1. Judaism: The 7 Characteristics By Dorian Cohen and Emily Bhatt Star of David
2. Stories of origin and important people Abraham obeying God by sacrificing his son, Isaac. Moses helping the Jews escape from Egypt. The Story of Moses When the Jews were ruled over in Egypt, Moses freed them with the help of God. Since the Pharaoh would not let the Jews leave, God sent ten horrible things at the Egyptians until the Pharaoh let the Jews go. The Story of Abraham God and Abraham made an agreement that if Abraham fully believed in and obeyed God then God would make Abraham the leader of his land. God then commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son as a test. He found that Abraham was actually going to sacrifice Isaac, so God sent an angel to stop Abraham.
3. Stories of origin and important people continued Sarah Abraham Hagar Isaac Ishmael Jacob Muhammad Moses Jesus Christianity Judaism Islam Judaism, Islam and Christian all relate back to Abraham. Many generations after Abraham, Jesus and Muhammad were born.
4. Core Beliefs Jewish people believe in one God. Belief in one God is called monotheism. There are three types of Judaism. Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. Orthodox being the most religious, next Conservative and then Reform. More religious Jews are stricter about the Mitzvoth. For example, they keep Kosher. There are 613 Mitzvoth. The Mitzvoth are commandments that all Jews are supposed to live by. However, there are 10 most important ones such as, “Honor your father and mother”. Revolving around one God. Conservative Orthodox Reform Branches of Judaism 613 commandments
5. Holy Writings The Torah is the most holy and sacred writing in the Jewish religion. It is so important that it is dressed up and only to be touched with a metal pointer. The 10 Commandments are 10 rules for Jews to live by. They can be found in many holy places to remind Jews of these rules. The Jewish bible can be called the “Old Testament”. The Christian bible is the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Jewish bible contains the 5 books of Moses. Torah Scroll 10 Commandments Jewish Bible
6. Symbols and Objects The Mezuzah A small scroll that is the first two paragraphs of the Shema. Jews put this prayer in a container that can be decorated with anything they want Some Jews put the Mezuzah on every doorway in their home while some put it only on the front door. The Kippah A hat that Jews wear during prayer. It symbolizes that people look up to God. The Kippah can be worn by both genders. Some Jews wear it for everything while others wear it only during prayer or never. The Tallit It symbolizes the 613 Mitzvoth with 613 strings dangling off the ends. Some Jews wear the Tallit all day long, while others wear it only during morning prayers. Mezuzah Kippah Tallit
10. It is also an education and community center.Outside a synagogue The Western Wall
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12. Baby naming ceremony for girls- When Jewish girls are first born the parents hold a special ceremony to name their baby girl.Kosher Symbols Bar Mitzah Baby Naming Ceremony
13. Celebrations and holidays Rosh HaShanah- Celebrates the Jewish new year which means all Jews gain a clean slate. For each day of Rosh HaShanah, somebody blows 100 notes on the Shofar. Yom Kippur- Closing of the High Holy days. There are 10 High Holy days which begins with Rosh HaShanah and ends with Yom Kippur. On this day God sentences Jews either to the Book of Life or the Book of Death. This holiday is celebrated by fasting. Hanukkah- Symbolizes the winning of battle against the Greeks. The eight candles on the menorah represents the candles that burned for eight days and eight nights. Shofar Fasting Menorah
14. Celebrations and holidays continued Purim- Remembers the success of stopping the Persians form getting rid of all Jews living in Persia. Jews celebrate Purim by eating Hamantaschen cookies. Passover- Celebrates the fleeing safely from Egypt. On Passover Jews feast with foods such as matzah, but no bread. Jews drink four cups of wine as well. (Most of the Jewish Holidays such as Hanukkah, Purim and Passover think of “Oh we won the battle, let’s feast!”) Hamantaschencookies NO BREAD…. matzah
