The Three Monotheistic of the Middle East Judaism- Ethnic

 Began 1750 B.C.E  Founders- Abraham  Origin- Adam, Abraham, Isaac  Number of members- 14,500,000, this number is declining  Region practiced- Israel, U.S., Russia Judaism  Religious leaders- Rabbi  Holy Book-Torah (1st 5 books of the Old Testament)  Language of Holy Book- Hebrew Holy Book- Torah ( the 1st 5 books of the old testament)

 Genesis - Creation, the Fall, the Flood, spread of the , Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Enslavement in Egypt.  Exodus - Enslavement, Moses, 10 plagues, Passover, Leave Egypt, Red Sea Crossing, Mt. Sinai and the 10 Commandments  Leviticus - Instructions on sacrificial system and the priesthood. Instructions on moral purity.  Numbers - Still at Mt. Sinai, people make false idol, punishment, 40 years wandering begins.  Deuteronomy - Moses' discourses on 's Acts for Israel the Decalogue, the ceremonial, civil, and social Laws, and covenant ratification. Judaism

 House of - Synagogue or Temple Judaism  Branches- Orthodox, Reformed, Conservative,  Holy City- Jerusalem  Symbol- Star of David and Menorah Judaism

 Dietary Law- no pork or shell fish  Monotheistic- yes- Yahweh/ God  Holy day of the week- Friday & Saturday sun down Judaism  Rosh Hashanah-  Hanukkah, the "Festival Jewish New Year of Lights," starts on the  Yom Kippur- Day of 25th day of the Jewish Atonement, is the most calendar month of Kislev solemn and important and lasts for eight days and of the Jewish Holidays. nights. In 2008, Hanukkah Its central themes are begins at sundown on atonement and December 21. With repentance. blessings, games, and  Passover- Passover festive foods, Hanukkah begins on the 15th day celebrates the triumphs-- of the month both religious and military--of ancient Jewish heroes. Islam Islam  Began- 620 C.E.  Founder- Muhammad  Origin- Adam, Abraham, Ishmael/ Hagar  Members- 1,226,000,000  Region- North Africa & Central Asia Islam Islam

 Religious Leaders- Imam  Holy Book- Qur’an (Koran)  Language of Holy Book: Arabic  House of Worship- Mosque Islam Islam

 Branches- Sunni 83% and Shiite 16%  Holy City- Jerusalem, Mecca (Kabba), Medina  Symbol- Quarter Moon and Star Islam

 Holidays-  Dietary Law- No Pork or th  Ramadan- fast during the 9 Alcohol month of Lunar Calendar  Bijram- Celebrating friend of  Monotheistic- yes- Allah Muhammad’s fight for freedom.  Holy day of the week- Friday Celebrated 4 times a year.  5 Pillars of : 1. Ramadan, 2. Hajj, 3. Give alms or Charity 4. Pray 5 times a day facing holy city (Mecca) 5. Profession of faith Christianity

 Began- 50 C.E.  Founder- Peter & Paul found the church  Origin- Adam, Abraham, Isaac  Members- 2,039,000,000  Region- E/W Europe, North America, Latin and South America Christianity

 Religious leaders- Pope, Priest, Preacher, Father, Minister, Reverend, Cardinal, Bishop, etc.  Holy book- Bible- Old and New Testament  Language of Holy Book- Hebrew/ Greek Christianity

 Branches- Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant  Holy City- Jerusalem  Symbol- cross, fish, infinity Christianity  Dietary law- moderation  Monotheistic- yes/ God  Holy Day of the Week- Sunday Christianity

 Holidays  Christmas  Easter  Good Friday- the Friday of Holy Week (commemorates the crucifixion and death of )  Palm Sunday- last day of lent