Download Basics of Judaism 2012

WORLD RELIGIONS
What are the main beliefs of Judaism?
How can the themes of movement and place
help trace the history of the Jewish people?
How are the beliefs of Judaism practiced on a
daily basis and then on special occasions?



is monotheistic
belief in justice and righteousness
adherence to rules and commandments
from the scriptures
One God
• They were God’s chosen
people
Justice
Righteousness
Law
= Most important
daily lives
= guides
1. What are the anchors, main belief’s, of Jewish society?
God, Justice, Law, Righteousness
Describe each main belief.
God – Monotheistic, believe they are God’s chosen
people
Justice – belief in kindness and fairness
Righteousness – doing what is proper
Law – Ten Commandments – most important for
lifetime
Mosaic Law – guides daily life


Supreme Being: G-d (Jews do not spell out
full name as it is considered too holy)
Sacred Text: The Tanach (which includes the
Torah)


Place of Worship: Synagogue
Holy Land: Israel, particularly Jerusalem
and the Western Wall
Torah
Commentaries
• Most sacred
text of
Judaism
-
ancient
Jewish laws
• Jewish
history - up
to the death
of Moses
Tanach
• Hebrew Bible
Torah
:
8 books = the
Hebrew
prophets
11books =
poetry, songs,
stories, lessons,
& history,
Psalms &
Proverbs
produced
between AD
200 and 600
• Scholars and
rabbis
explain the
Torah and
laws
-
2. Describe the difference between the Torah and the Commentaries
(the Talmud).
Torah – most sacred of all Jewish texts, contains the 5 books
of the laws, contains the Jewish history up to the death of
Moses.
Talmud – Not included in the Tenach, writings of scholars
and rabbis to help explain the Torah and the Tenach, written
much later in history
3. What is the Tenach?
Contains the Torah, 8 books of the prophets, and 11 books of
songs, stories, lessons, more history, poetry, psalms, and
proverbs
4. What is the Tenach also referred to as?
the Hebrew Bible
~ 2000 BC.-
–
descendants known as
Hebrews
Later – some Hebrews
moved to Egypt - later were
enslaved
~1200 BC - Moses led
Hebrews on the Exodus out of
Egypt & slavery
Settled
become
–
5. Who first settled the region around 2000 B.C. and what
were his descendants called?
Abraham settled Canaan
Descendants called Hebrews
6. Who led the Hebrews out of Egypt and slavery around
1200 B.C., and what was that called?
Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt and slavery
Called the Exodus
7. Where did the Hebrews go from Egypt and what did
they become known as?
Back to Canaan
Became known as the Israelites
 By 586 BC

-
8. What are the two Kingdoms of Israel?
Israel and Judah
9. When did they fall and what happened to the
Jews?
The kingdoms fell by 556 B.C., led to the
Diaspora – scattering of the Jews around
the world
1.
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4.
5.
6.
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9.
10.
Israel
US
France
Canada
United
Kingdom
Russia
Argentina
Germany
Australia
Brazil
• Hanukkah (December)
–Lamp oil for one day miraculously burned for eight full
days.
–Today Jews light candles on eight-armed menorahs and
exchange gifts to celebrate the event. Pg. 149
• Passover (March or April)
–Celebrates the Exodus from Egypt
• High Holy Days (September or October)
–Rosh Hashanah: start of a new year in the Jewish
calendar & Celebration of the Creation of the Earth
–Yom Kippur: ask God to forgive sins - Holiest day in entire
Jewish calendar - No work; must fast
10. Describe the Jewish Holy Days.
Hanukkah (December)
- Lamp oil for one day miraculously burned
for eight full days.
- Today Jews light candles on eight-armed
menorahs and exchange gifts to
celebrate the event.
Passover (March or April)
- Celebrates the Exodus from Egypt
High Holy Days (September or October)
- Rosh Hashanah: start of a new year in the
Jewish calendar
- Yom Kippur: Jews ask God to forgive their
sins.