Religion Unit Test 4 – Judaism

Topic 1: Jewish History (origins, geography, kings, challenges)

Nomad – someone who doesn’t have a home; doesn’t stay in the same place for too long – a
wanderer
Abraham – patriarch (chosen founding Father of Judaism)
Covenant: a promise made b/w God and his people
- Involves 2 or more people - Has conditions
- Is an agreement - Sealed w/ a ceremony
Intro:
1. Sara and Abraham are 100 + years old
2. God promises Sara + Abraham a child
3. Since Sara can’t have kids, she gives Abraham Hagar (her servant) to have kids with
4. Abraham and Hagar have a son named Ishmael and he is older than Isaac by 14 years
5. God fulfills his promise to Abraham by giving him and Sara a son
a. They name him Isaac which means laughter because when the angles told Sara
that she would have a son, she laughed at him
God’s Covenant with Abraham- he promised him to make him a Father of a great nation and he
would have descendants as numerous as the stars. He also promised Abraham a son, even
though it would almost be impossible for them to have one.
- Since people kept turning their back on God, he needed to know for sure that Abraham
was chosen correctly and was actually faithful to God, he asks him to sacrifice his son
- But a good angle saves him in time, but he still proves his faith to God
- That is where circumcision comes from, that boys prove their worth to God by doing this
ritual

God’s Covenant with Moses: - when Moses was on Mount Sinai for the first time, God came to
him in the form of a burning bush and told him to take his people out of Egypt, as they’re
imprisoned there as slaves.
- Moses tells the pharaoh to let his people go, but he doesn’t, and Abraham says that God
will punish him
- God sends down 10 plagues and the last being the plague that the eldest son of each
son would die
- The Israelites protected themselves by painting the blood of a lamb on their doorsteps,
so that God would know to skip over them
- When the pharaoh’s son died, he let them go
- But he quickly changed his mind so, they went after Moses and his people, and that is
when Moses split the Red Sea
- God gives Moses the ten commandments at Mount Sinai

Topic 2: The Bible Documentary

- starts off in Genesis with Abraham and his covenant to God
- Gives Sarah and Abraham a son called Isaac and they have to banish Hagar and Ishmael
 - Ishmael and Hagar run out of water during their banishment and Hagar runs around
trying to find some water for her son and ends up finding what Is now known as zamzam
water
- Famine forces the Israelites far from the promise land and they become slaves to
Pharaoh
- Moses was actually a slave but since, the queen saves him, he becomes the prince and
later learns the truth about himself
- God comes to Moses in Mount Sinai in the form of a burning bush and he tells him to set
his people free from Egypt
- Pharaoh says NOPE, and the 10 plagues are forced upon the Egyptians
- Angel of Death takes Pharaoh’s son
- Passover is the most important Jewish Festival
- SO, THIS IS EXODUS
- By splitting the red sea Moses and the Israelites escape Egypt
- God gives Moses the 10 commandments
40 years after the death of Moses, Joshua places the 10 commandments made of stone in the
Ark of the Covenant

- The first King of Israel is King Saul and his prophet is Samuel
- Samuel is angry with him b/c he takes prisoners when he’s not supposed to, he needs to
listen to God’s message completely, by killing everyone and everything
- Since King Saul gets too egotistical and tells Samuel that HE IS THE KING, God instructs
Samuel to find a new King
- Samuel finds a Shepard name David, who ends up fighting Goliath with one rock
o He shows his worth to people and becomes a great leader and warrior in the
eyes of the Jews because he built a name for himself based on his own actions
not words
- David unites the 12 tribes of Israel in Jerusalem
- King David isn’t as a great of a king as he seems as he:
o Cheats on his wife with his Best Friend’s wife and has a child out of wedlock
o Then proceeds to kill his best friend
- Michal = David’s first wife but she can’t give him kids
- They begin to raise the kid out of wedlock, but god punishes David by taking away his
first kid
- Since God has enough love for David, he gives him another son
- His now wife = Bathsheba
- The first temple is built in Jerusalem and is named after his 2nd son = Solomon
- The Babylonians take over Jerusalem and destroy the first temple, nebechadazzer takes
over and destroys the temple
- Daniel becomes the prophet since he can interpret dreams
- The Persian king Cyrus helps save the Jews from Egypt
- They finally head back to Jerusalem a.k.a. the promised land
- Hellenization begins, and Judah and the Maccabees fight against them
 - Judah = the hammer
- The Greeks destroy their temple once more (not completely) and the Jews run out of oil
- That is where the story of Hanukah comes from since, the oil in the lamp only could’ve
burned for one day it burned for 8 days, that’s where menorahs and Hanukahs come
from
- 70 CE the Romans destroyed the second temple
- All that is remaining is the wailing wall
Prophet = one who speaks on behalf of God and one who predicts the future
Messiah = anointed one

Topic 3: Jewish Symbols

Yarmulke (Kippah):
- Shows reverence to God
- Symbolic of being chosen and God is always above the Jews
- Also symbolizes walking on holy ground
Menorah:
- Candle holder with 7 branches (originally)
- 6 branches represent creation
- 1 branch represents the Sabbath
- It is a symbol of divine light and God’s ever burning love for the Jews
Hannukiah (Hanukah menorah):
- Has 9 branches, symbolic of the 8-day trip, 4 days there and 4 days back
- The middle one (usually) is called the servants candle and is used to light the other 8
candles
Mezuzah:
- Hund on the top right corners of doorposts
- Jewish security system
- Must be kosher
- In order to be considered kosher the Mezuzah: must contain the Shema, hand-written
by a scribe
- It is kissed for good luck
- The idea: Jews wish to retrieve blessings when exiting and entering their homes or
places of work/worship
Tallith:
- Jewish prayer shawl
- Has 613 threads to represent the 613 commandments
- Mitzvah = commandment mitzvoth = commandments
- has 1 unfinished hem – symbolizing Jews’ ongoing relationship with God
- 4 tassels are symbolic of God’s omnipresence
- Blue is symbolic of royalty (royal blue)
Tefillin:
- 2 small leather boxes containing the Torah
 - One is worn on the head, the other is own on the left arm, binding head and heart
during prayer
- Is worn to pronounce the unity of one God
- Is worn to remember God’s redemption
- Also is worn b/c it’s an obligation to pass on to children
o Very important idea in Jews that, you have to start your children from a young
age because that is how a religion continues and how Judaism has survived so
many years
- Given as a gift to boys at their Bar Mitzvah
Star of David:
- Symbolic of 12 tribes being united in Israel
- Identity
Western Wall:
- Often referred to as the wailing wall because it is the part remaining after the temple
was destroyed and the travellers who saw the mournful prayers being recited there
- It is a permanent reminder of God’s presence for Jewish people
- Also, that Jews will never be destroyed
- Also symbolizes heroism
- Many festivals are based on the existence of the temple
o Pesach (Passover)
o Sukkot (the autumn harvest)
o Shavuot (spring harvest)
o Yom Kippur
Topic 4: Sacred Scripture
Torah = written by Moses, it refers to the law of Moses as well as the rest of the Hebrew
scriptures and the entire belief system of the Jewish faith. The Torah is comprised of a
description of the development of God’s relationship with his chosen people. The word Torah =
law, teaching instruction. Can also be referred as; Pentateuch, GLEND, old testament, Heart of
Judaism

TaNaKh = the complete Jewish bible which consists of:

1) Torah (“teaching”, the 5 books of Moses)
2) Nevi’m (“prophets”)
3) Ketuvim (“writings”)

Talmud = commentary on the Torah

Midrash = commentary on the Bible
Shema = Jewish declaration of Faith, couple of lines from Deuteronomy that is recited as a daily
prayer – is in a mezuzah
Sefer Torah = the text of the five books of Moses handwritten on parchment and it is the most
sacred object of Jewish life and is essential for worship
Haggadah = the book used to explain the events of the Exodus
The importance of these books is the relationship they have with God. They’re recited to bring
a Jew closer to God.
Topic 5: Jewish characteristics for God:
FOPSA:
Faithful
- God will not break his promises, even though people do
- God’s LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL he won’t abandon you
- God is ETERNAL, w/o beginning or end
God is One
- There is only one God, the CREATOR (Genesis)
- The forces of nature are all part of this one God
- The voice of God is heard in thunder and gentle winds
God is Personal
- God cares
- God is someone who listens, understands what it means to be human and is the essence
of compassion and love
- Humans are NO accident we share a covenant with God
God is Saving
- no matter how dark it gets, God brings salvation
- Jewish history is built on salvation (Exodus, Shoah)
- hardships and persecution are often seen as time of purification and further teaching
God is Above All
- NO ONE can control or manipulate God through ritual
- God is not dependent upon anything or anyone, and cannot be explained by Science

Topic 6: Synagogue
Synagogue = meeting place
- They come from the time of Babylonians when the Jews wanted to meet up and plan
their revolt or pray
- They would have to be very discreet and careful about it as to not get caught
A synagogue is a Jewish place of worship
Consists of the following:
- Ark of covenant = focal point - 10 commandments
- Torah - Bimah (altar)
- Ever burning lamp - rabbi’s chair
- Menorah - Rabbi’s podium
Topic 7: Judaism and Christianity
Similarities:
- Monotheistic faith stems from Judaism, gave way to Islam
- God is powerful
- Both have baptism
Differences:
- Jews believe their messiah is still coming
- Since when he comes he’ll get the job done in the first try
- Christians believe Jesus was their messiah and he came and left and will be back
- Christians believe God can take the form of a human also they pray to the trinity
- Jews believe in Unity
- Jews are God’s chosen people, Christians aren’t
- Different symbols, like crucifix vs kippah

Nicene’s Creed = Christianity

Maimonides Creed = Judaism

COMMON THEMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

- Divine intervention
- God wants a fresh start
- Redemption

Topic 8: Branches of Judaism

Criteria Reform Conservative Orthodox
Types of People More freedom - Didn’t want - Jews who
- Wanted to Jews to lose don’t want a
mix in with their identity “watered
society down”
judaism
Traditions & Kosher Don’t really care Follow most Kosher Observe all
Food about Kosher laws rules traditions, kosher
food only
Synagogues -men and women sit men and women sit -men & women sit
together together separately
-services in both -services in both -services are only in
Hebrew & English Hebrew & English Hebrew
-both genders can -both genders can -only men can
become rabbis become rabbis become rabbis
How to be As long as one parent Mother or both
considered Jewish is Jewish parents
Reform:
- Believes Torah is human creation
- Reformed princiapls
- No animal sacrifices
- Don’t wear symbols faith
Reconstructionist:
- Founder = Mordechai Kaplan
- Don’t look forward to a messiah
- See the laws of the Torah as only useful if they have some clear purpose for the Jewish
people
- They don’t see themselves as chosen
- Strive for a better humanistic world/progress
Conservative:
- Accepts human progress
- Every generation adds to their views
- Bigger emphasis on biblical authority
- Many rulings of conservative rabbis have been rejected by orthodox Jews
Orthodox:
- Are the purest Jews
- Wear their symbols
- Clothing + food is affected by the Torah (Kosher)
- Festival (sukkot)
- Most common form of Judaism
Hasidism
- Hard-core Jews
- Believe the Torah provides a strong connection with God
- Separate from the rest of the community/society
- Specific actions bring God pleasure
- Hasidic concept is difficult to grasp and requires a lot of devotion
- Always studying the Torah
- Like Danny in the Chosen
Zionism = a movement originally for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation, and now for the
development of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel
- It was established as a political organization in 1897
- Belief is that they shouldn’t have to wait for the Messiah to unite as a nation
- The group was deemed racist by the UN since they segregate/discriminate against non-
Jews
- Zion = hill, “return to Zion refers to the basic principle exemplified by King David
Topic 9: Festivals/Rites of Passage
Birth:
- On the eigth day after a child is born an important ceremony takes place (circumcision)
- Takes place in the syngagouge or in the home of the child
- To name baby girls the Father in the synagogue does a public reading of the Torah, the
blessing is given and the name is announced
Bar-Mitzvah
- Bar-mitzvah = son of the commandment
- Prior to this a boy has to attend a course of instruction conducted by the rabbi; which
allows him to understand Hebrew and read from the Torah
- Takes place on the Sabbath near to the 13th birthday
- He reads from it then he celebrates
Bat-Mitzvah
- Has the same religious significance
- But is for girls and takes place a year before the guys
Praying
- 3 set occasions for men to pray; Morning, Noon an Evening
- 3 things men will wear: kippah, tallith, and tefillin
- A devout Jew prior will thoroughly wash their hands + give thanks before meals
Weddings
- Ceremony is called Kiddushin = to be holy
- Marriage is holy and is instituted by God
- Bride and groom stand under a canopy called the Chuppah
- Symbolizes the couples’ future homes
- Ceremony takes place in the synagogue and is conducted by the rabbi and cantor
- Marriage contract = ketubah
- Cantor sings blessings of praise to God
- Couple put the glass of wine on the floor and the groom breaks it with his foot
o Which is symbolic of the temple destruction and to not forget their
responsibilities to God
Funerals
- Body is prepared by washing and wrapping in a shroud immediately (24 hours) after
death
- Closed coffin
- Prayers are said and relatives shovel/throw dirt on the grave
- Have a period of mourning known as Shiva for 7 days
o Mourners stay at home, low to the ground to symbolize humility
o All the mirrors are covered to show NO VANITY
- No flowers are allowed since they represent life
- Following the death of a parent a son attends the synagogue service for 12 months
reciting the mourners prayer kaddish = holiness
o has to recite this prayer on the anniversary of the death
- the family keeps a light burning on the anniversary of death, to rmbr the dead
Shabbat
- families and friends gather to celebrate life, being CHOSEN
- the shema is recited as a family
- eyes are covered with one’s hands after placing them over lit candles
o this is symbolic of out of darkness
- Kiddush = sanctification is recited over wine + bread
- Shabbat celebrates how much the Jewish People have been
 - Starts on Friday when the first 3 stars appear in the sky
o Gods creation
o The Exodus
o The coming of the Messiah
- They eat Challah bread = rich mans bread
- Songs are sung + ultimately give thanks
Passover
- Unleavened bread = motza = symbol of haste
- Bitter herbs (dipped in salt) = symbolizes tears + spring
- Mixed nuts + fruits = slavery
- Shank bone (gods redemption)
- Egg – symbolic of fragility and of spring (renewal)
Rosh Hashanah
- Jewish New Years, (10 Days of returning/awe)
- Eat fish heads (example of faith)
- Eat apples dipped in honey (to a sweet new year)
- Shona Tova = happy new year
- Eat challah with raisins = sweeter side to life
- Wear white; symbolic of purity
Yom Kippur
- The holiest Jewish holiday which culminates Rosh Hashanah)
- Opportunity to repent = day of atonement
- People reflect deeply at home/synagogue
- Idea is: to right those wrongs in the eyes of God

Topic 10: The Laws of Kashrut (Leviticus)

- Kashrut = kosher = fit = suitable = correct = proper
- Anything that is forbidden is known = terefah
- Book of Leviticus places restrictions on what foods can be consumed and how
acceptable foods should be prepared and served
- Judaism is a way of life, as such a devout Jew must not eat:
1) The flesh of animals, such as horse, or pig, whose hooves are not cloven, and which do
not chew their cud
2) The hind quarters of permitted animals (rump roast)
3) Fish that lack fins and scales (shellfish, lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams)
4) Fowl which are unclean. Examples include various birds of prey
5) All creeping things and insects
6) No artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower (anything that has crevices)
Certain restrictions for preparation of acceptable foods:
1) Animals must be slaughtered humanely
2) Meat must be bled (drained of blood), soaked in cold water, and salted before cooking
3) Meat must not be consumed with milk products. These two products must be prepared
and consumed separately (separate dishes + cutlery), the usual wait before these foods
are eaten is 3 hours
 - A Masgiach often supervises to ensure that the Kashrut status of a kosher establishment
stays in tact
- These laws are followed because they’re in the Torah
- These laws serve as a reminder as to what God has given by thinking about what they
eat
- These laws are hygienic in purpose and also humanitarian/ethical
KEY TERMS/OTHER NOTES:
Yad = a pointer used by Jews when reading the Torah
- A symbol of respect (keeps the torah kosher)
- Often given to Jewish boys/girls on their bar/bat mitzvah
Shabbat - Jewish Sabbath = day of rest
L’Chaim = traditional Jewish toast “to Life”
Mitzvah = a good deed, also means commandment