Introduction to Judaism

Tanak: the Hebrew Scriptures(a.k.a. the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament)

the Torah: (the Teaching, the Law) the first 5 books

a.k.a. the Pentateuch the Nevi’im: the Prophets

the Ketuvim: the wisdom writings

The Talmud: commentaries on the

mishna (commandments)

Babylonian Talmud

Palestinian Talmud

Genesis - (Bereshit / בראשית) .1Exodus - (Shemot / שמות) .2Leviticus - (Vayikra / ויקרא) .3Numbers - (Bamidbar / במדבר) .4Deuteronomy - (Devarim / דברים) .5

Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Hosea, Amos, Jonah etc

Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel , Ezra, Nehemiah

Sacred SpacesTabernacle

Model of the tabernacle in Timna Park, Israel

: Hebrew: mishkanA portable dwelling place for the holy . (tent)

Ark with Torah scrolls insideImage from wildworldofreligion.wordpress.com

View from the bimah with the ark in the background

Birth/NamingBoys are circumcised on the eighth day after

birth in accordance with Jewish law and as a sign of entrance into the community.

Naming rites for girls usually take place at a synagogue during a Sabbath service.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah (“son/daughter of the commandment”): coming of age ritual celebrated on or near 13th

birthday (for boys and at 12 for girls) that marks participation in Jewish ritual life.

Boy at his bar mitzvah reading from the Torah scroll using a yad (pointer)

Offering SacrificesAtonement for defilement, transgression, sinEscaping violence or maintaining peace by

transferring aggression outside of the community

Scapegoat

Syria, Greece, Israel

2 distinct creation stories in Genesis from the Torah

5th Century BC

8th century BC

p. 196

Dietary Laws

Jewish traditions, rituals and customs

Marriage: celebrates the

couple as embodying the ideal human relationship.

Rituals include the marrying couple standing under a huppah, and breaking a glass underfoot (symbolizing the difficulties that may be part of this relationship).

Multi-stage processThe first lasts to burial, which

optimally occurs the same day as death.

Stage two runs for seven days after the burial and is called

Shiva. The family receives mourners at the home. “sitting shiva”

Stage three lasts for a month and while a normal routine is re-established, celebrations are avoided.

The final stage (usually for close relatives) lasts until the anniversary of death.

Death/Mourning:

Important Jewish Holy Days

begins at sunset on Friday and is a day of rest in remembrance of the 7th day of creation when God rested.

Jews avoid work, which can include driving, answering the phone, and switching on a light.

Sabbath observance usually involves Torah study and religious services and family meals that celebrate fellowship

Shabbat/Sabbath Observance

Shabbat candles, challah, kiddush cup with wine

Celebrates the new year (creation of the world)

It is solemn in that it is a time of reflection on the past year and need for penitence

It begins a 10 day observance called the Days of Awe

The ram’s horn or shofar is blown to commence this observance and remind Jews of their spiritual needs.

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New

Year)

Apples and honey are traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah.The shofar ,or ram’s horn , is used to call the community to penance and to attend to its spiritual needs.

The Day of AtonementStresses repentance and involves

prayer and fastingEnds the 10 day period known as the

“Days of Awe”Often wear white and no leather

shoesFall Holy Day“May you have an easy fast.”

Yom Kippur

a joyful eight-day holiday celebrated in spring Sometimes called the Feast of Unleavened

Breadcommemorates the Exodus event and the

beginning of the harvest seasonthe main event of the festival is the Seder

meal during which the Exodus story is recited Main text at Seder is called the Haggadahthe meal includes traditional foods, such as

matzoh (unleavened bread).

Passover (Pesach)

Seder plate with traditional items: hard boiled egg, charoset (apples, red wine, and walnuts), roasted bone, horseradish root, karpas (often parsley dipped in salty water), chazeret (bitter herbs, often lettuce)

Prayer shawl (tallit)

Man wearing tefillin on his arm and head as well as a kippah (yarmulke)

Mezuzah marking the entrance to a Jewish home