Judaism

Disciples Class

November 23, 2014

Judaism

• Judaism is the ancient religion of the Hebrew people of Palestine

• Can you name the most famous Jew?

How Old? This is the Year 5,775

1,812 BC: Covenant

with Abraham

Established

1,200 BC: Moses

Receives the Torah

1,029 BC: Kingdom of

Israel Formed

???—Christianity

begins

An OLD Religion, Small Population

• One of the oldest monotheistic religions

• Oldest to survive into the present day

• In 2012, the world Jewish population was 13.75 million

– 0.2% of the total world population.

• Mostly in US (39.5%) and Israel (42.9%)

• How many Christians are there?

Source: www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org

The Principal Text: 5 Books of Moses

• Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

• Read in an annual cycle, starting in autumn

• Start at the beginning and read a selection each week.

• Starts with: ???

• Ends with Moses just before the Israelites enter the Promised Land.

Key Holidays

• Rosh Hashonah

– “Head of the year”, in fall

• Yom Kippur

– “Day of Atonement”

• Hanukkah

– Festival of lights

• Passover

– Story of Exodus, Seder meals

– Most famous early seder?

Other Concepts• Synagogue

• Sabbath

• Reform/Conservative/Orthodox

• Israel

• Holocaust

• Let’s discuss:

– Symbols/language

– Kosher

– Kippah (aka yarmulke)

– Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Symbols/Language

• Star/Shield of David

– 11th century

• Hebrew

– Shalom

Kosher, What is it???

• Dietary rules

• Certain forbidden foods

– No “cloven hoof” animals . . .NO pig

• Certain foods must be separated

– No milk with meat. . . No ham and cheese

• Have to be killed a certain way

• Separate utensils and dishes

• Certification

• WHY? (not always clear)

Kippah (aka Yarmulke)

• Why Do Jews Wear Kippot?

– Not a religious commandment, but. . .

• Part of Jewish law, for prayer

– A custom associated with Jewish identity

– Covering one’s head is “yirat shamayim” ("reverence for God“)

– May come from the Middle Age custom of covering one's head in the presence of royalty.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

• Bar/Bat Mitzvah

– "son/daughter of commandment“ in Aramaic/ Hebrew

• Refers to two things:

– When a boy/girl comes of age at 13 he/she becomes a "bar/bat mitzvah"

• Having the same rights (and responsibilities) as a full grown man/woman.

– Also refers to the religious ceremony

• Reads the Torah

Judaism and Christianity

• Many similarities, primarily because Christianity emerged from Judaism. • Both founded in Palestine

• Both study the old testament/sages

• Overlapping liturgy• Common ancestors: ???

• 10 Commandments!

• Hillel (110 BC to 10 AD) • "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.”

(Sound familiar?)

Key Differences

• Monotheism• Both believe in one God, but. . . • Jews: God is indivisible• Christians: ???

• Messiah– Both believe in the coming of the Messiah, but. . . – Jews: the Messiah has not yet come.– Christians: ???

• Bible– Jews: “Old” testament– Christians: ???

Other Comparisons

History & Stats Christianity Judaism

founders & early leaders

Jesus, Peter, Paul Abraham, Moses

original languages Aramaic and Greek Hebrew

major locations today

Europe, North and South America

Europe, Israel, North America

adherents worldwide today

2 billion 14 million

adherents in USA 159 million 5.6 million

current size rank largest 12th largest

major branchesCatholic, Orthodox,

Protestant Orthodox,

Conservative, Reform

. . . And in conclusion

• Common roots

• Separated over time

• Beliefs have evolved

• Peaceful coexistence (in this era)

Symbols

רכש

Hanukah/Hanukkah/Chanukah Primer

• First Hanukah occurred 164/165 BC

– Occurred while at war. . . .with the Syrians

• In 175 BC Antiochus of the Syrians became king

– Declared himself incarnation of Zeus

– Required all subjects to worship Zeus

• Bad news for the Jews

– Turned temple in Jerusalem into shrine to Zeus

– Jews put to death for observing faith

Hanukah/Hanukkah/Chanukah Primer

• Mattathias the Hasmonean revolted

– Had 5 sons, including Judah Maccabee

– Antiochus sent four armies to crush the resistance

• All were defeated by Judah and his band

• Judah rededicated the temple on the 25th of Kislev

• Miracle of Hanukah

– Temple flame lit by olive oil (8 day journey to replenish)

– Found a jug for one day, that lasted 8 days