Intro to Judaism

Judaism: The Way of Exile and Return

Judaism
Basics
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1st Western/Abrahamic Faith

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Changed everything = “Monotheistic Revolution”

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God is a Person = Revealed Theism - one active God

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Hebrew = language spoken, most ancient name

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Israelite = Those descended from 12 Tribes of "Jacob"

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Jew = inhabitant of “Judah” (southern Israel)

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“Israeli” = post 1948 (WWII)

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Shema Israel – means "listen" - Deuteronomy 6:4-5 –
declaration of faith = "love with all heart, soul, strength"

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Mezuzah – holds Shema on side of one’s door

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Judaism embraces theology, laws, ethics, customs

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14M Jews in world (6M in US) - 2% of world

Multiple Choice

All of the following are true regarding the "basics" of Judaism EXCEPT

• It is the first "Western" and monotheistic religion of the world

• It embraced "revealed theism", meaning one God communicated His plan and will to a people

• Abraham is considered their 'father in faith', from whom descended the Hebrew and Israelite people

• It is the oldest religion in the world

Match

Match the following

• Israelite

• Jew

• Israeli

• Hebrew

Identity comes from Jacob's name change

Comes from being an inhabitant of Judah

Those who lived in Israel post WWII

language spoken, most ancient name

• Identity comes from Jacob's name change

• Comes from being an inhabitant of Judah

• Those who lived in Israel post WWII

• language spoken, most ancient name

Judaism

Central Teachings

●Scripture = called the Tanakh

●From Hebrew - Law (Torah), Prophets (Nevi’im), and Writings (Ketuvim)

●Canon has varied:
○Septuagint (Alexandria - 2nd Cent. BC) – Greek
translation

○The official Jewish canon (Tanak) formulaized,
most scholars hold, by the 2nd century A.D.

●Yad - pointer, which usually has a finger on the end (Hebrew for hand)

●Beliefs =
○God transcendent, involved with creation

○Humans height of creation, can make moral
choice for right or wrong (not by fate)

Match

Match the following terms to its basic description:

• Mezuzah

• Tanak

• Septuagint

• Yad

• Torah

Holds the "Shema" near ones door

The official Jewish canon, Scripture

Greek translation of the Tanak

pointer, used to read the Torah

synonymous with "The Law"

• Holds the "Shema" near ones door

• The official Jewish canon, Scripture

• Greek translation of the Tanak

• pointer, used to read the Torah

• synonymous with "The Law"

Judaism

Early Judaic History

●Abrahamic Covenant (2000 BC)

○God asks a pagan to travel to a new land to be the
father of a people

○Covenant sign: circumcision

○Promises

■1) many descendants and mighty nation

■2) Land of Canaan

■3) Worldwide blessing

○Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel–father of 12 tribes)

●Mosaic Covenant (1500 BC)

○Covenant sign: Passover

○Established system for the people to maintain purity
and have sins forgiven: included ritual priesthood, animal
sacrifices and regulatory laws

○Purpose: keep the people separate so they would not
fall to the sins of others + could bring the worldwide
blessing

Judaism

Jerusalem and the Temple

●David – created unified kingdom, captured Jerusalem

●Solomon – built the Temple

●Temple destroyed by Babylonians (587 BC)

●2nd Temple (Herod’s) later destroyed by Romans (70 A.D.)

●Temple Judaism → Rabbinic Judaism
○After this, focus shifts to rabbinic commentary
(Cf. Mk 12) and synagogues (no more animal
sacrifice)

○Conquered by Muslims in 7th cent. AD

○Diaspora – dispersion of Jews from homeland

○Western Wall (Wailing Wall) – base of temple –
holiest place in Judaism

Match

Match the following terms to its basic description

• Patriarchs

• Circumcision

• Passover

• David

• Solomon

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Means 'fathers'

Abrahamic covenant sign

Mosaic covenant sign

created a unified kingdom

built the 1st Jewish temple

• Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Means 'fathers'

• Abrahamic covenant sign

• Mosaic covenant sign

• created a unified kingdom

• built the 1st Jewish temple

Judaism

Teachings of the Rabbis
●

“Oral Torah” – material taught by great
ancient rabbis

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Mishnah - early written compilation of Jewish oral law/tradition
(compiled by 3rd century A.D.)

Focus: civil and criminal law, prayer, the
Sabbath, married life, rituals, the Temple, etc.

●

Talmud - Rabbinic commentary - what the
Scriptures mean, how to interpret them,
and how to apply the laws.
○

The central pillar of Judaism, while
Scripture is Judaism’s cornerstone. (5th century A.D.)

Judaism

Later Developments

●Most Jews lived under Christian (Europe) or Muslim rule
(M.E., Africa, Spain) -approximately post 5th century A.D.

●Moses Maimonides, 12th century philosopher/theologian,
lived in Medieval Spain under the Muslims
○Rabbi, philosopher, sage

○Formed Code of Jewish law.

○Articulated the 13 “Principles of Faith”

●Kabbalah: God can be best known through the heart, through love, and looking inward = Jewish mysticism
○Most famous text: Zohar - Collection of books
■Teaches that Torah has symbolism & hidden
meanings (esoteric) & can be interpreted on
different levels that can bring one closer to God.

■Note (not on sheet): some Jews identified/identify Kabbalah as pantheistic, heretical

Match

Match the following terms with its basic description:

• Diaspora

• Western/Wailing Wall

• Misnah

• Talmud

• Zohar

Jewish dispersion from their homeland

Holiest place in Judaism

Jewish oral law tradition, passed down

Consists of Rabbinic commentary on Law

Famous text of Kabbalah

• Jewish dispersion from their homeland

• Holiest place in Judaism

• Jewish oral law tradition, passed down

• Consists of Rabbinic commentary on Law

• Famous text of Kabbalah