Judaism
IMPORTANT FIGURES & LEADERS/ HISTORY
Important Figures & Leaders ABRAHAM Father of Judaism First to proclaim only One God (Monotheism) Asked to sacrifice son Isaac as show of faith. Pass the test and Isaac lived
Important Figures & Leaders Issac married Rebekah and they have twin Jacob & Esau Jacob marries Leah and has son Judah Jews are descended from Judah (often represented by a lion)
History HEBREW/ ISRAELITES Ancient Tribe/ Civilization Slaves of Egypt Believed they would one day be delivered and they were.
Important Figures & Leaders MOSES Considered to be greatest prophet Delivered the Hebrews out of slavery Given The Ten Commandments, an important set of laws for Jews
History Moses lead Israelites out of slavery to the Promised Land or Holy Land - in what is today known as the country of Israel Eventually they were driven out of Israel and would not return for almost 2000 years
Important Figures & Leaders As a boy he killed Goliath Later Unified the kingdom of Judah/Israel Jews believe the Messiah (Savior of the world) will be a descendent of David The Star of David is symbol of Judaism KING DAVID
Important Figures & Leaders But had his flaws Praised for building great temple of Jerusalem Very Wise King KING SOLOMON
Important Figures & Leaders RABBI Jewish religious leader and Teacher (Like Priests, Bishops or Pastors etc)
SECTS/ BRANCHES OF JUDAISM
What does Orthodox mean in ANY religion?? Closely following the ORIGINAL doctrine and beliefs of a particular religion Usually claim to be most aligned with sacred text or scripture
Sects/Branches ORTHODOX JEWS
Sects/Branches Orthodox Jews are considered the most Traditional and Strictly Follow the Torah, the Jewish sacred text
Sects/Branches CONSERVATIVE JEWS
(Sects) Sects/Branches Cross Between Reform & Orthodox Fairly Traditional but more Flexible than Orthodox
(Sects) Sects/Branches REFORM JEWS Torah = Guidelines not official law Women Rabbis
SACRED SPACES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP
Sacred Spaces & Places of Worship SYNAGOGUE Jewish place of Worship (church/temple)
Inside a Synagogue.
Historic Synagogue in Salt Lake City
Sacred Spaces & Places of Worship The country of Israel is sacred land, promised to the Jews by God
Sacred Spaces & Places of Worship THE TEMPLE MOUNT Location of Solomon s Ancient Jewish Temple housing the original 10 Commandments
Sacred Spaces & Places of Worship Believed to be the spot where the world began And the location where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac Too holy to actually enter
Solomon s Temple
Indiana Jones
Dome of the Rock
Muslim Mosque located at the top of the temple mount.
Sacred Spaces & Places of Worship THE WESTERN WALL Remnant of Solomon s temple A sacred space of Prayer & reflection, without actually entering the temple mount Many leave a written prayer in the crevices of the wall
Studying by the Western Wall
Sacred Spaces & Places of Worship The Wall is divided for men and women
Pope Francis (Catholic), the Dalai Lama (Buddhist) & several Christian Presidents of the United States visit the Western Wall
Mitt Romney visited the wall too
Will Smith visited the wall. And who is that guy in the gray hoodie???
Sacred Spaces & Places of Worship In general the entire city of Jerusalem is sacred
Jerusalem is a Sacred Space for all 3 Middle East Religions Map of the temple Mount
Typical city wall with Hebrew writing, which reads right to left, the opposite of us
SACRED BOOKS OR TEXTS
Sacred Books or Texts THE TORAH Holds The Law, The 10 commandments, and the basic doctrine of Jewish Life and religion. Contains the 1 st Five Books of Old Testament The holy book of the Hebrews.
Fundamental/Basic Beliefs Jews believe they are God s Chosen People They DO NOT believe the Messiah has come yet They do believe when he does come they will all be judged and resurrected No official written doctrine in Torah
Fundamental/Basic Beliefs SHABBAT (Sabbath) The Jewish Sabbath begins Friday at Dusk, end Saturday at dusk Women light candles, father prays Challah: Braided Bread
Fundamental/Basic Beliefs TALLIT Symbolic cloth used by men in Prayer
Fundamental/Basic Beliefs KIPPAH or YAHMAKA Jewish Head Covering for men A sign of devotion to God Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you Talmud
Dietary Laws or Guidelines KOSHER Dietary Laws forbidding certain foods and food combinations. Also requires special preparations of food No: Yes: Certain Wild beasts No Pork Sea Creatures without fins or scales No meat & milk together
Holy Days & Holidays ROSH HASHANA Beginning of the Jewish New Year Cast off sins Blowing the Shofar
Holy Days & Holidays YOM KIPPUR MOST SIGNIFCANT & IMPORTANT JEWISH HOLIDAY The day of Atonement 9 days after Rosh Hashanah. A day to forgive and be forgiven Day of fasting and prayer ends with family feast/celebration
Holy Days & Holidays PASSOVER Meal that serves as a reminder of the Angel of Death in Egypt who helped free the Jews from slavery in Egypt
Holy Days & Holidays HANNAUKAH (Festival of lights) Well known by non-jews, but NOT the most important holiday in Judaism
Modern Issues & Challenges Jewish Diaspora The forced migration of the Jews from Israel to regions of Europe, the Middle East & North Africa
Modern Issues & Challenges LACK OF HOMELAND FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS Led to prejudice and persecution for centuries, culminating in the holocaust in the 1940 s
Modern Issues & Challenges Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Modern Issues & Challenges Issue is largely between Jews & Muslims for control of Jerusalem & the country of Israel in general