Judaism Powerpoint

Judaism isA 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life)A covenant relationship between God and the Hebrew peopleA celebration and sanctification of lifeA faith, a people, a way of life

A 4000 year old traditionThe Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel) origins of the Hebrew people (more than 3800 years ago)Enslaved in ancient Egypt and freed by Moses (more than 3300 years ago)Hebrew monarchy in the Promised Land (The Land of Israel), ends 6th century BCE

As a faith, Jews BelieveIn one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporealIn prophets of old especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew peopleIn Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jewthe Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament

As a people, Jews areA nation in Diaspora (dispersed)15 16 million in worldwide populationUnited by a common heritage (an ethnic religion), divided in contemporary practice:Orthodox:ModernChasidic (Ultra Orthodox)Reformed (18th century Germany)Conservative moderates, response to reformReconstructionalism (20th century America)

As a way of life, Judaism is based on613 commandments found in Torah (Written Law)Talmud (Oral Law) commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply Gods Law in everyday life through:Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher)Dress and other symbolsPrayer and devotion to the one GodThe Temple and Temple ritesObservance of Holy daysProper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc.Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way

How does Judaism sanctify life?Life cycle celebrations:Bris ritual circumcision, sign of the covenantBar/Bat Mitzvah full adult status and responsibility within the religionMarriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22)Death funerals, mourning (sitting Shiva), and memorials (Yartzeits)

How does Judaism sanctify time? The Jewish Holidays:High Holidays:Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)Sukkot, the Festival of Booths (fall harvest festival)Simchat Torah celebrating TorahChanukah, the Festival of Lights

More Holy DaysPurim (Lots) a carnival (commemorates events told in book of Esther)Pesach (Passover) commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus)Shavuot (weeks, Pentecost) commemorates receipt of Torah at SinaiOther, minor festivalsShabbat (Sabbath, 7th day, on Saturday) the Day of Rest

How is Judaism related to Christianity?Judaism predates Christianity it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the ApostlesJews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago Jews still await their messiahThe Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on EarthJews are not concerned about salvation and the world to come

What are Jews really concerned about?Tikkun Olam - repairing this world through justice and righteousness; through deed, not creedThe heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (good deeds based on Gods commandments)Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be Holy!

LeChaim!To Life!To Life!

Web resourcesJudaism 101: http://jewfaq.org/ an online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places, things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customsReligiousTolerance.org on Judaism: http://www.religioustolerance.org/judaism.htmThis P0werpoint presentation available at: http://www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/Rel232/resource/judaism.ppt

Jewish SymbolsFrom Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick

Magen DavidStar of DavidWas on the shields of Davids warriorsSymbol on the Flag of the state of IsraelUsed throughout the world as a clear and unique identifying symbol of Jews and Judaism

MenorahSeven (or nine) branched candleholderOne of the oldest Jewish symbolsone of the ritual objects described in the TorahToday the nine branched menorah is used in celebration of ChanukahThe seven branched menorah is the authentic ancient symbol (one for each of the 6 days of creation and 1 for sabbath)

Chai The Jewish symbol of lifeExpresses the hope and prayer for life, health and prosperityPopular Jewish toastLchayimTo Life

Mazal TovMeans good luck or congratulationsParticularly used for significant life events (ie. Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays, etc.)

AmenLiterally So be itMeans I agree/affirmAfter a blessing it is customary for those who have heard the blessing to say Amen

ShalomMeans hello/goodbye/peaceComes from root word shalem which means whole/completePeace comes when there is wholeness, completeness, unity.Pease is the eternal Jewish prayerworld peace, peace between people, inner peace, harmony.

Modern Denominations of JudaismFrom Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick

Orthodox JudaismMainstream JudaismBelief in the direct revelation of divine law which was recorded in the TorahIt is eternal, unchanging, and the sole guide for lifeCarefully and strictly observe the commandments as the direct will of God Ultra-Orthodox assert that complete separation from secular society

Famous for their dress. From eastern Europe in the early 18th C. Emphasizes both contemplative meditation and fervent joy. Lubavitch Chasidism (Chabad) is contemporary American ChasidismChasidismSect of Orthodox

Reform JudaismEarly 19th C. GermanyAssert authorship of Torah to Divinely inspired human beingsModern worship mostly in vernacular

Conservative JudaismResponse to Reform mid to late 19th C. EuropeAgree that change was necessary but felt Reform had eliminated too many basic Jewish practicesMotto is tradition and changeFiddler on the Roof

Reconstructionist JudaismEarly 1920s in US by Rabbi Mordecai KaplanJudaism is not merely a religion, but an evolving religious civilization, a peoplehood, a culture, as well as a faith community

All of JudaismTo accept Torah and fulfill its mitzvotTo embrace the ethical mandate of JudaismTo regulate existence to Judaisms rituals & observancesTo support Jewish causesTo be a devoted member of the Jewish communityTo maintain a bond and a sense of mutual interdependence with the Jewish LandTo feel a connection to Jewish historyTo be committed to the creative survival of the Jewish future

Jewish LiteratureFrom Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick

TorahCreation: God Created the Universe and everything in it, The covenant was created between God and Humanity (specifically between God and the Jewish people)Redemption: Israelites were saved from bondage in Egypt (in order to experience revelation)Revelation: God gave his 613 mitzvot as a standard for conduct and behaviorMixed with ritual practices this provides the framework of lifestyle for all humanity.

TorahGenesis (Bereshit): contains stories of creation, records the establishment of the covenant between God and the Jewish people, tells of the lives of the patriarchs and matriarchsExodus (Shmot): account of Israelites enslaved in Egypt, the exodus from Egypt, the receiving of the 10 Commandments at Mt. SinaiLeviticus (Vayikra): gives Gods ethical and ritual laws and specific instructions to priests on how to perform their dutiesNumbers (Bamidbar): recounts the of the Israelites through the desert and gives more of Gods ethical and ritual lawsDeuteronony (Devarim): Moses reviews the laws and the people prepare to enter the promised land.

Neviim2nd section of the Hebrew Bible, prophetsNot a soothsayer but rather a messenger of God to the peopleProphets admonished the Jewish people for forgetting and forsaking Gods commandsThey called on the people to examine their lives and their conductNeviim is divided in two sections: early and latter prophets

NeviimEarly Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel (2), Kings (2)Latter Prophets: Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, EzekielMinor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nachum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Ketuvim3rd section of Hebrew Bible, writingsContains wisdom literature, poetry, songs, narrative, history, religious philosophy, and love hymns12 books in total Books include: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nechemiah, Chronicles

Tenach / TanakhHebrew name for Hebrew BibleCreated by taking the first letter of each of the three sections of the Bible and making a word out of those three letters.T: for TorahN: for NeviimCH: for Ketuvim

MishnahThe first compilation of the Oral Law between 200 BCE and 200 CECollects all of the Jewish legal material from the post-Torah era.Divided into 6 orders (or chapters)Seeds, Festivals, Women, Damages, Holy Things, Purifications

GemaraA compilation of the discussions, interpretations, explanations, and theological arguments about the Mishnah.New interpretations and new laws that arose after Mishnah from about 200-600 CEContains both Jewish law and Jewish stories

TalmudIs the combined Mishnah and GemaraLargest compilation of post-biblical lawRemains the basic and central document of post-biblical lawTalmud is studied: For the practical application of its lawsFor its mind-expanding challenges in logic and reasoningFor its total immersion in Jewish concernsFor its wisdom and insights into the human experienceAnd for the simple love of learning and growing