* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Back Round to Judaism
Self-hating Jew wikipedia , lookup
Orthodox Judaism wikipedia , lookup
Supersessionism wikipedia , lookup
Homosexuality and Judaism wikipedia , lookup
Jewish views on evolution wikipedia , lookup
The Invention of the Jewish People wikipedia , lookup
History of the Jews in Gdańsk wikipedia , lookup
The Reform Jewish cantorate during the 19th century wikipedia , lookup
Hamburg Temple disputes wikipedia , lookup
Jewish military history wikipedia , lookup
Interfaith marriage in Judaism wikipedia , lookup
Islamic–Jewish relations wikipedia , lookup
Origins of Rabbinic Judaism wikipedia , lookup
Index of Jewish history-related articles wikipedia , lookup
Jewish religious movements wikipedia , lookup
Back Round to Judaism Judaism is one of the oldest religions still existing today. It began as the religion of the small nation of the Hebrews, and through thousands of years of suffering, persecution, dispersion, and occasional victory, has continued to be a profoundly influential religion and culture. Today, 14 million people identify themselves as Jewish. Modern Judaism is a complex phenomenon that incorporates both a nation and a religion, and often combines strict adherence to ritual laws with a more liberal attitude towards religious belief. Growth of Judaism The period of Christian hegemony in 5th-century Palestine, Jews flourished in Babylonia, spread westward to medieval Spain, north and east to Europe, while continually adjusting their cultural bearings. As religious and social conditions worsened for the Jews in Palestine under the control of Christian Rome, the center of Jewish life was transferred from the land of Israel to Babylonia, the seat of the new Muslim empire. During this period of Muslim rule from the 7th-13th centuries, Jews encountered Greek philosophy, medicine, physics, astronomy, and mathematics. They also studied the Quran, Muslim poetry, philology, biography, history, and mysticism, illustrating a linguistic, philosophical, and religious synthesis that is best described as "JudeoArabic culture." Yet this synthesis not only occurred in the elite, intellectual realm, but also at the popular level in the sense that most Jews were indistinguishable from their Muslim neighbors in terms of names, dress, and language. Worldwide Jewish Birth Rates Art and Architecture of Judaism It's the Alhambra of Granada, a Moorish palatine city in Spain. But the famous lion’s fountain was originally from a Jewish palace of the city. It came from the palace of the Jewish poet and visir Ibn Nagrela, in the 11st century. Ke know it due to a text from the poet Ibn Gabirol: the 12 lions are the 12 tribes from Israel and two of them have a triangle in their forehead symbolizing the chosen tribes of Judá and Levi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyh8bzQnOr4&feature=player_detailpage Western Wall Judaism’s most sacred site. THE spread of Judaism At numerous points in the history of Judaism, Jews were taken into captivity by other nations. The people spread, so their beliefs also spread. Generally speaking, throughout history Judaism hasn't really spread per se. Rather it has survived and grown naturally through childbirth. This due to fact that Judaism doesn't proselytize and the small numbers of converts throughout history have been minimal. Keep in mind that during most of history, in most places, converting to Judaism was a capital offence, punishable by death or losing all your possessions. Generally speaking most Jews are descendents of Jews. Only in recent years has conversion to Judaism picked up a bit, relatively to previous generations. History and Spread Jewish civilization after the exodus prospered in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, originally headed by powerful kings like Saul, David and Solomon, who built the first great temple in Jerusalem. In 586 BCE, the Babylonians overran Jerusalem, taking many captives into exile and destroying the temple. A second temple was built when the Jews returned about 538 BCE, to be destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. This destruction was decisive for the future of Judaism, replacing a sacrificial religion based around a temple with a tradition of studying and learning centered around local synagogues. By around 100CE, the canon of the Hebrew Bible was fixed. Between 200 and 700 CE, scholars compiled the Mishna, the definitive code of Jewish law. The Talmud (written interpretation of the scriptures) was compiled and the rules for the Jewish calendar were laid down. These scriptures and teachings were the basis of the religious worship that was practiced around the world during the Jewish Diaspora (exile). Influences of Judaism In modernity, Judaism has successfully met the challenges accompanying emancipation, assimilation, and anti-Semitism, by redefining itself as a multiplicity of cultures based on the triad: God, Torah, and Israel. The total number of Jews worldwide is difficult to assess because the definition of "who is a Jew" is problematic; not all Jews identify themselves as Jewish, and some who identify as Jewish are not considered so by other Jews. According to the Jewish Year Book (1901), the global Jewish population in 1900 was around 11 million. The latest available data is from the World Jewish Population Survey of 2002 and the Jewish Year Calendar (2005). In 2002, according to the Jewish Population Survey, there were 13.3 million Jews around the world. The Jewish Year Calendar cites 14.6 million. Jewish population growth is currently near zero percent, with 0.3% growth from 2000 to 2001. More pics Scenes from the Book of Esther decorate the Dura-Europos synagogue dating from 244 CE The Western Wall in Jerusalem is a remnant of the wall encircling the Second Temple. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism. Judaism has spread to all corners of the world. Seen here is a synagogue in downtown Mumbai. Other info if needed Date founded c. 1300 BC Place founded Mesopotamia Founder Abraham Adherents 14 million Main location Israel, Europe, and USA Original language Hebrew Spiritual leader Rabbi (Rebbe in Hasidism) Place of worship synagogue ("temple" in Reform Judaism) Day of worship Saturdays Theism monotheism Ultimate reality One God (YHWH) Human nature Created good Purpose of life Obedience to God How to live Obey the law and atone for sin Afterlife Views vary: Gan Eden, Gehinnom, nonexistence, or reincarnation