User:Greek Hestia/sandbox

HISTORY JUDAISM ) Judaism is one OF the world's oldest surviving monotheistic religions, ) the belief in one true god. The history and legends OF the Jewish people go back to about the 20th century BCE. Abraham is an important Figure in the Founding OF Judaism. According to Jewish scriptures, also known as the Old Testament) Abraham was righteous and did not believe in False gods) or idols. God chose to Form a covenant) an agreement, with him. God ordered him to Journey into Canaan near modern-day Israel. God told Abraham that he would become the Father OF a holy nation there. God promised to love and protect the nation's members) the Hebrews, in exchange For their Faithfulness. It was understood that iF they sinned) they would be punished For their actions. The covenant marked the start OF a special relationship between God and his chosen people. ISRAELITES Abraham was the earliest patriarch or Father-like leader, OF the Hebrews. His son, Isaac, and Isaac's son named Jacob) or Israel, Followed Abraham. As time passed) Hebrews started referring to themselves as Israelites. Famine caused the Israelites to move to Egypt. Their situation improved at First, but then the Egyptians Forced them into slavery. They waited For God to send someone to Free them MOSES The prophet Moses Fulfilled this role OF deliverer during the 13th century BCE. Jewish scriptures Feature stories OF God working through Moses to bring various plagues, or curses, upon the Egyptians. The Israelites were eventually able to leave Egypt and go back to Canaan. God renewed his covenant with him before they returned and gave Moses the Torah Hebrew For ('teachings." It is the First Five books OF the Hebrew Bible RULES The Torah has a set OF 613 commandments) or divine rules. The Israelites believed God created these rules to guide their day-to-day lives. It addressed everything From their diet to Family life. The Torah contained the Ten Commandments that gave the main 1 111 GEOGRAPHY Vill rules OF Judaism. In the Hebrew Bible, God communicated with Moses on top OF a mountain in Egypt. The Jewish scriptures say God carved the Ten Commandments into two stone tablets. Moses later presented the tablets to the Israelites, who kept them in a sacred chest The exact location OF the chest) called the Ark OF the Covenant, is a mystery today Early Judaism was limited to the areas that are now Syria, Lebanon Jordan and Israel Canaan stretched between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. It was later split into the kingdoms OF Israel and Judah) and then later referred to as Palestine. The Jews constructed a temple to worship God but Babylonian troops took over the city OF Jerusalem and destroyed the temple in 586 BCE. The Jews rebuilt their temple, but ) continued to encounter invaders. Syrians, Romans, and Arabs all seized control OF Jewish territory at different points. They sometimes Forced the Jews to relocate outside their SPREAD Judaism was no longer limited to the Middle East by the Middle Ages. Jews lived in Europe and Africa too, but often encountered persecution, or poor treatment. They struggled For the right to practice their Faith in areas where Christianity was the official religion. Christianity developed From Judaism between the First and second century. It was based on the belief that Jesus OF Nazareth) who was Jewish, was the Messiah. Messiah is Hebrew For "anointed one.)) Both Jews and Christians believed in the idea OF God sending them his own chosen leader. They saw the Messiah as a powerful and important person who could bring peace and Justice to the world by overcoming suffering and evil. Jews did not think Jesus was the Messiah though. They believe the Messiah is yet to arrive WORLD WAR 11 In World War 11 (qgq-lqqs) the Nazi Party killed millions OF European Jews. This ) mass slaughter was known as the Holocaust. In order to avoid persecution and death) many Jews Fled the countries under Nazi control. They settled in Western Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. Thousands OF other Jews escaped to their ancestors) homeland Many Jews moved to the Middle East) but became involved in conflicts over who actually owned Palestine. Arabs who lived there considered the land their home. When the war ended many world leaders suggested the solution OF dividing Palestine into two nations. ISRAEL In 1++8) the State OF Israel was Formed. It surrounds most oP the Palestinian territories, except For the Gaza Strip, a narrow piece OF land located on the Mediterranean Sea between Israel and Egypt. Israel's population today is primarily Jewish while Palestine is mostly made up OF gentiles) or non-Jews. Tension between the nations remains, as they Fight over the borders that separate them JUDAISM TODAY Around H million people practice Judaism in the world today, a very small percentage OF the world's population. Around HH percent live in North America, while another HI percent live in the Middle East and North Africa. About 10 percent OF the world's Jews live in Europe. The remaining Jews live in Central America, South America, the Caribbean Asia and the Pacific, and Sub-Saharan Africa. LEADERSHIP There is not a central religious leader who unites the people who practice Judaism. Rabbis, or teachers OF Jewish law, typically head individual congregations. They lead religious services at Jewish houses OF worship, including synagogues and temples. Cantors) religious officials who assist rabbis, are responsible For singing or chanting prayers during services THE SABBATH Most Jews observe the Sabbath or Shabbat each week This is the period From sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. It is a time For rest and prayerful reflection. Jews often celebrate it by lighting candles and reciting prayers, songs, and blessings. Many affend services at a house OF worship and gather For a Family meal. DIET Many Jewish Families Follow a kosher diet, meaning milk and all other dairy products cannot be cooked or eaten with meat. All meat must be kosher, meaning ifr is Prom an animal with a cloven hoof and chew the. r.0\A/Q DENOMINATIONS There are three major subgroups OF Judaism. Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative. These different branches are sometimes called movements. ORTHODOX: Members OF the Orthodox movement believe in strict obedience to the laws God gave Moses. Most Orthodox services are in Hebrew and men and women are separated in the synagogue. Men typically play a larger role in religious ceremonies. Some Orthodox Jews dress like their ancestors did during Iqth century Europe. Men wear dark hats and long, black coats. Married women wear hats, scarves, wigs, or some type OF head covering. REFORM: Reform Jews concentrate on the values that religious laws teach This is more important For them than obeying every rule in the Torah word For word They believe people should decide For themselves how important certain traditions are. Most reform Jews are open adapting, or changing, parts OF their Faith to keep up with changing times. They use both English and Hebrew to worship CONSERVATIVE: Conservative Jews have beliefs that are in between the Orthodox and Reform movements. They typically approach religious changes more gradually than Reform Jews. CELEBRATIONS There are many holidays and Festivals in Judaism Passover is celebrated in March or April as a remembrance OF God helping Moses guide the Israelites out OF Egypt. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in September or October as the Jewish New Year and creation OF Adam and Eve Yom Kippur is held ten days after and is a time For people to pray and ask God For Forgiveness. It is the most important Jewish holiday. Hanukkah is a winter celebration that recalls the story OF Judas Maccabaeus leading a military uprising against invaders Jewish people light candles and exchange presents during Hanukkah Children play a game with a little spinning top called a dreidel Foods cooked in oil, like latkes, potato pancakes, and suFgan/0t Jam doughnuts, are eaten. The dates OF these celebrations often vary depending on locations. SYMBOLS The six-pointed star, or "Star OF David') has been used as a Jewish symbol since the Middle Ages. A mezuzah a little case with a tiny scroll with writing From the Bible, is Found on the doorposts OF many Jewish homes. It is called the Shema and is written in Hebrew to remind people to love God and live by his rules. Jewish people kiss the mezuzah when they come through the door. The Menorah) a candelabrum, is one OF the oldest symbols OF the Jewish Faith WESTERN WALL The city OF Jerusalem is a very holy place For Jewish people because it is where the Temple once stood before it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. One wall remains, called Western Wall) where Jews go to pray. People OF other Faiths also pray there Judaism has survived For thousands OF years due to the support OF its members. Jews ) have experienced countless challenges and centuries OF persecution but have remained strong in their Faith. This strength is rooted in the belief that one true God decided to