j udaism : d iscovering our r eligious roots. o ur p eople, o ur f amily, o ur r oots jews – the...
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JUDAISM: DISCOVERING OUR RELIGIOUS ROOTS
OUR PEOPLE, OUR FAMILY, OUR ROOTS
Jews – The People of God Jesus = Jewish
Hopes and Dreams Language Jewish Prayers Celebrated Jewish feast days Read Scriptures
Jesus’ story is OUR STORY
THE NEED FOR A SENSE OF THE PAST
Without a history/story, we would be lost and confused!
Catholic Chrisitianity comes from JUDAISM (religion of the Jews) – 4,000 years old
THE BEGINNINGS OF A PEOPLE
Abraham 1800 years before Jesus Hebrews – Tribal people Shepherd Sarah (Wife) – no children and was old
God called Abraham God’s promise to him Relationship and Trust in God = Covenant Canaan – The Promised Land Male children were circumcised (Physical
Covenant)
THE ONE GODWhat kind of world did Abraham live
in?POLYTHEISM - belief in many godsHe realized that there is only ONE
Abraham developed what type of belief?MONOTHEISM – belief in only ONE
God JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, and ISLAM
– come from Abraham
ABRAHAM’S DESCENDANTS, THE ISRAELITES
Abraham and Sarah’s son = ISAAC Isaac and Rebekah’s son = Jacob
Jacob = ISRAEL “One who has contended with divine and human beings”
Israelites = Jews Patriarchs of Judaism – Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob Matriarchs – Sarah, Rebekah, and
Rachel
JOSEPH IN EGYPT
Jacob and Rachel had 12 sons JOSEPH was the favorite
Sold as slave in EgyptVirtuous and talentedInvited family to leave Canaan to
EgyptLived a happy life with Egyptian
pharoahs
MOSES, THE PEOPLE’S GREATEST LEADER
Egypt became cruel for Israelites Hundreds of years after Joseph came
MOSESSon of Hebrew slavesGod called him on a missionYahweh was revealed – “I AM WHO I
AM”
THE EXODUS: ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY
Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt EXODUS – Central story of God’s saving love
for Israel Return to Canaan, the Promised Land When in doubt, they remember that God had
acted directly in their lives and their history Moses always trusted in God
Israelites complained, but God saved them PASSOVER – Jewish feast to remember
Exodus Special meal - Sedar
THE SINAI COVENANT
Mount Sinai – Waited for Moses for direction Moses met Yahweh
BOOK OF EXODUS – God sealed the loving relationship with the people that had begun with the promise to Abraham hundreds of years before
Sinai Covenant – Pledge between God and Israelites
God gave moses the Law (Mosaic Law or Ten Commandments)
A LAW THAT FREES
Ten Commandments The Law was not meant to limit our freedom or
lock us in PROMOTES FREEDOM How to love God and one’s neighbor Foundation of morality
Mosaic Law was a way of expressing their love and concern for one another and their devotion to the
God who had freed them
Jesus criticized those who live by the letter of the law, he loved it and did not want to see it misused
WANDERING FOR 40 YEARS
Israelites waited and waited and waited…
Israelites built and idol of metal – a golden calf Had festivals to honor it Worshiping false god
For 40 years they were lost and wandered, but they TRUSTED GOD who saved them
THE PROMISED LAND
Moses did not make it to the Promised Land Promised Land – Palestine, Israel, or the Holy
Land Joshua – Moses assistant led the Israelites to
Canaan War occurred Israelites came to doubt God more More disasters came
A KINGDOM FOR THE ISRAELITES
Israelites – divided in 12 tribes King David
Shepherd and soldier Chosen by God and anointed by Samual (prophet) Was king 1000 years before Jesus Jerusalem = Capital Many flaws and failures but always devoted to Yahweh
and kept people faithful toward the Covenant The people always turned to the descendants of DAVID
King Solomon – Built Temple in Jerusalem
David’s story teaches us that we can make mistakes and fail, but God will still use us!
PROBLEMS
During King Solomon’s reign: Kingdom split – Northern (Israel) and Southern
(Judah)
After King Solomon Kings were corrupt Injustice to the poor Worship of false gods People were not cared for
PROPHETS
Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets Prophets questioned the injustices
Role was to say what would happen if people did not change their harden hearts
Critics of their society Outsiders and loners speaking the truth
CRUSHING DEFEAT AND PAINFUL EXILE