University Study Notes: Foundations: Judaism

Judaism is the world’s seventh largest religion with approximately fifteen million adherents.
It serves as the root tradition for Christianity and Islam.
Historical progression refers to the people as Hebrew, Israelite, then Jewish.

Menorah: A candelabrum used in the Jerusalem temple; a nine-candled version celebrates Chanukkah, commemorating the temple rededication in $165$ B.C.E.
Star of David: Represents King David’s defensive shield ( $10$ th century B.C.E.). Adopted by the Zionist movement ( $1897$ ) and featured on the Israeli flag ( $1948$ ).

Abraham ( $19$ th century B.C.E.): Migrated from Ur to Haran, then Canaan. Entered a covenant with El Shaddai ("the God of the Mountain") at age $75$ .
Covenantal Promises: Included land for descendants and the birth of Isaac through Sarah. The rite of circumcision on the $8$ th day was established as a sign.
Jacob (Israel): Grandson of Abraham and father of $12$ sons who formed the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Famine led the family to Egypt ( $c. 1650$ B.C.E.).

Moses ( $13$ th century B.C.E.): Born in Egypt; raised in Pharaoh's court (often linked to Ramses II). Led Israelites out of slavery ( $c. 1280$ B.C.E.).
Theophany: God revealed the name Yahweh ("I am that I am") at the burning bush on Mt. Sinai.
Exodus Rituals: The Passover commemorates the tenth plague where death passed over Israelite homes marked with lamb blood.
The Decalogue: Ten Commandments placed in the Ark of the Covenant. The laws include strict monotheism and Sabbath observance.

United Monarchy: Kings Saul ( $c. 1020$ B.C.E.), David, and Solomon.
Split ( $c. 922$ B.C.E.): Northern Kingdom (Israel/Ephraim) and Southern Kingdom (Judah).
Exile and Diaspora: Northern Kingdom fell to Assyrians ( $722$ B.C.E.) creating the "Ten Lost Tribes." Southern Kingdom fell to Babylonians ( $587$ B.C.E.). Romans destroyed Jerusalem in C.E. $70$ , leading to the Diaspora.

Tanak: Hebrew Scripture acronym.
- Torah (Law): First five books (Pentateuch) canonized $c. 525$ B.C.E. (Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bemidbar, Devarim).
- Nevi’im (Prophets): Early and later prophets canonized $c. 100$ B.C.E.
- Ketuvim (Writings): Psalms, Job, etc., canonized $c. C.E. 90$ .
Talmud: Combined $c. C.E. 500$ .
- Mishnah: Oral Law interpreted as halakah ("path").
- Gemara: Commentaries incorporating haggadah (tradition/lore).
Midrash: Homiletic interpretations of the Tanak.

Monotheism: Emphasized in the Shema ("Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord").
Omnipotence: God created the world through "word" (Genesis $1$ ) and controls history.
Mitzvot: The Law contains $613$ stipulations ( $365$ proscriptive, $248$ prescriptive).

Classical Response: Suffering results from sin/breaking the covenant.
Job’s Mystery: Challenged the classical view; Job was "blameless and upright" but tested by the Satan (the adversary). God's response from the whirlwind shift's the answer from sin to mystery.

Sheol: An early conception of a subterranean abode for all the dead.
Zoroastrian Influence: Theories suggest concepts of resurrection, heaven, hell, and angels entered Judaism during Persian rule ( $539$ B.C.E.).
Modern Views: Sadducees rejected resurrection; Pharisees accepted it. Orthodox Jews still expect a physical resurrection.

Orthodox: Maintains absolute fidelity to Mosaic Law (Kosher dietary laws, separate seating, Hebrew services). Includes Hasidism (founded by Baal Shem Tob).
Reform: Initiated by Moses bar Mendel (Mendelssohn) to modernize Judaism; focuses on ethics over ritual, uses vernacular languages, and practices gender equality.
Conservative (Masorti): Median position; maintains tradition while allowing for modern context.

Zionism: Movement for a Jewish homeland led by Theodor Herzl following the Alfred Dreyfus trial. Balfour Declaration ( $1917$ ) supported this goal.
The Holocaust ( $1939$ - $1945$ ): Systematic extermination of six million Jews by Nazis under the "Final Solution." Notable survivor Elie Wiesel documented the experience in Night.
Statehood: Israel proclaimed independence in $1948$ following a UN partition ( $1947$ ).

Circumcision (Bris): Covenantal sign performed on males $8$ days old.
Bar/Bath Mitzvah: Age of responsibility ( $13$ for boys, $12$ for girls) allowing participation in a minyan (quorum of $10$ ).
Shabbat (Sabbath): Friday sunset to Saturday sunset; a day of rest and study.
High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
Purim (Feast of Lots): Commemorates Queen Esther saving Jews in Persia.
Pesach (Passover): Eight-day ritual involving a Seder meal (charoseth, bitter herbs, lamb).

Hagar and Sarai Conflict: Discussion on Sarai providing Hagar to Abram, leading to the birth of Ishmael, and Sarah's later retaliation.
Testing faith: The command to sacrifice Isaac on Mt. Moriah as a proof of obedience.
Pharaoh’s decree: The command to drown Hebrew males in the Nile to prevent revolution.
Emperor Hadrian and Rabbi Joshua B. Hananiah Dialogue:
- Emperor: "I wish to see your God."
- Rabbi: "You cannot see him."
- Emperor: "Indeed, I will see him."
- Rabbi: Instructed the Emperor to face the summer sun; when the Emperor could not, the Rabbi noted that if one cannot look at the sun (a minister of God), one cannot presume to look upon the divine presence.
The Heavenly Wager: Dialogue between God and Satan regarding Job’s righteousness.
The Whirlwind: God questioning Job's knowledge of the foundations of the earth to demonstrate human limits.
Sea of Reeds vs. Red Sea: Questioning former translations, noting the Sea of Reeds was likely a narrower body of water.