Judaism is centered around belief in one God and following the 613 mitzvoth or commandments. Key figures in Judaism include Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac at God's command, and Moses, who led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. The core texts are the Torah, which contains the first five books of the Bible, and the Ten Commandments. Important rituals and celebrations include keeping kosher dietary laws, observing the Sabbath, and holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and Passover.

1. Judaism: The 7 CharacteristicsBy Dorian Cohen and Emily BhattStar of David

2. Stories of origin and important peopleAbraham obeying God by sacrificing his son, Isaac.Moses helping the Jews escape from Egypt.The Story of MosesWhen the Jews were ruled over in Egypt, Moses freed them with the help of God. Since the Pharaoh would not let the Jews leave, God sent ten horrible things at the Egyptians until the Pharaoh let the Jews go. The Story of AbrahamGod and Abraham made an agreement that if Abraham fully believed in and obeyed God then God would make Abraham the leader of his land. God then commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son as a test. He found that Abraham was actually going to sacrifice Isaac, so God sent an angel to stop Abraham.

3. Stories of origin and important people continuedSarahAbrahamHagarIsaacIshmaelJacobMuhammadMosesJesusChristianityJudaismIslamJudaism, Islam and Christian all relate back to Abraham. Many generations after Abraham, Jesus and Muhammad were born.

4. Core BeliefsJewish people believe in one God.Belief in one God is called monotheism. There are three types of Judaism.Orthodox, Conservative and Reform.Orthodox being the most religious, next Conservative and then Reform.More religious Jews are stricter about the Mitzvoth. For example, they keepKosher. There are 613 Mitzvoth. TheMitzvoth are commandments that all Jews are supposed to live by. However, there are 10 most important ones such as, “Honor your father and mother”.Revolving around one God.ConservativeOrthodoxReformBranches of Judaism613 commandments

5. Holy WritingsThe Torah is the most holy and sacred writing in the Jewish religion. It is so important that it is dressed up and only to be touched with a metal pointer.The 10 Commandments are 10 rules for Jews to live by. They can be found in many holy places to remind Jews of these rules.The Jewish bible can be called the “Old Testament”. The Christian bible is the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Jewish bible contains the 5 books of Moses. Torah Scroll10 CommandmentsJewish Bible

6. Symbols and ObjectsThe MezuzahA small scroll that is the first two paragraphs of the Shema. Jews put this prayer in a container that can be decorated with anything they wantSome Jews put the Mezuzah on every doorway in their home while some put it only on the front door.The KippahA hat that Jews wear during prayer.It symbolizes that people look up to God. The Kippah can be worn by both genders. Some Jews wear it for everything while others wear it only during prayer or never.The TallitIt symbolizes the 613 Mitzvoth with 613 strings dangling off the ends.Some Jews wear the Tallit all day long, while others wear it only during morning prayers.MezuzahKippahTallit

7. Holy places and places of worship Inside a SynagogueTorah scrolls- Most important prayer10 commandments- Rules to live byMenorahsEternal light (NerTamid)Holy ark BimahWestern Wall

8. Jews pray toward the Western Wall because it is the remains ofthe first temple.Inside a synagogueOutside a Synagogue

9. A synagogue is where Jews go to pray.

10. It is also an education and community center.Outside a synagogueThe Western Wall