Judaism

• • Judaism is a religion based on a covenant between God and the Jewish people.​

  God said "I will make my covalent with you and give you many descendants" Genesis 17:2

  • His people would be looked after, as long as they worshipped God - they were the chosen people.
  • Jews had to believe one God ad circumcise all baby boys when they were born (Brit Milah). This remains essential to jewish identity today. God would protect His people and give them their promised land (Israel)

  'Leave ur country and go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation' Genesis 1:2
• Mount Sinai

  • God gave 10 commandments to Moses at Mount Sinai and this begun the written law.
  • Many Jews view him as the "founder" of Jewish faith
  • Orthodox Jews see - author of Torah, which embodies revelation of God so so all 613 mitzvot found in Torah are to be considered commandments from God.
• Mosaic Covenant

  • The people were to obey the mitzvot God gave them. God promised them a land of their own.​
  • He would be their God and they would be chosen people, they should be an e.g om her to live a life than pleases God. He would protect them.
  • They would be God’ treasured possession, he would give them promised land and a holy nation of priests.​ The Shabbat (day of rest) was a sign of this special relationship.​
• Divine Presence

  Shekinah is God’s presence with his people guiding them and leading them.​ It allows God to be preens in a particular place on Earth which still being omnipresent.

  'And Moses was unable to enter tent of meetings, as the glory of God has settled on it and filled the tabernacle' - Exodus 40:35

  • Description is feminine, embracing feminine qualities
  • Part is creative and nurturing
  • Helps Jews understand God is alongside with them during suffering

  Presences: on Israel, most notably in synagogue where congregation has gathered to hear laws. Family- weddings, Shabbat meal
• Different views of Shekinah

  • Some Reform Jews- feminine reference to God justifies the practise of female rabbis and the belief of equal rights
  • Some Orthodox - don't support idea of feminine Shekinah as they believe it compromises the belief in the unity and oneness of God.
  • Orthodox - physical presence of God on Earth, they believe it can be felt at the Western wall so many go there for pilgrimage.

  There is a disagreement to whether the Shekinah is God himself coming to Earth or Gods power descending and dwelling on earth.
• The Tenakh

  All the books and writings of different Jewish prophets that are put together

  T - Torah: first 5 books of Moses

  • Copied scrolls renown as Sefer Torah and are read on Shabbat . It has all 613 mitzvot in it.

  N is for Nev'im: the books of the prophets.

  • It is the Hebrew for prophets. The prophetic writings split into 2 parts: early and late prophets. Fell to messengers of God to set straight Israelites to follow God.

  K is for ketuvim: other holy books.

  • Contains history and beautiful poetry
• The Messiah and Messianic age

  • Most Jews interpret prophecies from the Nevi’im as evidence, that in the future, a descendant ofKing David will be anointed and rule the Jewish people in the Messianic Age.​
  • The Messiah will lead the Jews back to the promised land and will build a third Temple.​
  • The Messiah will bring complete peace.​
  • The Messianic Age will be an age of universal peace, when people other than Jews will obey God’s laws
• Key moral principles

  Types of Mitzvot

  Positive - Aseh - something that must be done "Love your Lord your God"
• • Key moral principles Types of Mitzvot Positive - Aseh - something that must be done "Love your Lord your God"
• Key moral principles

  • Types of Mitzvot Positive - Aseh - something that must be done "Love your Lord your God"
  • Ta'aseh - negative - "Do not kill"
  • Ethical - how we should treat others- "Do not steal"
  • Ritual -how we should respect God
• Key moral principles - Divine Provenance

  • Belief God has plan and the world will be fulfilled regardless of our choices. For example, John didn't want to obey God but was convinced to follow him when circumcision meant he was swallowed by a big fish. Nothing we can do will get in Gods plan.
  • Mainly Orthodox Jews follow this belief.
• Pikachuh nefesh

  • Means "saving a life" in Hebrew, Many mitt can be disregarded ti save a life.
  • It comes from Leviticus 18:5:"You shall therefore keep my statues and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them; I am the lord" The implication is Jews shook live by Torah rules, rather than die because of it, therefore any law can be discarded to save a life.
• What are some Jewish laws that may not be violated even when a life is is at danger?

  • Defaming Gods name
  • Worshipping another God to avoid persecution
  • Pretending God doesn't exist
  • Forbidden sexual relations egg - incest
  • Murder (different to self - defence)
• Sancity of life

  • Refers to the life that all life is sacred and holy because it was given by god . Rule of Pikuach Nefesh further underpins the importance Jews put on human life.
• Issues

  • Abortion - rabbinic tradition states foetus is not considered a life until 40 days (male), 90 days (female). There embryonic experimentations nd fertility treatment is accepted before this time period.
  • Orthodox Jews believe the foetus should be protected after these points, unless the life of mother is at risk.
• Diff beliefs of Messianic age

  • Orthodox - Believe that in every generation there is a descendant of King David who has the potential to become Messiah.
  • Reform - believe that the messianic age will be the result of Tikkun Olam(repairing of the world) through houman effects to bring about social justice prophets teach in Torah. They don't belief it will be a person but a period of time.
  • Some belief every time Jew performs a mitzvah, they hasten the time of Messiah arrive and redemption day closer - wearing tefillin.
• Links to Elijah

  • Present at Jewish circumcisions
  • During Peach, a place is reversed at Seder table, a glass of wine is there and door is open where he is invited, He is present every year.
  • Havdalah is the ceremony that ends Shabbat. As part of the concluding hymn, an appeal is made to God that Elijah will cm during the following week.
  • "Elijah, the prophet, the tishbit, let him come quickly in the day worth our messiah, the son of David"
• Eschatological beliefs - the soul

  • Orthodox- Body and soul are both required for the afterlife and therefore the body will one day resurrect ad be united with the soul. The body must be buried.
  • Reform - The soul is only required for the afterlife but during this life, the soul cannot live without the body. The body will not be resurrected since there is no reference to this in the Torah. The day can be buried.
• Eschatological beliefs - Judgement

  • Orthodox: God judges them every year at Rosh Hannah which is why its important for them to amend their lives and rs with God between Rosh Hannah and Yom Kippur.
  • Reform: Literal judgement day. Still celebrate Rosh Hannah and observe Yom Kippur because they believe God holds humans account for their actions.
• Eschatological beliefs: Sheol

  When the early Jewish scriptures were written, many Jews believed when they dies, they were ascended to a dark place called Sheol. In Sheol, refers to a place where the abode of the dead, both good and bad, for 1 year. A person's soul could either be purified ns sent to Gan Eden and Gehenna.

  Reform: God punishes and rewards In this life, rather than in the afterlife.
• Gan Eden

  Righteous Jews and non -jews will experience the vision of Gods glory at the end of time. It will be the abode of those who are resurrected. It represents paradise. Rabbis do not agree whether immediately after death or end of time.

  • Orthodox rabbis - Reluctant to speculate as we do not have the capacity to understand Gods plans.
  • Reforms: Do not believe in Gan Eden.Place emphasis that God punishes and rewards in this life.
• Gehenna - Orthodox Judaism, a place of punishment after death, It is limited to a year.

  • While many Jews accept there will be a punishment or reward in the afterlife, not all do. There are no clear teachings on what exactly either Heaven and Hell are like.
  • Most important thing Judaism teaches is how a person lives in the life. The Mishnah contains:

  "Be not like servants who serve their master, for the sake of receiving a reward. (Ethics of the Fathers 1:3)
• Synagogue - place of assembly

  • Jews meet to worship, celebrate, study and socialise at the synagogue.​
  • Worship on Shabbat and festivals.​
  • Celebrate rites of passage such as bar mitzvah or marriage.​
  • Study the Torah​
• Synagigue service

  Services take place during Shabbat and include:

  • Prayers
  • Breech - call to worship that makes the official start of the service
  • Reciting Shema
  • Amidah - private prayers are said from siddur
• Worhsip at home

  • Children learn about their faith and how to pray from the example of their parents​
  • Shabbat is celebrated every week​
  • The sedar meal when jews recite the story of Israelites being freed from Egypt, on evening of Peach, is considered to some Jews as most significant act of worship this year.
  • Mezuzahs on the door post​ - contains a verse from Torah, Jews touch it as they pass and kiss fingers to show respect to it.
  • Woman’s main responsibility is nurturing faith in the home
• Prayer

  • Considered a "sightly weapon of the mouth" (Talmud) and is central importance to Jews. They teach kids at a young age to pray - for orthodox in Hebrew.

  3 periods

  • Morning - Shacharit
  • Midday - Minchah
  • Evening - Ma'ariv

  The Shema is part of all periods of prayer. Prying 3 times a day and giving thanks after meals is considered mitzvot for Orthodox.
• Jewish dress for Prayer

  All Jews are they should cover their heads when worshipping in the synagogue.

  Reform - Men and women can wear kippah

  Orthodox - only men wear kipper, and women must cover their heads.

  • Orthodox men will also wear talit when praying. It has 613 tzit - tzit, reminding Jews of their obligation to the 613 mitzvot.

  It comes from book of numbers:"Speak to children of Israel and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations."
• Tefillin

  • Orthodox mens will also wear refilling which is a small, black leather box containing verses from the Torah.
  • Strapped to forehead and arm. Reminder to control actions (arms) and thoughts (heads).
  • Believe Torah literally commands them to bind the law between the eyes and to the arm:

  "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them to your forehead'
• Shabbat

  • Day of rest going from Friday evening to Saturday evening.​
  • Mother welcomes Shabbat into home with prayers (Kidush)- a ceremony of blessing and prayer over wine and lighting candles.​
  • Family share a meal.​
  • No work is done.​
  • Father goes to synagogue to celebrate Shabbat.​
  • A ritual called Havdalah is held to mark the end of Shabba
  • Will eat special meal including challah bread. The bread reminds Jews of Gods gift of food to the Jewish people, when they were hungry in desert.
• Brit Milah​

  • Circumcision of boys at 8 days​ -becoming part of Jewish community
  • Reminder of covenant​ - "every male among you should be circumcised"
  • Carried out by a mohel​
  • Empty chair eft near where Sandek sits so Elijah can be present.
• Why might some Jews oppose Brit Milah?

  • Claim circumcision without anaesthetics is cruel. They would own use medical modern methods.
  • Some Jews don't circumcise adult male converts and see ti as necessary
  • Going against sanity of life.
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  • Son or daughter of the commandments​ - boy, 13"Son of the commandment"
  • Seen as responsible for their faith​
  • Bat mitzvah (females) only happens for Reform Jews ​
  • Read the Torah and are blessed​
• Jewish Marriage Ceremony

  Marriage​ - 2 parts

  • Kiddushin = Betrothal. Makes a husband and wife but cannot have sex until marriage ceremony is complete. Kiddushin means sanctification and happens when man gives women an item of value (gold ring)​
  • A contract of ketubah is made​. Formal contract which stets out husbands obligations to wife. Signed by 2 witnesses and read after Kiddushin.
  • Groom goes ring to finger and A glass is broken at the end to remember the Temple​
• Jewish marriage ceremony

  Nisu'in - Actual Wedding

  • Marriage is complete as couple stands under chuppah. This is symbolic of the new home the couple will build together.
  • Groom drinks from a cup of wine as he recites 7 blessings (Sheva Brachot)

  E.g of blessings included "Blessed, are you Lord, our G-d sovereign of the universe who Creates man"
• Rituals of Death and Morning

  • Jews tear clothes as a sign of grief. The chevra Kaddisha is a group of volunteers that help prepare bodies for burial. If possible, person last words will be recitation of the Shema.
  • According to Jewish law, body must be buried asap. The body is wrapped in a shroud. The body is wrapped in a tacit but one of tzit - tzit is cut to show will be cut to show person can't obey mitzvot.

  Mourners kaddish recited:"may there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us all of Israel".
• Rituals of Death and mourning

  • Everyone washes hands as leaving, to show they are entering land of living again.
  • 7 days after someone dies - Shiva. Have to refrain from: shaving, must wear black, bathe, sex, perfume or wear leather shoes - there's no luxuries or thinking about oneself.
  • Sit on low stools to show mood and don't do things of pleasure
  • Visitors come during Shiva but no food is served as nothing is to be taken from mourning family.
  • During intense mourning of Shiva, a jahrzeit candle is burnt and also a yr after death.
• Rosh Hannah - "You will be merciful to us once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them to the bottom of the sea!" Micah 7:19
• Rosh Hashanah, new year

  Span of 2 days and is followed by Yom Kippur after a 10-day period called the "10 days of awe."

  • It commemorates the creation of the world and involves blowing the shofar, a ram's horn, symbolizing the mitzvah to hear it. Orthodox Jews believe it must be the actual shofar, while Reform Jews may use a recording.
  • The Amidah prayer is extended during synagogue services, and special prayers are offered. It's a time for reflection on one's actions over the past year, seeking divine mercy and judgment.
• Rosh Hashanah - traditions

  • Traditions include eating apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year and placing a fish head on the table symbolizing hope for new year. People put a fishs head on table as a sign of hope for multiplied good deeds as much as fish in the sea.
  • . Rosh Hashanah emphasizes repentance, with a ceremony involving asking God to remove sins, symbolized by casting stones into water
  • - Taschlich - "He will have compassion over us and thou wilt cast all sins in depths of sea"
• Yom Kippur, - "Day of Atonement,"

  • It's a time of repentance, where Jews seek forgiveness from God for breaking His commandments.
  • Orthodox Jews believe that one's fate is written in the Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah but sealed on Yom Kippur, allowing for potential change.
  • On the eve of Yom Kippur, Jews practice Kapparah, symbolically substituting charity for sin, often using a chicken.