Judaism 101Judaism 101

Mr. RichardsMr. Richards

Global StudiesGlobal Studies

According to most historians, According to most historians, Judaism began around 2000 BC Judaism began around 2000 BC

when Abraham made divine when Abraham made divine covenant with God. Because of covenant with God. Because of

this, Abraham is considered to be this, Abraham is considered to be the Father of the Semitic religions the Father of the Semitic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).(Judaism, Christianity and Islam).

Important TextsImportant Texts

Tanakh (called the Old Testament by Tanakh (called the Old Testament by Christians)Christians)– The Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, The Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,

Numbers and Deuteronomy)Numbers and Deuteronomy)““Teaching or Instruction”Teaching or Instruction”

– The Nevi’im (Joshua thru Malachilsaiah)The Nevi’im (Joshua thru Malachilsaiah)– The Ketuvim (Psalms thru Chronicles)The Ketuvim (Psalms thru Chronicles)

Important TextsImportant Texts The Talmud (a collection of stories, The Talmud (a collection of stories,

laws, medical knowledge and so on)laws, medical knowledge and so on)– ““Learning or Study”Learning or Study”

The Mishnah’s (Hebrew laws)The Mishnah’s (Hebrew laws) The Gemara (a HUGE collection of The Gemara (a HUGE collection of

sayings from Rabbis)sayings from Rabbis)

Basic Jewish BeliefsBasic Jewish Beliefs

God exists.God exists. God is one and unique.God is one and unique. God is incorporeal.God is incorporeal. God is eternal.God is eternal. Prayer is to be directed to God alone and Prayer is to be directed to God alone and

to no other.to no other. The words of the prophets are true.The words of the prophets are true. Moses was the greatest of the prophets Moses was the greatest of the prophets

and his prophecies are true.and his prophecies are true.

Basic Jewish Beliefs cont.Basic Jewish Beliefs cont.

The Torah was given to Moses.The Torah was given to Moses. There will be no other Torah.There will be no other Torah. God knows the thoughts and deeds God knows the thoughts and deeds

of men.of men. God will reward the good and punish God will reward the good and punish

the wicked.the wicked. The Messiah will come.The Messiah will come. The dead will be resurrected.The dead will be resurrected.

QuestionsQuestions

If God knows the thoughts and deeds If God knows the thoughts and deeds of men then why do bad things of men then why do bad things happen?happen?

Why do some deeds go unpunished?Why do some deeds go unpunished? What divisions are apparent between What divisions are apparent between

Christianity and Judaism?Christianity and Judaism?

SynagoguesSynagogues Synagogues are led by Synagogues are led by

Rabbis Rabbis (teachers well (teachers well educated in Jewish law and educated in Jewish law and thought)thought)

Temples…tTemples…the temple is he temple is in Jerusalem. in Jerusalem.

The temple was the The temple was the only place a sacrifice only place a sacrifice could be administered. could be administered.

The temple in The temple in Jerusalem was Jerusalem was destroyed.destroyed.

Baltimore, Maryland

Kosher PracticesKosher Practices Specific Dietary PracticesSpecific Dietary Practices Blood must be drained from the Blood must be drained from the

meat or broiled out of it before it is meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten .eaten .

Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. meat or dairy.

Utensils that have come into Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa.with dairy, and vice versa.

Anything in the water that has fins Anything in the water that has fins and scales is acceptable. This and scales is acceptable. This therefore excludes shellfish such as therefore excludes shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, shrimp, clams and lobsters, oysters, shrimp, clams and crabs, all of which are forbidden.crabs, all of which are forbidden.

Rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and Rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects are all forbidden.insects are all forbidden.

The RabbiThe Rabbi Earned by passing extensive Earned by passing extensive

examinations on the Torah and Talmud.examinations on the Torah and Talmud. Study at a Study at a yeshivayeshiva, or holy school, like a , or holy school, like a

seminary program.seminary program. He is not required to wear a particular He is not required to wear a particular

uniform, and he can dress just like any uniform, and he can dress just like any other Jew. other Jew.

Permitted to Marry.Permitted to Marry. May have children.May have children. Neighborhood counselor. Neighborhood counselor. Inspire community members to become Inspire community members to become

better people. better people.

All people of the Jewish faith All people of the Jewish faith worship on Saturday, followworship on Saturday, follow

strict discipline…the laws set strict discipline…the laws set forth in the Torah, regular forth in the Torah, regular attendance at Synagogue.attendance at Synagogue.

Passage into AdulthoodPassage into Adulthood

Children are ushered Children are ushered into adulthood with a into adulthood with a big ceremony big ceremony – usually around age 13usually around age 13

Bar Mitzvah for boysBar Mitzvah for boys Bat Mitzvah for girlsBat Mitzvah for girls

Liberal DenominationsLiberal Denominations

Reform JudaismReform Judaism– Torah was written by humans, not God, but Torah was written by humans, not God, but

later combined (liberal).later combined (liberal).– Does not accept binding nature of Jewish law Does not accept binding nature of Jewish law

(halakhah).(halakhah). Reconstructionist JudaismReconstructionist Judaism

– ““evolving religious civilization”evolving religious civilization”– Jews are not the chosen people by God (less Jews are not the chosen people by God (less

liberal).liberal).– Can observe Jewish Law is they choose to Can observe Jewish Law is they choose to

because it is a cultural remnant.because it is a cultural remnant.

Conservative DenominationsConservative Denominations

Conservative JudaismConservative Judaism– Torah comes from God, transmitted by Torah comes from God, transmitted by

humans, and contains a human component.humans, and contains a human component.– Accepts binding nature of Jewish Law but it Accepts binding nature of Jewish Law but it

adapts.adapts. Orthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism

– God gave Moses the entire Torah, written (first God gave Moses the entire Torah, written (first 5 books of the bible) and oral at Mount Sinai.5 books of the bible) and oral at Mount Sinai.

– Strictly observe Jewish Law.Strictly observe Jewish Law.– 613 mitzvot (commandments)613 mitzvot (commandments)– Chasidic Jews do not assimilate.Chasidic Jews do not assimilate.

Important Jewish Holidays:Important Jewish Holidays: Passover – Celebrates the Passover – Celebrates the

birth of the Jewish nation birth of the Jewish nation Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New

YearYear Yom Kippur – Day of Yom Kippur – Day of

Atonement," is the holiest day Atonement," is the holiest day of the Jewish year of the Jewish year

Sukkoth – Harvest festival Sukkoth – Harvest festival Hanukkah – Rededication of Hanukkah – Rededication of

the holy temple in Jerusalem the holy temple in Jerusalem after a military victoryafter a military victory

Purim – Queen Esther saved Purim – Queen Esther saved the Jews of Persia from the Jews of Persia from annihilation.annihilation.

Shavout – Commemorates the Shavout – Commemorates the giving of the Ten giving of the Ten Commandments to the Jewish Commandments to the Jewish People on Mount Sinai. People on Mount Sinai.

ReviewReview

This text is the “teaching or This text is the “teaching or instruction” of the Old Testament…instruction” of the Old Testament…

TorahTorah

A collection of stories, “learning or A collection of stories, “learning or study”study”

TalmudTalmud

The The wordswords of the prophets are… of the prophets are… truetrue

Can Rabbis marry and have children?Can Rabbis marry and have children? YesYes