Download Judaism 101 - Freeman Public Schools

Judaism 101
Who Is Jewish?
• Any person whose mother was Jewish or any
person who has gone through the formal
conversion process.
What is Judaism?
• Is it a religion?
• Are Jews a race?
• Is it a culture or ethnic group?
History of Judaism
• G-d promises 2 things to Abraham
– Land-important for a nomad
– Descendents
• Moses receives the commandments and the
people accept them and the relationship.
– 613 commandments
– Prayer shawl has 613 knots
• Must be worn when Torah is read
History of Judaism
• Babylonia takes over North and South
Kingdoms of Israel
• Israelites exiled
– Cultures and practices go with them
• First temple is torn down so build synagogues
• 70 AD Romans destroy second temple
• As Jews are forced to move some new
traditions develop and some are given up
Jewish Movements
Movements are the denominations, branches
or sects of Judaism
• Orthodox- one of the major movements of Judaism
that believes that Jewish law comes from G-d and can
not be changed
• Conservative-modern stream of Judaism that arose out
of the intellectual currents of Germany in the mid1900’s.
• Reform- spectrum of beliefs , practices and organization
associated with reform Judaism in North America and
the United Kingdom
Separate Cultural Traditions
• Sephardic Judaism- Jews of Spain and Portugal
– Mizrachim-North Africa and the Middle East
• Ashkenazic- Jews of France, Germany and
Eastern Europe
Beliefs of Judaism
• Judaism does not have an Apostle’s Creed or
Nicene Creed that states this is what we
believe.
• Do not believe in original sin
• Follow the Torah
– First five books of the Bible
• Judaism cover head as a sign of respect,
Gentiles remove hats as sign of respect
Beliefs of Judaism
• Orthodox Jews believe facial hair was a gift
from G-d to distinguish males from females
– Do not shave
Kosher and Dietary Laws
• What does kosher mean?
• General Rules
– Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This
restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and
milk of the forbidden animals.
• Must have hoofs and chew cud
– Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and
mammals must be killed in accordance with
Jewish law.
Kosher and Dietary Laws
• All blood must be drained from the meat or
broiled out of it before it is eaten.
• Certain parts of permitted animals may not be
eaten
Kosher Dietary Laws
• Fruits and vegetables are permitted, but must
be inspected for bugs
• Grape products made by non-Jews may not be
eaten
• Meat cannot be eaten with dairy.
Kosher Dietary Laws
• Utensils that have come into contact with
meat may not be used with dairy, and vice
versa. Utensils that have come into contact
with non-kosher food may not be used with
kosher food. This applies only where the
contact occurred while the food was hot.
Shabbat
• The most important ritual observance in
Judaism.
• Shalom –Hebrew word that literally means
peace. A way of saying "hello" or "goodbye."
Jewish Holidays
• Passover
• Rosh Hashanah
– Jewish New Year
Jewish Holidays
• Yom Kippur
– Day of Atonement
• Chanukkah
– the festival of lights
• Yom Ha-Shoah
– Holocaust Memorial Day