Overview of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Judaism

Originally polytheistic, now perceived as monotheistic.

Creation story

Genesis, 7 days and Adam and Eve.

Chosen People

The Jewish people are considered the chosen people after Abram becomes Abraham.

12 tribes

The descendants of Abraham separated into 12 tribes and went to the promised land.

Henotheistic

Judaism at the point of Abraham's pact with Yahweh.

Jewish identity

Judaism is not a race, religion, or ethnicity; it is viewed as an ancient tribe/family.

Moses

Led the Jewish people out of Israel and received the 10 commandments from God.

Jewish Diaspora

The dispersal of Jews after the destruction of Israel by the Romans.

Difference between Jewish God and Christian God

The Jewish God has multiple names, and his true name cannot be spoken.

Good and Evil in Judaism

Good is defined as God being good; evil exists because people do evil things.

Core components of forgiveness

Prayer, Repentance, Penance.

Messiah

The Jews believe the Messiah will bring peace; they do not consider Jesus as the Messiah.

Rabbinic Judaism

The second movement of Judaism that began with the destruction of the Temple, promoting Torah study.

Hasidism Characteristics

Communion with God through prayer, good deeds, humility, and joy; more closed-off groups.

Shabbat

The day of the Lord's rest from sunset on Friday to sundown on Saturday, focusing on family and rest.

Rosh Hashanah

A celebration of the new year where people declare God as King and pray for blessings.

Yom Kippur

A solemn day of fasting 10 days after Rosh Hashanah for reconciliation with God and others.

Hanukkah

A Jewish festival celebrating the victory over the Maccabees and gaining religious freedom.

Brit Millah/Bris

The circumcision of newborn children within the first 8 days of it being born.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

A ceremony that ushers boys and girls into adulthood (religious and moral responsibility) once they reach 13 years old for boys, and 12 years old for girls.

Tanakh

Displays the core teachings of Judaism through a story.

Torah

1st 5 books of the Bible, Books of Moses.

Halakhah

The oral teachings of the Torah.

Nevi' im

The prophets, history, teachings, prophetic.

Ketu vim

Wisdom books, contains sayings, proverbs, and instructions on living Jewish life.

Talmud

Book of Jewish, civil and religious laws, plus ethical teachings.

Kippah

Small twink hat worn on their head.

Shul

Another word for synagogue.

Orthodox Judaism

Interpret the Torah literally, accept it as law, and are very strict with laws and dietary restrictions.

Conservative Judaism

Follow the Torah alongside biblical scholarship and outside writing, are more loose with Jewish laws, and are open to manipulation.

Reform Judaism

Emphasis on ethics and behavior standards, believe the Torah is a historical document created by humans.

Reconstructionist Judaism

This form evolves with civilization, focusing on community and culture as well as religious practices.

Humanistic Judaism

Non-theistic movement that emphasizes Jewish culture, history, and values over belief in God.

Kosher Food

Food that meets the dietary laws of kashrut.

Kashrut

Prep of food in accordance with Jewish dietary laws.

Shechita

The method of slaughter that determines whether meat is kosher.

Passover/Pesach

Comes from death passing over the Jews, a story about the Egyptians from the Book of Exodus.

Seder meal

A crucial and symbolic part of the Passover ceremony.

Haggadah

Instructions/guide about the rituals for the Passover ceremony.

Passover

A reminder of history, the struggles that Jews face, and how they stood against oppression.

Roman Catholic Church

Emphasizes papal authority and the chain of command (Pope, Cardinals, Bishops...).

Filioque

The belief that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Catholic Mass Ritual

A religious ceremony where priests must be celibate.

Orthodox Church

Presented as a 'family' with a group of patriarchs and no papal authority.

Calvinism

Believes that humans are inherently evil and that only select people will be saved, chosen by God.

Presbyterianism

Similar to Calvinism but with leadership by a group of church elders.

Lutheranism

Highlights the sanctity of the Bible, rejects papal authority, and has 2 sacraments: communion and baptism.

Gutenburg

Reprinted the Bible using the printing press, allowing the common person to read it.

Amish

Do not like technology, practice adult baptism, and live primitively.

Mennonite

Are okay with technology and practice adult baptism.

Evangelicals

Must spread the word of God and include Baptists, Methodists, and Pentecostals.

Baptist

Practice adult baptism, believe in the Bible literally, and emphasize faith alone without papal authority.

Pentecostals

Believe salvation is through receiving the Holy Spirit and that there are no errors in the Bible.

Methodists

Employ a methodical and systemic approach to religion, allowing free will to accept or reject God's will.

Adventists

Believe that God is coming back soon and were founded in the 1800s.

Church of Christ, Scientist

Believe in healing through prayer instead of going to doctors.

Jehovah Witness

Believe that Jesus is the creation of God and the first angel, not the son of God.

Muhammed

Born in 530AD, he married and had 6 girls, 5 of whom died as children, and the 6th was named Fatima.

Quran

Believed to be written by God through Muhammed, with no human author.

Shahada

This is the declaration of faith, affirming that there is one God (Allah) and that Muhammad is his messenger.

Salah

Muslims are required to pray five times a day, facing the direction of Mecca.

Zakat

This is a form of charitable giving, where Muslims are required to donate a portion of their wealth to the poor and needy.

Sawm

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset (daylight hours).

Hajj

If physically and financially able, Muslims are expected to undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime.

Ihram

A sacred state in Islam entered by Muslims before performing the Hajj (major pilgrimage). It involves specific clothing (two white, unstitched garments for men, modest attire for women) and certain restrictions.

Kaaba

Hosts the black stone; Muslims must walk around the Kaaba 7 times in the Hajj.

Ihram rules

Women have to be fully covered; men must have their head fully shaved.

Abu Bakr

Was Muhammad's right-hand man, sponsored by the Sunni; the leader is elected by consensus.

Sunni

Interpretation of faith comes from consensus, opinion (past practices), scholarship, etc.; more democratic than Shia.

Ali

Cousin/son-in-law of Muhammad, sponsored by the Shia; the leader is from the family line.

Shia

Comes from Imam (The head); power and final decisions come from a leader rather than many people and opinions like the Sunni.

Quran

The word of Allah spoken to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel.

Hadith

Islamic oral traditions, contains the supposed words, actions + silent approvals of Muhammad (PBAH) or his immediate circle.

Ijma

The consensus of religious authorities; human reasoning, common sense.

Sharia Law

The Islamic belief system made up of the Quran, Hadith, and Ijma.

Tawhid

The concept of monotheism in Islam; thinking about the faith of God, with materialistic things and ideas being distractions.

Jesus in Islam

He is a revered prophet born of a virgin, but he is only a prophet, and not a divine figure.

Halal food

Food that is believed to impact one's physical and spiritual health; animals must be slaughtered by a Muslim butcher swiftly while reciting Allah's name.

Halal slaughtering rules

There must be no blood spill or cross contamination; no pork, no alcohol.

Quran care in homes

It is wrapped and placed on the highest piece of furniture.

Quran organization

The Qur'an is organized in 114 Suras (Chapters), from longest to shortest, with repetitive themes throughout.