Judaism Powerpoint

Mullin

Judaism is…

• “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place”

• A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people

• A celebration and sanctification of life

• A faith, a people, a way of life…

A 4000 year old tradition…

• The 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

Video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ4H3Qgk-Kw

As a faith, Jews Believe…

• In one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal

• In prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people

• In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew– the Hebrew Bible does not include the

New Testament

As a people, Jews are…

• A nation in Diaspora (dispersed)• 15 – 16 million in worldwide population• United by a common heritage (an “ethnic”

religion), divided in contemporary practice:–Orthodox:

• Modern• Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox)

– Reformed (18th century Germany)– Conservative – moderates, response to

reform• Reconstructionalism (20th century America)

As a way of life, Judaism is based on…

• 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”)

• Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through:– Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher)– Dress and other symbols– Prayer and devotion to the one God– The Temple and Temple rites– Observance of Holy days– Proper 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

covenant• Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status and

responsibility within the religion• Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply"

(Gen. 1:22)• Death – funerals, mourning (sitting

“Shiva”), and memorials (“Yartzeits”)

How is Judaism related to Christianity?

• Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it

• Jews 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 messiah

• The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth

• Jews 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 creed”

• The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s 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!

Activity

• Judaism Gallery Walk.• Stations are tiimed (5 minutes).• Completed by end of class.

Jewish Symbols

From Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick

Magen David

• Star of David• Was on the shields of David’s warriors• Symbol on the Flag of the state of Israel• Used throughout the world as a clear

and unique identifying symbol of Jews and Judaism

Menorah

• Seven (or nine) branched candleholder• One of the oldest Jewish symbols—one of the

ritual objects described in the Torah• Today the nine branched menorah is used in

celebration of Chanukah• The 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 life• Expresses the hope and prayer for life,

health and prosperity• Popular Jewish toast—L’chayim—To Life

Mazal Tov

• Means good luck or congratulations• Particularly used for significant life

events (ie. Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays, etc.)

Amen

• Literally “So be it”• Means I agree/affirm• After a blessing it is customary for those who

have heard the blessing to say Amen

Shalom

• Means hello/goodbye/peace• Comes from root word shalem

which means whole/complete– Peace comes when there is wholeness,

completeness, unity.• Pease is the eternal Jewish prayer—

world peace, peace between people, inner peace, harmony.

Activity

• What happened to Jews in WW2 and why is it important to learn?

• http://digitalassets.ushmm.org/photoarchives/detail.aspx?id=3867

• http://www.ushmm.org/m/pdfs/20121003-early-stages-lesson.pdf

Modern Denominations

of Judaism

From Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick

Orthodox Judaism

• Mainstream Judaism• Belief in the direct revelation of divine law which

was recorded in the Torah– It is eternal, unchanging, and the sole guide for life– Carefully and strictly observe the commandments as

the direct will of God – Ultra-Orthodox assert that complete separation from

secular society

Reform Judaism

• Early 19th C. Germany• Assert authorship of Torah to Divinely

inspired human beings• Modern worship mostly in vernacular

Conservative Judaism

• Response to Reform mid to late 19th C. Europe• Agree that change was necessary but felt

Reform had eliminated too many basic Jewish practices

• Motto is “tradition and change”• Fiddler on the Roof

Reconstructionist Judaism

• Early 1920s in US by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan• Judaism is not merely a religion, but an

evolving religious civilization, a peoplehood, a culture, as well as a faith community

All of Judaism• To accept Torah and fulfill its mitzvot• To regulate existence to Judaism’s rituals & observances• To be a devoted member of the Jewish community• To maintain a bond and a sense of mutual interdependence with

the Jewish Land• To feel a connection to Jewish history• To be committed to the creative survival of the Jewish future

Torah

•Creation: 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 behavior▫Mixed with ritual practices this provides the

framework of lifestyle for all humanity.

Activity

• What conflict today are Jews currently experiencing?

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Zqz6xriEo