Download Western religions/Judaism key terms/concepts • Explain the

Western religions/Judaism key terms/concepts
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Explain the importance of Abraham to all three monotheistic faiths
– Patriarch
– Prophet
– Covenant
Why do Jews view themselves as the chosen people and that Israel is the “Promised Land”?
What are main beliefs and practices associated with Judaism (continued in HW)?
– Diaspora
– Torah
– Talmud
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In looking at belief systems we divided them into east and west. Eastern religions are commonly
practiced in eastern and southern asia and have similar beliefs – ex: many believe in
reincarnation or do not have a defined view of an omnipresent god.
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The other grouping, western belief systems, are all centered on the tradition of monotheism, or
belief in one god. The 3 major monotheistic “western” religions are Judaism, Christianity and
Islam. All three religions belief that god created everything, that god took an active role in
human history, and that ultimately god judges humanity determining who will go to heaven and
who will go to hell.
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These three religions were all founded at different points in history in the Middle East. Today
they are the dominate religions of basically everywhere from the Middle East further west,
hence the name western religions
o In HW prologue you read about the Greeks and Romans. This is because the cultures of
much of western civilization, aka Europe and the Americas, is a blending of aspects from
Greece and Rome with values from the monotheistic religions
 From Greece/Rome:
 Democratic government, elections, need for education to participate in
democratic government. Rule of law that applies equally.
 From monotheistic religions: emphasis on the individual, equality,
fighting against injustice
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The western belief systems all build off of each other in a way and share many of the same
teaching and stories. Judaism is the oldest, Christianity 2nd, and Islam the youngest.
o One of the most important common stories is viewed as the starting point of all three
religions. This is the story of Abraham.
 He is the patriarch, aka father, of all 3 religions.
 Also viewed as the first prophet, or messenger of god. Someone chosen to
take God’s message to humanity. This concept is central to monotheistic
traditions.
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Comes from Ur in current day Iraq – polytheistic place
Told by Yahweh (god) to go to Canaan (Israel) and to worship him and in
return Abrahams decedents will be chosen people. This is first covenant or
agreement.
Is very old, has son with slave, then later with wife sarah. Tested by god to
sacrifice him. Due to upholding the covenant, has 12 more sons that start
own tribes of Israel.
Eventually Abraham dies. Due to war and famine decedents go to Egypt.
Stay there as slaves for 400 years. Story of Moses and the Exodus, also
related in all three faiths, then is story of Israelites returning from Egypt back
to Israel.
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In the story of Abraham, humanity makes covenant, or agreement, with God. Worship in
exchange for being chosen people and being given Israel, aka the Promised Land. This idea is
essential to followers of Judaism – that they are God’s chosen people and that the land of Israel
was promised to them.
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Much of Jewish and Christian scripture (old testament) traces the time after the Jewish return
from Egypt:
o Jews return and are forced to fight Philistines for land
o David becomes king, captures Jerusalem, and makes it capital
o Solomon builds massive temple to house commandments.
o After Solomon, Chaldeans conquer and enslave Jewish people in Babylon (60 years)
o Temple and Jerusalem destroyed
o King Herod rebuilds temple after return
o Romans conquer area and make it a full Roman province called Judea in 6 AD
o Diaspora = dispersal of the Jewish people throughout the world. Ongoing process but
starts in 70 AD with destruction of the Temple.
 This is reason why Jewish people spread throughout the world and why a Jewish
state did not exist until 1948.
 Teachings of Judaism are written in the Torah which is their holy book and is written in
Hebrew. Jews throughout history have always been very well educated and prosperous as a
result because they had to know how to read torah in their culture.
o Torah is very very similar to Christian old testament. Made up of laws and stories.
o Emphasis on history of the people in text
o Language reads right to left.
o Other main religious text is the Talmud which is compilation of Jewish law and
interpretations of torah written by rabbis. How to live life according to god.