Judaism: A Culture and a PeopleJudaism: A Culture and a People

Judaism is not just a religionJudaism is not just a religion

Judaism is a religion, but it is also a culture and a people.

Judaism is a religion, but it is also a culture and a people.

A culture and a peopleA culture and a people

Judaism does not represent any single race, belief, or viewpoint, let alone values and politics.

Judaism does not represent any single race, belief, or viewpoint, let alone values and politics.

The TorahThe Torah

Torah means “teaching,” “instruction”, or “law” and is commonly known as the Law of Moses.

Torah means “teaching,” “instruction”, or “law” and is commonly known as the Law of Moses.

Maps of Israel Over the YearsMaps of Israel Over the Years

The map of Israel changed many times since Biblical Times.

The map of Israel changed many times since Biblical Times.

Most people around Abraham were polytheists

Most people around Abraham were polytheists

Monotheism was a radical break with the common philosophical understanding of the Divine at the time.

Monotheism was a radical break with the common philosophical understanding of the Divine at the time.

The Temple in JerusalemThe Temple in Jerusalem

Worship was centered on the temple in Jerusalem.

Worship was centered on the temple in Jerusalem.

The Western (wailing) WallThe Western (wailing) Wall

Though the temple was rebuilt, the religion became more and more what it ultimately would become, a religion of synagogues, where worship consisted of study of Scriptures without sacrifices.

Though the temple was rebuilt, the religion became more and more what it ultimately would become, a religion of synagogues, where worship consisted of study of Scriptures without sacrifices.

The Bible is divided into three sections

The Bible is divided into three sections

The Torah is the first section, and includes the first 5 books of the Bible. The Prophets is the second section, and the Writings is the third.

The Torah is the first section, and includes the first 5 books of the Bible. The Prophets is the second section, and the Writings is the third.

The MessiahThe Messiah

An important idea of Biblical Judaism is the concept of the Messiah.

An important idea of Biblical Judaism is the concept of the Messiah.

Kabbala: Jewish MysticismKabbala: Jewish Mysticism

Kabbala is based on finding deeper meanings in the words and letters of the Torah that point to metaphysical realities.

Kabbala is based on finding deeper meanings in the words and letters of the Torah that point to metaphysical realities.

The Kabbalistic Tree of LifeThe Kabbalistic Tree of Life

Kabbala: a path of meditation

Kabbala: a path of meditation

HasidismHasidism

Hasidism was a devotional movement that started in Eastern Europe through the teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov (“Master of the Good Name”).

Hasidism was a devotional movement that started in Eastern Europe through the teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov (“Master of the Good Name”).

Jewish-Danish Children Smuggled into SwedenJewish-Danish Children Smuggled into Sweden

The Holocaust has had a profound effect on Christian-Jewish relations and dialogue.

The Holocaust has had a profound effect on Christian-Jewish relations and dialogue.

Orthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism

Orthodox Judaism teaches full following of the Law (Torah), and is traditional in theology, forms of festival and worship.

Orthodox Judaism teaches full following of the Law (Torah), and is traditional in theology, forms of festival and worship.

Reform JudaismReform Judaism

Reform Judaism has roots in the German Enlightenment, and is liberal in attitude, and does not believe in following the Law legalistically.

Reform Judaism has roots in the German Enlightenment, and is liberal in attitude, and does not believe in following the Law legalistically.

Jewish BeliefsJewish Beliefs

No dogma is as significant to most Jews as participation in the Sabbath worship, festivals, customs, and observances traditional to the community.

No dogma is as significant to most Jews as participation in the Sabbath worship, festivals, customs, and observances traditional to the community.

Moses Maimonides, 1135-1204Moses Maimonides, 1135-1204

A conventional touchstone for Jewish belief delineation has been 13 principles of faith put down by the great medieval thinker, Moses Maimonides.

A conventional touchstone for Jewish belief delineation has been 13 principles of faith put down by the great medieval thinker, Moses Maimonides.

Abraham Joshua HeschelAbraham Joshua Heschel

Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972), celebrated the holiness in all things and the possibility of an intense, passionate relationship between God and humans.

Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972), celebrated the holiness in all things and the possibility of an intense, passionate relationship between God and humans.

The SabbathThe Sabbath

The Sabbath commemorates the Lord’s day of rest after the work of creation, and is intended for the rest and refreshment of both body and soul.

The Sabbath commemorates the Lord’s day of rest after the work of creation, and is intended for the rest and refreshment of both body and soul.

Rosh Hashana: Happy New YearRosh Hashana: Happy New Year

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year and is a celebration of the creation of the world. It is associated with the “sweetness of life”, symbolized by honey and sweet bread.

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year and is a celebration of the creation of the world. It is associated with the “sweetness of life”, symbolized by honey and sweet bread.

PassoverPassover

Passover is a celebration of freedom recalling the Exodus, parting of the Red Sea, receiving of the law at Mt. Sinai, and entry into the Promised Land.

Passover is a celebration of freedom recalling the Exodus, parting of the Red Sea, receiving of the law at Mt. Sinai, and entry into the Promised Land.

ChanukahChanukah

Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E.

Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E.

Bar Mitzvah: A Rite of PassageBar Mitzvah: A Rite of Passage

The term means son (bar) of the commandment (mitzvah). For a girl, the term would be daughter (bat) of the commandment (mitzvah).

The term means son (bar) of the commandment (mitzvah). For a girl, the term would be daughter (bat) of the commandment (mitzvah).

A Religion of ActionA Religion of Action

Judaism is a religion of action more than beliefs.

Judaism is a religion of action more than beliefs.

Modern JerusalemModern Jerusalem

In modern Israel, we see some negative issues arising.

In modern Israel, we see some negative issues arising.

The Letter of the LawThe Letter of the Law

On an internal level, the “dark side” of Judaism has been in its focus on the letter of the Law rather than the spirit of the Law.

On an internal level, the “dark side” of Judaism has been in its focus on the letter of the Law rather than the spirit of the Law.

Deborah, the JudgeDeborah, the Judge

On one hand, Jewish women have been celebrated in texts and traditions as charismatic luminaries, heroines, intellectuals, devoted wives and leaders.

On one hand, Jewish women have been celebrated in texts and traditions as charismatic luminaries, heroines, intellectuals, devoted wives and leaders.

TraditionTradition

It is the role of wife and mother that takes center stage for women in traditional Judaism; most traditions regarding women revolve around her role in the home.

It is the role of wife and mother that takes center stage for women in traditional Judaism; most traditions regarding women revolve around her role in the home.

Jewish WeddingJewish Wedding

This attitude even comes out in modern weddings, where the father “gives away” his daughter to the groom.

This attitude even comes out in modern weddings, where the father “gives away” his daughter to the groom.

The Marriage ContractThe Marriage Contract

A woman could only get a divorce if the man agreed to give her one. Pictured here is a traditional marriage contract, called a Ketubah.

A woman could only get a divorce if the man agreed to give her one. Pictured here is a traditional marriage contract, called a Ketubah.

First Female Rabbi: Sally Priesand

First Female Rabbi: Sally Priesand

Today there are women ordained as rabbis and cantors in Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Judaism.

Today there are women ordained as rabbis and cantors in Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Judaism.

ShekhinahShekhinah

Shekhinah, which is feminine, is the spirit of God at the Sabbath, also known as the “Sabbath Bride.”

Shekhinah, which is feminine, is the spirit of God at the Sabbath, also known as the “Sabbath Bride.”

Center of JudaismCenter of Judaism

For a long time, Judaism was centered on the temple in Jerusalem in the land of Israel.

For a long time, Judaism was centered on the temple in Jerusalem in the land of Israel.