IntroductionIntroduction

JudaismJudaismSmallest major religion – 15 million people or 0.2 % of populationDates back approx. 4000 yrs

JudaismJudaism

“Judaism is not a doctrine, an idea, a faith but the covenant between God and the people”

Abraham Joshua Hershel

What is in a name?What is in a name? Hebrew - “From across”

name given to Abraham and his followers Migration into Caanan (promised Land)

Israelite - “he who has wrestled with God” Abraham’s grandson Jacob renamed Y’israel His descendants were called “Israelites” Ancient Hebrews struggled to keep covenant

with God Jews - named after Jacob’s son Judah

ancient father of tribe of King David’s dynasty Descendants of the Israelites Established during Exile in Egypt

Patriarch of JudaismPatriarch of JudaismAbrahamAbraham 2000 BCE Mesopotamia

polytheistic belief system

God told Abraham to leave Mesopotamia go to Haran then Canaan and “make of him a great nation”

Established covenant with God

Began monotheistic tradition rewarded with land &a kingdom

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

CovenantCovenant Solemn and binding two way agreement between

God as the Creator Abraham as the people of Israel (humanity)

(Established “promise”)

Also provides people means to demonstrate devotion of God (framework)

Later under Moses 10 Commandments created to help people keep the covenant

(established rules or “law”)

Foundation of the CovenantFoundation of the CovenantNow the Lord said to Abraham, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12: 1-2

Foundation of Covenant 1Foundation of Covenant 1

Chosen People

Jews considered themselves to be God’s Chosen People God chose Abraham and led him to monotheism

Jews were instruments of God’s will God chose Jews (humanity); humanity must choose God God promised to love and protect them equally

Foundation of Covenant 2Foundation of Covenant 2

Promised Land

God promised to bring them to the promised land

Gained significance during Moses’ life Hebrews sought to keep covenant and develop a

community in the Promised Land. (Exodus)

Jews believe this Promised Land is Israel

ProphetProphet

Greek “one who speaks for” One who receives from God and delivers it to the

people. Abraham and Moses

OriginsOriginsThree basic beliefs about the origin of the

Decalogue:1. They were written by God at Mount Sinai, circa 1450 BCE

2. They were written by three Hebrew authors (or groups of authors) between 922 and 622 BCE based upon ancient Hebrew myths and legends.

3. Their original source was in Pagan documents written by Hittites or Egyptians which were plagiarized and added to by ancient Hebrew writers.

http://www.religioustolerance.org

Are these Commandments only important to Jewish people?

Where else do we see these Laws?

Are these Commandments relevant today?