JUDAISM

Who is a Jew?Who is a Jew?

�� CannoCannot be defined just by religious belieft be defined just by religious belief�� Some people are Jews but are atheistsSome people are Jews but are atheists

�� Race, linguistic or ethnic terms cannot Race, linguistic or ethnic terms cannot define eitherdefine either

�� CanCan identify those who are associated identify those who are associated with the religion of Judaism, they with the religion of Judaism, they believe…believe…�� in one Godin one God

�� God works in and through historical eventsGod works in and through historical events

�� has chosen to work through the Jewish peoplehas chosen to work through the Jewish people

BIBLICAL PATRIACHS (ancestors)BIBLICAL PATRIACHS (ancestors)

Abraham� God found it necessary to

call out one man and his family from all the people on earth.

� There were disasters on earth, and God chose to communicate with only communicate with only one nation, the descendants of Abraham.

� Descendants include:

� Son Isaac

� Grandson Jacob

� Jacob’s twelve sons.

What is known (believed about) the

patriarchs…

� Seen as nomads

� Abraham was citizen of Ur who followed the voice to the land of Canaan

Theology and religious practicesTheology and religious practices

�� They worshiped one God who guided their destinies: They worshiped one God who guided their destinies: �� Generic name for GodGeneric name for God

�� ElEl�� El Shaddai (God of the mountains) etc.El Shaddai (God of the mountains) etc.

�� Worshiped by burning animal sacrifices on altars outside.Worshiped by burning animal sacrifices on altars outside.�� In the story of Abrahams attempt to offer his son Isaac on In the story of Abrahams attempt to offer his son Isaac on

the command of God hint that human sacrifices may have the command of God hint that human sacrifices may have the command of God hint that human sacrifices may have the command of God hint that human sacrifices may have been practiced.been practiced.

�� Animistic practices in the worhip of the patriarchsAnimistic practices in the worhip of the patriarchs�� Discuss Abraham and Abimelech in BeershebaDiscuss Abraham and Abimelech in Beersheba

�� Circumcision practicedCircumcision practiced�� it is a very ancient religious custom probably did not it is a very ancient religious custom probably did not

originate with Abrahamoriginate with Abraham

�� Keeping a SabbathKeeping a Sabbath

EXODUSEXODUS

• Most important event in Judaism.

• God promised Abraham a great nation from his family and Canaan would be the homeland. the homeland.

• Book of Genesis discusses a great nation coming from Abraham’s descendents but not in Canaan, it was in Egypt and they were bound to slavery.

• Exodus from Egypt and their slavery and getting to Canaan and winning the land had to be accomplished before God’s promise to Abraham could be fulfilled.

• So God acted to save his chosen • So God acted to save his chosen people, the Israelites, they were no longer slaves, and he reveled the laws to them and brought them to Canaan.

– How did this happen?

MOSES

� Moses (an Egyptian name).

Moses’ background

� As an infant, he was going to be killed.

� Rescued and brought up by Pharaoh’s daughter.

� Moses found his Israelite heritage.� Moses found his Israelite heritage.

� Killed an Egyptian in defense of a slave.

� Exiled to the Sinai Desert.

� Lived as a shepherd for forty years.

• Talked to by God through a bush.

– God declared his name was YHWH and commanded Moses to lead the Israelites from slavery

• Ten plagues occurred.

• The last plague was the death of the firstborn of every house in Egypt.

• Israelites who ate a sacred meal and smeared lamb’s blood on their doorpost were passed over by the angle of death…hence Passover.angle of death…hence Passover.

• Pharaoh changed his mind about their release and chased them.

• YHWH parted the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea) allowing the Israelites to go, but engulfed the Egyptians.

SINAI AND THE LAW

� After Exodus, the next significant event was the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai.

Sinai and the Law Cont.d’10 commandments

� Stress obedience and loyalty to YHWH and good behavior towards others

Sinai and the Law10 commandments Cont.d’� Given to Moses 3 months after leaving

Egypt� Called the Decalogue (for the Greek

word for 10 words)� It was not important to the

Christian religion until the 13th

century when they were included with the instruction for those who came to confess their sins, and later were incorporated into catechisms of religious training.catechisms of religious training.

� Fifth Commandment says that nobody shall work on the Sabbath (Remember that the Jewish Sabbath, Shabbat, starts at dusk on Fridays an ends at dusk on Saturdays)

� While on Mount Sinai, the Israelites became impatient� Made an image of a golden calf.� God told Moses to return to the

people.� Moses became angry, threw down

the tables and they broke into may pieces.

Sinai and the Law10 commandments Cont.d’

Why all of the wandering?• After two years of various preparations,

the nation of Israel finally approaches Canaan with the intent to conquer it and occupy the land God had promised to them through Abraham. As the battle draws near, the nation sends out 12 spies in order to scout the land. Ten of the spies return believing that the land cannot be conquered, while two, Joshua and Caleb, believe that it can be taken. Rather than trusting in God, a major rift

• Moses was not perfect. Like any man, he had his flaws and his moments of weakness, and the Bible faithfully records these shortcomings. In fact, Moses was not permitted to enter the

• Promised Land because of a transgression (Deut. 32:48-52). Moses was told to speak to a rock to get water from it, but instead he struck the rock repeatedly with a rod, showing improper Rather than trusting in God, a major rift

develops between God and the Israelites when they believe the 10 spies evil report. This proceeds to make God mad, and rather than supporting the nation, condemns them to 38 additional years wandering around in the desert. When those years are over, after 40 years from leaving Egypt, only two men remain, Joshua and Caleb. Everyone else having died in the desert.

repeatedly with a rod, showing improper anger and a lack of faith (Num. 20:7-13).

Sinai and the Law10 commandments Cont.d’

� Moses was 120 years old when God told him he was about to die and would not reach the “promised land”.� God commanded Moses to

write down the law and give it to the Levites who carried them in the “Ark of the them in the “Ark of the Covenant”

� Moses climbed Mount Pisgah which overlooked Canaan.� He was never seen again and

how he died remains a mystery.

� Said he began work on the first five books of the Hebrew Bible

Sinai and the Law Cont.d’

Pentateuch (or Torah)

Sinai and the Law Cont.d’

Pentateuch (or Torah) Cont.d’

� Most important section of the Jewish Bible

� Chronicle, in historical order, the beginning of the world all the way the world all the way thorough to the death of Moses

� Jewish people and Christians agree that Moses was the author of the five books

Sinai and the Law Cont.d’

Pentateuch (or Torah) Cont.d’

� Greek word that is derived from two words: penta meaning "five", and teukhos which means "implement" which refers to the books of:� Genesis� Exodus� Leviticus � Numbers� Deuteronomy

� These books are found in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament

� These books are found in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament

� Becomes basis for the Mishnah and Talmud� Talmud, which means study or

learning, is a reference to the interpretations of the Torah� Takes the rules listed in the Torah

and describes how to apply them to different circumstances

� Mishnah is the first part of the Talmud

� Judaism is defined a a religion and Jews as the people primarily concerned with obedience to the laws of God.

� Yad

POST-SINAI RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

� In addition to the laws of God, the years in Sinai gave to the Israelites:to the Israelites:

1. Ark of the Covenant

2. Tent of Meeting

POST-SINAI RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS Cont.d’

Ark of the Covenant� Coffin like box

� Said it contains sacred relics of the Exodus and may have been the portable throne of YHWH.YHWH.

� Most treasured possession of the Israelites and later placed in Solomon’s temple.

� Said to have stayed there until the temple destroyed by the Babylonians

POST-SINAI RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS Cont.d’

Tent of Meeting� Tent of Meeting was a

movable tent used to worship YHWY.

� After a time of wondering in wilderness, Israelites conquered areas on the East conquered areas on the East Bank of the Jordan River.

� Moses’ successor, Joshua crossed the Jordan and conquered the cities of Canaan.

� When settled in Canaan they renewed their covenant their YHWH

RELIGION IN THE TIME OF THE

HEBREW MONARCHY

� When David became the 1st effective king of the Israelites, Jerusalem was captured and became the central capital.

� Wanted to build a temple there but � Wanted to build a temple there but forbidden by YHWH

The Temple

� David’s son Solomon built a temple

� Ark of the Covenant placed there

� Form of Worship: sacrifice

The Prophetic MovementThe Prophetic Movement

• Prior prophets: religious leaders involved in the ecstatic aspects of worship.– IE: danced, sang, and breathed incense worked to a state

where they could hear the voices of their gods.

• What is the difference between a prophet and priest?– Offered sacrifices– Offered sacrifices

• Some prophets became attached to royal households: Nathan was David’s.

• 4 Main prophets produced: – Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah

– Known for predictions and denouncing social injustices

Exile and Return

• After Solomon, Israel split into two nations.• Northern

– Israel: destroyed– They are known as the 10 lost tribes

• Southern • Southern – Judah– Remainder of David’s kingdom– Destroyed by the Babylonian’s. – Jerusalem destroyed, Solomon’s temple

destroyed and Judah’s citizens killed or deported.– Led by Ezekiel

Ezekial� Ezekiel, (prophet and

priest) was their leader.� Persians captured

Babylon� Jews allowed freedom

and returned to Jerusalem

� Ezekiel declared YHWH mobileAnother Prophet, Isaiah, � Another Prophet, Isaiah, stated God of the Israelites was everyone's God

� Jews mission as YHWH’s chosen people is to present his message to all the nations of the world.

Ezra� When the Jews returned

to Jerusalem, a priest named Ezra became influential.

� Brought a copy of the Scripture.

� After this, it was believed that God no longer spoke that God no longer spoke through the prophets but through his book

� 2nd temple built but destroyed by the Romans

DIASPORA

� A period of time where there was a scattering of the Jewish people all over the world – sometimes forced:

� IE: Babylonians� IE: Babylonians

� During this time, synagogues, rabbis and other distinctive Jewish features developed.

Synagogues: (assembly)

� When Judaism moved away from Israel as its center, there were new concepts of God which emerged:

� Only one God for all people� Only one God for all people

� Jews from Diaspora developed the synagogue for local prayer and study

Synagogue must contain

1. Copy of scripture (Torah)

� Torah (Decalogue)

2. Ten adults (over 13) males = quorum or males = quorum or minyan

� Can be located anywhere:

� IE: under tree, home, etc.

Rabbi (my master)

� Rabbi developed during this same time

� Not a priest or minister

Studies and teaches � Studies and teaches the Torah

Other Distinctive Features

� Refused to work on the Sabbath

� Refused to eat certain food gentiles ate

� IE: Kosher (clean, fit)

� Circumcision� Circumcision

� God would send a messiah to defeat the enemies of the Jews and reestablish the kingdom of David.

Kashrut: Jewish Dietary Laws

� Kashrut is the body of Jewish law dealing with what foods we can and cannot eat and how those foods must be prepared and eaten. "Kashrut" comes from the Hebrew root Kaf-Shin-Resh, meaning fit, proper or correct. It is the same root as the more commonly known word "kosher," which describes food that meets these standards. The word "kosher" can also be used, and often is used, to describe ritual objects that are made in accordance with Jewish law and are fit for ritual use.

� Contrary to popular misconception, rabbis or other religious officials do not "bless" food to make it kosher. There are blessings that observant Jews recite over food before eating it, but these blessings have nothing to do with making the food kosher. Food can be kosher without a rabbi or priest ever becoming involved with it: the vegetables from your garden are undoubtedly kosher. However, in our modern world of processed foods, it is difficult to know what ingredients are in your food and how know what ingredients are in your food and how they were processed, so it is helpful to have a rabbi examine the food and its processing and assure kosher consumers that the food is kosher.

� There is no such thing as "kosher-style" food. Kosher is not a style of cooking. Chinese food can be kosher if it is prepared in accordance with Jewish law, and there are many fine kosher Chinese restaurants in Philadelphia and New York. Traditional Jewish foods like knishes knishes, bagels, blintzes and matzah ball soup can all be non-kosher if not prepared in accordance with Jewish law. When a restaurant calls itself "kosher-style," it usually means that the restaurant serves these traditional Jewish foods, and it almost invariably means that the food is not actually kosher.

� Food that is not kosher is commonly referred to as treyf (lit. torn, from the commandment not to eat animals that have been torn by other animals).

Why Do We Observe the Laws of Kashrut?

� Many modern Jews think that the laws of kashrut are simply primitive health regulations that have become obsolete with modern methods of food preparation. There is no question that some of the dietary laws have some beneficial health effects. For example, the laws regarding kosher slaughter are so sanitary that kosher butchers and slaughterhouses have been exempted from many USDA regulations. However, health is not the only reason for Jewish dietary laws. Many of the laws of kashrut have no known connection with health. To the best of our modern scientific knowledge, there is no reason why camel or rabbit meat (both treyf) is any less healthy than cow or goat meat. In addition, some of the health benefits to be derived from kashrut were not made obsolete by the refrigerator. For example, there is some evidence that eating meat and dairy together interferes with digestion, and no modern food preparation technique reproduces the health benefit of the kosher law of eating them separately.

� In recent years, several secular sources that have seriously looked into this matter have acknowledged that health does not explain these prohibitions. Some have suggested that the prohibitions are instead derived from environmental considerations. For example, a camel (which is not kosher) is more useful as a beast of burden than as a source of food. In the Middle Eastern climate, the pig consumes a quantity of food that is disproportional to its value as a food source. But again, these are not reasons that come from Jewish tradition. The short answer to why Jews observe these laws is: because the Torah says so. The Jewish tradition. The short answer to why Jews observe these laws is: because the Torah says so. The Torah does not specify any reason for these laws, and for a Torah-observant, traditional Jew, there is no need for any other reason. Some have suggested that the laws of kashrut fall into the category of "chukkim," laws for which there is no reason. We show our obedience to G-d by following these laws even though we do not know the reason. Others, however, have tried to ascertain G-d's reason for imposing these laws.

� In his book "To Be a Jew", Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin suggests that the dietary laws are designed as a call to holiness. The ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, pure and defiled, the sacred and the profane, is very important in Judaism. Imposing rules on what you can and cannot eat ingrains that kind of self control, requiring us to learn to control even our most basic, primal instincts. Donin also points out that the laws of kashrut elevate the simple act of eating into a religious ritual. The Jewish dinner table is often compared to the Temple altar in rabbinic literature. A Jew who observes the laws of kashrut cannot eat a meal without being reminded of the fact that he is a Jew,

How Difficult is it to Keep Kosher?

� People who do not keep kosher often say how difficult it is. Actually, keeping kosher is not particularly difficult in and of itself; what makes it difficult to keep kosher is the fact that the rest of the world does not do so. As we shall see below, the basic underlying rules are fairly simple. If you buy your meat at a kosher butcher and buy only kosher certified products at the market, the only thing you need to think about is the separation of meat and dairy.

� Keeping kosher only becomes difficult when you try to eat in a non-kosher restaurant, or at the home of a person who does not keep kosher. In those situations, your lack of kosher. In those situations, your lack of knowledge about your host's ingredients and the food preparation techniques make it very difficult to keep kosher. Some commentators have pointed out, however, that this may well have been part of what G-d had in mind: to make it more difficult for us to socialize with those who do not share our religion.

General Rules

� Although the details of kashrut are extensive, the laws all derive from a few fairly simple, straightforward rules:

� Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals.

� Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.

� All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.

� Meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. (According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat).

� Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.

� Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten.

Forbidden Fats and Nerves

� The sciatic nerve and its adjoining blood vessels may not be eaten. The process of removing this nerve is time consuming and not cost-effective, so most American slaughterers simply sell the hind quarters to non-kosher butchers.

� A certain kind of fat, known as chelev, which surrounds the vital A certain kind of fat, known as chelev, which surrounds the vital organs and the liver, may not be eaten. Kosher butchers remove this. Modern scientists have found biochemical differences between this type of fat and the permissible fat around the muscles and under the skin.

The Details Animals that may not be eaten

Of the "beasts of the earth" (which basically refers to land mammals with the exception of swarming rodents), you may eat any animal that has cloven hooves and chews its cud. Lev. 11:3; Deut. 14:6. Any land mammal that does not have both of these qualities is forbidden. The Torah specifies that the camel, the rock badger, the hare and the pig are not kosher because each lacks one of these two qualifications. Sheep, cattle, goats and deer are kosher. Of the things that are in the waters, you may eat anything that has fins and scales. Lev. 11:9; Deut. 14:9. Thus, shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, shrimp, clams and crabs are all forbidden. Fish like tuna, carp, salmon and herring are all permitted.

For birds, the criteria is less clear. The Torah lists forbidden birds (Lev. 11:13-19; Deut. 14:11-18), but

does not specify why these particular birds are forbidden. All of the birds on the list are birds of prey or scavengers, thus the rabbis inferred that this was the basis for the distinction. Other birds are permitted, such as chicken, geese, ducks and turkeys.

Of the "winged swarming things" (winged insects), a few are specifically permitted (Lev. 11:22), but the Sages are no longer certain which ones they are, so all have been forbidden. Rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects (except as mentioned above) are all forbidden. Lev. 11:29-30, 42-43. Some authorities require a post-mortem examination of the lungs of cattle, to determine whether the lungs are free from adhesions. If the lungs are free from such adhesions, the animal is deemed "glatt" (that is, "smooth"). In certain circumstances, an animal can be kosher without being glatt; however, the stringency of keeping "glatt kosher" has become increasingly common in recent years.

As mentioned above, any product derived from these forbidden animals, such as their milk, eggs, fat, or organs, also cannot be eaten. Rennet, an enzyme used to harden cheese, is often obtained from non-kosher animals, thus kosher hard cheese can be difficult to find.

Kosher slaughtering

The mammals and birds that may be eaten must be slaughtered in accordance with Jewish law. (Deut. 12:21). We may not eat animals that died of natural causes (Deut. 14:21) or that were killed by other animals. In addition, the animal must have no disease or flaws in the organs at the time of slaughter. These restrictions do not apply to fish; only to the flocks and herds (Num. 11:22).

Ritual slaughter is known as shechitah, and the person who performs the slaughter is called a shochet, both from the Hebrew root Shin-Chet-Tav, meaning to destroy or kill. The method of slaughter is a quick, deep stroke across the throat with a perfectly sharp blade with no nicks or unevenness. This method is painless, causes unconsciousness within two seconds, and is widely recognized painless, causes unconsciousness within two seconds, and is widely recognized as the most humane method of slaughter possible.

Another advantage of shechitah is that ensures rapid, complete draining of the blood, which is also necessary to render the meat kosher. The shochet is not simply a butcher; he must be a pious man, well-trained in Jewish law, particularly as it relates to kashrut. In smaller, more remote communities, the rabbi and the shochet were often the same person.

Draining of Blood

� The Torah prohibits consumption of blood. Lev. 7:26-27; Lev. 17:10-14. This is the only dietary law that has a reason specified in Torah: we do not eat blood because the life of the animal is contained in the blood. This applies only to the blood of birds and mammals, not to fish blood. Thus, it is necessary to remove all blood from the flesh of kosher animals.

� The first step in this process occurs at the time of slaughter. As discussed above, shechitah allows for rapid draining of most of the blood.

� The remaining blood must be removed, either by broiling or soaking and salting. Liver may only be kashered by the broiling method, because it has so much blood in it and such complex blood vessels. This final process must be completed within 72 it and such complex blood vessels. This final process must be completed within 72 hours after slaughter, and before the meat is frozen or ground. Most butchers and all frozen food vendors take care of the soaking and salting for you, but you should always check this when you are buying someplace you are unfamiliar with.

� An egg that contains a blood spot may not be eaten. This isn't very common, but it is found once in a while. It is a good idea to break an egg into a container and check it before you put it into a heated pan, because if you put a blood-stained egg into a heated pan, the pan becomes non-kosher.

Separation of Meat and Dairy

� On three separate occasions, the Torah tells us not to "boil a kid in its mother's milk." (Ex. 23:19; Ex. 34:26; Deut. 14:21). The Oral Torah explains that this passage prohibits eating meat and dairy together. The rabbis extended this prohibition to include not eating milk and poultry together. In addition, the Talmud prohibits cooking meat and fish together or serving them on the same plates, because it is considered to be unhealthy. It is, however, permissible to eat fish and dairy together, and it is quite common. It is also permissible to eat dairy and eggs together.

� This separation includes not only the foods themselves, but the utensils, pots and pans with which they are cooked, the plates and flatware from which they are eaten, the dishwashers or dishpans in which they are cleaned, and the towels on which they are dried. A kosher household will have at least two sets of pots, pans and dishes: one for meat and one for dairy. See Utensils below for more details. One must wait a significant amount of time between eating meat and dairy. Opinions differ, and vary from three to six amount of time between eating meat and dairy. Opinions differ, and vary from three to six hours. This is because fatty residues and meat particles tend to cling to the mouth. From dairy to meat, however, one need only rinse one's mouth and eat a neutral solid like bread, unless the dairy product in question is also of a type that tends to stick in the mouth.

� Note that even the smallest quantity of dairy (or meat) in something renders it entirely dairy (or meat) for purposes of kashrut. For example, most margarines are dairy for kosher purposes, because they contain a small quantity of whey or other dairy products to give it a dairy-like taste. Animal fat is considered meat for purposes of kashrut. You should read the ingredients very carefully, even if the product is kosher-certified.

Utensils

� Utensils (pots, pans, plates, flatware, etc., etc.) must also be kosher. A utensil picks up the kosher "status" (meat, dairy, pareve, or treyf) of the food that is cooked in it or eaten off of it, and transmits that status back to the next food that is cooked in it or eaten off of it. Thus, if you cook chicken soup in a saucepan, the pan becomes meat. If you thereafter use the same saucepan to heat up some warm milk, the fleishig status of the pan is transmitted to the milk, and the milchig status of the milk is transmitted to the pan, making both the pan and the milk a forbidden mixture.

� Kosher status can be transmitted from the food to the utensil or from the utensil to the food only in the presence of heat, thus if you are eating cold food in a non-kosher establishment, the condition of the plates is not an issue. Likewise, you could use the same knife to slice cold cuts and cheese, as long as you clean it in between, but this is not really a recommended procedure, because it increases the likelihood of mistakes.

� Stove tops and sinks routinely become non-kosher utensils, because they routinely come in contact with both meat and dairy in the presence of heat. It is necessary, therefore, to use contact with both meat and dairy in the presence of heat. It is necessary, therefore, to use dishpans when cleaning dishes (don't soak them directly in the sink) and to use separate spoon rests and trivets when putting things down on the stove top.

� Dishwashers are a kashrut problem. If you are going to use a dishwasher in a kosher home, you either need to have separate dish racks or you need to run the dishwasher in between meat and dairy loads.

�

You should use separate towels and pot holders for meat and dairy. Routine laundering kashers such items, so you can simply launder them between using them for meat and dairy.

� Certain kinds of utensils can be "kashered" if you make a mistake and use it with both meat and dairy. Consult a rabbi for guidance if this situation occurs.

Grape Products

� The restrictions on grape products derive from the laws against using products of idolatry. Wine was commonly used in the rituals of all ancient religions, and wine was routinely sanctified for pagan purposes while it was being processed. For this reason, use of wines and other grape products made by non-Jews was prohibited. (Whole grapes are not a problem, nor are whole grapes in fruit cocktail). For the most part, this rule only affects wine and grape juice. This the most part, this rule only affects wine and grape juice. This becomes a concern with many fruit drinks or fruit-flavored drinks, which are often sweetened with grape juice. You may also notice that some baking powders are not kosher, because baking powder is sometimes made with cream of tartar, a by-product of wine making.

THE MISHNAHTHE MISHNAH

�� Leadership of Judaism Leadership of Judaism moved to Galileemoved to Galilee

�� Meaning of the law Meaning of the law debateddebated

�� Judah haJudah ha--Nasi (Judah the Nasi (Judah the Prince) collected all legal Prince) collected all legal Prince) collected all legal Prince) collected all legal writingswritings

�� Collection called the Collection called the Mishnah (repetition)Mishnah (repetition)

�� Purpose: to interpret what Purpose: to interpret what the Torah really meantthe Torah really meant

�� IE: the Sabbath page 253IE: the Sabbath page 253

TalmudTalmud�� After the Mishna was completed, center of After the Mishna was completed, center of

the leadership of Judaism moved from the leadership of Judaism moved from Galilee to BabylonGalilee to Babylon

�� Christianity became official religion due to Christianity became official religion due to Constantine I.Constantine I.Constantine I.Constantine I.

�� Christianity started as a sect of JudaismChristianity started as a sect of Judaism�� Jesus and his disciples were practicing Jews.Jesus and his disciples were practicing Jews.

�� First meetings in synagogues. First meetings in synagogues.

Talmud ContinuedTalmud Continued

�� Judaism and Christianity split when Peter Judaism and Christianity split when Peter and Paul invited nonand Paul invited non--Jews into Jews into Christianity.Christianity.

They did not have circumcision, kosher They did not have circumcision, kosher �� They did not have circumcision, kosher They did not have circumcision, kosher food laws, and didn’t have to convert to food laws, and didn’t have to convert to Judaism or its laws.Judaism or its laws.

�� Whether it is Judaism drawing away from Whether it is Judaism drawing away from Christianity or the reverse is not clear.Christianity or the reverse is not clear.

Talmud ContinuedTalmud ContinuedHostility between Judaism and Hostility between Judaism and

ChristianityChristianity

�� Jews didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah Jews didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah

�� Guilt of all Jews for the death of Jesus.Guilt of all Jews for the death of Jesus.

�� Gemara, literature dealing with every area of Gemara, literature dealing with every area of Jewish life, was added to the Mishnah and formed Jewish life, was added to the Mishnah and formed Jewish life, was added to the Mishnah and formed Jewish life, was added to the Mishnah and formed the Talmud.the Talmud.

�� Talmud, an important collection of studies and Talmud, an important collection of studies and commentaries, that form a fundamental guide commentaries, that form a fundamental guide influencing dayinfluencing day--toto--day Jewish observances and day Jewish observances and thought.thought.

�� Halachah (the proper way) and Haggadah (tale, Halachah (the proper way) and Haggadah (tale, narrative) make up the Talmudnarrative) make up the Talmud

The State of IsraelThe State of Israel�� 1947, the UN split Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state1947, the UN split Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state

�� Britain left Palestine, Israel proclaimed its statehoodBritain left Palestine, Israel proclaimed its statehood

�� Palestinian Arabs fledPalestinian Arabs fled

�� Muslims and Jews see Jerusalem as sacred territoryMuslims and Jews see Jerusalem as sacred territory

Current Variations in JudaismCurrent Variations in Judaism

Current Variations In Judaism

� Over 14 million Jews worldwide

� Orthodox

� Reform� Reform

� Conservatives

� Reconstructionist

� Fundamentalist

� Non-observant

Orthodox� Preserve traditional

Jewish culture

� Kosher food laws followed

� Strict observance of the Sabbath

� Men and women � Men and women separated in the synagogue and both must cover their heads

� Hebrew is the language during worship

Reform Judaism

� US and Europe

� Attempts to be modern in beliefs and practices

� Worship on Friday eveningsevenings

� Synagogues called temples

Conservative

� Religious practice more relaxed than Orthodox

� Concerned with the scientific study of the Bible

� Vernacular used not HebrewHebrew

� Worship on Saturday morning

� Men wear skullcap (yarmulke)

Reconstructionist Judaism

� Came out of the Conservative

� It is not enough to practice Judaism as a religion, the entire Jewish culture must Jewish culture must be studied and experienced

Others� Fundamentalists Jewish

sects

� Complete acceptance of traditional Jewish law and hostile to non-Jews

� Non-observant, Jews

� Value Jewish culture and Value Jewish culture and heritage

� Do not share the religious belief or practices

� Celebrate Jewish holidays, but not as celebrations of faith

Jewish Festivals and Holy Days

� Sabbath (Shabbat)� Most important

� Begins on Friday sundown – sundown Saturday

� Services Friday night and Saturday morning

� Start the Sabbath by dressing up for a good meal, with maybe some singing and celebrations.

� Saturdays they go visiting friends and family and sit around reading he Torah

� End of Sabbath, Saturday evening, a ceremony called Gavdalah marks the end of it.

� Family fathers and a candle is lit and a box of sweet-smelling spices is passed around.

� If dinner is served after havdalah it must have been prepared earlier because cooking is not permitted on the Sabbath

� Kiddush said

� Synagogue attended

� Orthodox has things the are not allowed to do

� They found 39 categories of forbidden acts, all of which are types of work that were needed to build the sanctuary:

1. Sowing 2. Plowing 3. Reaping 4. Binding sheaves 5. Threshing 6. Winnowing 7. Selecting 8. Grinding 9. Sifting 10. Kneading 11. Baking 12. Shearing wool 13. Washing wool 14. Beating wool 15. Dyeing wool 16. Spinning 17. Weaving 18. Making two loops

� Orthodox has things the are not allowed to do 18. Making two loops 19. Weaving two threads 20. Separating two threads 21. Tying 22. Untying 23. Sewing two stitches 24. Tearing 25. Trapping 26. Slaughtering 27. Flaying 28. Salting meat 29. Curing hide 30. Scraping hide 31. Cutting hide up 32. Writing two letters 33. Erasing two letters 34. Building 35. Tearing a building down 36. Extinguishing a fire 37. Kindling a fire 38. Hitting with a hammer 39. Taking an object from the private domain to the public, or transporting an

object in the public domain.

Jewish Festivals and Holy Days

� Passover (Pesach)� 15th of March or April � Last 8 days� Celebrates the deliverance of the

Israelites from slavery in Egypt� Seder held first two nights

� The Feast of Weeks (Shavuot)� 6th/7th days of May or June� Called Pentecost in the New

Testament� Related to the Exodus, Moses

receiving the 10 commandmentsreceiving the 10 commandments

� New Year (Rosh Hashanah)� 1st/2nd days in September-October� 1st days of creation� Period of penitence� Eat sweets

� The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)� Holiest� End of Rosh Hashanah� No work, food, drink� Day in synagogue� Charity

� The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)� Five days after Yom Kippur� Israelites wandered in the

Sinai lived in tabernacles Sinai lived in tabernacles (sukkot)

� Joyous festival� The Feast of Dedication

(Chanukah)� 25th Nov-Dec� Festival of lights and

dedication� Explain the story

� The Feast of Lots (Purim)

� 14th of Feb/March

� Jewish victory over Gentile foes

� Queen Ester saved her people from massacre

� The day the Jews were to be destroyed was drawn by lots

� The Son of the Commandment (Bar Mitzvah)

� Boy considered a man when age 13

� Bat Mitzvah (for girls) practiced by Reform congregations

Dead Sea Scrolls

• The Dead Sea Scroll were discovered in these caves in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd. Since their discovery more books have been written on them than any other single discovery. any other single discovery.

• The Essene sect occupied the city of Qumran on top of the cliffs and placed the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Qumran Caves when the Romans invaded them and destroyed their Community in 68 A.D.

Qumran Jar (Dead Sea Scrolls)

• Did the Dead Sea Scrolls actually contain Old Testament scrolls written hundreds of years before the time of Jesus?

• This Qumran Jar contained the Scroll of Isaiah, one of the hundreds of scrolls discovered in caves around the area of Qumran, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea in Israel. The discovery which began in 1948 became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

• What is most significant about these scrolls is that they contain many of the Jewish documents known to Christians scrolls is that they contain many of the Jewish documents known to Christians as the Old Testament. Before this discovery the oldest copies of Biblical documents of the Old Testament were from around the 9th century A.D., because the Jewish scribes took careful measures in copying documents, numbering them, and destroying the originals.

• The Dead Sea Scrolls date back to at least the 2nd century B.C. making them important in the study of Biblical Archaeology. This is especially important to Christians because it puts hundreds of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus, at least 2 centuries before the events took place.

Dead Sea Scrolls1.The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in eleven caves along the

northwest shore of the Dead Sea between the years 1947 and 1956. The area is 13 miles east of Jerusalem and is 1300 feet below sea level. The mostly fragmented texts, are numbered according to the cave that they came out of. They have been called the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times.

2. Only Caves 1 and 11 have produced relatively intact manuscripts. Discovered in 1952, Cave 4 produced the largest find. About 15,000 fragments from more than 500 manuscripts were found.

3. In all, scholars have identified the remains of about 825 to 870 separate scrolls.

4. The Scrolls can be divided into two categories—biblical and non-biblical. Fragments of every book of the Hebrew canon (Old Testament) have been discovered except for the book of Esther.

5. There are now identified among the scrolls, 19 copies of the Book of Isaiah, 25 copies of Deuteronomy and 30 copies of the Psalms .Isaiah, 25 copies of Deuteronomy and 30 copies of the Psalms .

6. Prophecies by Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Daniel not found in the Bible are written in the Scrolls.

7. The Isaiah Scroll, found relatively intact, is 1000 years older than any previously known copy of Isaiah. In fact, the scrolls are the oldest group of Old Testament manuscripts ever found.

8. In the Scrolls are found never before seen psalms attributed to King David and Joshua.

9. The Scrolls are for the most part, written in Hebrew, but there are many written in Aramaic. Aramaic was the common language of the Jews of Palestine for the last two centuries B.C. and of the first two centuries A.D. The discovery of the Scrolls has greatly enhanced our knowledge of these two languages. In addition, there are a few texts written in Greek.

11. The Scrolls appear to be the library of a Jewish sect. The library was hidden away in caves around the outbreak of the First Jewish Revolt (A.D. 66-70) as the Roman army advanced against the rebel Jews.

12. Near the caves are the ancient ruins of Qumran. They were excavated in the early 1950's and appear to be connected with the scrolls.

13. The Dead Sea Scrolls were most likely written by the Essenes during the period from about 200 B.C. to 68 C.E./A.D. The Essenes are mentioned by Josephus and in a few other sources, but not in the New testament. The Essenes were a strict Torah observant, Messianic, apocalyptic, baptist, wilderness, new covenant Jewish sect. They were led by a priest they called the "Teacher of Righteousness," who was opposed and possibly killed by the establishment priesthood in Jerusalem.

14. The enemies of the Qumran community were called the "Sons of Darkness"; they called themselves the "Sons of Light," "the poor," and members of "the Way." They thought of themselves as "the holy ones," who lived in "the house of holiness," because "the Holy Spirit" dwelt with them.

15. The last words of Joseph, Judah, Levi, Naphtali, and Amram (the father of Moses) are written down in the Scrolls.

16. One of the most curious scrolls is the Copper Scroll. Discovered in Cave 3, this scroll records a list of 64 underground hiding places throughout the land of Israel. The deposits are to contain certain amounts of gold, silver, aromatics, and manuscripts. These are believed to be treasures from the Temple at Jerusalem, that were hidden away for safekeeping.

17. The Temple Scroll, found in Cave 11, is the longest scroll. Its present total length is 26.7 feet (8.148 meters). The overall length of the scroll must have been over 28 feet (8.75m).

18. The scrolls contain previously unknown stories about biblical figures such as Enoch, Abraham, and Noah. The story of Abraham includes an explanation why God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

19. The scrolls are most commonly made of animal skins, but also papyrus and one of copper. They are written with a carbon-based ink, from right to left, using no punctuation except for an occasional paragraph indentation. In fact, in some cases, there are not even spaces between the words.

20. The Scrolls have revolutionized textual criticism of the Old Testament. Interestingly, now with manuscripts predating the medieval period, we find these texts in substantial agreement with the Masoretic text as well as widely variant forms.

21. Some of the Dead Sea Scrolls actually appeared for sale on June 1, 1954 in the Wall Street Journal. The advertisement read — "The Four Dead Sea Scrolls: Biblical manuscripts dating back to at least 200 BC are for sale. This would be an ideal gift to an educational or religious institution by an individual or group. Box F206."

22. Although the Qumran community existed during the time of the ministry of Jesus, none of the Scrolls refer to Him, nor do they mention any of His follower's described in the New Testament.

23. The major intact texts, from Caves 1 & 11, were published by the late fifties and are now housed in the Shrine of the Book museum in Jerusalem.

24. Since the late fifties, about 40% of the Scrolls, mostly fragments from Cave 4, remained unpublished and were inaccessible. It wasn't until 1991, 44 years after the discovery of the first Scroll, after the pressure for publication mounted, that general access was made available to unpublished and were inaccessible. It wasn't until 1991, 44 years after the discovery of the first Scroll, after the pressure for publication mounted, that general access was made available to photographs of the Scrolls. In November of 1991 the photos were published by the Biblical Archaeological Society in a nonofficial edition; a computer reconstruction, based on a concordance, was announced; the Huntington Library pledged to open their microfilm files of all the scroll photographs.

25. The Dead Sea Scrolls enhance our knowledge of both Judaism and Christianity. They represent a non-rabbinic form of Judaism and provide a wealth of comparative material for New Testament scholars, including many important parallels to the Jesus movement. They show Christianity to be rooted in Judaism and have been called the evolutionary link between the two.