Judaism: An Overview By Scott Shiffer

Origin: Abraham

Writings: Two

1. Tanak (Equivalent to the Christian Old Testament)
   1. Torah (Law)
   2. Nevi'im (Prophets)
   3. Kethubim (Writings)
2. The Talmud (Two Parts: This writing explains the process of redefining the Jewish faith after Temple was destroyed in 70 AD.)
   1. Mishnah (Repetition: A Codification of Laws)
   2. Gemara (Addition: A Commentary)

13 Articles of Faith:

1. The Belief in the existence of the Creator, be He Blessed, who is perfect in every manner of existence and is the Primary Cause of all that exists.
2. The belief in God's absolute and unparalleled unity.
3. The belief in God's noncorporiality, nor that He will be affected by any physical occurrences, such as movement, or rest, or dwelling.
4. The belief in God's eternity.
5. The imperative to worship Him exclusively and no foreign false gods.
6. The belief that God communicates with man through prophecy.
7. The belief that the prophecy of Moses our teacher has priority.
8. The belief in the divine origin of the Torah.
9. The belief in the immutability of the Torah.
10. The belief in divine omniscience and providence.
11. The belief in divine reward and retribution.
12. The belief in the arrival of the Messiah and the messianic era.
13. The belief in the resurrection of the dead.

Forms:

1. Orthodox Judaism
   1. Keep as close to Torah and Talmud as possible.
   2. Women and men do not sit together at worship.
   3. Men wear hats and prayer shawls.
   4. The service is performed in Hebrew.
   5. Other branches are considered to have less authority.
2. Conservative Judaism
   1. Keeps close to Torah and Talmud.
   2. Knows change is inevitable.
   3. Changes after discussion. (An example of change is that there is no more animal sacrifice.)
3. Reform Judaism
   1. Began in Europe.
   2. Sought to be more mainstream.
   3. Men and women sit together.
   4. Service in English and Hebrew.
4. Other Forms
   1. Hasidic-maintain most ancient form of the religion.
   2. Zionist-political group, not religious in nature.
   3. Reconstructionism-emphasis on ethics.

Traditions:

1. Pesach- (Passover)
2. Shavuot- (Pentacost)
3. Rosh Hashanah- (Jewish New Year)
4. Yom Kippur- (Day of Atonement)
5. Succoth- (Feast of Booths) Commemorates the Journey Through the Wilderness.
6. Hanukkah- (Feast of Dedication) Celebrates rededication of Temple by Judas Maccabeus.
7. Purim- Commemorates deliverance of Jews in Esther's life.

Worldview: