The document provides an overview of three major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It discusses their origins, core beliefs, sacred texts, practices and rituals. Some key similarities are their monotheistic nature and roots in the Middle East tracing back to Abraham. Differences include their founding figures (Moses, Jesus, Muhammad), places of worship (synagogues, churches, mosques) and divisions within each faith tradition over time. Conflict has also occurred between the religions while they share some common origins and beliefs.
14. The Branch of Abraham God’s promise to Abraham—book of Genesis Ishmael Isaac Muhammad Jacob Twelve Tribes of Israel King David (Tribe of Judah) Jesus Islam Christianity Judaism
51. Pilgrimage Sites Matthew 27:33-37: They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
60. The Branch of Abraham God’s promise to Abraham—book of Genesis Ishmael Isaac Muhammad Jacob Twelve Tribes of Israel Judaism 2500 BC King David (Tribe of Judah) Jesus Islam Christianity Gen 16:9-15 550AD 30 AD
Have students brainstorm with a partner and then generate a possible list with the class. Remind them of the map of the Old City of Jerusalem that they discussed on the first day of the unit.
The elaborate cabinet holds the Torah.
Connect to the Five Themes: Place The Western Wall sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall is an important Jewish religious site located in the Old City of Jerusalem . Just over half the wall, including its 17 courses located below street level, dates from the end of the Second Temple period, being constructed around 19 BCE by Herod the Great . The remaining layers were added from the 7th century onwards. Jews visit the wall to pray and ask God for the temple to be rebuilt.
Written prayers are often placed between the cracks in the wall
This was a promise to Abraham for many descendents
Result of the Abrahamic covenant is numerous descendents. Three major religions can trace their origins to Abraham.
The impact of this covenant is that Jews believe that this Promised Land and the current nation of Israel are the same. This will be an issue later on in the course as statehood and territorial disputes erupt.
This is one of the main areas where Jews and Christians separate. Christians believe Jesus was the fulfillment of this covenant; Jews are still awaiting the Messiah
In the Jewish faith, the word God is never fully spelled-out.
A rabbi supervising food preparation to ensure and verify that Kosher laws are followed.
Kosher symbols on food packages help Jews determine whether it is acceptable to eat.
Jews keep separate pots, pans, utensils, glasses, plates, etc. just for the week of Passover. These are not used at any other time of the year.
A mezuzah ( Hebrew : מְזוּזָה "doorpost") (plural: mezuzot ( מְזוּזוֹת )) is a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah ( Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21). These verses comprise the Jewish prayer " Shema Yisrael ", beginning with the phrase: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One" A mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe of every room apart from the bathroom in Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" ( Deuteronomy 6:9 ). Some interpret Jewish law to require a mezuzah on every doorway in the home apart from bathrooms, and closets too small to qualify as rooms; [1] others view it as necessary only to place one in the front doorway. The parchment is prepared by a qualified scribe (a " sofer stam ") who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in black indelible ink with a special quill pen. The parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case.
Jewish marriage ceremonies are very unique. For specific details, consult this website: http://www.jewfaq.org/marriage.htm
Five Themes Connection: Region
Five Themes Connection: Movement
Result: Jews are scattered throughout the world Source: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/jewpop.html
Connect to Theme of Place This is Calvary/Golgotha (known as the “place of the skull”). Note how the rock formation somewhat resembles a skull. Christians believe that Jesus was crucified here.
Connect to Theme of Place The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth , and it is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam Ask: Why would this be considered sacred to Christians and Muslims? (Answer: Muslims respect Jesus as a major prophet.) If students do not know, ask again after reviewing the next segment on Islam.
Connect to Theme of Movement
Connect to Theme of movement of ideas Christianity spread through the mission work of several early apostles, including the apostle Paul. Most Christian churches today fund missions work around the globe.
The split of the three churches should be a review from 6 th grade.
Connect to Theme of movement of ideas
The star and crescent is the best-known symbol used to represent Islam. It features prominently on the flags of many countries in the Islamic world, notably Turkey and Pakistan. Surprisingly, the symbol is not Muslim in origin. Rather, it was a polytheistic icon adopted during the spread of Islam, and its use today is sometimes controversial in the Muslim world. The crescent and star are often said to be Islamic symbols, but historians say that they were the insignia of the Ottoman Empire, not of Islam as a whole. It is important to keep in mind that Islam has few traditional symbols, and the crescent moon and star are not ones that are recognized by as traditional symbols by Muslims. The symbol is due to cultural diffusion and the spread of Islam to the Ottoman Turks who ruled a large area and also put the crescent moon and star symbol on their flag. It has since become associated with Islam. Source: www.religionfacts.com/islam/symbols.htm
Muslims do not believe in representing the Prophet or Allah in paintings, sculptures, drawings or any other form.
2 nd holiest mosque in all of Islam. Located in Jerusalem.
These are prominent and sacred locations to two distinct faiths. They are established within meters of each other. What issues may arise, especially if Jews wish to rebuild the temple on this site?
Throwing stones at pillars that represent seductions of Satan
Theme: Location
Theme: Movement
Theme: Region
Have students complete a triple Venn diagram that compares and contrasts these three religions.
Have students brainstorm with a partner and then generate a possible list with the class. Revisit this question at the conclusion of the section on Buddhism.
The graphic on this page is the Ohm: AUM (OM, OHM) within Hinduism symbolizes the unborn non-dualistic, omnipresent, impersonal Absolute, which incoperates all forms of life; which is life. The sacred AUM symbol above represents both the unmanifest, nirguna , and manifest, saguna , aspects of the Absolute. By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman* (ultimate reality). A stands for Creation U stands for Preservation M stands for Destruction or dissolution This is representative of the Trinity of God in Hindu dharma ( Brahma , Vishnu and Shiva ) www.muktinath.org/hinduism/om-aum.htm
Ask students to summarize this into one short sentence (10 words or less).
Theme: Location Have students describe the relative location of Hindu population This map can be found at: http://www.wadsworth.com/religion_d/special_features/popups/maps/matthews_world/content/map_01.html
Have students read the article at this website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/holycow/hinduism.html Questions are on the next slide
Perhaps the most famous of all holy places is Varanasi, situated on the banks of the Ganges some 450 miles south of Delhi. It is also called Benares and Kashi. It may be one of the oldest cities in the world and is included in the list of India's "seven ancient cities." It is mentioned in the Epics and Puranas as "the foremost city of Shiva." Its most famous mandir , the Golden Temple dedicated to Visvanatha (Shiva), was destroyed and then rebuilt under Muslim rule. Many Hindus retire to Varanasi in the hope of achieving liberation. The city is famous for its cremation ghats . Corpses are transported hundreds of miles for burning here. Relatives often bring the ashes of their loved ones and scatter them in the Ganges in the belief that this will benefit the departed soul.
Theme: Movement
Theme: Region
Ascetic: a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of spirituality or enlightenment and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification for religious reasons.
Buddhists believe that this is the tree under which Siddhartha sat.
The picture is of a Mandala. These are often crafted by Buddhist monks out of colored sand. Upon completion of the Mandala, they destroy it to illustrate the principle of impermanence.
Dharamasala: The town serves as the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile. Dharamshala is also the seat of His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama in India. Lumbini : In the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal lies Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who was later to become the Buddha. Queen Maya Devi of the Sakya clan was on her way to her parental home when she gave birth to the prince under a tree. Bodhgaya : This is where Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha as he sat in meditation on the diamond seat under the Bodhi (Ficus Religiosa) tree.