Judaism-+Group+1

=Period 2= =http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-jewish-sites.htm= http://www.zionism-israel.com/his/Jerusalem_history.htm

= **RESEARCH GUIDE: JUDAISM** = - Jews
 * 1. What are the religion's followers called?**


 * 2. Religious Text:** (What is it made up of? Give a short explanation.)

a. The Tenakh- Acronym for Torah, Nebi'im, and Ketuvm, sacred Jewish text with 39 books

b. The Torah- (LAW) First part of the Tenakh and refers to the 5 books of Moses, dictated by God. There are 613 commandments and 10 particular that are most emphasized

c. The Nevi’im- (PROPHETS) 21 books of prophecy and narrative

d. The Ketuvi’im- (WRITINGS) 13 books with wisdom literature, stories, and prophecy


 * 3. Special Days:** (What are they celebrating? Are there any special activities?)

a. Yom Kippur- Day of confession of sins and reconciliation with God; 10 days after Rosh Hashannah

b. Rosh Hashanah- Jewish New Year -shofar blast (blast of horns), go to synagogue, eat challah bread, tashlikh--empty pockets of bread crumbs into the river

c. Passover- "Annual feast commemorating the deliverance of the firstborn in Egypt when the angel of death took all those who did not have goat's blood on their doorpost", spring holiday celebrating the Exodus, the liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt in the time of Moses -seder (meal explanation, hand washing, 4 cups of wine, crushed fruits, bitter herbs)

d. Hannukah- celebrating the liberation of the Hebrews from Syrian rule in the time of Moses and the following rededication of the temple, miraculous event of God making one day's worth of oil burn brightly foe 8 days -candles lighting, eating fried foods (recognized miraculous oils) 'spin the dreidel', gift giving


 * 4. Person:** (What was this person's role?)

Abraham- Founder of the Jewish religion, God told him to do as he said and then he would be a great leader


 * 5. Sacred Sites:** (Where is this site and why is this site special?)

Jerusalem- (Israel) site of the temple, Wailing Wall, Israel museum has the shrine of the book and is supposed to look like dead sea scrolls


 * 6. Major Branches:** (what are the differences in beliefs and actions between these sects?)

a. Reform- Most liberal, creates and sustains vibrate Jewish congregations, arose in 1800's because Jews were against strict rules, organs in synagogues, don't follow all dietary laws, recite in German, Sabbath on Sundays

b. Conservative- In the middle of Reform and Orthodox, conserves traditional elements with more modernization, formed in 1840's, women as rabbis

c. Orthodox- Very strict and traditional, believe in entire Torah, have dietary laws (Kosher), daily worship ceremonies, strict observation of the Sabbath

-over 14 million claim to be Jewish worldwide -7% Jewish Americans are Orthodox Israel: 4,390,000 Europe: (Russia: 1,450,000 France: 640,000 UK:320,000) USA: 5.6 million
 * 7. Primarily Located in the following countries:** (give numbers/percentages if available)


 * 8. Core Beliefs:** (What are the central ideas to the religion?

a. only one God (monotheistic) b. observe and keep holy the Sabbath on Saturday c. reading laws of kashrut, only eating kosher food kosher- no meat not ritually killed, no shellfish, no meal that combines dairy and meat