Judaism
Judaism is one of the world’s oldest religions, dating back approximately four thousand years. The belief in one God, who is personal and intervenes in human history, set Judaism apart from other religions of the ancient world. This concept is illustrated in the book of Exodus which tells the story of Moses leading the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the promised land.
Jews are often referred to as a ‘covenant people’. The covenant was made between G_d and the Jews when they escaped from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments through Moses on Mount Sinai. Jews believe that this covenant with G_d continues through time and history. The integral concept of covenant is also reflected in Jewish ceremonies such as the Brit Milah, where a baby boy is circumcised as a physical mark of the covenant that was made.
Relationship with G-d
Jews believe that there is a single G_d who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship. They believe that G_d continues to work in the world, affecting everything that people do. The Jewish relationship with God is a covenant relationship, therefore Jews try to keep G_d's laws, as outlined in the Torah, and bring holiness to every aspect of their lives.
There are 613 mitzvot, or commandments, found in the Torah and Talmud which Jews can follow in order to bring holiness to their lives. These laws include food and dietary laws which can take the form of keeping ‘kashrut’ or ‘kosher’ in Jewish households. Kosher refers to food that is fit for consumption according to Jewish religious law, and the rules can be summed up in seven fundamental principles that include the type of animal and the manner in which the animal is killed.
Also practiced is the separation of dairy and meat products. Because of the need for constant vigilance in this regard, many Jews have adopted vegetarianism. In homes that keep kosher though, there are separate areas in the kitchen for the preparation of meat and dairy. There are also different plates and cutlery as meat and dairy products are not meant to touch in any way.
Jews are often referred to as a ‘covenant people’. The covenant was made between G_d and the Jews when they escaped from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments through Moses on Mount Sinai. Jews believe that this covenant with G_d continues through time and history. The integral concept of covenant is also reflected in Jewish ceremonies such as the Brit Milah, where a baby boy is circumcised as a physical mark of the covenant that was made.
Relationship with G-d
Jews believe that there is a single G_d who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship. They believe that G_d continues to work in the world, affecting everything that people do. The Jewish relationship with God is a covenant relationship, therefore Jews try to keep G_d's laws, as outlined in the Torah, and bring holiness to every aspect of their lives.
There are 613 mitzvot, or commandments, found in the Torah and Talmud which Jews can follow in order to bring holiness to their lives. These laws include food and dietary laws which can take the form of keeping ‘kashrut’ or ‘kosher’ in Jewish households. Kosher refers to food that is fit for consumption according to Jewish religious law, and the rules can be summed up in seven fundamental principles that include the type of animal and the manner in which the animal is killed.
Also practiced is the separation of dairy and meat products. Because of the need for constant vigilance in this regard, many Jews have adopted vegetarianism. In homes that keep kosher though, there are separate areas in the kitchen for the preparation of meat and dairy. There are also different plates and cutlery as meat and dairy products are not meant to touch in any way.
Groups within Judaism
There are three main groups within Judaism; Reform Judaism, Orthodox Judaism, and Conservative Judaism. Orthodox Judaism is the most traditionally observant of the three streams of Judaism. Reform, or progressive, Judaism adapts its beliefs and practices to the ways of modern society. Conservative Judaism holds a middle position within Jewish society.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Jews practice full observance of Jewish religious laws (halakhah). They believe that the law recorded in the Torah is a direct expression of G-d’s will and it is therefore unchanging. Orthodox Jews accept changes in the halakhah but they must be based on specific religious texts, codes and commentaries. The changes must also be recognised by the rabbinical authority. Orthodox Judaism has had three major stages of development from the late 1700’s through to the end of World War II. The stages led to emergence of two main groups within Orthodox Judaism – Modern Orthodox (Zionist) and Haredi (anti-Zionist).
The Haredim and Hasidic Jews are the most obvious of the two Orthodox groups as they preserve the traditional dress of their European ancestors – long black coats, hats and beards for males, and modest dresses for women.
There are three main groups within Judaism; Reform Judaism, Orthodox Judaism, and Conservative Judaism. Orthodox Judaism is the most traditionally observant of the three streams of Judaism. Reform, or progressive, Judaism adapts its beliefs and practices to the ways of modern society. Conservative Judaism holds a middle position within Jewish society.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Jews practice full observance of Jewish religious laws (halakhah). They believe that the law recorded in the Torah is a direct expression of G-d’s will and it is therefore unchanging. Orthodox Jews accept changes in the halakhah but they must be based on specific religious texts, codes and commentaries. The changes must also be recognised by the rabbinical authority. Orthodox Judaism has had three major stages of development from the late 1700’s through to the end of World War II. The stages led to emergence of two main groups within Orthodox Judaism – Modern Orthodox (Zionist) and Haredi (anti-Zionist).
The Haredim and Hasidic Jews are the most obvious of the two Orthodox groups as they preserve the traditional dress of their European ancestors – long black coats, hats and beards for males, and modest dresses for women.
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism is also known as Progressive or Liberal Judaism. This group within Judaism emerged in the late 1700’s with the emancipation of the Jews. Reform Jews therefore believe in change and accept that ideas of the divine are expressed in human terms. Thus belief and practice may change and evolve. Reform Judaism is influenced by social, scientific, and ethical developments in modern society. This belief in change is also mirrored in the design of the Reform synagogues which, unlike Orthodox synagogues, do not separate men and women.
Reform Judaism is also known as Progressive or Liberal Judaism. This group within Judaism emerged in the late 1700’s with the emancipation of the Jews. Reform Jews therefore believe in change and accept that ideas of the divine are expressed in human terms. Thus belief and practice may change and evolve. Reform Judaism is influenced by social, scientific, and ethical developments in modern society. This belief in change is also mirrored in the design of the Reform synagogues which, unlike Orthodox synagogues, do not separate men and women.
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Jews are more traditional than Reform Jews but less traditional than the Orthodox Jews. The belief in the ongoing authority of Jewish law is shared with Orthodox Jews, yet Conservative Jews stress the historical development of Judaism. They therefore believe that Jewish law can be changed.
Conservative Judaism is the largest group within Judaism, particularly in America. It is very rare for Conservative Jews to inter-marry, and maintaining traditional Jewish practices is important.
The key difference between Conservative and Orthodox Jews is the role of women. Unlike Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism allows women to read from the Torah in synagogues, to lead services, and in some cases be counted in the minyan. Conservative Judaism therefore attracts many Jews because it maintains tradition “without being rigorous, and stresses communal standards without compromising personal autonomy” (Golburg, 2009, p.214)
Conservative Jews are more traditional than Reform Jews but less traditional than the Orthodox Jews. The belief in the ongoing authority of Jewish law is shared with Orthodox Jews, yet Conservative Jews stress the historical development of Judaism. They therefore believe that Jewish law can be changed.
Conservative Judaism is the largest group within Judaism, particularly in America. It is very rare for Conservative Jews to inter-marry, and maintaining traditional Jewish practices is important.
The key difference between Conservative and Orthodox Jews is the role of women. Unlike Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism allows women to read from the Torah in synagogues, to lead services, and in some cases be counted in the minyan. Conservative Judaism therefore attracts many Jews because it maintains tradition “without being rigorous, and stresses communal standards without compromising personal autonomy” (Golburg, 2009, p.214)
Birth rituals
In the Jewish faith children are a gift and a blessing from God. Observant Jews consider a new mother to be unclean, and thus she must purify herself by immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath) after a prescribed time. For the newborn there are two rituals that take place, the Brit Milah and the Brit Habat.
The Brit Milah, or covenant of the cutting, is celebrated with Jewish boys eight days after their birth. During the ceremony the baby boy is circumcised by a highly trained mohel in the presence of a group of 10 people, a minyan. The godmother presents the baby which is then placed on a highly ornate seat called the Chair of Elijah. The circumcision is performed by the mohel using a izamel (ritual knife). Circumcision is one of the 613 mitzvot (commandments) and is seen as the physical mark of the covenant between God and Abraham. At the completion of the ceremony the Kiddush is recited and the baby is given his formal Hebrew name.
The Brit Habat, or covenant of the daughter, is a newer ritual that developed in America in the 1970’s (Golburg, 2009, p.29). The ritual celebrates the gift of a daughter and has some elements in common with the Brit Milah. The ceremony is performed in the synagogue or home, and usually begins with a blessing call. There are prayers and readings by the rabbi and the parents. The Kiddush is recited and the parents bless the child. The baby is also named during the ceremony.
Adolescence
Two key rituals mark the adolescent phase of the life journey in Judaism – the Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah. The rituals mean son or daughter of the commandment, and they are performed when a boy turns 13 and a girl turns 12. For the Jewish faith community the ceremonies signify that the children and now old enough, according to Jewish law, to fulfil the mitzvot (commandments) which are the central tenets of Judaism.
Bar Mitzvah
Before the Bar Mitzvah ceremony the boy must learn how to wear the tefillin and tallit. He must also study the scriptures and Jewish history, and learn to recite a passage from the Torah.
In the Jewish faith children are a gift and a blessing from God. Observant Jews consider a new mother to be unclean, and thus she must purify herself by immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath) after a prescribed time. For the newborn there are two rituals that take place, the Brit Milah and the Brit Habat.
The Brit Milah, or covenant of the cutting, is celebrated with Jewish boys eight days after their birth. During the ceremony the baby boy is circumcised by a highly trained mohel in the presence of a group of 10 people, a minyan. The godmother presents the baby which is then placed on a highly ornate seat called the Chair of Elijah. The circumcision is performed by the mohel using a izamel (ritual knife). Circumcision is one of the 613 mitzvot (commandments) and is seen as the physical mark of the covenant between God and Abraham. At the completion of the ceremony the Kiddush is recited and the baby is given his formal Hebrew name.
The Brit Habat, or covenant of the daughter, is a newer ritual that developed in America in the 1970’s (Golburg, 2009, p.29). The ritual celebrates the gift of a daughter and has some elements in common with the Brit Milah. The ceremony is performed in the synagogue or home, and usually begins with a blessing call. There are prayers and readings by the rabbi and the parents. The Kiddush is recited and the parents bless the child. The baby is also named during the ceremony.
Adolescence
Two key rituals mark the adolescent phase of the life journey in Judaism – the Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah. The rituals mean son or daughter of the commandment, and they are performed when a boy turns 13 and a girl turns 12. For the Jewish faith community the ceremonies signify that the children and now old enough, according to Jewish law, to fulfil the mitzvot (commandments) which are the central tenets of Judaism.
Bar Mitzvah
Before the Bar Mitzvah ceremony the boy must learn how to wear the tefillin and tallit. He must also study the scriptures and Jewish history, and learn to recite a passage from the Torah.
Bat Mitzvah
The Bat Mitzvah ceremony was developed in 1922 by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan as a ceremony for his own daughter as there was no similar rite of passage for girls in the Jewish tradition (Goldburg, 2009, p.29) . Jewish girls now attend scripture and history classes, learn to keep the kosher food laws, and learn how to prepare for Shabbat and other high holy days.
Marriage
A Jewish wedding is one of the cornerstones of the Jewish life cycle. Although there are many laws and traditions associated with the wedding itself, other rituals take place in the weeks leading up the ceremony. On the shabbat prior to the wedding, the couple takes part in the aufrufa (‘calling up’) ritual. During the ritual the groom is called up the Torah and he is showered with lollies once the second blessing is completed. This symbolises the wish for a sweet future. The bride performs a ritual bath (mikveh) the day before the wedding.
On the day of the wedding the ketubah, or marriage contract, is signed by two witnesses and the t’nayim (legal contract between the parents of the bride and groom) is also signed. The bride and groom are led by their parents to the huppah, a canopy that symbolises the home they will share. The rabbi begins the ceremony by blessing a cup of wine which the couple sips. Wedding rings are exchanged and the ketubah is read aloud. Seven blessings are then made, and the groom stomps on a glass, which is a link to the destruction of the Temple.
The Bat Mitzvah ceremony was developed in 1922 by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan as a ceremony for his own daughter as there was no similar rite of passage for girls in the Jewish tradition (Goldburg, 2009, p.29) . Jewish girls now attend scripture and history classes, learn to keep the kosher food laws, and learn how to prepare for Shabbat and other high holy days.
Marriage
A Jewish wedding is one of the cornerstones of the Jewish life cycle. Although there are many laws and traditions associated with the wedding itself, other rituals take place in the weeks leading up the ceremony. On the shabbat prior to the wedding, the couple takes part in the aufrufa (‘calling up’) ritual. During the ritual the groom is called up the Torah and he is showered with lollies once the second blessing is completed. This symbolises the wish for a sweet future. The bride performs a ritual bath (mikveh) the day before the wedding.
On the day of the wedding the ketubah, or marriage contract, is signed by two witnesses and the t’nayim (legal contract between the parents of the bride and groom) is also signed. The bride and groom are led by their parents to the huppah, a canopy that symbolises the home they will share. The rabbi begins the ceremony by blessing a cup of wine which the couple sips. Wedding rings are exchanged and the ketubah is read aloud. Seven blessings are then made, and the groom stomps on a glass, which is a link to the destruction of the Temple.
Death and Burial Rituals
When a Jewish person dies, their body is covered with a sheet and the corpse is not left alone until the time for burial. A shomer (guard) stays with the body and recites from the Psalms. The custom of k’riah is often performed by the immediate family, where a small portion of their clothing is torn and worn for the seven days of mourning. It is then the duty of the Khevrah Kadishah to prepare the body for burial, according the mitzvot. The deceased is washed, the hair and nails cut, and then the body is wrapped in a white linen shroud.
Immediate family members perform Shivah, or seven days of solemn mourning, and stay home from work. On the first day of mourning the Kaddish is said at home and on the seventh day the mourners go to the graveside to pray. After twelve months a tombstone is added to the grave, and on the anniversary of the death, a memorial candle is lit in the home.
Sacred Text - Talmud and Torah
Torah
The Torah is the first part of the Jewish bible. It is the central and most important document of Judaism. Torah refers to the five books of Moses which are Bresheit (Genesis), Shemot (Exodus), Vayicra (Leviticus), Bamidbar (Numbers), and Devarim (Deuteronomy). Jews believe that God dictated the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai 50 days after their exodus from Egyptian slavery. They believe that the Torah shows how God wants Jews to live. The books contains 613 commandments and Jews refer to the ten best known of these as the ‘ten statements’.
The Torah is written in Hebrew, the oldest of Jewish languages. It is also known as Torat Moshe, the Law of Moses. The Torah is the first section or first five books of the Jewish bible. However, Tanach is more commonly used to describe the whole of Jewish scriptures. Similarly, the term Torah is sometimes used in a more general sense to incorporate Judaism’s written and oral law. This definition encompasses Jewish scripture in its entirety including all authoritative Jewish religious teachings throughout history.
The Torah scrolls are taken out from the Ark and portions are read in the synagogue three times each week. Over the course of the year the whole scroll is read in sequence. This begins from the end of Sukkot which is an autumn festival. The special portions for the readings are called parshioth and are usually three to five chapters in length. The reading is conducted using an ancient tune and is sung rather than spoken. The scrolls are not directly touched when unfurled on the Bimah. A pointer, or Yad (hand), is used instead. This is in the shape of a hand with an outstretched finger.The reading or chanting is performed by a person who has been trained in this task. The weekly portion or Sedrah is followed by the recitation of part of another of the Jewish holy writings.
The Torah scrolls are entirely handwritten in Hebrew by a sofer (scribe) on parchment from a kosher animal. This is usually a cow. It can take up to 18 months to complete the whole process from the complex preparation of the animal skins to the writing of the final words. The completed scroll is known as a Sefer Torah. A Sefer Torah is so sacred to Jews it is said that if one is accidentally dropped in the synagogue the whole congregation must fast for 40 days.
The Talmud
The Talmud is the comprehensive written version of the Jewish oral law and the subsequent commentaries on it. The Talmud is the source from which the code of Jewish Halakhah (law) is derived. It is made up of the Mishnah and the Gemara. The Mishnah is the original written version of the oral law and the Gemara is the record of the rabbinic discussions following this writing down. Some Orthodox Jews make it part of their practise to study a page of the Talmud every single day. This is known as Daf Yomi which is the Hebrew expression for ‘page of the day’.
Mishnah
The Mishnah (original oral law written down) is divided into six parts which are called Sedarim, the Hebrew word for order(s).
•Zera'im (Seeds), is about the laws on agriculture, prayer, and tithes
•Mo'ed (Festival), is about the sabbath and the festivals
•Nashim (Women), is about marriage, divorce and contracts
•Nezikin (Damages), is about the civil and criminal laws, the way courts operate and some further laws on oaths
•Kodashim (Holy Things), is about sacrificing and the laws of the Temple and the dietary laws
•Toharot (Purities), is about the laws of ritual purity and impurity.
When a Jewish person dies, their body is covered with a sheet and the corpse is not left alone until the time for burial. A shomer (guard) stays with the body and recites from the Psalms. The custom of k’riah is often performed by the immediate family, where a small portion of their clothing is torn and worn for the seven days of mourning. It is then the duty of the Khevrah Kadishah to prepare the body for burial, according the mitzvot. The deceased is washed, the hair and nails cut, and then the body is wrapped in a white linen shroud.
Immediate family members perform Shivah, or seven days of solemn mourning, and stay home from work. On the first day of mourning the Kaddish is said at home and on the seventh day the mourners go to the graveside to pray. After twelve months a tombstone is added to the grave, and on the anniversary of the death, a memorial candle is lit in the home.
Sacred Text - Talmud and Torah
Torah
The Torah is the first part of the Jewish bible. It is the central and most important document of Judaism. Torah refers to the five books of Moses which are Bresheit (Genesis), Shemot (Exodus), Vayicra (Leviticus), Bamidbar (Numbers), and Devarim (Deuteronomy). Jews believe that God dictated the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai 50 days after their exodus from Egyptian slavery. They believe that the Torah shows how God wants Jews to live. The books contains 613 commandments and Jews refer to the ten best known of these as the ‘ten statements’.
The Torah is written in Hebrew, the oldest of Jewish languages. It is also known as Torat Moshe, the Law of Moses. The Torah is the first section or first five books of the Jewish bible. However, Tanach is more commonly used to describe the whole of Jewish scriptures. Similarly, the term Torah is sometimes used in a more general sense to incorporate Judaism’s written and oral law. This definition encompasses Jewish scripture in its entirety including all authoritative Jewish religious teachings throughout history.
The Torah scrolls are taken out from the Ark and portions are read in the synagogue three times each week. Over the course of the year the whole scroll is read in sequence. This begins from the end of Sukkot which is an autumn festival. The special portions for the readings are called parshioth and are usually three to five chapters in length. The reading is conducted using an ancient tune and is sung rather than spoken. The scrolls are not directly touched when unfurled on the Bimah. A pointer, or Yad (hand), is used instead. This is in the shape of a hand with an outstretched finger.The reading or chanting is performed by a person who has been trained in this task. The weekly portion or Sedrah is followed by the recitation of part of another of the Jewish holy writings.
The Torah scrolls are entirely handwritten in Hebrew by a sofer (scribe) on parchment from a kosher animal. This is usually a cow. It can take up to 18 months to complete the whole process from the complex preparation of the animal skins to the writing of the final words. The completed scroll is known as a Sefer Torah. A Sefer Torah is so sacred to Jews it is said that if one is accidentally dropped in the synagogue the whole congregation must fast for 40 days.
The Talmud
The Talmud is the comprehensive written version of the Jewish oral law and the subsequent commentaries on it. The Talmud is the source from which the code of Jewish Halakhah (law) is derived. It is made up of the Mishnah and the Gemara. The Mishnah is the original written version of the oral law and the Gemara is the record of the rabbinic discussions following this writing down. Some Orthodox Jews make it part of their practise to study a page of the Talmud every single day. This is known as Daf Yomi which is the Hebrew expression for ‘page of the day’.
Mishnah
The Mishnah (original oral law written down) is divided into six parts which are called Sedarim, the Hebrew word for order(s).
•Zera'im (Seeds), is about the laws on agriculture, prayer, and tithes
•Mo'ed (Festival), is about the sabbath and the festivals
•Nashim (Women), is about marriage, divorce and contracts
•Nezikin (Damages), is about the civil and criminal laws, the way courts operate and some further laws on oaths
•Kodashim (Holy Things), is about sacrificing and the laws of the Temple and the dietary laws
•Toharot (Purities), is about the laws of ritual purity and impurity.
Reference
Brisbane Catholic Education. 2011. Core Beliefs Judaism PPT
Brisbane Catholic Education. 2011. Ritual Judaism PPT
Brisbane Catholic Education. 2011. Sacred Text Judaism PPT
Goldburg, Peta. Investigating World Religions. Cambridge University Press, New York, 2009.
Gwynne, Paul. World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction. Blackwell Publishing, MA, 2009.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/texts/torah.shtml
Brisbane Catholic Education. 2011. Core Beliefs Judaism PPT
Brisbane Catholic Education. 2011. Ritual Judaism PPT
Brisbane Catholic Education. 2011. Sacred Text Judaism PPT
Goldburg, Peta. Investigating World Religions. Cambridge University Press, New York, 2009.
Gwynne, Paul. World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction. Blackwell Publishing, MA, 2009.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/texts/torah.shtml