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Judaism
Worldview category:
theism / monotheistic
Overview -
Founder -
Major Texts -
Place of Worship -
Major Beliefs -
Branches of Judaism -
Important Dates
Festivals and Holidays -
Key Terms
Overview
Judaism is
one of the first monotheistic religions. It originated in the Middle
East around 2000 BCE There are approximately 14 million Jews
worldwide, with 5 million living in Israel and 5 million in the United
States. Although Judaism is not one of the worlds largest religions,
it has had a significant influence on culture and geopolitics and on the
religions of Christianity and Islam.
Founder
Abraham is considered the father of Judaism. He lived around 200
BCE
Major Texts
The Hebrew Bible consists of twenty-four individual
books. It is referred to as the Old Testament by Christians. The
Hebrew Bible and Protestant Old Testament contain the same books.
However, they have different arrangements. For example, the book of
Kings in the Hebrew Bible is divided into two books 1 Kings and 2
Kings in the Old Testament.
Torah The Torah comprises the first 5 books
of the Hebrew Bible Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and
Deuteronomy. The Torah includes the story of the creation of the world,
the early history of the Jews, the captivity in Egypt and exodus from
slavery, and numerous laws for individual behavior, social life and
ceremonial practices.
Talmud The Talmud consists of interpretations of
the Torah and additional laws.
Mishna
The Mishna is a vast collection of interpretations of laws concerning
every aspect of Jewish life.
Place of Worship
The
synagogue (also called the temple or shul) is the
Jewish place of worship. It also serves as the central place for study,
prayer and community gatherings. The leader of a synagogue is called a
rabbi. The holy day of the week is called the Sabbath, which starts at
sundown on Friday and continues until sundown on Saturday. Worship
services are held on Friday evening and/or Saturday morning.
Major Beliefs
View of God: theistic/monotheistic God exists as
a single, supernatural being. God is the creator of the universe and is
personal and eternal. God is spirit and distinct from the world he
created. God interacts with his creation through the prophets his
appointed spokespeople - and through miracles, whereby he directly
intervenes in the affairs of men.
View of reality: Reality consists of both the
material and spiritual worlds. The spiritual world includes God, angels
and Satan.
View of man: Man was created by God. God created
man in his image. However, as a result of the sin of the first humans
Adam and Eve all people are inherently sinful and alienated from God.
View of creation: God created the universe and all
matter.
View of ethics: God has established absolute
truths about right and wrong that apply for all time.
Branches of Judaism
There are three major branches within Judaism:
- Conservative A blend of traditional and
contemporary practices. Conservative Judaism holds to traditional
dietary restrictions and moral standards, while incorporating
contemporary practices in such areas as worship services. Women and
men can be rabbis.
- Reformed A more contemporary and liberal
approach to Judaism. The Talmud is not considered authoritative.
Women and men can be rabbis.
- Orthodox The traditional practice of
Judaism, where the law is followed as conveyed in the Hebrew Bible
and Talmud. Only men can be rabbis.
There is no central leader or headquarters of
Judaism, although Jerusalem is considered its holiest and most
significant city, since the Temple was located there.
Important Dates
70 CE The Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was
destroyed by the Romans.
1948 The
nation of Israel was re-established in Palestine.
Jewish Festivals and Holidays
High Holy Days A ten day period of reflection and
repentance. The High Holy Days begin with Rosh Hashanah and end with
Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah The Jewish New Year.
Yom Kippur (also known as the Day of Atonement) A
day of personal reflection, repentance and fasting.
Hanukkah (also known as the Festival of Lights) A
Jewish holiday that commemorates the defeat of the Seleucids in Israel
in 166 BCE and the purification of the Jewish Temple after its
desecration.
Passover
A celebration of the Jews being freed from slavery in Egypt. A special
meal, called the Seder, is the centerpiece of Passover.
Key Terms
Anti-Semitism Prejudice against Jews.
Bar Mitzvah A coming-of-age ritual and
celebration for a Jewish boy who at age 13 becomes responsible for
keeping the Jewish law.
Bat Mitzvah A coming-of-age ritual and
celebration for a Jewish girl who at age 13 becomes responsible for
keeping the Jewish law.
Cantor The song leader of a synagogue.
Diaspora The dispersion of the Jews to other
countries when the Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem in 70 CE
Hebrew The language in which the Hebrew Bible and
Talmud were written.
Holocaust The killing of six million Jews and six
million non-Jews at the hands of the German Nazis during the 1930s and
1940s.
Jerusalem A city in Israel
that served as the Jewish center of worship.
Kosher Jewish dietary laws as prescribed in the
Torah and Talmud. For example, Jews do not eat pork or shellfish, which
are considered unclean.
Shofar A rams horn that is blown on special
occasions.
Ten Commandments Rules given by God to
Moses on Mount Sinai. The rules pertain to mans relationship with God
and mans relationships with others.
Torah comprises the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible;
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah includes
the story of the creation of the world, the early history of the Jews,
the captivity in Egypt and exodus from slavery, and numerous laws for
individual behavior, social life and ceremonial practices.
Wailing Wall (also known as the Western Wall) A
wall in Jerusalem that is sacred to the Jews. It is part of a retaining
wall from the Second Temple, which was expanded by Herod the Great.
Yarmulke A Jewish head-covering for males.
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