The Torah

Torah means “teaching” and refers to the five books of Moses- Genesis, exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

·         A Torah scroll is made from sheets of parchment, which is made from the skin of a Kosher animal.

·         It is written by hand in Hebrew by a professional scribe, called a sofer. Hebrew is read right to left.

·         He sofer takes at least one year to write out the torah.

·         He is not allowed to write from memory. He must copy from a book of the Torah, and keep checking for mistakes. Letters must not be smudged or touch another letter.

·         If the sofer makes a mistake, he scrapes of the letter using a glass tool.

·         The most sacred word that he writes is the Hebrew name God. He cannot correct this- he must start the whole sheet of parchment again. The sheet with the error on is buried in a Jewish cemetery.

·         When all the sheets of parchment are finished, they are sewn together and wound around wooden rollers.

·         The torah is regarded as holy, and is decorated as beautifully as possible.

Jewish beliefs

1.     What language do the Jewish people speak?

Hebrew

2.     How do the Jewish people read Hebrew?

From Right to Left

3.     Why is Israel important to the Jewish People?

Because it is the Promised Land to ourfather by God. (Many commandments cannot be kept outside of Israel.)

4.     When was the present state of Israel formed?

 After WWII, 1948

5.     What makes it unique in the world?

Only Jewish state in the world, surrounded by Arabic countries.

6.     Who is the chosen prophet in Judaism?

 Moses (led the Jews out of slavery)

7.     What do the Jews believe God thinks of their people?

That they are the Chosen People by God because they were chosen to create recognition within one God only to the world.

8.     Why do the Jewish people not celebrate Christmas?

Because they do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

9.     What festival do they celebrate instead?

Hanukah

10.What event is celebrated at this festival and what is the significance of the number 8?

The victory of the Maccabeus over the Syrian-Greek rulers of Jerusalem. The number 8 is significant because Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days because the candle was lit for eight days.

11.What is the name of the sacred text of the Jewish people?

The Torah

12.How is their text similar to the Christian Bible?

The first five books are the same.

13.How many commandments do the Jewish people have to follow?

There are 613 commandments in the Torah to be followed by Jews.

14.What is the name of the leader of a Jewish religion?

Rabbi

15.What is a Talis?

A Jewish prayer shawl, worn over the outer clothes during morning prayers, weekdays and holidays.

16.What is a Tefilin?

Boxes containing Biblical verses (from the Torah), worn by observant Jews during morning prayer services starting at the ages of 13.

17.What is a Kippah?

A skullcap required to be worn by Jewish men in order to cover their heads as a sign of respect and reverence for God when praying, studying Torah, saying a blessing or entering a synagogue.

18. What is the word used to describe the food Jewish people can eat?

Kosher.

19. Where is the only Kosher Mc Donald’s?

Israel and Argentina.

20.Why is a Cheese burger not Kosher?

Because dairy and meat should not be eaten together.

Core Beliefs

Being Jewish

The term “Jewish” can be used to describe a race and a culture rather than a religion, so some who identify themselves as Jewish may have little interest in the beliefs and practices associated with the religion of Judaism.

The Torah

The Jews believe in the teaching of the Jewish Bible, known as the Torah.

This is the First Testament of the Christian Bible.  There is no second testament or New Bible for Jews.

Why?

Because they do not believe in Jesus.

What are the first five books of the Torah?

1)       Bereishith (Genesis)

2)       Shemoth (Exodus)

3)       Vayiqra (Leviticus)

4)       Bamidbar (Numbers)

5)       Devarim (Deuteronomy)

Written Law and Oral Law

o   613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”)

o   Talmud (“Oral Law”) –commentary of Ancient Rabbis that elab

orates 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 Tempe rites

-          Observance of Holy days

-          Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc.

Core Beliefs

Jews firmly believe that there is only one God, there are 13 main beliefs that Jews believe in, they include:

-God exists (Monotheistic)

-God is one and unique (monotheistic)

-God is external

-Prayer is to God only

- Moses was the greatest of the prophets

-There will be no other Torah

-God will reward the good and punish the wicked (judgement day)

-The dead will be resurrected

The Family

The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mizvot (“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.

The Old Testament

Genesis:  Story of Creation (Adam and Eve)

·         It is a significant story because it’s the story of creation as well as original Sin.

Exodus (exit)

·         Moses is the most important prophet to the Jews. He leads his people from slavery/Egypt towards the land of “milk and honey” also known as the Promise Land.

David and Goliath

·         After wandering the desert for 40 years, Kind David becomes King of the Jews.

·         Star of David.

·         Samuel

Judaism

Origins

·     Judaism is a one of the three Prophetic Monotheistic Religions in the world, the other two are Christianity and Islam.

·    It is Prophetic as there were numerous Prophets who predicted the coming of a Messiah, Monotheistic and they believe in one God-Mono (one) Theology (belief/study of God).

History

·    Jews are an ancient people of around 3000 years old, their history is told in the Bible and is traced back to Abraham of around 1900 BC (before common time era.)

·    The Jews have been known as Jews, Israelites ad Hebrews. (Jesus was a Jew, however the Jews accept Jesus s a wise man, but not the chosen Messiah as Christians believe, hence Judaism predates and heavily influences Christianity, but is not part of Christianity.)

Abraham

·    Abraham is one of the first recorded leaders of the Hebrews in the Bible. He was a wealthy man who was called by God to leave his land and move from Ur to Canaan, or Israel as it is called today.

·    Abraham heard the call of the Lord to stop believing in pagan Gods (like God of wind, God of Mountain, etc) and he followed God’s request and led his people from Mesopotamia to Canaan.

Questions:

Who is Abraham?

Abraham is one of the first recorded leaders of the Hebrews in the Bible. He was a wealthy man who was called by God to leave his land and move from Ur to Canaan (Israel). Abraham became the first Jew to worship one God.

What did Abraham believe? How was it different to the people of the time?

Abraham believed in one God only, whereas the people of the time believed in many gods (pagan Gods).

 

What do you think a Covenant is, what Covenant did God make with Abraham?

A covenant is an understanding or promise. Abraham made a covenant with God which included:

- To make a great nation/ further of many nations

-To bless everyone to his name

-Promise land

What sacrifice was Abraham requested to make? Why did God ask this of Abraham?

Abraham was requested by God to sacrifice the life of his own son Isaac in order to test his love and dedication towards God.

Search the site for the word Patriarchs? What does this mean?

 Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, are known as the Patriarchs and are both the physical and spiritual ancestors (fathers) of Judaism.