Beliefs
Judaism is a monotheistic religion. The Jewish people believe that human kind was created in the divine image. Meaning that everyone is equal and has the unlimited capacity of possibilities to do good in our world. They also believe that the written Torah and the oral Torah were given to Moses by God and that there will be no other Torah. Unlike in Christianity, God will reward the good and punish the wicked but the dead will be resurrected.
MYTHS AND other STORIES
There are lots of sacred writings in Judaism, all of which teach how to live moral and ethical lives. The writings make up a lot of the laws which regulate Jewish life (in Hebrew this law is known as halachah). Jewish sacred writings are read and studied through the ongoing basis of believers.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a day that celebrates the time when Jewish people, over 2500 years ago, were forced by Antiochus (a Syrian King) to worship the Greek gods. The king built a statue of himself and ordered the Jewish to bow before it. Considering the 10 Commandments forbid the Jewish to worship other gods, they all refused. This created a massive war between the King and the Jewish people, resulting in a temple being destroyed. The Jewish people cleaned and repaired the temple and returned to worshiping God. They did this by lighting the lamp (Menorah), which was a symbol of God's presence. However, only one small jar of oil was found which was only enough for one day, but amazingly, the lamp stayed alight for eight days.
Another Jewish story includes Abraham and Isaac. It tells us of how Abraham sacrifices his own son, Isaac, for God.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a day that celebrates the time when Jewish people, over 2500 years ago, were forced by Antiochus (a Syrian King) to worship the Greek gods. The king built a statue of himself and ordered the Jewish to bow before it. Considering the 10 Commandments forbid the Jewish to worship other gods, they all refused. This created a massive war between the King and the Jewish people, resulting in a temple being destroyed. The Jewish people cleaned and repaired the temple and returned to worshiping God. They did this by lighting the lamp (Menorah), which was a symbol of God's presence. However, only one small jar of oil was found which was only enough for one day, but amazingly, the lamp stayed alight for eight days.
Another Jewish story includes Abraham and Isaac. It tells us of how Abraham sacrifices his own son, Isaac, for God.
SACRED TEXTS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS WRITINGS
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Sacred texts:
. The direct words of God to man
. God's revelation to the founders and prophets
. A record of the forms of worship, laws, traditions and historical development of the Jewish people
. The Torah also known as the Five Books of Moses. Which are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and they are considered the absolute foundation of Judaism
. The direct words of God to man
. God's revelation to the founders and prophets
. A record of the forms of worship, laws, traditions and historical development of the Jewish people
. The Torah also known as the Five Books of Moses. Which are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and they are considered the absolute foundation of Judaism
RITUALS
Brit Milah: Circumcision
The Brit Milah is a circumcision (done only to boys) it is a physical symbol of the relationship between God and the Jewish people. It is a constant reminder of what the Jewish mission is all about . The circumcision is a symbol in our flesh and reminds us of the strong connection between God and the Jewish people. This organ was chosen by God as it is the source of life. Also, by having your son ritually circumcised, you join their place of importance in connecting your child with God in an unbreakable covenant. _
Birth and Naming Ceremonies
On the first Sabbath after the child is born, the child’s parents are asked to recite aliyah at the Synagogue and to ask for blessings on the health of the mother and child. If a girl is born, this is the time where she will be named. If a boy is born, they must wait till 8 days have passed since birth. This is where they will be named and circumcised.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah "son/daughter of the mitzvah"
Bar Mitzvah translates to “son of the mitzvah.” Jewish laws state that when a boy is at the age of 13, he has now reached full spirituality and is no longer a minor. He is now responsible for fulfilling the Torah’s commandments. It is Jewish custom to celebrate this milestone in a synagogue with a ceremony welcoming the boy into Jewish adulthood and making him aware of the new expectations and responsibilities that he now has.
Bar Mitzvah translates to “daughter of the mitzvah.” A bat mitzvah is celebrated as soon as a girl turns 12, which is when she goes into Jewish womanhood. Most choose to celebrate the occasion with family and friends.
Marriage
The wedding ceremony takes place under the chuppah (a canopy that has all 4 sides open). This is a symbol of the home that the new couple will build together. Two cups of wine are used in the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessings, recited by the rabbi. After these are recited, the couple drinks from the cup. The Seven Blessings are now recited over the second cup of wine. The theme of these blessings links the groom and bride to our faith in God. A glass is now placed on the floor, and the groom shatters it with his foot. This serves as an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Death
In Jewish tradition, it is not considered proper to gaze at the dead. At the cemetery, they return the dead to the living earth from which Adam, the first man, was formed. It is considered an honour to participate in the burial by taking a turn to shovel soil onto the coffin. After leaving the funeral, it is customary to wash your hands before entering your home and you must not to dry your hands after this washing.
The Brit Milah is a circumcision (done only to boys) it is a physical symbol of the relationship between God and the Jewish people. It is a constant reminder of what the Jewish mission is all about . The circumcision is a symbol in our flesh and reminds us of the strong connection between God and the Jewish people. This organ was chosen by God as it is the source of life. Also, by having your son ritually circumcised, you join their place of importance in connecting your child with God in an unbreakable covenant. _
Birth and Naming Ceremonies
On the first Sabbath after the child is born, the child’s parents are asked to recite aliyah at the Synagogue and to ask for blessings on the health of the mother and child. If a girl is born, this is the time where she will be named. If a boy is born, they must wait till 8 days have passed since birth. This is where they will be named and circumcised.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah "son/daughter of the mitzvah"
Bar Mitzvah translates to “son of the mitzvah.” Jewish laws state that when a boy is at the age of 13, he has now reached full spirituality and is no longer a minor. He is now responsible for fulfilling the Torah’s commandments. It is Jewish custom to celebrate this milestone in a synagogue with a ceremony welcoming the boy into Jewish adulthood and making him aware of the new expectations and responsibilities that he now has.
Bar Mitzvah translates to “daughter of the mitzvah.” A bat mitzvah is celebrated as soon as a girl turns 12, which is when she goes into Jewish womanhood. Most choose to celebrate the occasion with family and friends.
Marriage
The wedding ceremony takes place under the chuppah (a canopy that has all 4 sides open). This is a symbol of the home that the new couple will build together. Two cups of wine are used in the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessings, recited by the rabbi. After these are recited, the couple drinks from the cup. The Seven Blessings are now recited over the second cup of wine. The theme of these blessings links the groom and bride to our faith in God. A glass is now placed on the floor, and the groom shatters it with his foot. This serves as an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Death
In Jewish tradition, it is not considered proper to gaze at the dead. At the cemetery, they return the dead to the living earth from which Adam, the first man, was formed. It is considered an honour to participate in the burial by taking a turn to shovel soil onto the coffin. After leaving the funeral, it is customary to wash your hands before entering your home and you must not to dry your hands after this washing.
SYMBOLS
Magen David (otherwise known as 'the Star of David')
This is the 6 pointed star of David. Yarmulke/Kippah It shows them that god will always follow them and that god is always above them. It also shows their respect for God. It is very common but it is not mandatory. Married religious women also often wear a head covering, such as a wig, scarf or hat which is how they show their modesty. Tallit (prayer shawl) It is worn during prayers and reminds us that God is protecting us and also symbolises that we are wrapping God's laws around us. |
SOcial Structure
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Ethical principles and oral/written codes of behaivour
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Ethics are concerned with human values and behaviour, and Jewish ethics are all about correct Jewish behaviour. There will always be interaction between Jewish law and ethics because it is through the study of ethics that we come to discuss about the morals and principles of that law.
Social Ethics:
Judaism has a passionate dedication to the ideal of justice. Moses taught the idea of justice to help eradicate social inequities and for the moral guidance of the behaivour of the individual. Personal and moral conscience are awakened by the teaching of the ethical values of justice, truth and peace.
Other ethics:
Jews believe include Personal Relationship,Work and Business and Environment Ethics.
Social Ethics:
Judaism has a passionate dedication to the ideal of justice. Moses taught the idea of justice to help eradicate social inequities and for the moral guidance of the behaivour of the individual. Personal and moral conscience are awakened by the teaching of the ethical values of justice, truth and peace.
Other ethics:
Jews believe include Personal Relationship,Work and Business and Environment Ethics.
RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
Western/Wailing Wall
The wall is believed by many people to be the remains of one wall of a great Jewish temple or the wall surrounding the temple's courtyard. The wall is considered to be a sacred site by the Jewish people and thousands of people make pilgrimages there each year. When going to the site you will often see many Jewish people praying there too. |