Jewish practices and traditions

1
Jewish practices and traditions
2
Review return to promised land

• Jews return and are forced to fight Philistines
  for land
• David becomes king, captures Jerusalem, and makes
  it capital
• Solomon builds massive temple to house
  commandments.
• After Solomon, Chaldeans conquer and enslave
  Jewish people in Babylon (60 years)
• Temple and Jerusalem destroyed

3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
The Diaspora

• King Herod rebuilds temple after return
• Romans conquer area and make it a full Roman
  province called Judea in 6 AD
• From 63-73 AD is the Great Jewish Revolt
• Set off by sacrifice of birds by Greek soldiers
  outside Jewish holy places
• Jews seen as terrorists by Romans.
• Diaspora dispersal of the Jewish people
  throughout the world. Ongoing process but starts
  in 70 AD with destruction of the Temple.

6
The burning of the temple
As many as 1,100,000 Jews killed during the Great
Revolt
7
(No Transcript)
8
3 main branches of Judaism

• Orthodox- strict interpretation of the Torah and
  Jewish law
• Conservative- Believe some traditions must be
  followed strictly while others should be adapted.
• Reform adapt teachings to the modern world.

9
Main observances

• Sabbath Day of rest. For Jews it is Saturday.
  
• Basis in the story of Genesis

10
39 activities prohibited on the Sabbath
11
The following activities are encouraged on the
Sabbath

• Spending time together with one's own immediate
  family
• Temple attendance for prayers
• Visiting family and friends (within walking
  distance)
• Hosting guests
• Singing special songs
• Reading, studying and discussing Torah and the
  Talmud

12
Main observances

• Synagogue Jewish place of worship
• Similar to Christian church. Go usually on
  Saturday.
• Rabbi Jewish teacher and spiritual leader.
• Most Jews believe must be a man

13
(No Transcript)
14
Other traditions

• Yarmulke small cap worn on back of head to show
  reverence to Yahweh.
• Man beneath god
• Kosher Jewish dietary restrictions
• Outlaw eating of pork
• May not mix meat and dairy
• Some Orthodox Jews also wear only black, grow
  long sideburns, and carry prayer tassels due to
  interpretations of the Torah

15
Holidays

• Hanukah celebrates the defeat of the Syrian
  Greeks by the Macabees in 165 BC.
• Oil in the lamp in the Temple in Jerusalem lasts
  8 days.
• Menorah celebrates this miracle
• Small gifts given. Dreidel main game played.
• One of least important Jewish holidays

16
Bar or Bat Mitzvah

• Modern celebration of person reaching adulthood.
• Usually around 12 or 13
• Accepts covenants with Yahweh
• Can read Hebrew for the Torah

17
Most holy days

• Yom Kippur means day of atonement. Day of
  prayer for sins against god throughout year.
• Spend all day at synagogue
• Complete Sabbath. Prayer only
• Fast during daylight
• Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year
• Spend all day at synagogue
• Plan changes for new year and reflect on old
• Often walk in water to wash off sins