Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion that originated in West Asia during the Bronze Age. It traces its origins and laws to the Torah, the most important text for Jews which contains the Five Books of Moses. The three key figures in establishing Judaism were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jews follow a set of religious laws and rituals outlined in the Torah and oral traditions, including observance of the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, dietary restrictions, and worship at synagogues. There are various denominations of Judaism that have developed over time in response to historical and cultural changes.

1. JUDAISM

2. Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion
that traces it’s origin as an organized belief
system during the bronze age in West Asia.
The religion of the Jewish people, Judaism is
one of three Abrahamic religions that aslo
include Christianity and Islam. It is the only
religion professed by the Jews know as the
“People of the Book” in reference to their-

3. Sacred text written covering nearly a
thousand years and fomalized as a canon of
teaching by the end of first century C.E. The
picture below is the Torah which is the
most important text of the Jewish people. It
contains the “Five Books of Moses” and
many sacred laws. The Jews considered
themselves as the people chosen by God to-

4. Serve as an exemplar of devotion and purity
to humankind.

5. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
It is quite difficult to separate the history
of Judaism from the history of the Jews
themselves . The ancestors of the Jews
where groups of Semites Called Hebrews
whose origin can be traced in the desert
lands of Arabia. The origin of the Jews
people and the beginning of Judaism are-

6. Recorded in the First Five books of the
Hebrew Bible, the Pentateuch. As a religion
and culture, Judaism has three notable
founding figures or patriarchs, namely
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God chose
Abraham and his family from all the people
living on Earth, after a tragic events
involving humankind, God entered

7. Into a covenant with Abraham promising
that he would become the “Father of a
great nation” and would posses vast tracts
of land.

8. Later on, he was succeeded by his son
Isaac, his grandson Jacob, and Jacob’s
twelve sons.

9. “ABRAM” or ABRAHAM
Abraham was Born in the city of Ur of the
Chaldeas around 1800 B.C.E. Questioning
the folly of idol worship. He is also know as
the Patriarchs of the Judaism, the father of
faith and also know as the Father of many
nations.

10. “Abram” or Abraham
Sarai-Sarah Hagar
-Isaac -Rebecca -Ismael
-Jacob, Esau

11. SOCIO-POLITICAL DYNAMICS OF JUDIASM
The Old Testament gives us ideas on
socio-political dynamics of Judaism.
Understanding the Jewish concepts on
politics and society would help us
understand the historical development of
judaism as one of the world’s religions and
see it’s relevance in contemporary times.

12. The Jewish concept of Leadership based on the
Old Testament directs us to certain types of
leadership, one of which kingship as the ideal
form of government. This can be deduced from
the Chronicles of the kings of Israel and Judah,
as well as in the book of Deuteronomy, which
started, “ Let me put a king over me like all the
nations that are around me”
(Deuteronomy 17:14-15)

13. SACRED SCRIPTURES
The Jews people have been called the “People of
the Book” in reference to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh
or Mikra) that has been the authority, guide, and
inspiration of many forms of judaism that have
envolved throughout the different periods of time in
various places. Composed over a period of almost a
thousand years, collections within the Bible became
established in its full canonical form by the end of the
first century C.E.

14. According to the Jewish tradition, the Hebrew
Bible is divided into Three Principal sections,
namely the Torah, Nevi’im, and the Ketuvim.
Torah (Teaching)- is composed of the first
“Five Books” or the Pentateuch traditionally
believed to have been authored by Moses
through devine instructions in Sinai. These
Include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy.

15. Nevi’im (“Prophets”)- is subdivide into Earlier
Prophets, Later prophets. And twelve minor
prophets, prophets saved as spoke persons who
criticize the hypocritical practices of Jewish
Rituals.

16. Ketuvim (Writings”)- Form the Third section
of the tanakh that contains works on poetry,
temple rituals, private prayer, philosophical
exploration, and other canonical works.
Pentateuch- Is the single most important
scripture for the Jewish people that became the
source of their inspiration and direction of
centuries

17. BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES
In Judaism, actions are more significant
than beliefs. However, while Judaism has no
dogma, there is definitely a place for belief
within the religion since it focuses on the
worship of one God, the practice of good deeds,
and the love of learning . For the Jews, there is
one everlasting God who created the universe in
it’s entirety and remains the master of it.

18. Human beings were created by God who
provide them the capacity to decide what is
right and wrong, and give them the freedom
and responsibility, for there own actions.
Human have the ability to restrain their evil
intentions because of their propensities for
both good and evil. For Jews, all human
beings are created equal. While God can
communicate with Humans-

19. Through revelations, humans can also
commune to him by means of prayer and
meditations.

20. ARTICLES OF FAITH
“Jewish Principles of Faith” –That was proposed
by eminent medieval Jewish philosopher Moshe ben
Maimon.
1. God exists.
2. God is one and unique.
3. God is incorporeal
4. God is eternal
5. Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no one

21. 6. The words of the prophets are true.
7. Moses’ prophecies are true, and Moses was
the greatest of the prophets.
8. The written Torah and the Oral Torah were
given to Moses.
9. There will be no other Torah
10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men
11. God will reward the good and punish the
wicked

22. 12. The Messiah will Come.
13. The dead will be resurrected.

23. Ten Commandments
The 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:2-17
“You Shall not make for your self a carved image –
any likeness of anything that is in heaven and Earth.”
“You shall not bow down and serve him”
“ You shall take the name of the Lord your God in
vain”
“Remember the Sabbath day.”
“Honor Your Father and mother.”
“You shall not murder”
“You shall not commit Adultery.”

24. “You shall not steal”
“ You shall not bear false witness againts your
neighbor.”
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, you
shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor
anything that is your neighbor’s.

25. WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
Sabbath- The most important day in the Jewish
calendar is the Sabbath (or Shabbat)
which commemorates God’s completion of the
creation of the universe and his rest after the six-day
toil
The Days of Awe – Tishri is the seventh month in
the ecclesiastical year of the Jewish Calendar.
The first the days of Tishri are called the “Days of
awe”

26. Pilgrimage Festivals- During the Olden days,
the ancient Israelites to go to Jerusalem on
Three pilgrimage festivals and participate in the
worship at the Temple. Also called the Shalosh
Regalim, these are Pesach (Passover),
Shavuot(Weeks or Pentecost), and sukkot
(Tabernacles).
Other Important Days- There are many feast
and festivals celebrated by the Jewish people.-

27. The Family assumes the principal responsibility
for worship, religious education, and moral
behavior. Rituals and ceremonies are done both
at home and in the synagogue.
Halakha- Because Judaism is also a
comprehensive way of life, Jewish people follow
a set of rules and practices that govern their
everyday living.Collectively called halakha which
translates as the “the path that one walks” -

28. These are Jewish religious laws derived from the
“Written Torah” and “Oral Torah” including
the 613 mitzuot.
Synagogues- Synagogues are Jewish temples
of worship, instructions, and community
fellowship that contain separate rooms designed
for specific activities, such as praying and
studying.

29. The Temple- Around 1003 B.C.E David
conquered Jerusalem and made it his capital.
Bringing with him the “Ark of the Covenant”
David intended to build a Temple to become the
first and fixed place of worship for the Jews.
However, God told David it would be of his sons
who will have the privilege of accomplishing this
task.

30. Subdivisions
Being one of the oldest religions in the
World, Judaism has undergone various
changes in response to changing times and
cultures brought about by key historical
events or philosophical upheavals. While
there are certain beliefs shared by most
adherents, differences and diversity in-

31. In faith also abound among Jewish
denomination and sects. Within Judaism are
three present day movements that emerged in
response to the modern and secular culture of
Europe and America. These are Reform,
Orthodox, and Conservative Judaism. Two other
smaller sects, namely Hasidism and Kabbalah,
are mystical approaches to the Jewish religion
that emphasize spiritual experiences over
rational knowledge.

32. Orthodox- Orthodox Judaism is the most
traditional of modern Judaism that adheres
to the authority if the entire Torah as given
to Moses by God at Mount Sinai.
Reform- Reform Judaism (Liberal or
progressive Judaism) is considered the most
liberal expression of Judaism that subjects
religious laws and customs to Human
judgement.

33. Conservative Judaism- seeks to
conserve the traditional elements of
Judaism while at the same time allowing
for modernization that is Less Radical than
reform Judaism.
Hasidism or Hasidic Judaism- emerged
in Germany during the twelfth century. It
was largely a spiritual movement that gives
prime importance to asceticism and-

34. Experience as a result of love and
humanity before God.
Kabbalah- is another mystical form of
Judaism that attempts to penetrate deeper
into God essence itself. While Kabbalist
believe that God moves in mysterious
ways, they also hold that Genuine
knowledge and understanding of that inner
process is achievable.

35. “SELECTED ISSUE”
Woman in Judaism- Woman’s role
in the Jewish religion is determined by the
Tanakh, the “Oral Torah,” and Jewish
customs. Mishnah instructs that women
must follow nearly all the negative
commandments except trimming the beard
and viewing a dead body. Woman must-

36. also follow all positive commandments not
structured by time but are exempted from
those that are restricted by time.
Jewish Diaspora and Zionist Movement-
In the 16 and 17th centuries, there had
been calls to persuade the Jews to return
to Palestine. During the late 18th century,
the Haskalah (“Jewish Enlightenment”)-

37. Movement promoted Jewish assimilation to
Western Secular culture.
Holocaust- the term Holocaust is of Greek
origin that means “ sacrifice by fire.” In
history, Holocaust pertains to the methodical,
bureaucratic, and state sponsored persecution
and execution of around 6 million Jews
undertaken by Nazi regime and its
collaborators from 1933 to 1945.

38. Anti-Semitism- The Term anti-Semitism
pertains to hospitality towards and
discrimination against the Jewish People that
was strongly felt In France, Germany ,Poland,
and Russia in the late nineteenth and
twentieth centuries.