judaism

What is the definition of religion?

An organized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices.

What do historians say religion is?

A unified system of thoughts, feelings, and actions shared by a group, giving members an object of devotion.

Common characteristics of religion

Tradition, myth/symbol, salvation, sacred places/objects, rituals, writings, community, ethical codes, clergy, and deities.

Origin theories of religion

The faith-based theory and the anthropological theory.

Faith-based theory

Religion comes from divine messages from gods or prophets.

Anthropological theory

Humans created spirituality due to biological or cultural needs and the ability to think about existence.

Judaism type of religion

Monotheistic (belief in one God).

Founder of Judaism

Abraham.

Where Abraham lived originally

Modern-day Iraq.

Abraham’s belief in one God

He believed in and prayed to one God during a time of polytheism.

Definition of covenant

A sacred agreement between God and Abraham.

God’s promises to Abraham

Relationship with God, numerous descendants, and land.

Abraham’s ultimate test

Sacrifice Isaac, but God provided a ram instead.

Promised Land to Abraham’s descendants

Canaan, modern-day Israel.

Who Moses was

A major prophet in the Abrahamic religions, born as an enslaved Hebrew.

How Moses survived the decree

His mother placed him in a basket; Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him.

Why Moses fled Egypt

He killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew.

How God appeared to Moses

In a burning bush.

God’s instruction to Moses

Return to Egypt and lead the Hebrews out of slavery.

What forced Pharaoh to release Hebrews

The Ten Plagues.

Miracle during the Hebrews’ escape

Moses parted the Red Sea.

How long the Hebrews wandered

Over 40 years.

Where Moses received the Ten Commandments

Mount Sinai.

Ten Commandments

Basic moral laws given by God for Hebrews to follow.

Jewish holy text

The Tanakh.

What the Torah is

The first five books of the Tanakh.

What the Talmud is

Jewish law and rabbinic commentary.

Hebrew name for God

Yahweh.

Jewish religious leaders

Rabbis.

Shabbat

The Jewish holy day from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.

Synagogue

A Jewish place of worship and community.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Jewish coming-of-age ceremony at age 12/13.

Passover

Celebrates liberation from Egyptian slavery.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year.

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement including a 25-hour fast.

Hanukkah

Festival of Lights celebrating a historical victory and miracle.

Olam Ha-Ba

“The World to Come,” a Jewish afterlife concept.

Gan Eden

Place where souls experience God’s presence.

Messiah in Judaism

Will return and bring final judgment.

Zionism

Movement supporting Jewish right to a homeland in Israel.

Year Israel was established

1948.

Countries with largest Jewish populations

United States and Israel (around 7 million each).

When was judasim founded

3500 ish years ago or 2000BCE