Download Judaism Why is the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem

Judaism
1. Why is the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem an essential point in
studying Jewish history?
1. Ended the power of the priesthood
2. Move toward a greater focus on scripture
3. The Hebrew canon was finalized and commentaries were written
4. Classical or rabbinic Judaism and traditional Jewish life were established
2. What are the two periods that subdivide the time after the destruction of the Second
Temple?
1. The first initiated in the Common Era when the second temple was destroyed.
This ended the power of priesthood, whose sacrificial rituals were no longer
possible, and religious moved towards a greater focus on scripture.
2. The second period is called Reform, which happened as response to the
European Enlightenment. It was an incentive to question and modernize
traditional Judaism
3. Name the three sections of the Hebrew Bible and briefly describe the content of
each.
1. Torah, the sacred core of five books containing stories of the Creation, Adam
and Eve, a Great Flood, the Hebrew patriarchs and matriarchs, and Moses, the
great liberator and lawgiver. It includes laws about religious ritual and daily
conduct, including the Ten Commandments.
2. Prophets, after those people who spoke in God's name to the Jewish people.
3. Writings, which include a variety of material, such as short stories, proverbs,
poetry, and reflections on life.
4. What is the scholarly view regarding the exactness of the historical record depicted
in the Hebrew Bible?
There has been a lot of scientific evidence of archeology that confirms the accuracy of the
statements of the Hebrew Bible. Many liberal theologians ignore the evidence and are
skeptic of the occurrences.
5. Describe the key points made in the story of origin.
The world is created by Elohim (god), by means of prayer in six days and the designation of
the seventh day as Sabbath, hold day (set apart) from the rest.
God creating the first man from clay (or dust) and into whom he “breathes” and the Breath
of life, first woman is formed from the side of the man. Man and woman are created by
God’s regents over his creations.
6. Briefly retell the story of the Great Flood.
Immoral human beings: Make God disgusted, Righteous Noah and his family and ordered to
build an ark. God places his “bow” into the sky Rainbow and Providing explanation for an
unknown natural phenomenon
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7. Describe the call of Abraham and the promise made to him.
With the call of Abraham, God began a people whose descendants are living in ethnic purity
to this very day. God had promised him that he would send a delivered to undo the cure of
sin that befell the human race when Adam and Even sinned.
8. Briefly retell the story of Abraham and Isaac and give a possible meaning.
9. Why was the baby Moses cast adrift in a basket?
10. How did the Passover festival get its name?
When the Pharaoh refused to let the Lords people leave Egypt he placed upon the
Egyptians ten plagues. The last being that all of their firstborn would die. The Israelite
people were told to sprinkle the blood of a sacrificed animal on their door frames and lintel.
When G-d would come to smite the Egyptian firstborns, he would see the blood on the
doorpost and skip over that house. That's why it is called Passover. That is the same idea of
the Hebrew name, Pesach, which means door.
11. Describe the events surrounding Moses' encounter with God at Mount Sinai.
1. What is the nature of the rules given after the Ten Commandments?
2. What caused the division into two kingdoms after Solomon's death?
3. Why did Islam treat Jews with tolerance in the medieval period?
4. What were some of the developments in the Renaissance that affected both
Christianity and Judaism?
5. Explain Holocaust.
The destruction of European Judaism by the Nazis
6. What factors contributed to the creation of the state of Israel?
1. 1896 - Theodor Herzl a Jewish journalist Hungarian born Austrian journalist Published
a book--- "The Jewish State“ Suggested the establishment of a Jewish state
2. After WW I: British control over Palestine
3. Balfour Declaration: on November 2nd, 1917
4. After the WW II: United Nation divide the British mandate of Palestine to two states
One for Jews, the other for Palestinians, Jews accepted the plan: created the state of
Israel The Palestinians rejected the UN plan
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7. Describe the celebration of Hanukkah and its origins.
An early-winter festival recalling the rededication of the Second Temple, celebrated with
the lighting of the candles for eight days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the
Hebrew calendar
The typical Menorah consists of 8 branches with an additional raised branch. The extra
light is called a shamash "attendant" or "sexton" and is given a distinct location, usually
above or below the rest, to have a light available for use, as using the Hanukkah lights
themselves is forbidden
8. What are some of the defining characteristics of Orthodox Judaism?
They believe that their practice and belief are the only true heir of the Jewish tradition and
other denomination of Judaism to be heretical and they both have a strong faith in oral
Torah.
9. How is Conservative Judaism characterized?
Conservative Jews have varied belief about god, there is no one mandate about what the
god is, but they are monotheist
10. What are the dietary practices and restrictions of traditional Judaism?
They eat kosher food, ritually slaughteres beef, sheep, goats, deer with no diseases. Salmon,
tune, car. Meat is eaten separately from dairy. Soft chees and kosher hard cheese.
11. What are the features of Reform Judaism?
Reform Judaism believe that the religion should adapt to the modern time that the Jewish
laws are more of guideline than list of restriction with literal meanings
12. Describe Reconstructionist Judaism.
Reconstructive Judaism argue that the religion is the result of social progress it is the
product of human civilization to encourage moral discipline
Christianity
1. Why was Israel so full of unrest at the time of Jesus' birth?
2. What were some of the expectations of those who thought they lived in the "end
times"?
3. Describe traditional teachings surrounding the birth of Jesus.
4. What are the Gospels and how does their viewpoint differ from a historical research
report?
5. What were the basic beliefs and practices Jesus embraced as a Jew?
6. What are the Two Great Commandments that were so important to Jesus?
7. Describe the early Christian group in Jerusalem.
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8. Why is Paul sometimes called the cofounder of Christianity?
9. Discuss Paul's background and the events that led to his support of Jesus.
10. What was Paul's usual missionary technique?
11. Describe Paul's reasoning on his position about whether new converts should keep
Jewish laws.
12. What were the ways Paul understood Jesus?
13. Briefly describe the four parts of the New Testament and their content.
14. How does the New Testament mirror the structure of the Hebrew Bible?
15. Why were the Epistles written and what are their general themes?
16. Discuss the characteristics of the Book of Revelation.
17. Why is interpretation of the Christian Bible such a serious and controversial matter
18. Discuss the Christian view of Jesus Christ. What are the functions of the Holy Spirit?
Explain the Holy Trinity.
19. What are the stages through which Christianity went in its growth?
20. Describe the basic features of church structure that were adopted.
21. Why is the bishop of Rome known as the pope?
22. What was Constantine's role in the development of Christianity?
23. How did Augustine influence the development of Christianity?
24. Describe the origins of the Orthodox branch of Christianity.
25. Why were the crusades initiated?
26. What was the origin and purpose of the Inquisition?
27. What were the reasons for the feeling of pessimism in the Late Middle Ages?
28. Why was the Roman Church perhaps in more need of reform than the Eastern
Church was?
29. What are the basic emphases of Protestant Christianity?
30. Discuss the meaning and practice of baptism.
31. Describe some devotional rituals, objects, and symbols along with their meaning.
Islam
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Offer a short biography of Muhammad.
Characterize the situation in and around Arabia during Muhammad's time.
Muhammad's religious views were not well received at first. Why?
What purpose did Muhammad's Night Journey, or Ascent to Heaven, serve in
his life?
5. How is God viewed and described in Islam?
6. How does Islam view its relationship with Christianity and Judaism?
7. What is the role and function of prophets according to Islam?
8. Discuss the significance of Abraham for Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
9. Briefly describe each of the Five Pillars.
10. Trace the theme of simplicity in Islam, for example in its creed, death rituals,
dress during the Hajj, and architecture.
11. What purposes does fasting serve in Islam?
12. Highlight the main features of the Hajj and its overall impact on believers.
13. Describe the content of the Qur'an and its role in shaping Islamic life.
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14. Date the golden age of Islam and describe its contributions and achievements.
15. Discuss the origin of the Sunni-Shiite split in Islam.
16. Describe the main features of Shiite Islam, especially regarding the role of
Imams. What has generated the most divisions within Shiite Islam?
17. What are the general features of Sunni Islam?
18. Discuss some of the major movements within Sunni Islam.
19. What is a theocratic state? How is it justified in the Muslim view?
20. Describe the challenges modern life presents to traditional Islam.
21. Define secularism and its various political and religious implications.
22. Situate the following countries on a spectrum from adopting Western values to
resisting them, explaining why you place them where you do: Turkey, Saudi
Arabia, Iran, Egypt. What would be the key arguments offered by both ends of
the spectrum—secular state vs. a theocratic Islamist state?
23. Review elements of conflict in at least two other countries with large Muslim
populations.
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