RELIGIONS OF THE MIDDLE EASTRELIGIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

JUDAISMJUDAISM

JUDAISM - GODJUDAISM - GODFollowers of Judaism are called JewsFollowers of Judaism are called JewsThe too believe in the God of AbrahamThe too believe in the God of Abraham– The Hebrew word is AdonaiThe Hebrew word is AdonaiJews believed that God had made a Jews believed that God had made a covenant (pact) with the Jewscovenant (pact) with the Jews– Abraham and his descendants were Abraham and his descendants were

God’s chosen peopleGod’s chosen people– HebrewsHebrews– The land promised to them was The land promised to them was

Canaan or present day IsraelCanaan or present day Israel

HOLY BOOKHOLY BOOK

The holy book of Jews is the TeNaKhThe holy book of Jews is the TeNaKh– Torah – stories of the ancient Hebrews Torah – stories of the ancient Hebrews

and lawsand laws– Nevi’im the history of Hebrew prophetsNevi’im the history of Hebrew prophets– Ketuvim – writings and psalmsKetuvim – writings and psalms

The Torah is the most important The Torah is the most important because it contains the laws for which because it contains the laws for which Jews must live byJews must live by– God gave the Torah to MosesGod gave the Torah to Moses– It contains 613 commandments (people It contains 613 commandments (people

have trouble with 10have trouble with 10))

KEY BELIEFSKEY BELIEFS

Live life according to the Torah and Live life according to the Torah and pass on the traditions to your familypass on the traditions to your familyThe Sabbath – from Friday evening The Sabbath – from Friday evening to Saturday night is a day of rest to Saturday night is a day of rest and prayer for Jewsand prayer for JewsTalmud – the oral law, where God’s Talmud – the oral law, where God’s teachings continue to evolve and teachings continue to evolve and changechange– The world changes, so does God’s The world changes, so does God’s

laws to adaptlaws to adapt– This is done by rabbisThis is done by rabbis

YAMAKA (Yarmulke)

Reasons given for wearing a kippah today include:1. Recognition that God is "above" humankind, 2. "acceptance" of the 613 mitzvot (commandments), 3. "identification" with the Jewish people.

PRACTICES & RITUALSPRACTICES & RITUALS

Jews fast during the holiday of Yom Kippur Jews fast during the holiday of Yom Kippur where they do not eat or drink all daywhere they do not eat or drink all day– A day of atonementA day of atonement

On the Sabbath, Jews practice the On the Sabbath, Jews practice the breaking of bread and sharing winebreaking of bread and sharing wine

Jews must also give almsJews must also give alms

Kosher foods – Jews only eat food that is Kosher foods – Jews only eat food that is clean (no dairy, pork, and shellfish)clean (no dairy, pork, and shellfish)

PassoverPassover

It is central to Jewish worship and religion. It is central to Jewish worship and religion. In spring (March-April), commemorates the In spring (March-April), commemorates the liberation from the Egypt slavery and the liberation from the Egypt slavery and the pass of the Red Sea. pass of the Red Sea. It is the "Day of Independence" of Israel, It is the "Day of Independence" of Israel, celebrated, not with fireworks, but with celebrated, not with fireworks, but with adoration to God, starting with a good, adoration to God, starting with a good, joyful, family, Seder meal on the first nightjoyful, family, Seder meal on the first nightFor 7 days after the Passover is celebrated For 7 days after the Passover is celebrated the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" at the the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" at the same time that Christians celebrate the same time that Christians celebrate the "Holy Week", the passion and resurrection "Holy Week", the passion and resurrection of Christ, that also lies at the heart of of Christ, that also lies at the heart of Christianity. Christianity.

Rosh HashanahRosh Hashanah

New Year Festival: In late September or New Year Festival: In late September or October; it is also called the "Feast of October; it is also called the "Feast of the Trumpets", because the ram's horn the Trumpets", because the ram's horn ("shofar") is blown in the synagogue ("shofar") is blown in the synagogue summoning men for the period of 10 summoning men for the period of 10 days to do penance and forgiveness, to days to do penance and forgiveness, to start a new life. start a new life. It is a period of divine judgment in which It is a period of divine judgment in which the fate of the world in the coming year the fate of the world in the coming year ahead is determined. The Jews eat ahead is determined. The Jews eat "sweet foods", a symbol of the good "sweet foods", a symbol of the good year to come, and "celebrate" to show year to come, and "celebrate" to show that they are confident of God's mercy.that they are confident of God's mercy.

Hanukkah  Hanukkah  

An 8 day "Feast of Lights", An 8 day "Feast of Lights", on November or December, on November or December, around Christmas time, also around Christmas time, also called the "Feast of called the "Feast of Dedication of the Temple“Dedication of the Temple“To celebrate the liberation To celebrate the liberation and purification of the and purification of the Temple by the MaccabeesTemple by the MaccabeesA joyful time exchanging A joyful time exchanging gifts, and giving money to gifts, and giving money to the poor.the poor.

WORSHIP SERVICESWORSHIP SERVICES

Jews worship at a synagogueJews worship at a synagogue

Prayer is led by a scholar of the Prayer is led by a scholar of the Torah who is called a rabbiTorah who is called a rabbi

Jerusalem as well is a holy city Jerusalem as well is a holy city to Jews as wellto Jews as well

The Wailing WallThe Wailing Wall

SECTS OF JUDAISMSECTS OF JUDAISM

OrthodoxOrthodox

ConservativeConservative

ReformedReformed

Different interpretations, eating habits and Different interpretations, eating habits and beliefs separate this sects of Judaismbeliefs separate this sects of Judaism

Orthodox Jews are not the same as Orthodox Jews are not the same as Orthodox ChristiansOrthodox Christians