JudaismJudaismFounded:Founded: 1313thth Century BCE Century BCE

Founder:Founder: MosesMoses, who emancipated the Jews , who emancipated the Jews from slavery in Egypt and later established a from slavery in Egypt and later established a ‘covenant’ between his people and Yahweh on ‘covenant’ between his people and Yahweh on Mount SinaiMount SinaiTraditionally, it is held that Traditionally, it is held that AbrahamAbraham and his and his descendants established Judaism before Moses, descendants established Judaism before Moses, however the however the 10 Commandments10 Commandments are now are now considered by many to be the foundation upon considered by many to be the foundation upon which Judaism rests.which Judaism rests.

RootsRoots:: dating back approximately 4000 years= dating back approximately 4000 years= origins of Judaism, Islam and Christianityorigins of Judaism, Islam and Christianity

Place:Place: Palestine (sometimes called Canaan; Palestine (sometimes called Canaan; now Israelnow Israel

Sacred BooksSacred Books: Old Testament (which consists of : Old Testament (which consists of the Five Books of Law, the historical books, the the Five Books of Law, the historical books, the Prophets and other writings). The most sacred Prophets and other writings). The most sacred are the Five Books of the Law= called the TORAHare the Five Books of the Law= called the TORAH

Symbols:Symbols: Menorah and Star of David Menorah and Star of David

AdherentsAdherents:: Smallest major world religions, Smallest major world religions, making up 0.2 % human racemaking up 0.2 % human race

Historical OverviewHistorical Overview Ancient Israel is the birthplace Ancient Israel is the birthplace

of the 3 great of the 3 great monotheisticmonotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and IslamChristianity and Islam

Ancient Israel dates back Ancient Israel dates back approximately 4000 years to the approximately 4000 years to the books of the books of the Old TestamentOld Testament

Great Great patriarchs patriarchs of Judaism: of Judaism: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, JoshuaJoshua

Hebrews, Israelites, Jews, Hebrews, Israelites, Jews, SemitesSemites: have all undergone : have all undergone persecution throughout history; persecution throughout history; from Babylonian Captivity, from Babylonian Captivity, Exodus, Diaspora, Spanish Exodus, Diaspora, Spanish Inquisition, Holocaust Inquisition, Holocaust

Birthplace of Judaism is also birthplace to Islam and Christianity

Ancient IsraelAncient Israel

What is in a name?What is in a name? Hebrew Hebrew means “From across”- means “From across”-

name given to Abraham and his name given to Abraham and his followers followers

IsraelitesIsraelites: Abraham’s grandson : Abraham’s grandson Jacob renamed Israel which Jacob renamed Israel which means “he who has wrestled means “he who has wrestled with God”. His descendants with God”. His descendants were called “Israelites”were called “Israelites”

JewsJews: named after Jacob’s son : named after Jacob’s son Judah, ancient father of tribe of Judah, ancient father of tribe of King David’s dynastyKing David’s dynasty

Tracing Roots of Israel’s HistoryTracing Roots of Israel’s History Nomadic tribes wandered Nomadic tribes wandered

into Palestine from east in into Palestine from east in approximately 1900 BCEapproximately 1900 BCE

Mesopotamian society Mesopotamian society dominated by polytheismdominated by polytheism

God (God (YahwehYahweh) appeared ) appeared before Patriarch Abraham before Patriarch Abraham and told Abraham “and told Abraham “to go to go and raise a great nationand raise a great nation””

This began the This began the monotheistic tradition of the monotheistic tradition of the Hebrew faith with the Hebrew faith with the establishment of the establishment of the ““CovenantCovenant”, “”, “Chosen Chosen PeoplePeople” and “” and “Promised Promised LandLand””

Abraham settled in Abraham settled in CanaanCanaan Story: Sacrifice of AbrahamStory: Sacrifice of Abraham

Patriarchs to JudaismPatriarchs to Judaism

AbrahamAbraham God told Abraham to go to Haran then Canaan and God told Abraham to go to Haran then Canaan and

“make of him a great nation”“make of him a great nation” Began monotheistic traditionBegan monotheistic tradition Covenant with GodCovenant with God The story of the Sacrifice of AbrahamThe story of the Sacrifice of Abraham

MosesMoses

For an illustrated story For an illustrated story of Moses: click of Moses: click herehere

Moses & Exodus: Moses & Exodus: “Let My People Go!”“Let My People Go!” Moses received Moses received revelationsrevelations from from

God: burning bush, rod / staff, 10 God: burning bush, rod / staff, 10 plagues, parting of the Red Seaplagues, parting of the Red Sea

End of 13End of 13thth century BCE- Moses led century BCE- Moses led the Israelites out of bondage in the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt during Rames II reign called Egypt during Rames II reign called the the EXODUSEXODUS

Moses led the 12 Tribes of Israel to Moses led the 12 Tribes of Israel to Mount Sinai where Yahweh gave Mount Sinai where Yahweh gave him the him the 10 Commandments10 Commandments, uniting , uniting the Hebrews under one God the Hebrews under one God

Moses and Hebrews searched for Moses and Hebrews searched for the “the “Promised LandPromised Land” or the land of ” or the land of milk and honey, however they milk and honey, however they wandered in the desertwandered in the desert for 40 years for 40 years

Key ConceptsKey ConceptsCovenantCovenant solemn and binding agreement between God and Abraham solemn and binding agreement between God and Abraham

(humanity) as God as the Creator and the Chosen people (humanity) as God as the Creator and the Chosen people

Chosen PeopleChosen People Jews considered themselves to be God’s Chosen People as Jews considered themselves to be God’s Chosen People as

God chose Abraham and led him to monotheismGod chose Abraham and led him to monotheism Jews were instruments of God’s willJews were instruments of God’s will God chose Jews (humanity); humanity must choose GodGod chose Jews (humanity); humanity must choose God

Promised LandPromised Land Gained significance during Moses’ life as Hebrews sought to Gained significance during Moses’ life as Hebrews sought to

keep covenant and develop a community in the Promised keep covenant and develop a community in the Promised Land. Jews believe this is Israel.Land. Jews believe this is Israel.

Development of JudaismDevelopment of Judaism JudgesJudges: tribal leaders: tribal leaders

KingsKings: King Saul, King David, King Solomon (built : King Saul, King David, King Solomon (built temple)temple)

Division:Division: Northern tribes = Israel; Southern tribes = Northern tribes = Israel; Southern tribes = JudahJudah

Prophetic TraditionProphetic Tradition: word of God spoken through : word of God spoken through prophets “Love God and keep the covenant with Him”prophets “Love God and keep the covenant with Him”

Exile in BabylonExile in Babylon= Temple of Solomon destroyed; = Temple of Solomon destroyed; creation of synagogues and rabbis and concept of creation of synagogues and rabbis and concept of Messiah “anointed one”Messiah “anointed one”

DiasporaDiaspora: dispersal of Jews outside of Israel and : dispersal of Jews outside of Israel and Hellenization Hellenization

Maccabean RevoltMaccabean Revolt: temple rededicated to God: temple rededicated to God

Expansion of Roman Empire and ruleExpansion of Roman Empire and rule: destroying of : destroying of the temple leaving only the Western Wall; rabbinic the temple leaving only the Western Wall; rabbinic Judaism (interpretative commentaries)Judaism (interpretative commentaries)

BeliefsBeliefsMonotheisticMonotheistic Oneness of Creator GodOneness of Creator God Human obligation to worship GodHuman obligation to worship God God is immaterial and indivisibleGod is immaterial and indivisible God is refered to as YHWH or YAHWEH “I am that I am”God is refered to as YHWH or YAHWEH “I am that I am”LineageLineage People are born a Jew (through mother) or can convert (gerut)People are born a Jew (through mother) or can convert (gerut)MitzvahMitzvah act of performing a good deed or commandment (ie. 10 act of performing a good deed or commandment (ie. 10

Commandments)Commandments) Bible contains total of 613 mitvoth (some positive, some negative)Bible contains total of 613 mitvoth (some positive, some negative)JesusJesus View of Jesus = born a Jew a preacher and teacherView of Jesus = born a Jew a preacher and teacher Jesus was not the Son of God; the Messiah is still to comeJesus was not the Son of God; the Messiah is still to comeSufferingSuffering suffering is heightened because as the Chosen People, Jews expect to suffering is heightened because as the Chosen People, Jews expect to

suffer for all of mankindsuffer for all of mankindDeath and AfterlifeDeath and Afterlife on death, body returns to earth (dust to dust) but soul return to God on death, body returns to earth (dust to dust) but soul return to God

who gave itwho gave it body will be Resurrected and reunited with soul at a later time body will be Resurrected and reunited with soul at a later time

(therefore no cremation)(therefore no cremation)

TORAHTORAH consists of Five Books of consists of Five Books of

Moses written on Moses written on parchment scroll in ancient parchment scroll in ancient form by hand and kept in form by hand and kept in ArkArk

Torah means “law” but Torah means “law” but more accurate is more accurate is “revelation”, “teaching” or “revelation”, “teaching” or “instruction”“instruction”

Torah is divided into 54 Torah is divided into 54 sections and one portion is sections and one portion is read each week (2 weeks read each week (2 weeks of year have a double of year have a double portion) so that the entire portion) so that the entire Torah is read from Torah is read from beginning to end in a yearbeginning to end in a year

TanukhTanukh Jewish Bible, consisting of Jewish Bible, consisting of

Torah (Law of Moses), the Torah (Law of Moses), the Prophets, and the WritingsProphets, and the Writings

TalmudTalmud second most important second most important

source of rabbinic Jewish law source of rabbinic Jewish law based on Mishnah, which based on Mishnah, which complements and interprets complements and interprets the Torah and applies the Torah and applies scripture to everyday life and scripture to everyday life and observanceobservance

MishnahMishnah Early rabbinic teachings on Early rabbinic teachings on

how to live according to how to live according to TorahTorah

Sacred TextsSacred Texts

PracticesPractices Holy Ark & TorahHoly Ark & Torah Blessings and prayer Blessings and prayer MinyanMinyan Kashruth Kashruth Shabbat Shabbat CircumcisionCircumcision ShofarShofar Bar / Bat MitvahBar / Bat Mitvah MarriageMarriage Death & ShivaDeath & Shiva

HolidaysHolidays Rosh Hashanah and Rosh Hashanah and

Yom KippurYom Kippur HanukkahHanukkah PassoverPassover

SymbolsSymbols Star of DavidStar of David= shape = shape

of King David’s of King David’s shield; symbol shield; symbol adopted by Zionistsadopted by Zionists

MenorahMenorah= ancient = ancient source of lightsource of light

7 branched= Sabbath7 branched= Sabbath

9 branched= Hanukah9 branched= Hanukah

DenominationsDenominations

OrthodoxOrthodox ReformReform ConservativeConservative ReconstructionistReconstructionist MessianicMessianic

Western Western WallWall

•The Western Wall in the midst of the Old City in Jerusalem is the section of the Western supporting wall of the Temple Mount which has remained intact since the destruction of the Second Jerusalem Temple (70 CE)•It became a center of mourning over the destruction of the Temple and Israel's exile• communion with the memory of Israel's former glory and the hope for its restoration•it became known in European languages as the "Wailing Wall".

Interesting Interesting FactsFacts

The The Israeli flagIsraeli flag is rooted in Jewish tradition. The white is rooted in Jewish tradition. The white background symbolizes purity. The symbols on the flag are background symbolizes purity. The symbols on the flag are two stripes—one on the top and one on the bottom—and two stripes—one on the top and one on the bottom—and the Star of David emblem adorning the center. The stripes the Star of David emblem adorning the center. The stripes and blue color are inspired by the techeileth dye of the tallit and blue color are inspired by the techeileth dye of the tallit (Jewish prayer shawl)(Jewish prayer shawl)

Jews have regarded the Land of Israel as their homeland, Jews have regarded the Land of Israel as their homeland, both as a both as a Holy LandHoly Land and as a and as a Promised Land.Promised Land. The Land of The Land of Israel holds a special place in Jewish religious obligations, Israel holds a special place in Jewish religious obligations, encompassing Judaism's most important sites — including encompassing Judaism's most important sites — including the remains of the the remains of the First and Second TemplesFirst and Second Temples

Judaism In ModernJudaism In ModernWorldWorld

Anti SemitismAnti Semitism in York Region and Worldin York Region and World

ZionismZionism movement originally for re-establishment movement originally for re-establishment

of Jewish nation in Israelof Jewish nation in Israel

HolocaustHolocaust (Heb., (Heb., sho'ah) sho'ah) which originally meant a which originally meant a

sacrifice totally burned by fire sacrifice totally burned by fire the annihilation of the Jews (6 million) the annihilation of the Jews (6 million)

and other groups of people of Europe (5 and other groups of people of Europe (5 million) under the Nazi regime during million) under the Nazi regime during World War IIWorld War II

Middle East ConflictMiddle East Conflict Issue of who has the rightful claim to Issue of who has the rightful claim to

JerusalemJerusalem

This Nazi propaganda poster reads, ‘Behind the enemy powers: the Jew.

“The Eternal Jew”Depiction of a Jew holding gold coins in one hand and a whip in the other. Under his arm is a map of the world, with the imprint of the hammer and sickle. Posters like this promoted a sharp rise in anti-Semitic

feelings, and in some cases violence against the Jewish community.

Impact of Ancient IsraelImpact of Ancient Israel Covenant Covenant = formal agreement = formal agreement

between Hebrews and God between Hebrews and God (Yahweh); Hebrews worshipped (Yahweh); Hebrews worshipped God and only God, and in return, God and only God, and in return, they would be God’s Chosen they would be God’s Chosen People and given Canaan as the People and given Canaan as the Promised LandPromised Land

Spiritual ideasSpiritual ideas profoundly profoundly influenced Western culture, influenced Western culture, morality, ethics and conductmorality, ethics and conduct

Three of the world’s most Three of the world’s most dominant dominant religionsreligions: Judaism, : Judaism, Christianity and Islam all derive Christianity and Islam all derive their roots from the spiritual their roots from the spiritual beliefs of the Ancient Israelitesbeliefs of the Ancient Israelites