The Seven Characteristics The Seven Characteristics of Judaismof Judaism

By: Marcus ChalmersBy: Marcus Chalmers

Stories of Origin & Stories of Origin & Important PeopleImportant PeopleMoses: Moses: • Moses was a great prophet and chosen by God to lead the Moses was a great prophet and chosen by God to lead the

Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt.Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt.• Moses was the only man that talked to God face to face.Moses was the only man that talked to God face to face.• No other prophet did the great and miraculous things that No other prophet did the great and miraculous things that

God gave him the power to do.God gave him the power to do.

Comic: Parting the Red Sea

Moses parting the Red Sea that allowed the Jewish people to cross to freedom out of Egypt

Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai

Stories of Origin & Stories of Origin & Important PeopleImportant People

The Story of Abraham:The Story of Abraham:• Abraham was almost the only person (at the time) that believed in Abraham was almost the only person (at the time) that believed in

only one God.only one God.• God told Abraham to leave his homeland and go to Israel and become God told Abraham to leave his homeland and go to Israel and become

the father of the Hebrews. the father of the Hebrews. • Abraham was so loyal to God he almost killed his son because God Abraham was so loyal to God he almost killed his son because God

told him too. told him too. • Abraham’s name was Abram and God changed it to Abraham Abraham’s name was Abram and God changed it to Abraham

meaning “Father of a Nation”meaning “Father of a Nation”

Abraham walking with his son Isaac

Abraham sacrificing his son to God

Abraham’s journey from Haran to Canaan

Core BeliefsCore Beliefs

The 613 Mitzvots:The 613 Mitzvots:• The 613 Mitzvots or commandments are a list of rules in The 613 Mitzvots or commandments are a list of rules in

JudaismJudaism

• Known as the “Law of Moses” and contained in the TorahKnown as the “Law of Moses” and contained in the Torah

• The amount of mitzvots a Jewish person would follow The amount of mitzvots a Jewish person would follow determines which category of Judaism you are in; Orthodox, determines which category of Judaism you are in; Orthodox, Conservative or ReformedConservative or Reformed

Orthodox

Conservative

ReformOne of 613 Mitzvots to keep Kosher

The Three Categories of Judaism

Holy Holy WritingsWritings

Torah:Torah:• The torah contains the old testament also known as the five The torah contains the old testament also known as the five

books of Moses and the Hebrew testament.books of Moses and the Hebrew testament.• The Torah is treated with a lot of respect. It is so holy and The Torah is treated with a lot of respect. It is so holy and

fragile that it can’t be touched by human hands on the animal fragile that it can’t be touched by human hands on the animal skin paper so the torah has a special pointer for reading called skin paper so the torah has a special pointer for reading called a Yad (slide 8)a Yad (slide 8)

• The Torah is usually covered in a decorative case.The Torah is usually covered in a decorative case.

The Torah ScrollThe Holy Arc

Holy Places and Places of Holy Places and Places of WorshipWorshipTemple, Synagogue, or Shul:Temple, Synagogue, or Shul:• The Jewish place of worship is known by all of these names.The Jewish place of worship is known by all of these names.• Each Synagogue has some items that are in every one. Each Synagogue has some items that are in every one.

Eternal lightEternal light

BemaBemaHoly ArcHoly ArcChairsChairsTwo Flags (one of the home country and Israeli flagTwo Flags (one of the home country and Israeli flag

• Synagogues can be big or small.Synagogues can be big or small.• In addition to services Synagogues are used for many celebrations.In addition to services Synagogues are used for many celebrations.

Front of a Temple

The Bema is a raised platform

Holy Places and Places of Holy Places and Places of WorshipWorship

The Western Wall:The Western Wall:• The Western Wall is the holiest sight in JudaismThe Western Wall is the holiest sight in Judaism• This was built buy Herod the Great as a wall of the Temple This was built buy Herod the Great as a wall of the Temple

Mount complexMount complex• The place was an area for prayer when Israel captured the The place was an area for prayer when Israel captured the

Old City.Old City.• This wall is the only thing that is left From when the This wall is the only thing that is left From when the

Romans destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple.Romans destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple.

President Obama praying

The Western WallThe Temple Mount Complex

Objects and SymbolsObjects and SymbolsThe Yad:The Yad:• The Yad is a ritual pointer used for reading the TorahThe Yad is a ritual pointer used for reading the Torah

• The Yad (Hebrew for hand) ensures the Torah parchment The Yad (Hebrew for hand) ensures the Torah parchment is not touched by human handsis not touched by human hands

• Most Yad’s are made from silver and sometimes wrapped Most Yad’s are made from silver and sometimes wrapped in fabric. They have a small hand at the end with the in fabric. They have a small hand at the end with the pointer finger pointing out.pointer finger pointing out.

Hebrew word Hebrew word

for handfor hand

Objects and SymbolsObjects and Symbols

Mezuzah:Mezuzah:• A case that contains a tiny scroll with the words from A case that contains a tiny scroll with the words from

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 that is placed to the right side of the door post Deuteronomy 6:4-9 that is placed to the right side of the door post as you enter the house.as you enter the house.

• The words in passage command a constant remembrance of God’s The words in passage command a constant remembrance of God’s word.word.

• The Mezuzah is placed at a diagonal to the left because the Rabbis The Mezuzah is placed at a diagonal to the left because the Rabbis couldn't decide whether it should be horizontal or vertical, so they couldn't decide whether it should be horizontal or vertical, so they compromised. compromised.

Decorative Mezuzahs

Rituals/Rites of PassageRituals/Rites of Passage• Brit or CircumcisionBrit or Circumcision• The Brit is the first major moment in a Boys life.The Brit is the first major moment in a Boys life.

• After 8 days of birth a Jewish boy has a ceremony where After 8 days of birth a Jewish boy has a ceremony where the circumcision takes place.the circumcision takes place.

• Traditionally the father is suppose to do the circumcision Traditionally the father is suppose to do the circumcision when the grand father holds the child but that doesn't when the grand father holds the child but that doesn't always happen.always happen.

• This ceremony, completes the transformation from an This ceremony, completes the transformation from an infant to a child of Adaminfant to a child of Adam

On the boy’s 8th day the circumcision is performed

Celebrations & Celebrations & HolidaysHolidaysPurimPurim

• This joyful holiday remembers the defeat of a plot to eliminate the Jews in PersiaThis joyful holiday remembers the defeat of a plot to eliminate the Jews in Persia• The Jews celebrate by a public reading of the book of Esther while yelling the villain's name.The Jews celebrate by a public reading of the book of Esther while yelling the villain's name.

Haman the king of Persia’s advisor who was given the fate of the Jewish peopleHaman the king of Persia’s advisor who was given the fate of the Jewish people

• This one day celebration consists of parties, drinking and eating fruit filled triangular cookies called This one day celebration consists of parties, drinking and eating fruit filled triangular cookies called hamentaschen and usually celebrated in Marchhamentaschen and usually celebrated in March

PassoverPassover “ The Festival of unleavened bread.”“ The Festival of unleavened bread.”• This remembers the Jewish slaves being freed from Egypt buy the ten plagues sent by god.This remembers the Jewish slaves being freed from Egypt buy the ten plagues sent by god.• Jews celebrate this buy avoiding all leavened grain products and food close to it and a retelling of the Jews celebrate this buy avoiding all leavened grain products and food close to it and a retelling of the

Exodus story.Exodus story.• Passover begins on the 15 day of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar, which is in the spring in Passover begins on the 15 day of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar, which is in the spring in

America, and is celebrated for seven or eight days. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays. America, and is celebrated for seven or eight days. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.

Hamentaschen (Haman’s pockets) Matzos unleavened bread

Thank you for watching my Thank you for watching my presentation and I hope you presentation and I hope you learned some new learned some new information. information.

Marcus ChalmersMarcus Chalmers