JUDAISM

JUDAISM
The

traditional view of Jewish origins is

based on the patriarchal narratives
found in theHebrew Bible. These
narratives reflect an attempt by the
ancient Israelites, the ancestors of the
Jewish people, to trace the birth of their
nation to one family that began to
distinguish itself from those of other
ancient near eastern cultures through
the worship of one God. Although these
texts were written about a thousand
years after the events described, they

JUDAISM
These

narratives associate the

origin of Judaism with Abraham, a
nomadic herder who entered into an
unconditional covenant with God
based on two interrelated divine
promises of unlimited progeny and
possession of the land of Canaan.
The narrative then sets out to
chronicle the trials and tribulations
of this clan, depicting a continual
conflict over who will be the

JUDAISM
First

there is a conflict between

Abraham's wife Sarah and her
maidservant Hagar over their
sons Isaac and Ishmael.
Ultimately it is Isaac who
perpetuates the Abrahamic
covenant symbolized by his
miraculous birth by the elder
and infertile Sarah, while

JUDAISM

JUDAISM
The narrative later recounts
the story of the twin brothers
Jacob and Esau who engage
in a sibling rivalry over who
will receive their father's
birthright, with the slightly
younger and clever Jacob
outsmarting the dim-witted
oaf Esau by deceiving his

JUDAISM
This common
"disqualification" motif is
more than just a literary tool;
it is also a historical
justification of Israel's selfacknowledged status in
history as a youthful nation
that has the divine right to
conquer the land of the

JUDAISM
Ultimately

it is Jacob who acquires the

name Israel, "one who wrestles with God,"
through his mysterious encounter with an
angel, and it is he who becomes the father
of twelve sons who are the eponymous
ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel.
These tribes ultimately form the nucleus of
the Israelite nation that enters into a
conditional covenant with God predicated
on the divine redemption of the Israelites
from Egyptian bondage and contingent
upon Israel's continued observance of
God's commandments. This national

JUDAISM
Founders:

Abraham2000 B.C.
and or Moses--1391-1271 B.C.
Sacred Texts: Torah, Poetry,
Prophets, Talmud, Mishnah
Doctrines: Ten Commandments,
618 Rules
God: Yahweh/Jehovah
Sects: 0rthodox, Conservative,
Reform Liberal
Issues: Antisemitism, Zionism,

Beliefs
Believe

in one God

Yahweh
Believe in obeying
the laws set down in
the covenants that
Abraham and his
descendants made

3 MAIN M0VEMENTS 0F JUDAISM

0RTH0D0X

JEWSadhere most
strictoly to tradition, precisely
following the rules that were set
down in Hebrew Bible.
EX:
They follow an exact set of dietary
rules. They never eat certain
meats such as pork, and never
eat meat products and milk
products together, or even off of
the same plate.

3 MAIN M0VEMENTS 0F JUDAISM

REF0RM

JEWSless strict in their

observances and believe that ff. the
spirit of covenant w/ Yahweh is more
important than ff. the particular
rules set down at that time.
EX:
An individual might choose to follow
the dietary rules, but they are not
expected to do so.

3 MAIN M0VEMENTS 0F JUDAISM

C0NSERVATIVE

JEWShas
elements of both the
0rthodox and Reform,
believing that the
traditional laws have value
but should be tempered by
new ideas and practices.

C0NCEPT 0F G0D
Judaism

may have been the

first religion to believe that
there is one God who created
the Universe and continues to
control it. Since Judaism
teaches that all people are
created in the image of God,
they believe that everyone is
to be treated w/ respect. Jews
do not attempt to convert
others to their beliefs, but

SACRED WRITINGS
Hebrew

Bibleknown to
Christian as the 0ld Testament.
Foundation of the Jewish
religion.
The first five books of the
Hebrew Bible, often attributed
to Moses as author, are called
Torah. Contain the story of
Abraham and his family, and

SACRED WRITINGS

Talmudcombination

of 2

documents:
1. MISHNAHfirst written down
around 2nd century C.E.
2. GEMARAwritten down around
the 5th century C.E.
*Both are early commentaries on the
Torah.
. Siddur- prayer book used for
Jewish worship.

SYMB0LS

*Said to stand for the shield of David,

an ancient King and important figure i
The Hebrew Bible

SYMB0LS
Shemahebrew of the first
word of the passage hear. It
begins Hear, 0 Israel! and
continues by telling people to
keep God constantly in their
minds and hearts, and to
write it on the doorposts of
their homes.

SYMB0LS
mezzuzah

SYMB0LS
Teffilin--small black leather
boxes containing scrolls of
parchment inscribed with verses
from theTorah. They are worn by
male observant Jews during
weekday morning prayers.

SYMB0LS

W0RSHIP / SACRED SPACE

Some

parts of Jewish
worship takes place in
home.
Synagogue-place of
worship as well as being
a center for Jewish
learning and a place of
social gathering for the

W0RSHIP / SACRED SPACE

W0RSHIP / SACRED SPACE

Prays

3 times: morning,
midday, night