BELIEFS
Judaism have 13 Principles of Faith:
- God created all creatures and He alone has created everything
- There is one God and can not be subdivided
- God is incorporeal (no physical form and that there is no comparison)
- God is eternal
- Prayers should be only for and to God, no other
- The words of the Prophets recorded in the Hebrew Bible are true
- Moses is the greatest prophet, the teacher, and the prophecy of Moses are true
- The Written Torah and Oral Torah were given to Moses.
- There will be no other Torah from the Creator nor will it be exchanged
- God knows all thoughts and deeds of men. Nothing can be hidden from Him
- God rewards those who observe His commandments and do good and punish those who violate them and do wicked
- The Messiah will come.
- The dead will be resurrected
MYTHS and SACRED STORIES
Jewish stories and myths all contain a moral and ethical teaching which regulate the way of life.
Hannukah
Hannukah
- also known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication
SACRED TEXTS
Jewish sacred texts are the major source of the ethics and morals of how one should live and how life should be regulated.
- The Tanakh
- this is composed of three parts
- The Torah: composed of the 5 Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). These are considered the foundations of Judaism.
- Nevi'im, or ‘Prophets: mainly prophetic and teach of the ethics and morals to people straying from God’s ways
- Ketuvim, or Writings: many are historical books which teach God’s way and the correct, ethical way of life
- The Mishnah: is a written compilation of the Oral Law. It was first received by Moses at Mt Sinai along with the Torah.
- The Midrash: contains 'answers' for common questions about religion collated over the years. The Midrash is translated meaning 'search or investigate'. It is further divided into two branches: one which explains the laws and the legal segements of the Torah is called the Midrash halachah and Midrash aggadah which explain stories and seeks new meaning in each story with a moral and ethical teachings
- The Talmud: is a document containing rabbinic thinking. It is split into containing a set of rules and application of these rules.
RITUALS
Birth and Naming Ceremonies:
The Rite of Circumcision, Brit Milah: occurs on the eighth day of a boy's life
Death and the Chevra Kaddisha: Death is seen as a part of life and a part of God's plan.
Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandments) at 13 for boys and Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the commandment) at 12
Other Rituals include:
- Baby boys are given their name after eight days of their birth at their Brit Milah. It is customary to not tell anybody the baby’s name before the ceremony. It is also customary for the child to receive her or his name at a public gathering. A baby girl will be named at the first public reading of the Torah at the synagogue.
The Rite of Circumcision, Brit Milah: occurs on the eighth day of a boy's life
- Circumcision is a religious obligation and rite of passage for Jews remembering the covenant that God and Abraham formed. The child is placed on the lap of a male who is the Sandek while the Mohel performs the circumcision.
Death and the Chevra Kaddisha: Death is seen as a part of life and a part of God's plan.
- In preparation for a burial, the body is cleans and wrapped in a plain linen shroud. Everything is to be kept simple so that the poor people would not receive less in death than a rich person. The body must not be cremated and must be buried in the earth. A coffin is not needed but if a coffin is used, holes must be drilled in so that the body comes in contact with the earth.
Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandments) at 13 for boys and Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the commandment) at 12
- It refers to coming of age and a rite of passage for Jewish people. Children are obliged to observe the commandments and take part in leading religious services.
Other Rituals include:
- Funerals
- Mourning
- Daily prayer- Shema
- Fasting
- Marriage
- The Torah is used ritually every Shabbat, Monday and Thursday so that Jews do not go for more than 3 days without hearing words from it
- Pesach (Passover)
SYMBOLS
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Cohen/Rabbis: lead the synagogue service. They are the teachers and scholars in Jewish history and tradition.
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ETHITICAL PRINCIPLES and CODES OF BEHAVIOUR
- The Halakha translates to the 'Jewish Law'. It is a collection of Jewish religious laws, rules and practises originating from the Oral and Written Torah. These rules affect every aspect of life adding a religious significance and meaning to everyday activities including type of food eaten, how to treat people, animals, clothing etc.
- The Ten Commandments gives the ethical and moral principles. These were given to Moses on Mt Sinai along with the Torah. It states:
- I am the Lord your God
- You shall not recognise the gods of others in My presence
- You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain
- Remember the day of shabbat to keep it holy
- Honour your father and your mother
- You shall not murder
- You shall not commit adultery
- You shall not steal
- Do not give false testimony against your neighbour
- You shall not covet your fellow's possessions
RELGIOUS EXPERIENCE and SPIRITUALITY
Visiting the Wailing / Wailing Wall
The Western Wall is the surviving remnant outer wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem which Rome had destroyed in 70CE. The Jewish consider this as the centre of the spiritual world and in Jewish tradition, it is thought that this wall is the centre of all creation began in Jerusalem. It is now considered the most holiest place in the world for Jews. In Kabbalistic tradition teaches that all prayers are directed to this sacred place and from here, they ascend into heaven.
Thousands of Jewish people congregate in this sacred place for pilgrimages and for pray.
The Western Wall is the surviving remnant outer wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem which Rome had destroyed in 70CE. The Jewish consider this as the centre of the spiritual world and in Jewish tradition, it is thought that this wall is the centre of all creation began in Jerusalem. It is now considered the most holiest place in the world for Jews. In Kabbalistic tradition teaches that all prayers are directed to this sacred place and from here, they ascend into heaven.
Thousands of Jewish people congregate in this sacred place for pilgrimages and for pray.
- attending a service in the Synagogue
- prayer
- travelling to Jerusalem/pilgrimage
- coming of age and celebrating a Bar/Bat Mitzvah