Judaism is one of the oldest world religions, originating around 1812 BC in Israel and centered on the belief in one God, Yahweh. Key figures include Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, and Moses, who delivered the Torah, which contains divine laws. Jews observe traditions such as the Sabbath, conduct bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies, and have key symbols like the Star of David and menorah in their worship practices.

1. LESSON 4
JUDAISM
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM

2. Examine the brief history, core
teachings, fundamental beliefs,
practices, and related issues of
Judaism.
Objectives

3. HISTORY
 Judaism is one of the oldest world religions.
 People who follow the Jewish religion are called Jews.
 The Jewish religion started in Israel around 1812 BC,
during the Bronze Age.
 It began when God promised Abraham he would protect
him and his descendants and give them the land of Israel.
In return for this they promised to obey God.
 The Torah is the main religious book used by the Jewish
people.

4. BELIEFS
Jews believe that there is only one God and that
is Yahweh, present day God.
They believe that everyone can have an individual
and personal relationship with God.
They believe that God continues to work in the
world, affecting everything that people do.

5. IMPORTANT PEOPLE
 Abraham is 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.
 The story of Abraham is told in the
Book of Genesis in chapters 12-25.

6. IMPORTANT PEOPLE
 Moses, is also an important
figure as he gave the Jews the
Torah around 1250 B.C. The
Torah contains the laws of God.
 Moses is the leader who freed
them from slavery in Egypt.
Moses protected the Jews from
the wrath of God, and negotiated
with God on their behalf.

7. THE TORAH
 The most holy Jewish book is
the Torah which means ‘teachings’.
 The Torah contains the five books
revealed to Moses by God on Mount
Sinai.
 Genesis
 Exodus
 Leviticus
 Numbers
 Deuteronomy
 The Torah is stored inside the Ark in
each Synagogue. This is the holiest
place in the Synagogue.
Torah Ark in Patras
Synagogue.

8. CQuigley 2017

9. JEWISH SYMBOLS
 The symbol or emblem
of the Jewish people is
the Magen David (Shield
of David), also known as
the Star of David.

10. JEWISH SYMBOLS
 The Menorah is one of the
oldest symbols of the
Jewish faith. It is a
candelabrum with seven
candle holders displayed in
Jewish synagogues. It
symbolizes the burning
bush as seen by Moses on
Mount Sinai.

11. JEWISH SYMBOLS
 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 it says
that Jewish people should
love God and keep his rules.

12. WHERE DO JEWS WORSHIP
 Jews worship in Synagogues.
 Men and women usually sit
separately in the
Synagogues.
 Men must cover their heads.
 The Jewish spiritual leaders
are called Rabbis.
Barack Obama viewing artifacts
in a Synagogue.

14. HOLY DAYS
 The most important day of the week is the Sabbath
(Shabbat), which is a day made holy by refraining from
weekday work.
 Sabbath starts at sunset on Friday and continues until
sunset on Saturday. During the Sabbath, observant Jews
will do nothing that might be counted as work. Among
the things that they can't do are driving and cooking.
 At the beginning of Shabbat Jewish families share a
meal. They eat special bread called hallah. On the
Sabbath, Jews attend services at the synagogue, often
led by a Rabbi.

15. SPECIAL CLOTHING
 On their heads Jewish men wear
the Kippah to remind them that
God is always above them. It is a
reminder to always follow the
laws of God at all times and in all
places.
 Before beginning to worship or
pray Jews will often put on
a tallit. The fringes on the shawl
remind them of the many
commandments of the Torah.

16. SPECIAL CEREMONIES
 There are two special ceremonies
where Jewish boys (aged 13) and
girls (aged 12) can become adults
in the eyes of the Jewish religion.
 Bar mitzvah is for boys and it
means Son of the Commandment.
 Bat mitzvah is for girls and it
means Daughter of the
Commandment.

17. SACRED SCRIPTURES
 Written Torah
 main sacred text of the Jews and is made up of 24 books
with 3 parts- Torah (the law ), Nevi’im ( the prophets), and
Ketuvim (the writings).
 Hebrew bible (known as the Old Testament to Non-Jews but
Tanakh to the Jews)
TANAKH
 Jewish have been called the “people of the Book”

18.  Torah means “law”
 Holy book consisting the law of God.
 It is also known as Pentateuch (5 books)
 Torah was written by Moses, except for the part where his
death is described, which was possibly written by Joshua,
Moses’ successor.
 It contains the first 5 books of Tanakh
 Single most important scripture for the Jewish people
TORAH
SACRED SCRIPTURES

19.  Oral Torah which means “study”
 All studies and interpretations done by Jewish rabbis or the
teachers of the Torah are contained in the Talmud
 In short, Talmud is the authoritative collection of rabbinic
interpretations of the sacred scriptures.
TALMUD
SACRED SCRIPTURES

20.  Around second century C.E., Talmud was compiled and
written down as “Mishna” or a restatement of the law by a
respected opinion
 “Repeated study”
MISHNA
SACRED SCRIPTURES

21. RELATED ISSUES OF JUDAISM
 Women’s role in the Jewish religion is determined by the
Tanakh
 In Judaism, God is neither male nor female (God has both
masculine and feminine qualities)
 Women are not required to perform certain commandments
 Women are discouraged from studying the Talmud.
 Rabbis are not concerned that women are not spiritual
enough; rather, they are concerned that women might
become too spiritually devoted.
 Women are discouraged from pursuing higher education
because they might neglect their primary duties as wives
and mothers.
WOMEN IN JUDAISM

22. RELATED ISSUES OF JUDAISM
 Holocaust is of Greek origin that means “sacrifice by fire”.
 In history, Holocaust pertains to the persecution and execution of
around 6 million Jews undertaken by the Nazi Regime (lead by Adolf
Hitler).
 High ranking German official, Reinhard Heydrich, became the chief
planner of the Nazis to wipe out the Jews in Europe.
 Jews were perceived as the major threat to the German community that
had to be exterminated (mass murder) especially since there were over
nine million Jews in Europe by 1933.
 From 1941-1945, Heydrich’s plan called the “Final Solution to the Jewish
Problem” was implemented by the Nazis.
 6 million Jews lost their lives
HOLOCAUST