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Judaism is one of the world’s oldest religions, and certainly the world’s oldest and first monotheistic religion. Its origins date back nearly 4000 years to the Sumerian city of Ur. Judaism is an incredibly important religion in history as it gives rise to the world’s other two major monotheistic religions — Christi- anity and Islam.

Basic Beliefs

Origins of Judaism • are monotheistic ,

•A man named Abram and his wife Sara lived which means they believe in just outside the Sumerian city of Ur. only one god. •Jews believe that God appeared to Abram and •Jews believe that they are made a (mutual agreement) with him. God’s , and Abram agreed to worship only God, and God that they were given a spe- agreed to make Abram & his descendents His cial land to inhabit (Israel). chosen people. •There is a belief in original •God renamed Abram, (father of multitudes) and sin — that man is born sinful, Sara, Sarah (mother of nations). God also promised Abra- and can only be cleaned ham & his descendents a special land, and Abraham and through sacrifice. Sarah left Ur and traveled to the promised land of •The Jewish God differed (modern day Israel). from other gods found at •Abraham & Sarah grew old, and they had no children. the time — He was merciful, They wondered how God was going to create a nation of but required a strict code of people descended from them. Since Sarah was too old to ethics & behavior. have children, she decided that her husband should be •The guide for Jewish be- with her maid, Hagar, to conceive a child. Hagar became havior can be found pregnant and bore a son named Ishmael. Because of a mir- in the Ten Com- acle, Sarah also became pregnant and bore a son, Isaac. mandments and the •Sarah became jealous of Hagar, and sent her and Ishmael numerous laws away into the desert. God looked after and protected Ha- found in the . gar & Ishmael, but was angry with Abraham & Sarah for •Jews rest on the Sabbath, taking matters in their own hands. He proclaimed that which runs from sundown Isaac & Ishmael would both be fathers of nations, and Friday night to sundown that there would always be enmity (anger, hatred) be- Saturday. tween their descendents. •Finally, Jews believe that a •Jews trace their descent from Isaac, and Arab-Muslims Messiah (savior) is coming trace theirs from Ishmael. Many believe the roots of the to rule the world in peace Arab-Israeli conflict began here. and glory. Sacred Symbols & Books Sects of Judaism

•The most recognizable Jewish • — Jews began integrating symbol is the star of David — a six more into society. They began adapting -pointed star. This star is found on themselves & some of their practices to the Israeli flag. the society they lived in. Many American •Another common symbol is the Jews began having services in English to menorah , which is used to cele- allow more integration. brate Chanukah. • — Opposed Reform Ju- •Jews worship in a temple known as a Syn- daism, and warned Jews to anchor them- aaagagggoooogggguuuueeee, and often read passages from the selves to traditional ways. They have a Tanakh aloud. The Tanakh is an acronym strict interpretation of the Tanakh, and for the 3 Jewish holy books — the Torah closely observe the Sabbath and all dietary (first 5 books), the Nevi’im (writings of the laws. Only men are . prophets) & the (writings). Chris- • — Rests between tians refer to the Tanakh as the Old Testa- Reform & Orthodox Judaism. They believe ment, but Jews do not. it is important for Jewish law to adapt to contemporary life, but believe traditions History of the Jewish People should not be compromised.

•The history of the Jewish people is a rela- Impact on Lives tively tragic one. The highlight of their past was the unified Kingdom of Israel estab- •One of the biggest impacts on the lives of lished by King David around believers is on diet. Jews are not to eat any 1000 BCE, and the construc- pig products, and they are not supposed to tion of the Temple in Jerusa- mix meat and milk products. They are sup- lem by Solomon in 960 BCE. posed to eat Kosher (blessed by a ), •The kingdom was divided into northern & but not all Jews follow these dietary rules. southern parts. The northern kingdom was •Jews are also supposed to keep the conquered by the Assyrians around 720 Sabbath, which begins Friday night. BCE, and the southern kingdom by the For Orthodox Jews, this means that Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Jews were they must prepare all food ahead of intentionally scattered throughout the Mid- time, and must live close enough to dle East, an action known as the Diaspora . the local temple to be able to walk. •In 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Tem- •Jews require all male babies to be circum- ple in , and dispersed the Jews cised in a special ceremony called the Bris. who had gathered there throughout their This is a physical symbol of the covenant Empire. (A second diaspora.) with God. •Jews were routinely persecuted in Europe •Another right of passage that is observed throughout the Middle Ages, but in modern is the Bar or Bat . Jewish teens cel- times it is that stands as the ebrate this around their 13th birthday. It most tragic example of antianti----SemitismSemitism (anti- includes ceremonies in the Jewish feeling). where they read from the Torah, then have a party afterward.