Patients and Their Families. Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http://www.ispiusa.org/guidelines.htm.
Taheri, N. (2008). Health Care in Islamic History and Experience. Retrieved January 9, 2011
from http://ethnomed.org/cross-cultural-health/religion/health-care-in-islamic-history-andexperience.
The Muslim World. Retrieved April 15th, 2010 from http://btw.imb.org/news_map.asp
Religion Statistics: Jews by Country. Retrieved April 15th, 2010 from
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/rel_jew-religion-jews
World Muslim Population Density. Retrieved April 15th, 2010 from
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/muslim.html
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