JUDAISMWorld Religions: Unit Three

What do you know about Judaism?

Judaism

HanukkahStar of David

Synagogue

Kippah

TorahMessiah is yet to

come

King David

Bar Mitzvah

Kosher Foods

Round Robin Activity• 1 piece of paper• 1 marker• 2 minutes

Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah•  Under Jewish Law, children are not obligated to

observe the commandments, although they are encouraged to do so as much as possible to learn the obligations they will have as adults.

• At the age of 13 (12 for girls), children become obligated to observe the commandments.

• The bar mitzvah ceremony formally, publicly marks the assumption of that obligation, along with the corresponding right to take part in leading religious services.

Hanukkah• Hanukkah (alternately spelled Chanukah), meaning

"dedication" in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem.

• Unlike many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah (also known as the Festival of Lights) is not mentioned in the Bible.

Hanukkah• The historical events upon which the celebration is

based are recorded in Maccabees I and II, two books contained within a later collection of writings known as the Apocrypha.

• Although Hanukkah is considered a “minor” Jewish festival, today it ranks—along with Passover and Purim—as one of the most beloved Jewish family holidays.

Star of David• The Star of David is a six-pointed

star made up of two triangles superimposed over each other.

• In Judaism it is often called the Magen David, which means the "shield of David" in Hebrew.

• It doesn’t have any religious significance in Judaism but it is one of the symbols most commonly associated with the Jewish people.

Kippah•  a small, round head covering most commonly worn

during worship, although some may choose to wear it all the time

Torah• The Torah, or Jewish Written Law, consists of the five

books of the Hebrew Bible - known more commonly to non-Jews as the Old Testament - that were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai and include within them all of the biblical laws of Judaism. The Torah is also known as the Chumash, Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses.

King David• The biblical King David of Israel was known for his

diverse skills as both a warrior and a writer of psalms.

• In his 40 years as ruler, between approximately 1010 and 970 B.C.E., he united the people of Israel, led them to victory in battle, conquered land and paved the way for his son, Solomon, to build the Holy Temple.

What does it mean to be Jewish?

Video Clip – What is a Jew?

What conclusions can we draw from this interview?

What does it mean to be Jewish?

Ethnic Jews Religious Jews• may not practice

the religion of Judaism

• Are from Israel 

• Practice the religion of Judaism

• not necessarily from Israel

•Being a Jew has both an ethnic meaning and a religious meaning.•A Jew may or may not practice the religion of Judaism.•Jews are a diverse group of people.

Some Important Beliefs in Judaism

1. The belief in One God. BBC Web Link 2. Respect for and study of the Torah.3. Relationships are at the heart of the faith.4.Prayer is to be directed only to God.

Important Beliefs Continued…

5. Recognition of Israel as both a nation and a people.6. The Messiah will come.7. The dead will be resurrected.8. What a Jew beliefs is reflected in how a Jew acts.