Presentation by Zubei, Grace and Samantha

History of Judaism

• Originated in the Middle East
• One of three original Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam)
• Bases of Christianity

Beliefs

• There is only one God and can’t be subdivided (Christian Holy Trinity)
• God is..
  • omnipotent
  • omnipresent
  • above and beyond all earthly things
  • just and merciful
  • personal and accessible
• God continues to work in the world, affecting everything people do.
• Actions > beliefs
• Focuses on the relationship between God and people-kind, God and the Jewish people and the Jewish people and the land of Israel, and between human beings.

13 Principles of Faith

1. God is real
2. There is only one God
3. God is eternal
4. God is intangible
5. Prayer must be directed to God
6. Words of the prophets are true
7. Moses’ prophecies are true, and Moses is the bomb
8. The Written Torah (1st five books of the bible), and the Oral Torah (teachings in the Talmud (most significant collection of the Jewish oral tradition interpreting the Torah)
9. There will be no other Torah
10. God knows your thoughts, and deeds of men
11. God will reward the good and punish the bad dudes
12. The Messiah will come
13. The dead will be resurrected

Jewish Symbols

• There is only one God and can’t be subdivided (Christian Holy Trinity)The Menorah, used in the Temple, the kohanim (priest not the same as rabbi) lights the menorah in the every evening and is cleaned every morning.
• The Yarmulke, is the practice of which Jews cover their heads during prayer, more of a custom rather than commandment: -to show that they were servants of God (Ancient Rome), -reminder that God is always above them (Medieval times),
• Magen David, the Star of David, represents the Jews.

Jewish Food…

• Challah, traditional meal begins with the breaking of bread, Challah is a cool-looking special bread used for the Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath, day of rest) and holidays. Click here for recipe!
• Bagels and Lox.
• Matzah Ball Soup, traditionally known as knaydelach (dumplings), served at the Passover seder (family home ritual conducted as part of the Passover observance).
• Rugelach, (little twists) eaten during the Shabbat, it is traditional on Hanukkah (Chanukah).

YouTube Video from CrashCourse

Additional notes from the Teachers:

The presentation is fairly lengthy, but in a good way. It was very informative and the Zubei, Grace and Samantha were able to add a little bit of their “special touches” into the presentation to make it more interesting. Generally speaking, Judaism and Christianity share many similarity, but it is the understanding of who Jesus was (and what he represents) separate the two religions. This presentation capture the differences perfectly.