Judaism: Basic Beliefs & History

Being “Jewish” is taking part in both a religion AND a culture.

Origins Jewish history

began when a man called Abraham was called from his home in Mesopotamia to travel to a new land… the holy, or promised, land.

Abraham made a covenant (two-sided promise) with Yahweh (his god) – for faith and obedience, Abraham’s descendants would receive protection and live in Israel (Canaan).

Abraham is considered the father of the Jewish (through Isaac) and the Muslim (through Ishmael) peoples.

Origins, cont.

Approx. 1800 BCE

According to the Hebrew Bible, a man named Moses led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt back to the Promised Land.

Exodus

This is called the EXODUS

On his way, Moses received a new covenant from Yahweh atop Mt. Sinai…

… the basis for Jewish law

… the Ten Commandments

Law and Order

Law and Order, cont.MONOTHEIS

M

The 5 Books of Moses, also known as the Torah, form the basis of Jewish belief.

“Torah” means “instruction”

There is also the Talmud, which gives further laws and rules for living.

Holy Book

1. Belief in the one god, Yahweh2. God (Yahweh) created the world with a plan

and purpose3. People were made with characteristics of

the divine and with free will

Basic Beliefs

Traditional Jews went to Synagogue three times a day to pray

Celebrate every Sabbath (holy day – Saturday)

Passover Festival (commemorating Exodus)

Male circumcision as an infant (Bris)

Coming-of-age ceremony (Bar or Bat Mizvah)

Basic Methods of Worship

Israelites

Hebrews

Jews

In the shadow of the Holocaust Approx. 12 million Jews today,

worldwide Zionism = establishment for the

Jewish state of Israel

Modern Day