Monotheism. Judaism is one of the first monotheistic religions. Believing in only one god; Yahweh.
Covenant. God promised to bless Abraham and all his children as long as they worshiped god.
Torah. Jews believe the Torah contains rules (Mitzvah) they must follow.
Jews believe that Israel is a holy land, and that is where they must serve him.
Jews Believe in a world to come. They believe God will provide a future for them after death.
Orthodox Judaism. Orthodox Jews accept without question that "the Torah is from Heaven."
Hasidism. Hasidic movement started with Israel ben Eliezer. Hasidism taught its followers to pay less attention to formal details; he believed the best way to communicate with God was through humility, good deeds, and prayer.
Reform Judaism. The reform movement believes that both the written and spoken Torah are human creations, and that God allows for successive the generations to have a different appreciation of the truth of the Torah.
Conservative Judaism. Holds the middle ground between the Orthodox and Reform position. This branch recognizes the human element in the revelation-the God revealed the Torah both to the people and through the people.
Reconstructionist Judaism. Fastest growing group of the American-centered Jewish movements. Based on the philosophy of Mordecai Kaplam. Aim was too reconstruct Judaism by making Jewish traditions more meaningful in today world.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, falls in September or early October. It begins a ten-day period of repentance, ending with a festival of Yom Kippur. The 2 days of Rosh Hashanah and the eight days that follow concentrate on an assessment of conduct and behavior in the previous year. On the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah, a forgiveness service is held at the synagogue. At this service is the sounding of the shofar, the ram's horn. The shofar was used to call people together.
Hanukkah is the festival of dedication or the festival of lights
Passover is a 7 day period in April. It commemorates the freeing of the Hebrews from slavery.
Blessings. Jews believe blessings help acknowledge, praise, thank and petition God. Example of this is kiddush.
When Jewish people pray communally, a minyan (a quorum of 10 males over the age of 13 is required.
Jewish rituals require a Sefer Torah. It is the most sacred object of Jewish life.
Jews must follow the Kashruth in order to adhere to the practice of keeping kosher.
Shabbat is a period of rejuvenation where they must stop all work. It is an opportunity to set aside time for important things such as family.
Sunset on Fridays, Jews go to the synagogue, wheere the service opens with the lighting of a candle, as a reminder of the first act of creation.
Sadduccess believed in cooperation with the Romans. Strictly following the teachings of the Torah; rejected the prophetic writings. Believed they were the priestly descendants of Zodak, a priest from the time of David.
Pharisees. Believed in cooperation with the Romans. Represented common people. Allowed broad interpretation of the Torah. Sought to make Jewish law practical and compassionate.
Zealots did not believe in cooperation with the Romans. Represented common people. Allowed broad interpretation of the Torah. Initiated the revolt of 66 CE.
Essenes lived in separate, segregated communities. Followed purification rites and rituals. Interpreted the Torah as a model for the future. Beliefs centered on the coming of God's final judgment.
Samaritans are the descendants of the Northen tribes. Accepted the Torah; rejected Prophets and Writings.
Torah is the sacred writing of Judaism. Torah is used to refer to the Law of Moses, as well as to the entire belief system of the Jewish faith.