Judaism Flashcards
Rank of Canada in World
- Canada has the fourth largest Jewish population in the world after the United States, Israel, and France
- Many Canadian Jews emigrated to escape persecution from Russia and Eastern Europe
- The largest number of Jews in Canada live in Toronto and Montreal.
Profession of faith
The Shema: most important profession of faith in Judaism
Sums up the Jewish scriptures or Tanakh
Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity
- The destruction of the temple changed the Jewish movement into two:
- Jesus of Nazareth began this movement, including both Jews and non-Jews who had accepted Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah
Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity Similarities
- Messiah: “the anointed one”; the word Christ comes from the Greek word meaning the same
- one God
- both have places of worship and scripture that they take their teachings from
- both Abrahamic religions
Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity Differences
- Jews believe that God will send a Messiah
- Jews worship in a synagogue and follow the Torah
- Christians believe Jesus lived and was crucified
- Christians worship in a church and follow the Bible
- The language of scripture was known as Aramaic, which most people spoke in Israel during the time of Jesus
- The Torah was beneficial for Jewish people to follow the laws of covenant wherever they lived
Rabbis and scribes translated scripture which is why this movement is known as Rabbinic Judaism - Jew’s have only one God
- Christians have the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
Diaspora (two groups they divided into)
- Scattering of Jews outside of Israel in ancient and modern times
- The Romans expelled the Jews from Judea, forcing them to take refuge in other countries
- Most Jews ended up living in foreign countries - this is known as the DIaspora
- In the Diaspora Jews became divided into two groups: Ashkenazim and Sephardim
- In most countries Jews had become known as the killers of Jesus the Messiah and were treated as unbelievers
Kabbalah and Hasidism
- Several Jewish mystical movements became popular in the Middle Ages because of diaspora
- Mystics are people in search of God, through a life of prayer and meditation and reflection
- The Kabbalah: is described as a journey that looks into the self of each individual
- Describes God as having no end, and no boundaries in either time or space, known as Ein Sof
- Hasidism: teaches that communion with God happens through prayer, good deeds, humility
- strict form of Orthodox Judaism
Reform
- Reform Judaism originated in the early 19th century.
- This Reform movement aimed to make Judaism more compatible with the changing world (this would also assist Jews in their interactions with non-Jews)
- worship in temple
- don’t isolate themselves
- Shabbat services on Saturday
- They are willing to adapt Jewish laws to the needs of historical context
- Men and women worship together side by side in the temple
- interfaith marriage isn’t forbidden but is discouraged
Conservative
- Conservative Judaism originated in the early 20th century and is the largest branch of Judaism in Canada
- worship in synagogue
- encouraged to be a part of communities but not overcome
- Shabbat service on Saturday
- They are willing to adapt Jewish laws to contemporary life, but traditions must not be compromised.
- Followers are encouraged to read the Torah and Talmud and follow the teachings as they apply to their lives.
- Men and women worship on separate sides of the synagogue.
- some have female rabbis some don’t
- interfaith marriages are forbidden but couples are not rejected
Orthodox
- Orthodox Judaism is the largest branch worldwide; historically it is considered the “original branch.”
- They believe Jews will lose their spiritual heritage if they adapt to modernity; they directly oppose the Reform branch
- On the Sabbath they are required to do nothing but worship God; this is a day of complete dedication to God
- The Torah is their anchor, to be followed to the letter of the law.
- They keep strict Kosher kitchens (separate fridges/dishes/pots for dairy and meat products).
- The word of the rabbi is law.
- Men and women worship on separate sides of the synagogues; in some cases, there is a curtain to separate them; in others, the women and children sit in separate areas.
- Interfaith marriages are forbidden
Effects of Holocaust
- The faith of many Jews was shaken
- They wondered if God was punishing them for their lack of faithfulness and their indifference to the Torah
- The traditional Jewish belief that God is with us in good times and bad remains strong
- A greater emphasis on “Tikkun Olam” – repairing the world through social justice
- Preserving life is a key response: their view strengthened that all life is sacred and “the preservation of a single life is tantamount to preserving the whole world”
Zionism
- Zionism is a movement that began in the 19th century for the purpose of creating a Jewish state in what is now modern Israel; today “Zionism” refers to strong support for the State of Israel; today it refers to strong support for the state of Israel
Synagogue
Two Purposes:
1. Houses where Torah is taught to all Jews
2. Provides place of worship outside Jerusalem
Contains an ark, or cabinet where Torah scroll is kept – similar to ark of covenant – tablet of Commandments
Rabbi speaks from Pulpit
A lamp kept burning at all times that God is present
Jewish Scripture
Tanakh: the most important, presents the core teachings of the Jewish faith
A) The Torah – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
B) Neviim :Book of Prophets
C) Ketuvim: Book of Wisdom (psalms, proverbs)
Torah’s most important parts:
1) story of creation
2) story of Abraham and Sarah
3) the story of Moses
Talmud: Second in importance to the Tanakh
An enormous book of Jewish civil and moral laws and ethical teachings
Halakhah – “laws” or “path” Oral Torah
Morality Laws:
Mitzvot: instructions on how to live (ex. Ten Commandments)
5 Books of Torah
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
