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Judaism 101 Judaism 101 Judaism 101 Judaism 101 Welcome About the Author Awards Where to Start Table of Contents Download No Frames Version Current Calendar What's Nu? Welcome! Welcome to Judaism 101! Judaism 101 is an online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places, things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customs. My goal is to make freely available a wide variety of basic, general information about Judaism, written from a traditional perspective in plain English. This web site is constantly growing, with new information added every few weeks. Everything in this web site is free to use or distribute in any way, with three conditions: 1) if you use text, graphics or sound from this site, please credit this site; 2) do not redistribute this information for profit; 3) do not "mirror" this site or copy pages from this site for use on other web sites. The information in this site is written predominantly from the Orthodox viewpoint, because I believe that is the starting point for any inquiry into Judaism. As recently as 200 years ago, this was the only Judaism, and it still is the only Judaism in many parts of the world. Be aware, however, that many Jews do not follow all of the traditions described here, or in the precise form described here. The Conservative movement believes that these laws and traditions can change to suit the times, and Reform/Liberal/Progressive movements believe that individuals can make choices about what traditions to follow. However, what I present here is the starting point, the traditions that are being changed or chosen. On some pages, I have identified variations in practice or belief in other movements. About the Author This site is created, written and maintained by Tracey Rich. I do not claim to be a rabbi or an expert on Judaism; I'm just a traditional, observant Jew who has put in a lot of research. I work as the Educational Director for LegalEdge Software, a company that develops, markets and supports case management software for lawyers. I am also the co-author of several legal reference texts, including Pennsylvania Damages: Personal Injury Verdicts and Settlements. I am a member of Congregation Or Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Chester County, PA. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or corrections, please let me know at: http://www.jewfaq.org/frames/welcome.htm (1 of 3) [2/10/2002 1:16:47 PM] Judaism 101 I try to respond to all questions I get, but it usually takes me a week or more to respond. Awards "Judaism 101 is a must-see." Yahoo Internet Life - May 1998 From Jewish.com From Suite101.com March 15, 2001 For Yom Kippur and Days of Awe Two years in a row! 1996 and 1997! Where to Start There are over sixty web pages on this site, comprising over 200 pages of text, a virtual book of information on Judaism. That's a lot of information! Where should you start? That depends on what you're looking for: Just browsing? If you're not sure what you're looking for, and you just want to see what's available on this site, look through the Table of Contents. http://www.jewfaq.org/frames/welcome.htm (2 of 3) [2/10/2002 1:16:47 PM] Judaism 101 Looking for something specific? If you are looking for something specific, I now have a Search Engine for this site. Enter a term and it will search the glossary and index, giving you quick definitions and explanations, and pointing you to appropriate pages in this site. Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? Judaism 101 was originally created as an introduction to Judaism for people with little or no knowledge. But like the Passover seder, this site now includes information for the wise son, who wants to know the ritual details; the simple son, who asks simple questions; and the son who does not know what to ask (the wicked son can go someplace else <grin>). All pages are now labeled appropriately: Basic: Things that everyone should know, that require no prior knowledge Intermediate: Beyond the basics Advanced: More sophisticated concepts Want to see what's new? If you've been here before and just want to see what's new on the site, try the What's Nu? page, a chronological list of additions and significant changes to pages in this site. You can also join the JewFAQ mailing list at Yahoo Groups to receive the "What's Nu" updates by e-mail. Sign up for the group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JewFAQ. This mailing list will also send notices of upcoming Jewish holidays. http://www.jewfaq.org/frames/welcome.htm (3 of 3) [2/10/2002 1:16:47 PM] Judaism 101 Table of Contents Welcome Page Current Calendar Search the Glossary and Index What's Nu? Do you want to receive notification of updates by e-mail? Sign up for the mailing list at Yahoo Groups! Ideas What Is Judaism? Basic What Do Jews Believe? Basic The Nature of G-d Intermediate Human Nature Advanced Moshiach: The Messiah Intermediate Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Advanced People Who Is a Jew? Basic Jewish Population Basic Movements of Judaism Basic Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews Basic Jewish Attitudes Toward Non-Jews Basic The Role of Women Intermediate Rabbis, Priests, and Other Religious Functionaries Basic The Patriarchs and the Origins of Judaism Basic Moses, Aaron and Miriam Basic Prophets and Prophecy Intermediate Sages and Scholars Intermediate Places The Land of Israel Basic Synagogues, Shuls and Temples Basic http://www.jewfaq.org/frames/toc.htm (1 of 4) [2/10/2002 1:17:01 PM] Judaism 101 Things Signs and Symbols Basic Jewish Cooking Basic Words Hebrew Alphabet Basic Hebrew Language: Root Words Intermediate Common Expressions and Greetings Basic The Name of G-d Basic Torah Basic Torah Readings Intermediate Prayers and Blessings Intermediate Jewish Liturgy Intermediate Deeds Halakhah: Jewish Law Intermediate Love and Brotherhood Basic Speech and Lashon Ha-Ra Intermediate Kashrut: Jewish Dietary Laws Intermediate Kosher Sex Advanced Tzedakah: Charity Intermediate Treatment of Animals Intermediate Qorbanot: Sacrifices and Offerings Advanced A List of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) Advanced Times Jewish Calendar Basic Shabbat Basic Jewish Holidays Basic ● Introduction Basic ● The Month of Tishri Basic ● Rosh Hashanah Basic ● Days of Awe Basic ● Yom Kippur Basic ● Sukkot Basic http://www.jewfaq.org/frames/toc.htm (2 of 4) [2/10/2002 1:17:01 PM] Judaism 101 ● Shemini Atzeret and Simkhat Torah Basic ● Chanukkah Basic ● Tu B'Shevat Basic ● Purim Basic ● Pesach: Passover Basic ● The Counting of the Omer Basic ● Shavu'ot Basic ● Tisha B'Av Basic ● The Month of Elul and Selichot Basic ● Minor Fasts Basic ● New Holidays Basic Life Cycle Birth and the First Month of Life Basic Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation Basic Marriage Basic Divorce Basic Life, Death and Mourning Basic Olam Ha-Ba: The Afterlife Basic Reference Recommended Books and Publishers Basic Common Prayers and Blessings Intermediate Glossary of Jewish Terminology Basic Other useful Jewish links: ● Maven - The Virtual Know-It-All (a search engine of Jewish and Israel websites) ● 613.org (a source of educational Orthodox Jewish audio and video files, all available for free viewing online using RealPlayer!) ● The Jewish Dance (A weird and wonderful site, full of Jewish animated .gifs, Yiddish proverbs, and Jewish MIDIs. Each .gif has a hidden link to a Jewish website.) ● The Mining Company's Guide to Judaism (a great resource for Jewish information with extensive links) ● Shamash Home Page (a little bit of everything!) ● Virtual Jerusalem (a wide variety of resources from a site based in Israel) http://www.jewfaq.org/frames/toc.htm (3 of 4) [2/10/2002 1:17:01 PM] Judaism 101 ● OU Online (home page of the Orthodox Union) ● Chabad in Cyberspace (Lubavitcher Chasidic Judaism) ● BSZ Net (Sephardic Judaism) ● Ethiopian Jewry Home Page (also known as Falasahas or Beta Israel) ● JewishGen: The Home of Jewish Genealogy (an excellent resource for researching your family history!) ● Jews for Judaism (counter-missionary organization) ● The Conversion to Judaism Home Page (an extensive resource for people considering conversion to Judaism, written from a Conservative perspective) ● AICE - American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (an activist organization to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship by emphasizing the values our nations share) These sites offer e-mail courses in Jewish education and other valuable resources: ● Project Genesis - Torah on the Information Superhighway ● Yeshivat Har Etzion - Virtual Beit Midrash http://www.jewfaq.org/frames/toc.htm (4 of 4) [2/10/2002 1:17:01 PM] Judaism 101: What Is Judaism? What Is Judaism? Level: Basic What is Judaism? What does it mean to be a Jew? Most people, both Jewish and gentile, would instinctively say that Judaism is a religion. And yet, there are militant atheists who insist that they are Jews! Is Judaism a race? If you were to say so, most Jews would think you were an antisemite! So what is Judaism? Is Judaism a Religion? Clearly, there is a religion called Judaism, a set of ideas about the world and the way we should live our lives that is called "Judaism." It is studied in Religious Studies courses and taught to Jewish children in Hebrew schools. See What do Jews Believe? for details. There is a lot of flexibility about certain aspects of those beliefs, and a lot of disagreement about specifics, but that flexibility is built into the organized system of belief that is Judaism. However, many people who call themselves Jews do not believe in that religion at all! More than half of all Jews in Israel today call themselves "secular," and don't believe in G-d or any of the religious beliefs of Judaism.
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