The Religion of Judaism

The oldest surviving monotheistic religion

Followers are called Jews.

Abraham is considered to be the first Jew.

Abraham

Because Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all recognize Abraham as their first prophet, they are also called Abrahamic religions.

-the father of all three religions

Holy Book – Torah (Old

Testament)

Place of Worship-

Synagogue

Religious Figures

• Abraham- father of Jews, founder of Judaism

• Moses-freed Jews from slavery, 10 commandments– Special respect for Moses as a prophet to

whom God gave the law

• God- called Yahweh – Too holy of a word to speak or write

• G-D

Beliefs

Monotheistic. They believed that Yahweh is present everywhere, knew everything and had complete power. Yahweh made a covenant (a binding agreement) with Abraham, and considered themselves God’s “chosen people.” He led his people to Canaan (now Israel.)

Beliefs

• There is one single God who not only created the universe but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship.

• Ten Commandments• Jews do not believe in the prophets after the

Jewish prophets• Do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah and

the son of God.• The Messiah promised in scripture has yet to

come

Practices and Rituals

Obey God’s commandments, live ethically. Focus is more on this life than the next. Synagogue services on Saturday. No pork or other non-Kosher food. Holidays are related to historical events.

Holy Cities

Jerusalem

After Death

• Not historically emphasized. Beliefs vary from no afterlife to the world to come (similar to Heaven).

Number of Members Today

• Smallest of the three with

14 million followers

Spread and Origin• Yahweh told Abraham to

leave Mesopotamia. He went to Canaan. First temple built in Jerusalem. Babylonians destroyed it and Jews were exiled to Babylon. Later Persians allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild temple. Jews eventually came under Roman control and the 2nd temple was destroyed (Soloman’s temple). For the next 1800 years, Jews lived outside Jerusalem.

Branches

Orthodox

Conservative

Reform

Religious Terms

Rabbi

Synagogue

Kosher

Bar mitzvah (boys)

Bat mitzvah (girls)

Yahweh

Hanukah