Religious Beliefs
Who are Jews & What do they Practice?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ax7a1TdYTA
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A jew is an individual that practices Judaism. He believes in a single God who created the universe, and who he can have a personal relationship with. He further believes that God is still working in the world and therefore, the community must establish a Jewish relationship with God as a covenant. For a Jew orthopraxy,or the correct practice is vital. Jews seek to bring holiness into everything they do as an act of praising. They follow the letter of the law and the spirit of it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/beliefs/beliefs_1.shtml |
Major Beliefs
Word of the Prophets
Jews belief in the word of the prophets. The prophets are perceived as spokesmen for God. They convey messages and teachings on God behalf. They are considered to be role models of holiness, scholarship, and an example of a strong relationship of closeness with God. On the right, you can see one of the prophets, Abraham. Abraham is credited with establishing the covenant between the Jewish people and God. He taught others about monotheism. http://www.jewfaq.org/prophet.htm |
A Messiah's Arrival & Resurrection
There is no agreement on who the Messiah is, or what will occur, however Jews believe interpret the belief that a Messiah will someday arrive symbolically. These symbols represent ultimate triumph of goodness in the world. When analyzing resurrections, Many jews refer to resurrection as immortality that comes from being righteous, and acting virtuously. To ensure immortality they often make charitable contributions. The image on the right demonstrates dead individuals being revitalized due to the good action they took throughout their life. Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and _____Change. Sixth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012. Print. |
God Gave Moses the Law
Another major belief is that when Moses, another prophet reached Mount Sinai, he made a covenant with the Jews that renewed Abraham's covenant. At this moment God handed him set f rules that had to be followed by the Jews. These rules became known as the Ten Commandments, which was authoritative, with teachings, and guidance. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/history/moses_1.shtml |
Jewish Practice
There are a variety of laws and customs that dictate how to use time, what to eat, and how to conduct prayer. Jewish practice includes several Holy Days (Holidays) that are vital to their orthopraxy.
Holy Days
Jewish Sabbath
The Sabbath is part of the covenant between God and the Jewish People, it presents an occasion to rejoice in God's kept promises. The Sabbath begins Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. It is commanded that Jews observe the Sabbath as a holy day according to the fourth of the ten commandments. It presents the idea of rest from the bible story of creation. It dictates that because God rested from creating on the seventh day, Jews must rest from work on the seventh day. In order to ensure this, all chores, shopping, and cooking is done before Friday's sunset. During the Shabbat, candles are lit, families drink wine to represent joy and celebration, and they eat challah, a soft rich eggy bread that looks braided. (Shown below) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/sabbath.shtml |
Yom Kippur- The Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur, is a day of atonement. It is sacred and solemn for Jews because it allows an opportunity for repentance. This is significant because Jews belief that on this day God makes the final decision on what the next year will be like for each individual. Those who repented properly are promised a happy New Year.
On this day Jews must fast for 25 hours, cannot wear perfume, have sex, wash, or wear leather shoes. **** An important part of Yom Kippur is the time spent in the synagogue (demonstrated above). In the synagogue there are five services, the first being prayer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/yomkippur.shtml |
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights that is celebrated for eight days. According to the western calendar it falls on November or December. The word Hanukkah means rededication and commemorates the Jews' Struggle for religious freedom. The video below depicts the history of the victorious recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the temple. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/hanukkah.shtml |
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Lighting the Menorah
As a result of Hanukkah, candles on a menorah (shown above) are lit right to left. The candles are lit in a pattern, one on the first day, two on the second, and so on. On the eighth night of the festival, all candles are lit. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/hanukkah.shtml |
Observance-based Division in Judaism
As mentioned previously, there are several division on Judaism based on variations in religious observance. There are four branches. (below ordered from most traditional to the most modern
Orthodox: This branch is the most traditional. Jews differ in their support for the state of Israel and the need for secular education. They have specific dress codes, and impose strict rules regarding what men and women are allowed to do. It seems extremely strict to outsiders, but it is fulfilling for the followers because every waking moment is perceived as being consciously devoted to God.
Conservative: This branch is perceived to be too radical of a reform. It is open to change, but emphasizes the importance of making careful decisions to change. This branch is also the most moderate between the Orthodox and Reform branches. Conservative Judaism seeks to conserve traditional elements of Judaism, with moderate change. The images below demonstrate (traditional) Orthodox Jews on the left and a modern day Jewish couple. As you can see there is a major difference in appearance |
Reform: This branch is the most liberal expression of religion. It presented radical changes, and is a lot less demanding. This branch included the 18th century enlightenment concepts and granted a sense of equality. As opposed to the Orthodox practice, women were able to go to worship services, and even become Rabbis. Girls were able to celebrate the coming-of-age like boys, with a Bat Mitzvah. This was an attempt to combine religious tolerance and thought with civil culture.
Deconstructionist: This branch is the newest and smallest branch of Judaism. The founder, Mordecai Kaplan was influenced by American ideals of democracy and practicality. This branch is about a civilization that expresses themselves in literature, art, music, and even cuisine. The point for this was for Jews to be more familiar with more elements of traditional Judaism for freedom and individual interpretation. Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and _____Change. Sixth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012. Print. |
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