2. What is Judaism? Judaism is the religion of the more than 14 million Jews throughout the world. Judaism is the oldest of the world's four biggest monotheistic religions (religions with only one god). Judaism is the ancient tradition of a relatively small community of people originally called Hebrews, or Israelites. Judaism was the first major religion to teach the existence of only one god. The basic laws and teachings of Judaism come from the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible
4. Torah The Torah is the primary document of Judaism. Torah, which means "teaching", is God's revealed instructions to the Jewish People. It teaches Jews how to act, think and even feel about life and death. The Torah contains 613 commandments. The ten commandments are considered the most important commandments of the Torah. The Torah also contains stories that teach us about God's relationship with the Jewish People. There are two parts to the Torah:1. Written Torah 2. Oral Torah
6. Basic Beliefs There is only one God, who watched over and cares for his people. God loves and protects his people, but also holds people for their sins and shortcomings. People serve God by studying the Torah and living by its teachings.
7. Important people Abraham is known to be the founder of Judaism, and he founded the religion in Israel about 4000 years ago. Abraham is considered the father of the Jewish people. Jews see Abraham as a symbol of trusting and obeying God. Abraham is also important to followers of Christianity and of Islam. Moses is regarded as the most important prophet in Judaism.He acted according to the request of God and freed the Jews from the brutality and slavery they were experiencing under the Pharaoh of Egypt. He was also God's chosen one to receive the Ten Commandments, which were given to him in the form of a stone tablet. The Ten Commandments still hold importance in the world.
9. Holy Places and Places of Worship Western wall was the first place of worship for Judaism. All Jews pray in that direction. In A.D 70 the Romans destroyed the Second Temple of Jerusalem. Western Wall is last remnant of the wall that surrounded the temple. The place of worship for Judaism is called the Synagogue. The Jewish spiritual leaders are called Rabbis. Unlike leaders in many other faiths, a rabbi is not a priest and has no special religious status.
11. Symbol of Judaism The symbol or emblem of the Jewish people is the Magen David (Shield of David), also known as the Star of David. The Menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith. It is a candelabrum with seven candle holders displayed in Jewish synagogues. A mezuzah is found on doorposts in Jewish homes. It is a little case, containing a tiny scroll. The writing on the scroll is from the bible. It is in Hebrew and is called the Shema. It says that Jewish people should love God and keep his rules.
13. Ritual Some Jews follow strict dietary laws based on passage from the Hebrew Bible. These laws have established what is kosher, or acceptable, for Jews to eat. Kosher foods are those that conform to Jewish law. This means no mixing of dairy and meat, no pork or pork products and no shell fish. The animal from which the meat is taken must have been slaughtered in accordance with prescribed Jewish ritual.
15. Holiday in Judaism Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is celebrated to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival and commemorates the creation of the world. Yom Kippur, the most sacred and solemn day of the Jewish year, brings the Days of Repentance to a close. Sukkot commemorates the years that the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land. Hanukkah or Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. TishaB'av is a solemn occasion because it commemorates a series of tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the years. TuB'Shevat is the Jewish 'New Year for Trees'. Yom Hashoah is a day set aside for Jews to remember the Holocaust.
