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Comunicación y Gerencia
Orthodox
Judaism
Philosophy
Instructor Dr. Baird
Cindy STUDENT
October 17, 2006
What is Judaism?
•Judaism is the religion and culture of the
Jewish people.
•Judaism does not characterize itself as a
religion, rather Jews have traditionally
thought of Judaism as a culture with its
own language, history, ancestral
homeland, philosophy, and set of ethics.
•It is their identity.
Judaism was established in
1300 b.c.e on
Mt. Sinai in Mesopotamia.
The words of the Torah
was spoken to Moses
by God.
Number of Adherents
•There are over 14 million Jewish people in the
world with over 6 million in the United States.
Israel ranks second with 5 million.
•A few generations ago, the Orthodox was the
dominant form of Judaism. Today fewer than one
fifth of Jews are Orthodox.
www.factindex.com
What is Orthodox Judaism?
• A Jew is someone born to a Jewish mother or who
converts to Judaism in accordance with Jewish law
and tradition.
• Orthodoxy rejects patrilineal descent; they do not
allow intermarriage.
• Intermarriage is considered a deliberate rejection of
Judaism.
www.jewishaz.com
Ecclesiastical Law
• Orthodox Judaism believes in strict
adherence to the traditional codes of
Halakha or Jewish Law.
• Halakha is based on the commandments in
the Torah, the first five books in the Old
Testament.
• They do not seek converts.
Holy Work of Judaism
• Torah, the first five books of the Old
Testament, is The Written Law of Judaism.
• Talmud is The Oral Law.
www.factindex.com
Clergy
• Hazzan (cantor)
• Rabbi – they are given the authority to make
interpretations of Jewish Law and Custom.
Requirements to be Clergy
• A man obtains smicha (rabbinic ordination)
after the completion of an arduous learning
program in Tora, Tanakh (Hebrew Bible),
Mishnah and Talmud. They must also study
Jewish ethics and lore, the codes of Jewish
law, and philosophy.
• Women are strictly forbidden from becoming
rabbis or cantors.
www.jewishaz.com
Holy Days
Yom Kipper- Day of Atonement
• Forbidden to eat or drink, wear leather
shoes, have marital relations, or anoint oneself.
• Guaranteed to be forgiven if you truly
repent.
Holy Days
Passover
•An important Jewish festival
commemorating the exodus of the Hebrews
from Egypt and their safe flight across the
Red Sea.
•The primary symbol of Passover is matzo, a
flat unleavened bread.
Holy Days
Chanukah- The Festival of Lights
A menorah is placed in the window and each night
one candle is lit. This celebrates the rededication
of the temple when they only had
enough oil to last one night
and through a miracle
it lasted seven.
Holy Days
Rosh Hashonoh- Season of Remembrance
•The anniversary of the day God created
Adam and Eve.
•“May you be inscribed and sealed for a
good year, good life and peace.”
Communion with God
• The Jewish Holy Day or Sabbath starts at
sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on
Saturday. They cannot do anything that
counts as work including cooking or driving.
• Their place of worship
is a synagogue.
Birth Rituals
Birth – When a child is born they are
given a name to inscribe on their birth
certificate and a Hebrew name that
isn’t officially given to them until the
Brit Milah (for the male child) or
Simchat Bat (for the female child).
Male Birth Rituals
Brit Milah or circumcision is performed to
symbolize the covenant between God and
Israel. A baby boy is circumcised on the
eighth day of life. The ceremony includes
giving the baby his Hebrew name.
Traditionally the ceremony is conducted by a
mohel ( a person ritually trained to perform
circumcisions).
Female Birth Rituals
Simchat Bat Ceremony – The birth of a
baby girl traditionally is marked in the
synagogue on the Sabbath, when her
parents are called to the Torah to give the
newborn girl her Hebrew name.
Coming of Age Rituals
At age 13 for a boy and 12 or 13 for a girl, a
child reaches adulthood and becomes a bar
or bat mitzvah, or son or daughter of the
commandments.
The ceremony is a public declaration of the
child's acceptance to participate in the
Jewish community.
In the synagogue the child is called upon to
recite the Torah blessings. Friends and
family attend and celebrate with a festive
meal afterwards.
Marriage Rituals
• Marriage is a sacred act essential for
procreation and self fulfillment.
• The marriage takes place under a canopy
(chuppal), symbolizing the home the couple will
share.
The main elements are
1. Kiddush erusin (sanctification of betrothal).
2. Betrothal blessing.
3. Presentation of the ring.
Marriage Rituals
4. Reading of the Ketubah and its
presentation to the bride.
5. Recitation of Sheva Brachat (seven
marriage blessings).
6. Nissuin (drinking of the wine to sanctify
the marriage).
7. Breaking the glass under the heel of your
foot (to remember the destruction of the
Temple in Jerusalem, even at joyous
occasions).
www.jewishaz.com
Influential Practioners
• Moses was the first Rabbi of
the children of Israel. He is known
to many Jews as Moshe Rabbeinu,
(Moses, our Teacher).
• Yehuda Amital is an Hungarian
survivor of the Holocaust and a
dominant figure in Israel.
Death Rituals
The Jewish traditions related to death and
mourning are intended to recognize death as a
part of life. The traditions of preparing the
body (Taharah), sitting Shiva (a seven day
period of mourning), and observing Yahrzeit
(prayer for the dead), all guide Jews through a
difficult time.
Taharah
The Jewish ritual of preparing the dead for
burial is called Taharah. The Jewish
community has a voluntary burial society
called the Chevra Kadisha. They believe
that performing a Taharah is the ultimate
mitzvah or worthy deed. A group of three or
four people (usually women), prepares the
body with the traditions handed down
through generations.
Taharah
It starts with a prayer to ask forgiveness from
the deceased for any errors they might make
in preparing them. They handle the body
with the utmost respect and modesty and
don’t speak unless absolutely necessary.
The body is washed from head to toe with
warm washcloths and wrapped in white burial
shrouds. They anoint the eyes, ears, mouth,
naval, and hands. The body is then sprinkled
with earth from Israel. Prayers are interwoven
throughout the process.
Orthodox Judaism
• Orthodox means correct in teaching.
• Ultimate Reality- One God (YHWH).
• Purpose of Life – Obedience to God
• How to Live – Obey the Law and atone for
sin.
• Symbol of Judaism –
Star of David