JUDAISM
Judaism is a religion based on principles and ethics found in religious texts of the Jewish people.
Judaism is among the oldest religions still in practice today and Judaism has influenced other religions such as Christianity and Islam.
With an estimated 14 million followers in the world, Judaism is the world's eleventh-largest religion.
This map is a ranked ordering of countries by the sizes of their Jewish populations. The countries in red have the ten largest Jewish populations in the world, etc.
During Judaism's 4,000-year history, Jews have experienced slavery, conquest, persecution, exile from their homeland, and eventual return to their homeland in Israel during the 20 th century.
The history of Judaism begins with the covenant (agreement) between God and Abraham (2000 BC)- the patriarch (father) of the Jewish people.
Around 1600 BC, as a result of famine, many Jews (Hebrews) migrated to Egypt, where they were eventually held in slavery until Moses led them out of Egypt and established a homeland in present-day Israel.
A universal symbol of Judaism is the six-point Star of David
King David unified the Jewish kingdom and ruled from Jerusalem. His reign symbolizes a united Jewish people.
Throughout the ages, Jews remain faithful to certain religious principles, the most important of which is the belief in one God who created the universe and continues to govern it.
According to Jewish belief, God revealed his laws and commandments to Moses and is written in the Torah.
Torah is Hebrew for "teaching", "instruction", or "law".
The Torah is the most important religious text of Judaism. The five books of the Torah are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
The practice of Judaism revolves around study and the observance of God's laws written in the Torah and expounded in the Talmud- the second sacred book of Judaism.
Other sacred texts include the writings of prophets and psalms, which also form the Christian s Old Testament.
Over the past centuries, the Jewish community has divided into a number of Jewish denominationseach has a different understanding of what beliefs a Jew should hold, and how one should live as a Jew.
Orthodox Judaism emphasizes strict observance of religious laws and commandments.
Conservative Judaism holds that the laws may be interpreted to reflect modern situations.
Reform Judaism, called Liberal or Progressive, believes that individual Jews determine for themselves how laws should be observed.
Most Jewish religious practices include the wearing of certain religious clothing.
A kippah (or yarmulke) is a round skullcap worn by most Jewish men while praying or studying Jewish religious texts.
Among Jews, the practice of covering the head is a way to show reverence.
A tallis (prayer shawl) is worn by Jewish men and some Jewish women during a prayer service.
Traditionally, Jews recite prayers three times daily, with a fourth prayer added on Shabbat (the sabbath) and religious holidays.
In addition, some Jews recite prayers throughout the daybefore eating and after eating a meal.
Shabbat (Hebrew for "rest ) is the weekly day of rest in Judaism, symbolizing the seventh day in the Book of Genesis, after the six days of God s creation. It is observed from sundown on Friday until Saturday night.
Shabbat is begun by lighting candles and families gathering together for the sabbath meal.
During Shabbat, Jews honor the day by not engaging in any activity that would be considered as "work."
Other Jewish holidays or festivals are observed by Jews to commemorate important beliefs or events in Jewish history.
Rosh Hashanahthe Jewish New Yearmarks the beginning of the 10-day period of atonement (making right for one s sins) leading up to Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur is considered by Jews to be the holiest and most solemn day of the year. It is a day of fasting and praying for forgiveness for one's sins.
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lightsis an 8-day holiday commemorating a Jewish victory over an ancient ruler who refused to allow the Jews to worship freely.
Hanukkah celebrations include the lighting of the menoraha candelabra. It is said to symbolize the burning bush as seen by Moses.
Passover is a week-long holiday that commemorates the Moses and the Jewish people s exodus from Egypt.
Other important events, occur throughout a Jew's life.
Bar mitzvah (for young men) and Bat mitzvah (for young women)- This event marks the passage from childhood to adulthood.
This is often commemorated by having the new adults lead the congregation in prayer and publicly read a "portion" of the Torah in Hebrew.
Synagogues are Jewish houses of prayer and study.
They usually contain a sanctuary for prayer, smaller rooms for study, and an area for community or educational use.
The Rabbi of a congregation is the Jewish scholar who is a synagogue s religious leader.
He serves many similar purposes as a priest or minister, such as marrying Jewish couples.
A congregation does not necessarily require a rabbi. Some congregations allow members of the congregation to act as rabbi.
As one of the oldest religions still practiced today, Judaism s laws, such as the Ten Commandments, influence our legal system in the United States and other nations of the world.
JUDAISM