Judaism
Definition and Overview of Judaism
____1. Founder of Judaism – Abraham appx 2000 B.C.________a. “Father of Faith” was greatly multiplied and his sons greatly multiplied all of which
________adhered to a “Hebrew” faith of monotheistic faith in One God and no other
________(revolutionary for the time).
________b. His grandson Jacob had 12 sons which each were to be multiplied into their own
________tribe forming a common bond of Hebraic people.
________c. This people was multiplied as ‘outsiders’ in the land of Egypt and were enslaved for
________400 years until they were delivered by a man named “Moses”.
________d. Moses – acted as spokesman, ruler, and spiritual leader to the Hebrews and led
________them out of Egyptian captivity. He codified the oral traditions passed down from Abraham
________(possibly even Noah) and wrote what is called the “Torah” or “Pentateuch” to Christians,
________the first 5 books of the O.T.
____2. Authoritative Jewish Writings: The Law, The Prophets, and The Writings
________a. Torah – “The Law” written by Moses (possibly finished by Joshua)
________b. Talmud – Not “scripture” but VERY highly regarded Jewish library of oral law and
________tradition consisting of Mishnah (oral law in general to be distinguished from scripture)
________and Gemara (commentary based upon the Mishnah).
________c. Midrash – like the Talmud in terms of authority – is a commentary on the Torah
________and the rest of the Jewish scriptures.
____3. Jewish Practices and Observances
________a. Sabbath – holy day of rest in commemoration of God’s completed work of creation
________and later liberation of the Israelites from Egypt.
________b. Synagogue – small “meeting places” for Jewish people where prayers, teaching,
________worship (singing of songs), and “breaking of bread” occur – traces back to the Maccabeen
________time (2nd century B.C.) and continues up to this day.
________c. Holy Days: Even the liberal or non-practicing Jews consider Yom Kippur holy.
________c.f. Christian ‘Chreasters’
____________i. Passover (festival of spring), Shabuot (feast of weeks), Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year),
____________Yom Kippur (day of atonement), Sukkoth (booths), Hanukkah (Maccabes revolt)
Sects of Judaism
____1. Orthodox Jews – Traditionalists who are united in their upholding of the Law and in________their belief in the historical event of revelation at Sinai. Adheres to the inspiration of
________the Old Testament but values the Torah (1st 5 books) above all others.
________a. believes in a coming Messiah, and of Israel having a homeland, and of a world to
________come. Believes in a type of “heaven” and “hell” although not consistent throughout.
____2. Conservative Jews – Was started in response to the “enlightenment” period. Called
________“conservative” because it sought to ‘conserve’ Jewish tradition, not because it is
________politically ‘conservative’.
________a. A ‘happy medium’ between Orthodox and Reformed Judaism, founded in
________the 19th century. Does not believe in a Jewish “homeland”.
________b. Teaches that Jewish law is always in ‘development’ based on the current culture.
________c. Adheres to “textual criticism” of the Jewish scriptures.
____3. Reformed Jews – very liberal wing of Judaism that all but denies any supernatural whatsoever.
________a. focuses on race and culture issues of Judaism, neglecting or avoiding Jewish
________religious issues.
________b. Also started as a result of the “enlightenment” period and supposed necessity to
________meet the needs of those that reject Divine revelation.
Key Questions About Judaism
____1. Who or what is God to the Jewish person?________a. The true God, Yahweh of the Old Testament, the God of Christianity,
________is the God of historic Judaism.
________b. Statement of Faith - Moses Maimonides 12th cent. A.D. Jew. This forms a good
________overall look at the foundational beliefs of the Jewish people, however, much of what
________is listed below is no longer adhered to by the vast majority of Jews.
____________i. The Creator and guide of everything created. He alone has, done, will make all things.
____________ii. He is One, and there is no unity in any manner like unto His, and that
________________He alone is our god, who was, and is, and will be.
____________iii. He is not a body He is free from all the properties of matter.
________________He has not any form whatever.
____________iv. He is the first and last.
____________v. To Him alone, it is right to pray and not to any being besides Him.
____________vi. All the words of the prophets are true.
____________vii. The prophecy of Moses, our teacher, was true, and that he was the chief of the prophets,
________________both of those who preceded and of those who followed him.
____________viii. The whole Torah, now in our possession, is the same that was given
________________to Moses, our teacher.
____________ix. This Torah will not be changed. There will never be any other Law from the Creator.
____________x. He knows every deed of the children of men, their thoughts, as it is said and it is He that
________________fashioned the hearts of them all, that gives heed to all their works.
____________xi. He rewards those that keep his commandments and punishes those that transgress them.
____________xii. Coming of the Messiah, and, though he tarry, I will wait daily for his coming.
____________xiii. There will be a revival of the dead at the time when it shall please the Creator.
____2. Who or what is man according to Judaism?
________a. Orthodox - Man is a created being placed higher than all other creation, save angels.
________There is not a sense of man being totally depraved or unworthy.
________b. Conservative - Man is a created yet evolving being. Reformed – Man is the center.
____3. How does Judaism attempt to solve the problem of evil?
________a. Orthodox – Admits existence of sin and necessity of atonement via sacrifices,
________penitence, good deeds, and a God’s grace to an extent. Does not adhere to concept of
________original sin.
____4. What does salvation and/or the afterlife look like to the Jewish people?
________a. Atonement is achieved by works of righteousness, repentance, prayer, and good
________deeds,. There is no need of a Savior.
________b. believes in a coming Messiah, and of Israel having a homeland, and the ushering in
________of a world to come. Believes in a type of “heaven” and “hell” although not consistent throughout.
