JudaismJudaismERC – Mr.WilsonERC – Mr.Wilson

Just so you know…Just so you know…

• N.B.:N.B.: With With respect to the respect to the Jewish Faith and Jewish Faith and their deity, who their deity, who never say or never say or write the full write the full name of G-d, we name of G-d, we will do the same.will do the same.

When did Judaism When did Judaism Begin?Begin?•The dates are disputed, but The dates are disputed, but

Judaism claims to have religious Judaism claims to have religious continuity for over continuity for over 3000 years3000 years..

•It is also one of the oldest It is also one of the oldest MonotheisticMonotheistic religions in the religions in the world.world.

Who was Who was Abraham?Abraham?•TThere are three major religions here are three major religions

which trace their roots back to which trace their roots back to Abraham: Abraham: JudaismJudaism, , ChristianityChristianity and and IslamIslam. As a result they are . As a result they are known as the “Abrahamic Religions.”known as the “Abrahamic Religions.”

•He was also supposed to be a He was also supposed to be a descendant of Noah.descendant of Noah.

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How the story How the story begins…begins…•The Book of Genesis revolves The Book of Genesis revolves

around the lives of the three around the lives of the three patriarchs of Judaism: patriarchs of Judaism: Abraham, Abraham, Isaac Isaac and and JacobJacob. The next major . The next major leader of the Israelites was leader of the Israelites was MosesMoses..

•The original tribe was eventually The original tribe was eventually changed into a kingdom by changed into a kingdom by SamuelSamuel. .

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No longer just a No longer just a “Tribe…”“Tribe…”•The second king, The second king, DavidDavid, ,

established established JerusalemJerusalem as the as the religious and political center religious and political center of the of the IsraelitesIsraelites. .

•The third king, The third king, SolomonSolomon built built the first temple there.the first temple there.

Stuck in the Stuck in the middle…middle…• Thus, the kingdoms of Israel and Thus, the kingdoms of Israel and

Judah were conquered by the Judah were conquered by the AssyriansAssyrians, the , the BabyloniansBabylonians, the , the GreeksGreeks and finally the and finally the RomansRomans..

• Around this time Around this time ChristianityChristianity was was established as a Jewish Sect, the established as a Jewish Sect, the followers of Yeshua of Nazareth.followers of Yeshua of Nazareth.

The DiasporaThe Diaspora• 70 C.E. – After a series of revolts against 70 C.E. – After a series of revolts against

the Romans, the Israelites or “Jews,” the Romans, the Israelites or “Jews,” now that they no longer had a country of now that they no longer had a country of their own were cast out and their capital their own were cast out and their capital city, city, JerusalemJerusalem, and their Temple was , and their Temple was destroyed.destroyed.

• The Jews were no longer allowed to set The Jews were no longer allowed to set foot in foot in JerusalemJerusalem and were scattered and were scattered across the Roman Empire.across the Roman Empire.

After WWIIAfter WWII

• In the aftermath of WWII and the In the aftermath of WWII and the realization of Hitler’s “Final Solution” realization of Hitler’s “Final Solution” – It is not surprising that most – It is not surprising that most European Jews decided not to stay.European Jews decided not to stay.

• In mass numbers, the Jews of the In mass numbers, the Jews of the world descended upon Israel – which world descended upon Israel – which was at the time a state controlled by was at the time a state controlled by England.England.

The Creation of The Creation of IsraelIsrael• After many years of civil unrest and After many years of civil unrest and

in-fighting, the British gave up.in-fighting, the British gave up.

• The problem was given to the The problem was given to the United NationsUnited Nations..

• In 1948 – Israel was given permission In 1948 – Israel was given permission to protect it own borders and to set to protect it own borders and to set up its own government!up its own government!

Jewish Holy TextsJewish Holy Texts• The holy texts of Judaism are known as The holy texts of Judaism are known as

the the Tanakh Tanakh and the and the TalmudTalmud, and , and include the following:include the following:

•The The TorahTorah – Genesis, Exodus, etc. – Genesis, Exodus, etc.

•The The Nevi’imNevi’im – relates to the first Kings of Israel – relates to the first Kings of Israel

•The The KetuvimKetuvim – Psalms and Proverbs – Psalms and Proverbs

•The The Mishnah’sMishnah’s – written in 200 C.E., contains – written in 200 C.E., contains most Jewish laws.most Jewish laws.

•The The GemaraGemara – like an encyclopaedia, written – like an encyclopaedia, written between 200 and 500 C.E.between 200 and 500 C.E.

Jewish Beliefs

"What is hateful to you, don't do unto your neighbour. The rest is commentary. Now, go and study."

A Short Version…

•Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon wrote a list of thirteen principles of faith. This list has been generally accepted by Jews for centuries as a brief summary of the Jewish faith.

• G-d exists.• G-d is one and unique. • G-d is incorporeal. • G-d is eternal. • Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other. • The words of the prophets are true. • Moses was the greatest of the prophets, and his

prophecies are true.• The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and

Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses.

• There will be no other Torah. • G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men. • G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked. • The Messiah will come. • The dead will be resurrected.

Holidays•The Sabbath – Starts every Friday night at sundown and lasts one day.

Holidays

• Passover or Pesach – To celebrate the Jews freedom from slavery under the Egyptians. A Seder is eaten with specific food related to the bitterness of slavery. (Spring)

Holidays

•Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year, currently at 5760 since the creation. (Fall)

Holidays

•Ten days after Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement and penitence.

Rabbi’s and Synagogues•Any educated man or woman

can become a Rabbi, the spiritual leader of a Jewish community.

•Jewish temples or places of worship are called Synagogues.

Jewish Persecution• The following essay lists many mass

murders of Jews by both ancient Romans and by Christians, during the period 70 to 1946 CE. We do not wish to imply that the descendants of the Romans (the present-day Italians) and/or modern Christians advocate the extermination of Jews. We do not imply that Christians today are responsible for actions by their spiritual ancestors in past centuries. Many might disagree with us. But it is our belief is that it is illogical and immoral to hold an individual responsible for events that occurred before they were born.

Jewish Persecution

•However, continual past attempts at Jewish extermination are a fact of history. They need to be closely examined and understood by everyone, in order to prevent future religiously based genocides and mass crimes against humanity. Otherwise, there is no hope for the future.

Jewish Persecution•The mass murder of Muslims by

Christians in Kosovo.

•The genocides and mass murders by Muslims, Roman Catholics, and Serbian Orthodox followers against each other in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  

•The extermination of one third of the Roman Catholic inhabitants of East Timor by Muslims.

These are only a few…

Jewish Persecution

•Since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, in 70 C.E., the Jews have been persecuted, bullied, extorted, tortured and blame for all sorts of ridiculous things.

•This was largely due to the Romans desire to keep the Jews in submission as well as the growing popularity of Christianity.

Leading up to a Genocide…

•Religious Freedoms

•Exile

•Ghettos

•Genocide

Rumours and Stereotypes…

•What has probably been the most effective thing the Romans started were the rumours spread about Jews, many of which are still believed today?

Questions?

Reflection?

•What did you already know about Judaism?

•Tell me 3 things that surprised you the most…

•Consider what happened during WWII and why it is important to make sure Genocide never happens again?