📿World Religions Unit 8 – Judaism: Key History, Beliefs & Texts

Origins and Historical Timeline

• Judaism originated in the Middle East over 3,000 years ago, tracing its roots back to the patriarch Abraham who made a covenant with God
• The Israelites, descendants of Abraham, were enslaved in Egypt for hundreds of years before being led to freedom by Moses in the Exodus event (around 1300 BCE)
• After wandering in the desert for 40 years, the Israelites settled in Canaan, the Promised Land
• The United Monarchy period saw the reigns of King Saul, King David, and King Solomon, with the building of the First Temple in Jerusalem (around 1000 BCE)
• The Babylonian Exile (587-538 BCE) occurred when the Babylonians conquered the Kingdom of Judah, destroyed the First Temple, and deported many Jews to Babylon
  • During this period, the Torah and other sacred texts were compiled and edited
• The Second Temple period (516 BCE-70 CE) began with the return of the Jews from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem
  • This period saw the emergence of various Jewish sects, such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes
• The Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE marked a significant turning point in Jewish history, leading to the diaspora of Jews across the world

Core Beliefs and Principles

• Monotheism: The belief in one God, often referred to as Yahweh or Jehovah, is central to Judaism
• The Covenant: Jews believe in a special relationship between God and the Jewish people, established through covenants with figures such as Abraham and Moses
• The Torah: The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) form the foundation of Jewish law and teachings
• Mitzvot: Jews are expected to follow the 613 commandments (mitzvot) outlined in the Torah, which guide daily life and ethical behavior
  • These include the Ten Commandments, dietary laws (kashrut), and rituals such as circumcision and Sabbath observance
• Tikkun Olam: The concept of "repairing the world" emphasizes the importance of social justice, charity, and improving the world through good deeds
• Belief in the Messiah: Many Jews believe in the coming of a Messiah who will usher in an era of peace and redemption
  • Some branches of Judaism, such as Reform, interpret the Messianic age as a time of universal peace and justice rather than the coming of an individual Messiah
• Afterlife: While beliefs vary, many Jews believe in the resurrection of the dead and a world to come (Olam Ha-Ba) where the righteous will be rewarded

Sacred Texts and Scriptures

• The Tanakh: The Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh, consists of three main sections: Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)
  • The Torah contains the Five Books of Moses and is the most sacred text in Judaism
  • Nevi'im includes books such as Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel
  • Ketuvim includes texts such as Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, and Esther
• The Talmud: A collection of rabbinic discussions and commentaries on the Torah, compiled between the 2nd and 5th centuries CE
  • It consists of the Mishnah (oral law) and the Gemara (commentaries on the Mishnah)
  • The Talmud provides guidance on interpreting and applying Jewish law to daily life
• Midrash: Rabbinic literature that interprets and expands upon the narratives and teachings in the Tanakh, often using allegory and parables
• Siddur: The Jewish prayer book containing a set order of daily prayers and blessings
• Responsa: Written decisions and rulings by rabbis on matters of Jewish law, often in response to questions posed by individuals or communities

Key Figures and Prophets

• Abraham: Considered the first Hebrew patriarch, Abraham made a covenant with God and is seen as the founder of monotheism
• Moses: The prophet who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, received the Ten Commandments, and delivered the Torah to the Jewish people
• King David: The second king of Israel who established Jerusalem as the capital and is known for his psalms and spiritual leadership
  • David is an ancestor of the Messiah in Jewish tradition
• King Solomon: The son of David who built the First Temple in Jerusalem and is known for his wisdom and wealth
• Prophets: Individuals who conveyed messages from God to the people, often calling for repentance and social justice
  • Major prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel
  • Minor prophets include Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
• Rabbinic Sages: Scholars and teachers who interpreted and expanded upon Jewish law and tradition, such as Hillel, Shammai, and Rabbi Akiva

Rituals and Practices

• Circumcision (Brit Milah): Male infants are circumcised on the eighth day after birth as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah: A coming-of-age ceremony for Jewish boys (age 13) and girls (age 12) marking their assumption of religious responsibilities
• Shabbat: The Jewish Sabbath, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, is a day of rest, prayer, and family time
  • Lighting candles, reciting blessings over wine (Kiddush) and bread (Challah), and attending synagogue services are common Shabbat practices
• High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) are the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar
  • Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, culminating in Yom Kippur, a day of fasting, prayer, and seeking forgiveness
• Passover (Pesach): Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and involves a ritual meal (Seder) with symbolic foods and the retelling of the Exodus story
• Hanukkah: An eight-day festival celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple, marked by lighting the menorah, eating fried foods, and giving gifts
• Kashrut: Jewish dietary laws that dictate which foods are permissible (kosher) and how they must be prepared and consumed
  • Kosher laws prohibit the consumption of pork, shellfish, and mixing meat and dairy products

Branches and Denominations

• Orthodox Judaism: The most traditional branch, emphasizing strict adherence to Jewish law and traditional practices
  • Hasidic Judaism is a mystical and ultra-Orthodox movement that originated in 18th-century Eastern Europe
• Conservative Judaism: Seeks to preserve Jewish tradition while allowing for some adaptations to modern life
  • Encourages the study of Jewish texts and the observance of Jewish law, but with more flexibility than Orthodox Judaism
• Reform Judaism: The most liberal branch, emphasizing individual autonomy and ethical monotheism over strict adherence to Jewish law
  • Stresses the importance of social justice and the evolving nature of Jewish tradition
• Reconstructionist Judaism: A modern movement that views Judaism as an evolving civilization and emphasizes the importance of Jewish culture and community
• Secular Judaism: A cultural and ethnic identity that does not necessarily involve religious belief or practice
  • Focuses on Jewish history, culture, and values rather than religious observance

Cultural Impact and Modern Judaism

• The Holocaust: The systematic persecution and genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II had a profound impact on Jewish identity and culture
  • The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 was seen as a refuge and homeland for Jews in the aftermath of the Holocaust
• Zionism: The political movement that supports the establishment and development of a Jewish homeland in Israel
  • Modern Israel is a diverse and complex society, balancing Jewish religious and cultural identity with democratic values and secular governance
• Jewish Contributions to Western Culture: Jews have made significant contributions to fields such as science, literature, philosophy, and the arts
  • Notable figures include Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Franz Kafka, and Marc Chagall
• Interfaith Dialogue: In recent decades, there has been an increased focus on fostering understanding and cooperation between Judaism and other religions
  • Organizations such as the International Council of Christians and Jews work to promote interfaith dialogue and combat anti-Semitism
• Diversity within Modern Judaism: Contemporary Jewish communities are diverse in terms of religious practice, cultural identity, and political beliefs
  • Issues such as the role of women, LGBTQ+ rights, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have led to ongoing debates and discussions within Jewish communities worldwide

Key Terms and Concepts

• Adonai: A name for God, meaning "Lord" or "Master," often used in prayer and religious contexts
• Aliyah: The act of immigrating to Israel, seen as a spiritual and cultural return to the Jewish homeland
• Anti-Semitism: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group
• Diaspora: The dispersion of Jews outside of Israel, often as a result of historical events such as the Babylonian Exile and the Roman destruction of the Second Temple
• Halakha: The collective body of Jewish religious law, including biblical commandments and later rabbinic rulings
• Kabbalah: A mystical tradition within Judaism that seeks to understand the divine nature of God and the universe
• Kosher: Food that is prepared and consumed in accordance with Jewish dietary laws (kashrut)
• Minyan: The quorum of ten adult Jews (traditionally men) required for certain religious services and rituals
• Rabbi: A Jewish scholar and teacher who is an expert in Jewish law and tradition, often serving as a spiritual leader for a community
• Shema: A central prayer in Judaism, affirming the oneness of God and the commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and might
• Talmud Torah: The study of Torah and other Jewish texts, seen as a fundamental religious obligation and a means of spiritual growth
• Tzedakah: The Jewish concept of charitable giving and social justice, often seen as a moral and religious duty
• Yiddish: A Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews, incorporating elements of Hebrew and Aramaic
• Zionism: The political movement that supports the establishment and development of a Jewish homeland in Israel