Judaism lesson 1

• The Talmud is a collection of Jewish laws and teachings that were written down between 200-500 CE.
• The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
• Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion
• Jewish people believe that God gave Moses these commandments on Mount Sinai.
• Monotheism means believing there is only one God
• Abraham was the founder of Judaism
• The Ten Commandments are rules given to Moses by God at Mount Sinai.
• Trace the origin of Judaism
• The holiday celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
• The holiday also celebrates the grain harvest for the summer.
• Understand the elements of the religion Judaism
• Identify the important practices of Judaism
• Appreciate the teachings of Judaism
• Judaism is a monotheistic religion
• Judaism began around 2000 BC with Abraham
• Abraham is considered the Father of the Semitic religions
• The sacred texts of Judaism include the Torah, Prophets, Mishnah, and Talmud
• The Torah is the most significant text and includes the Five Books of Moses
• The Prophets and Writings are also important texts in Judaism
• The Talmud is a collection of writings and the Mishnah and Gemara are part of it
• Judaism believes in the existence of God
• Passover celebrates the birth of the Jewish nation and the liberation of the Israelites from enslavement in ancient Egypt.
• Shavuot falls seven weeks after Passover at the end of the counting of the Omer.
• Purim is a joyous Jewish festival commemorating the survival of the Jews from execution in ancient Persia.
• Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year, observed with a 25-hour fast and seeking reconciliation with God.
• Shavout commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Jewish People on Mount Sinai.
• Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, observed with special worship services and the sounding of the shofar.
• Sukkot is a major Jewish festival commemorating the shelter of the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness.
• Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem after a military victory.
• The Torah was given to Moses
• There will be no other Torah
• God is eternal
• God will reward the good and punish the wicked
• Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other
• The Messiah will come
• Important Jewish Holidays: Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkoth, Hanukkah, Purim
• Synagogues are led by Rabbis (teachers well educated in Jewish law and thought)
• The Rabbi is earned by passing extensive examinations on the Torah and Talmud and studying at a yeshiva, or holy school. He is not required to wear a particular uniform and can dress just like any other Jew. He is permitted to marry and have children. He serves as a neighborhood counselor and inspires community members to become better people.
• God is one and unique
• The dead will be resurrected