Presentation on theme: "Judaism is… “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life)"— Presentation transcript:

Presentation on theme: "Judaism is… “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life)"— Presentation transcript:

1 Judaism is… “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life) A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people A celebration and sanctification of life A faith, a people, a way of life… 

2 A 4000 year old tradition… The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (“Israel”) – origins of the Hebrew people (more than 3800 years ago) Enslaved in ancient Egypt and freed by Moses (more than 3300 years ago) Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land of Israel), ends 6th century BCE 

3 As a faith, Jews Believe… In one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal In prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew the Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament 

4 As a people, Jews are… A nation in Diaspora (dispersed) 15 – 16 million in worldwide population United by a common heritage (an “ethnic” religion), divided in contemporary practice: Orthodox: Modern Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox) Reformed (18 th century Germany) Conservative – moderates, response to reform Reconstructionalism (20 th century America) 

5 As a way of life, Judaism is based on… 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”) Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through: Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher) Dress and other symbols Prayer and devotion to the one God The Temple and Temple rites Observance of Holy days Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc. Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way 

6 How does Judaism sanctify life? Life cycle celebrations: Bris – ritual circumcision, sign of the covenant Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status and responsibility within the religion Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22) Death – funerals, mourning (sitting “Shiva”), and memorials (“Yartzeits”) 

7 How does Judaism sanctify time? The Jewish Holidays: High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Sukkot, the “Festival of Booths” (fall harvest festival) Simchat Torah – celebrating Torah Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights” 

8 More Holy Days… Purim (“Lots”) – a carnival (commemorates events told in book of Esther) Pesach (“Passover”) – commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus) Shavuot (“weeks,” Pentecost) – commemorates receipt of Torah at Sinai Other, minor festivals Shabbat (Sabbath, 7 th day, on Saturday) – the “Day of Rest” 

9 How is Judaism related to Christianity? Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come” 

10 What are Jews really concerned about? Tikkun Olam - “repairing this world” through justice and righteousness; through “deed, not creed” The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments) Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be – Holy! 

11 What is Christianity? A diverse, 2000 year old religion followed by almost one third of the world’s population! Based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of a first century Jew known as Jesus, believed to be the Christ (messiah, savior) by his followers (thus called “Christians”) 

12 Who was the historical Jesus? Born, bred, lived, and died a Jew in first century Roman occupied Palestine Around age 30, took on a mission of preaching, teaching, and healing as an itinerant teacher Had a following of 12 primary disciples and countless multitudes attracted by his miracles and words of wisdom A political threat to Roman and Jewish authorities, is put to death through torturous crucifixion (a Roman punishment) 

13 What did Jesus do & teach? A story telling teacher who taught through parables about the Kingdom of God (“the Kingdom of God is like…”) A miracle worker and faith healer (“your faith has made you whole”) A religious and social reformer (love and the spirit of the law, over the letter of the law) Preaching forgiveness of sin over punishment for sin Inspirational words of wisdom: The “Sermon on the Mount” The “Greatest commandment”: Love God and love others as you love yourself The “Golden Rule”: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you The “Lord’s Prayer” (“Our Father who art in heaven…”) 

14 The Christian Bible Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) New Testament (written after Jesus’ death, by his followers, during the first century; not canonized until the 4 th century) Four gospels (“good words”) about the birth, life, teaching, acts, death, and resurrection of Jesus The Book of Acts of the apostles – earliest history of the developing church Epistles (“letters”) of Paul and other evangelists addressed to the churches they founded and led throughout the Mediterranean The Book of Revelation – a vision of the future, the ultimate destiny of mankind, the culmination of God’s plan for humanity 

15 What do Christians believe? – “Who do men say that I am?” The “Christ” - born of a virgin in fulfillment of Jewish messianic expectation to be “king of the Jews” The “Son of God” – fully divine and fully human The savior of humanity – saving us from sin through his sacrifice on the cross Risen from the dead (resurrection) “on the third day” – overcoming death so that we too may have “eternal life” Ascended into heaven, residing with God “the father” to intervene on our behalf Will come again at the “end of days” to judge the living and the dead 

16 The Holy Trinity God the Father residing in heaven (same God worshiped by Jews and Muslims) God the Son (Jesus, the Christ) who “came down from heaven” to dwell among us, as one of us God the Holy Spirit (“Holy Ghost”) The spirit of God residing within everyone who accepts the sacrifice of Christ and thus becomes a Christian Communion with God the Father is through the Son and the Holy Spirit 

17 What else do Christians believe? Original sin: all humanity is inherently separated from God The sacrifice of Jesus – a sinless representative of humanity (a “scapegoat”) - as the ultimate atonement for the sins of humanity Heaven and Hell: Eternal life for those who are “saved by the blood of the lamb (Jesus)” Eternal damnation for those who are not so saved 

18 Who are Christians? The Eastern church: Orthodox Christianity Greek, Russian, Coptic, and other national churches of Eastern Europe, North Africa, and Asia The Western church: Roman Catholicism unified under the Pope (bishop of Rome) found throughout western Europe and the Americas Over 900 million (half of all Christians worldwide) These two original church bodies officially broke from each other in 1054 CE 

19 What about the Protestants? Broke from Catholic church beginning in 16 th century Diverse church bodies, denominations, sects, and independent churches of European background: Lutheran (early 16 th century) Church of England (Anglican, Episcopal) (16 th century) “Reformed” churches: Presbyterian, Congregational, etc. (16 th century, based on teachings of John Calvin) Anabaptist and other sectarian churches break away from these original (“mainline”) churches: Baptist, Methodist, Brethren (Puritan), Mennonite, Amish, Quaker, etc. 

20 American born Christian groups 19 th and 20 th century developments include: Mormons (1830’s) Seventh-Day Adventist (1840’s) Christian Science and Unity (1880’s) Jehovah’s Witness (20 th century) Evangelicals and Pentecostals (20 th century) Unification Church (20 th century, Korean origin) Some newer sectarian churches are sometimes considered to be “cults” by “mainstream” Christians Also: independent, non-denominational churches (generally modeled after Protestant belief and practice) 

21 How do Christians practice their faith? Sacraments: 1. Baptism 2. Communion (Eucharist, Mass, the Lord’s Supper) 3. Confirmation 4. Confession of sins, penance, atonement 5. Marriage (“Holy Matrimony”) 6. Ordination (“Holy Orders”) 7. Healing (anointing, “Holy Unction”, “Last rites”) Sabbath celebrated on Sunday with prayer, scripture readings, singing of hymns, a sermon or lesson from the pastor/minister/priest, recitation of creedal statement, confession of sins, communion (format varies from church to church) 

22 What are some Christian holy days? Two major seasons in the Christian calendar: Christmas – celebrating the birth of Jesus Easter – commemorating the resurrection of Christ Christmas: Advent (four weeks leading up to Christmas day) Christmas Day (December 25 th ) Epiphany (the “twelfth day of Christmas”) 

23 More Christian holy days: Easter: (early spring, date varies) Ash Wednesday and lent (40 days before Easter, a period of sacrifice and spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter) Holy Week including: Palm Sunday (Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem) Munday Thursday (inauguration of the communion meal) Good Friday (Jesus’ Passion and crucifixion) Easter Sunday (celebrating the resurrection) Pentecost: the 50 th day (seven weeks) after Easter (commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles) 

24 What is Islam and how is it related to Judaism and Christianity? Islam = “peace,” “submission” Muslim = “submitter” Not “Mohammedanism” Abraham’s two sons: Isaac  the Hebrews (Judaism  Christianity) Ishmael  the Arabs (Islam) Islam respects the two earlier Abrahamic religions as “Peoples of the Book” 

25 Who was Muhammad b. 570 CE, d. 632 CE Prophet/founder; human, not divine Lived in Arabia, near Mecca Orphaned by age 6, raised by grandfather and uncle Worked as a caravan driver for a woman – Khadija – 15 years his senior Age 25: accepted offer to marry Khadija Sired six children; only one daughter – Fatimah – had children of her own Age 40: Revelation begins 610 CE, continues throughout remainder of the Prophet’s lifeRevelation begins 

26 What is the Qur’an? Holy book of Islam Revealed to Muhammad by God through angel Gabriel Written piecemeal by scribes during or shortly after Muhammad’s life Compiled as a whole about 20 years after Muhammad’s death Comprised of 114 chapters (called surahs) Other Sources: Hadith and Sunnah (stories, sayings, and traditions of Muhammad) Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah = Shariah (Islamic Law) 

27 The Development of Islam Early persecution by Meccans Year 619: wife and uncle both die Year 622: Hijrah - migration to Yathrib (Medina = “City of the Prophet”) (year 1 AH) Success in Medina, defense against Meccan attacks Year 630: Reclaiming of Mecca Year 632: first Muslim pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, led by Muhammad who died a few months later, having united the Arab tribes under the banner of Islam Within 100 years, spread east toward India and west into north Africa and Spain 

28 Who are Muslims? More than one billion Muslims in the world today Two major groups: Sunni: 80% in many locations throughout the world Shi’ite: 15%, mostly in Iran Difference is political, basic beliefs and practices are the same Sufis are Muslim mystics, come from both Sunni and Shi’ite backgrounds Most Muslims are not Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim 

29 What do Muslims Believe? One God (Allah) Spiritual beings: Angels, Jinn and the Devil (“Iblis,” “Shaitan”) Prophets & Messengers: Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad… Holy Books: Torah, Psalms, Gospels, Qur’an Decrements (destiny) – Inshallah (“if God wills”) End Times (eschatology) Resurrection, Judgment day, Heaven & Hell 

30 The Five Pillars Shahada – Witness: “There is no God but The God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Prophet of God Salat – Prayer, five times every day Zakat – alms giving to the poor and needy Zakat Sawm – fasting, sun-up to sun-down during month of Ramadan Sawm Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once in a Muslim’s life, if able) Hajj 

31 Feast Days Eid-al-Fitr - Feast at the close of the Ramadan fast Eid-al-Adha - Feast of Sacrifice, at the close of the annual Hajj Eid-al-Adha 

32 The Ka’aba Older than Islam Supposedly first built by Abraham Eastern corner houses “the Black Stone” Covered in black silk with gold Shahada Entrance to interior is strictly limited 

33 What is the Ka’aba? Located in the center of Mecca Pre-dates Islam (said to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael as an altar to God) Used by pre-Muslim Arabs for worship of their many tribal gods (idols) Year 630: reclaimed by Muhammad, cleansed and rededicated to Allah Center of Islam to this day – place of annual pilgrimage and direction of prayer for Muslims from all corners of the globe 

34 The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem Sacred Places The Great Mosque in Mecca The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina 

35 What is a Mosque? A place for prayer, study, socializing No shoes in prayer hall Women cover head, separate from men Wudu room for ritual cleansing before prayer Minaret for call to prayer (Adhaan)Adhaan Prayer hall oriented toward Mecca (qibla) Imam (prayer leader) stands in mirahb (niche) 

36 Islam as a Way of Life Shariah (Islamic Law) Based on Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah Concerned with preserving human dignity through five principles: preservation of life preservation of progeny (family) preservation of intellect (education) preservation of wealth (property) preservation of religion not just for the individual but for the society 

37 Prohibitions Halal (permissible) and Haram (prohibited) No eating of pork (other dietary regulations = halal) No gambling No intoxicants No fornication (homosexuality, adultery, prostitution, etc.) No usury (charging or paying interest on loans) (the rich shall not profit from helping the poor) No usury 

38 What about Jihad? “Struggle” not “Holy War” Inner: spiritual and moral struggle between good and evil Outer: struggle to maintain proper social setting according to God’s will Struggles in the Holy Land Palestinian vs. Israeli, not Muslim vs. Jew (political, not religious) 

39 What about Women in Islam? Respected and Protected by Men “Modest dress” for both men and women “Hijab” differs from culture to culture Heavy cover and veil not a religious requirement