Why Study Religion?Why Study Religion? Religion IS current events!Religion IS current events!

– If you read anything about Israel versus If you read anything about Israel versus the Palestinians, this story is essentially the Palestinians, this story is essentially about religion!about religion!

– If you read anything about MuslimsIf you read anything about Muslims

in the media, this story is in the media, this story is

about religion!about religion!

At the end of this lesson, you will…At the end of this lesson, you will…

Know who founded Know who founded JudaismJudaism

Understand the Understand the geographic origins geographic origins of Judaismof Judaism

Know some Know some essential Jewish essential Jewish stories, customs stories, customs and holidays.and holidays.

World Religions: An IntroductionWorld Religions: An Introduction

What is Religion?What is Religion?

Few factors have influenced the Few factors have influenced the history of the world more than history of the world more than religion. From the spread of language religion. From the spread of language to the clothes people wear, religion to the clothes people wear, religion has played a major role. has played a major role.

Throughout history, religion has Throughout history, religion has played a key role in shaping events. played a key role in shaping events.

What is religion?What is religion?

Through the centuries, people have Through the centuries, people have done much good in the name of done much good in the name of religion, but religious differences religion, but religious differences have also been the source of division have also been the source of division and conflict. and conflict.

Religion is multifaceted Religion is multifaceted

There are many religious There are many religious ““sectssects”” and and denominations (too many to count!)denominations (too many to count!)

There are also millions of people who There are also millions of people who do not follow any faithdo not follow any faith– Some follow moral codes or philosophiesSome follow moral codes or philosophies– Some do not believe in any divine Some do not believe in any divine

powers (atheism)powers (atheism)

““The basic five”The basic five”

There are 5 major religions that we There are 5 major religions that we will be studying will be studying – JudaismJudaism– ChristianityChristianity– IslamIslam– BuddhismBuddhism– HinduismHinduism

World Religions: Judaism World Religions: Judaism

History of Religion History of Religion Back in the Back in the ““old daysold days”” – 4000 years – 4000 years

ago and beyond – most people ago and beyond – most people believed there were a lot of different believed there were a lot of different gods or goddesses that controlled gods or goddesses that controlled things.things.

This concept is called This concept is called polytheismpolytheism (belief in many gods)(belief in many gods)

The Hebrew PeopleThe Hebrew People

The Hebrews were an early people in The Hebrews were an early people in Southwest Asia. Later they were Southwest Asia. Later they were known as the Israelites.known as the Israelites.

Today they are the Jews, the Today they are the Jews, the founders of the first monotheistic founders of the first monotheistic religion: Judaism. religion: Judaism.

History of JudaismHistory of Judaism The start of Judaism is The start of Judaism is

actually found in the first five actually found in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible books of the Hebrew Bible (which is the Old Testament (which is the Old Testament writings in Christian writings in Christian scripture). scripture).

These books are called the These books are called the Torah. Torah.

The Torah holds the early The Torah holds the early history, laws, and beliefs of history, laws, and beliefs of the Hebrews. the Hebrews.

The founder of JudaismThe founder of Judaism

Around 2000 BCE, Around 2000 BCE, Yahweh (God) spoke to Yahweh (God) spoke to Abraham and told him Abraham and told him to spread the word that to spread the word that there was only ONE there was only ONE God. God.

Abraham was a Abraham was a shepherd in this shepherd in this location: 30 N, 46 E. location: 30 N, 46 E. Find it on the map! Find it on the map!

The Covenant The Covenant Abraham and his family stopped Abraham and his family stopped

worshipping idols and began following worshipping idols and began following ONE God- ONE God- monotheismmonotheism!!

Because their beliefs were so different Because their beliefs were so different AbramAbram’’s family was s family was persecutedpersecuted. .

God made a covenant, a binding God made a covenant, a binding agreement, with Abraham and promised agreement, with Abraham and promised Canaan to him and his descendants. This Canaan to him and his descendants. This is “The Promised Land,” a place to practice is “The Promised Land,” a place to practice their faith openly. their faith openly.

In theIn the““Promised LandPromised Land””

• Canaan is located in present day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel.

• While in Canaan, there was a terrible famine and the starving Israelites went to Egypt.

Egyptian SlaveryEgyptian Slavery Around 1440-1220 BCE a different Around 1440-1220 BCE a different

Pharaoh came to power and Pharaoh came to power and enslaved the Israelites. They were enslaved the Israelites. They were forced to work on his building forced to work on his building projects. They were persecuted projects. They were persecuted and mistreated to the point where and mistreated to the point where many died.many died.

The Pharaoh decided to kill all the The Pharaoh decided to kill all the Israelite newborn boys to keep the Israelite newborn boys to keep the people from coming into power.people from coming into power.

Holy Moses!Holy Moses! Moses was born an Israelite but was given up as a Moses was born an Israelite but was given up as a

baby by his mother to protect him from harm. baby by his mother to protect him from harm.

The Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and took him The Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and took him as her own to raise in the palace. as her own to raise in the palace.

He was well-liked, but ran away after killing an He was well-liked, but ran away after killing an Egyptian who hit Israelite slave. Egyptian who hit Israelite slave.

In the desert he saw a “burningIn the desert he saw a “burning

bush”- a bush on fire but wasn’tbush”- a bush on fire but wasn’t

burnt. From it came the voice ofburnt. From it came the voice of

God telling him to free the Israelites. God telling him to free the Israelites.

Exodus Exodus Moses went to the Pharaoh, but he wouldn‘t let his Moses went to the Pharaoh, but he wouldn‘t let his

people go. Moses warned him God would punish him, people go. Moses warned him God would punish him, but he Pharaoh didn‘t care, and so God sent Ten but he Pharaoh didn‘t care, and so God sent Ten Plagues upon the Pharaoh and his armies.Plagues upon the Pharaoh and his armies.

Finally, the Pharaoh gave up and allowed the Jews to Finally, the Pharaoh gave up and allowed the Jews to leave. leave.

The Jews were so excited to leave that they didn’t The Jews were so excited to leave that they didn’t even wait for their bread to rise…which is why even wait for their bread to rise…which is why unleavened unleavened ““flat breadflat bread”” is so important to the Jewish is so important to the Jewish story.story.

The Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments

Moses and the people wandered Moses and the people wandered through the Sinai Desert. through the Sinai Desert.

There, Moses climbed Mount Sinai and There, Moses climbed Mount Sinai and God spoke to him, giving him two stone God spoke to him, giving him two stone tablets containing the Ten tablets containing the Ten Commandments. Commandments.

These ten rules became the basis of These ten rules became the basis of the Israelites religious and social laws. the Israelites religious and social laws.

The Jewish Struggle The Jewish Struggle Fought for 200 years to regain Canaan. Fought for 200 years to regain Canaan. 597 BCE: the “Babylonian Exile”- 597 BCE: the “Babylonian Exile”-

Nebuchadnezzar conquers JerusalemNebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem 167-161 BCE: The Maccabees revolt against the 167-161 BCE: The Maccabees revolt against the

Hellenistic Greek Empire. Hellenistic Greek Empire. 60 – 120 CE: Jewish-Roman Wars60 – 120 CE: Jewish-Roman Wars 1095-1291: Christian Crusades 1095-1291: Christian Crusades 1880-1920: Russian and /Ukraine pogroms1880-1920: Russian and /Ukraine pogroms 1938-1945: The Holocaust - 6 million Jews are 1938-1945: The Holocaust - 6 million Jews are

exterminated and thousands are refugees exterminated and thousands are refugees 1948 – Present: The Jewish state of Israel 1948 – Present: The Jewish state of Israel

created, and conflict ensues. created, and conflict ensues.

Jewish Faith Today Jewish Faith Today There are 14 million followers. There are 14 million followers. It is the 12It is the 12thth largest religion in the world. largest religion in the world. The majority of followers live in Israel, The majority of followers live in Israel,

Europe, and USA. Europe, and USA. There are three forms: Orthodox, Reform, There are three forms: Orthodox, Reform,

and Conservative.and Conservative. Jewish celebrations are oftenJewish celebrations are often

centered around Jewish centered around Jewish

historical events.historical events.

HanukahHanukah Hanukah is NOT the Jewish Hanukah is NOT the Jewish version of Christmas!!version of Christmas!!

Instead, Hanukah is the festival of lights. Instead, Hanukah is the festival of lights.

Jewish temples have Jewish temples have ““eternal lightseternal lights”” which are lamps which are lamps that are always lit.that are always lit.

The Jewish temple was rededicated after a period of The Jewish temple was rededicated after a period of persecution and the revolt by the Maccabees in 167-161 persecution and the revolt by the Maccabees in 167-161 BCE. The eternal light was rekindled but there was only BCE. The eternal light was rekindled but there was only enough oil for a few days. enough oil for a few days.

The oil lasted for eight days, until more oil could be The oil lasted for eight days, until more oil could be found.found.

Bar (or Bat) MitvahBar (or Bat) Mitvah

Bar Mitzvah takes place Bar Mitzvah takes place when a boy turns when a boy turns thirteen.thirteen.

Bat mitzvah is the same, Bat mitzvah is the same, but for girls.but for girls.

The first act of adulthood The first act of adulthood is reading from the Torah is reading from the Torah scroll during services scroll during services

The Jewish SabbathThe Jewish Sabbath

All Jewish holy days begin at All Jewish holy days begin at sundown and end at sundown. sundown and end at sundown.

The Shabbat (Sabbath) begins The Shabbat (Sabbath) begins at sundown each Friday and at sundown each Friday and lasts until dark on Saturday. lasts until dark on Saturday.

There is a special Sabbath There is a special Sabbath meal which includes special meal which includes special foods, songs and readings and foods, songs and readings and prayers. prayers.

Test TimeTest Time

How much do you remember?How much do you remember?

Answer the following questions to find Answer the following questions to find out just how much you really KNOW!out just how much you really KNOW!

(click the navigation buttons)(click the navigation buttons)

Question One:Question One:

Who is the founder of Judaism?Who is the founder of Judaism?

Answer One:Answer One:

Abraham (Abram)Abraham (Abram)

Question Two:Question Two:

The name of the area that was The name of the area that was promised to the Jewish people by promised to the Jewish people by

God; now known as Israel…God; now known as Israel…

Answer TwoAnswer Two

The The ““Promised LandPromised Land”” (also known now as (also known now as

the country of the country of Israel)Israel)

Question Three:Question Three:

Known as the Festival of Lights, this Known as the Festival of Lights, this holiday celebrates that the oil in the holiday celebrates that the oil in the temple lasted for eight days, instead temple lasted for eight days, instead of just one day…of just one day…

Answer ThreeAnswer Three

HanukahHanukah

Question FourQuestion Four

Who led the Jews from slavery in Who led the Jews from slavery in Egypt? Egypt?

(hint: he was personally given the Ten (hint: he was personally given the Ten Commandments by God)Commandments by God)

Answer FourAnswer Four

MosesMoses

Question Five:Question Five:God changed water into blood.God changed water into blood. God made frogs appear everywhere.God made frogs appear everywhere.God put lice everywhere.God put lice everywhere. God sent flies everywhere.God sent flies everywhere.All livestock were mysteriously killed.All livestock were mysteriously killed.The Egyptian people developed gross sores.The Egyptian people developed gross sores.Hailstones and fire destroyed crops.Hailstones and fire destroyed crops.God sent locusts to eat the crops God sent locusts to eat the crops Darkness everywhere EXCEPT where the Jews wereDarkness everywhere EXCEPT where the Jews were..The oldest son in every Egyptian family diedThe oldest son in every Egyptian family died

What were these called?What were these called?

Answer Five:Answer Five:

The Ten Plagues of EgyptThe Ten Plagues of Egypt

Bonus Question:Bonus Question:

What is Polytheism?What is Polytheism?

Bonus Answer:Bonus Answer:

Belief in many gods, Belief in many gods, not just one.not just one.