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JUDAISM I. HISTORY A. Historical sketch up to New Testament times Judaism may date back as far as 3500 BC Abraham, Patriarchs Slavery in Egypt, deliverance and exodus, Law given at Sinai, wilderness wandering Conquest of the Promised Land, tribal confederation (judges) Kingdom, Divided Kingdom Fall of northern Kingdom to Assyria, fall of southern kingdom to Babylon Return from exile, Medo-Persian rule, “Interbiblical period”: Greek occupation, wars of the Maccabees, coming of the Romans B. History of the Jews in terms of Persecution 1. Rise of Islam in early 7th century Reduced influence of Jews in Middle East Sporadic persecutions 2. Catholic views a. Aquinas (1127-1274) called them “carnal-minded, stiff-necked, cruel” b. At the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), Jews were required to wear badges; criticized for “blood rituals and having attributes of the devil…” 3. Crusades (1096-1250) Crusaders slaughtered “Christ-killers” on the way to the Holy Land 4. Jews were blamed for the Black Death (1348-1349) The Talmud was burned publicly as a “devil book” 5. 13th and 14th centuries Jews were expelled from England. Wide-spread pogroms took place in France, Germany; expulsion from these countries 6. 15th century Inquisition claimed 30,000 Jew; expelled from Spain Sephardic: Spain, Portugal, No. Africa, Middle East (Sepharah: Spain) Ashkenazi: France, Germany, Eastern Europe (Ashkenaz: Germany) 1 7. Luther Originally held out hope for the Jews. In later writings (Against the Jews and Their Lies) he accused them of proselytizing and Christ-killing. Some of his words were quoted by Hitler. 8. Counter Reformation (1550s-1560s) The Inquisition continued and intensified. The Jewish Ghetto formed in this time (concentration of Jews in certain neighborhoods). 9. 17th and 18th centuries Pogroms in Poland and Russia 10. Nazi “Final Solution”…the Holocaust (1935-1945) Jews were reduced to 2nd class citizens; forced to wear badges. 6 million Jews murdered in concentration camps….. German racism (Aryan supremacy, super race obsession) Scapegoat for German problems Silence of the rest of the world Anti-semitic attitudes sanctioned by the church Christians remained silent 11. Zionism Reaction to persecution: movement to establish a Jewish state 1890s: kibbutzim 1909: Tel Aviv founded 1917: British Mandate favorable to immigration 1939: quota set on immigration 1948: first prime minister C. Branches of Contemporary Judaism 1. Orthodox Laws are absolute, unchanging Hasidim: live separately, dress differently 10% American Jews 2. Reform Laws are guidelines. One may choose to follow or not Torah is not necessarily from God Value the ethics of Judaism 35% of American Jews 3. Conservative Arose out of the tension—varieties of expressions 2 Laws change and evolve Torah is from God but has human element 25% of American Jews II. OVERVIEW OF BASIC BELIEFS A. One way of summarizing Judaism Rambam’s 13 principles: God exists God is one, unique God is incorporeal God is eternal Prayer is directed to God Prophets are true Moses is the greatest prophet The Torah and Oral Torah (Talmud) are authoritative 613 mitzvot (laws) There will be no other Torah God knows man’s thoughts and deeds God will reward the good and punish the wicked Messiah will come The dead will be resurrected B. Comparison to Christianity 1. God One Person: thorough monotheism Supreme Creator and Lord of everything that exists. Deliverer, Lord of history, intervenes in history Personal: related to the wonders of the human person (“image”) 2. Man Humanity is part of creation, distinct from the rest of creation and from God. Created in God’s image. Every person is a unique, precious being of dignity and worth. Responsible: free to make decisions, capable of sin Dependent being, dependent on God for his existence Tripartite: body (basar); soul (nephesh); spirit (ruach) 3. Sin By their free will, humans have chosen to sin against God, rejecting His nature, pursuing a course of life that is opposed to His essential character and revealed in Law. 3 4. Scripture Old Testament: Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), including Torah, Prophets, and Writings; unique, revealed, factual, accurate, inspired 5. Ethics Ultimate values for humanity are based on God’s character. Man is free and responsible. The 10 Commandments, other laws of the Scripture, provide guidance. The Law shapes social life, relationships with God and other persons Focus is on relationship of God to man, God to Israel, Jews to Israel Justice: equality for all individuals; Year of Jubilee (50 years), Sabbatic Year (7th year); and gleaning laws (provide for the poor); C. Contrast to Christianity 1. Jesus An important prophet, an itinerant Jewish teacher but not a divine Person. He did good things and taught the Golden Rule. His death has no saving power. He is not the Messiah. 2. Salvation God grants “salvation” to people who repent, trust in God, and obey Him according to their understanding. Salvation is obtained by adherence to Judaism however it might be defined. 3. After life A range of views: Orthodox: reward or punishment in heaven or hell Conservative: Vague, probably most likely live on in others, in things accomplished, in the lives and memories of others. Reform: Denial of afterlife III. CONVERSATIONS WITH JEWISH PEOPLE A. Build genuine friendships Invite conversation. Learn before trying to “teach” or “correct” B. Understand the history enough to recognize understandable suspicion of Christians. No people have held on to beliefs so long through so much suffering. This fact is ever present in Jewish minds. 4 Be aware that conversion brings severe social consequences— practice genuine respect. Never criticize or make “Jew” jokes. C. Understand what has set the Jewish people apart An abiding confidence in the covenant and promises Separateness—a sense of continuity and community—created by Awareness of an ancient history Sense of being a persecuted minority group Specific religious calendar: festivals, rites, celebrations D. Learn about the holidays: they are bridges to conversation and understanding 1. Sabbath Most important, distinctive practice Based on seven days of creation Begins on Friday at sundown, ends at sundown Saturday No work to be done: regard for God and His creation Synagogue worship on Friday night Central activity: reading of the Torah 2. Passover (Pesach) March/April An eight day festival Commemorates deliverance from Egypt and the final meal The Seder: lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread 3. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) May/June 50 days after Passover (Pentecost) Originally observed at the first harvest Later, commemorating the giving of Law at Sinai All night study of Torah 4. New Year (Rosh Hashanah) September/October Blowing of the Shofar Anniversary of creation Inaugurates season of repentance 5. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) For 10 days after New Year’s Day The most holy day: God reckons the sins of the past year People make penance, fasting, confession, prayers, and worship 6. Feast of Tabernacles or Booths (Sukkot) A five day observance Originally the autumn harvest 5 Later, remembering the wandering in the wilderness (the Tabernacle) and entrance into the Promised Land 7. Purim February/March Esther’s victory over Haman 8. Hankukkah November/December Restoration and rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus in 165 BC after it had been defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes The menorah burned miraculously for 8 days 9. Bar or Bat Mitzvah (Son or Daughter of the Covenant) Carried out after 13 years old Confirmation or graduation to adult status May have developed in 14th century or earlier E. Sharing Your faith 1. Avoid Christian jargon “You Jews” or “the Jews” Jewish people “Conversion” Become a follower of Christ “Y’shua”: Ingratiating, refer to Jesus instead 2. Encourage reading the Bible (both the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible) 3. Point out places of agreement Jesus and His Jewish roots Mt. 26:56 Lk. 22:7-20 Mt. 5:17 Lk. 24:27, 44 Jn. 5:37-40 Sin and Yom Kippur Atonement, forgiveness, righteousness with God Ex. 12:7, 13; Rom. 3:25 Blood of the Passover Lamb Ps. 51 Confession of sin Isa. 53 Suffering Servant who takes our sin Gen 21 Providing a substitute sacrifice for Isaac Value of every individual Respect for the beliefs of others, protection for all 6 Related topics Messianic Jews Descendants of Jews in Mexico 7