HUMSS

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEM
PRELIM
Week 4

Guro: Roniel I. Cagas

Contact No.:099746228632
Facebook: Roniel Cagas
DEEPENING
JUDAISM
God is the universal spirit and Creator of the world, the source of all salvation for
humanity, saving from the value of human existence. We have our own belief to show the way
by example to other people. The standard that God has already given us the example of His
commandment to love, He himself is the model of how we should love one another. You are not
just a child of God by name; you are asked to live the life of a Christian. You should act out your
faith in all areas.
Have you ever tried doing good deeds to others? How did you feel? How did people
react?
Defining characteristics and principles of Judaism
God promise Abraham to make of his offspring great nation (Hebrew Bible), many
generations later, he commanded the nation of Israel to love and worship only one God; that is
the Jewish nation is to reciprocate God’s concern for the world. He also commanded the Jewish
people to love one another; that is Jews are to imitate God’s love for people. These
commandments are but two of a large corpus of commandments and laws that constitute this
covenant, which is the substance of Judaism. And not only ordinary things and occurrences bring
them the experience, evil as good. God is like non other, the occasions for experiencing Him.
Ethical monotheism is the central in all sacred or
normative texts of Judaism. Moreover, some have argued
that Judaism is a non-creedal religion that does not
require one to believe in God (main article-Jewish
principle of faith).
Almost over 1000 to 100 BCE the Tanakh Jewish
Holy Books (which include the Torah) ancient collection
of writings that are sacred to the Jews. The word Tanakh
comes from the three first letters of the three books: the
Torah, plus the Nevi’im (prophets) and the Ketuvim (writings, which include histories,
prophecies, poems, hymns, and sayings). Talmud, a collection of teachings and commentaries on
Jewish law, was created. It contained the Mishnah and another text known as the Gemara (which
examines the Mishnah. It was first finalized around the 3rd century A.D. the second form was
completed during the 5th century A.D. The Temples around 1000 B.C., King David ruled the
Jewish people. His son Solomon built the first holy temple in Jerusalem, which became the
central place of worship for Jews. Like other religion, you are encouraged to be a model to other
people through baptism; you accept God and become His ambassador. You represent Him in
every place and situation you are in. You carry His holy name in what you do and say.
The Ten Commandments written in the Torah:
1. Worship no other God but me.
 2. Do not make images to worship.
3. Do not misuse the name of God. Observe the Sabbath Day (Saturday).
4. Keep it Holy.
5. Honor and respect your father and mother.
6. Do not murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not accuse anyone falsely. Do not tell lies about other people.
10.Do not envy other’s possessions.
Three basic groups of Jewish people who have different understanding of the
interpretation of the Torah:
1. Orthodox Jews - believed that all of the practices in the Torah which is practical to
obey must be obeyed without question. Strict observance of traditional Jewish law and rituals is
followed.
2. Conservative and Reform Jews - believed that ancient laws and practices must be
interpreted for modern life with inclusion of contemporary sources and with more concern with
community practices than with ritual practices. Typically, conservative Jews honor the traditions
of Judaism while allowing for some modernization.
3. Reform Jews - also allow everyone to sit together, men and women, and both Hebrew
and the local language are spoken in services. Followers promote progressive ideas and
adaptation.
The Good, the Right, and the Morality of Judaism
In the English language, “good” and “right,’’ when used in moral context, designate two
related but very different aspects of moral experience. Each person has the right to choose beliefs
in a common good. They are part of a uniqueness of each person. Value your fruits ripen just as
God gives the grace of growth.
Like the purpose of Torah is to provide the “instructions”, life skills to humanity by
helping everybody to live according to the principle of “Love your Friend as Human’s nature is
considered to have two contrasting tendencies: a good impulse and an evil impulse. ‘’Missing the
mark’’ basically means choosing to follow the ‘’evil impulse’’. The cause of this problem is
disobedience. Although responsiveness is expressed on many levels, it is most explicitly called
for within interpersonal relationships. Humans are ethically responsible creatures who are
responsive to the presence of God in nature and in History. Humans keep cultivating the same
thought patterns and resulting to physical reactions called emotions, which have made them
suffer, because they keep falling to realize that they themselves are the cause. To seek, to know
God better is to open ourselves to a marvelous adventure of a lifetime. Though it may lead to
some frustration, it can also lead us to grow and achieve inner peace. Knowing and appreciating
life and the mystery of God’s love is true happiness.

Before Judaism: Belief and Practice: An Introduction to the Jewish Religion,

Faith and Traditions, has bridging statements like the one given as an example.
Judaism originated in Israel around 4000 years ago; the oldest Abrahamic
religion. They are about 15 million followers that are called Jews. Jews believe that there
is a single God who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an
individual and personal relationship. The Place of Origin was in Israel. Abraham the
founder. The sacred called: The TeNaCh (Torah, Nevi'im, Ket... Their Sacred Building
was called the Synagogue. The Torah is the most important holy book of Judaism. The
laws and teachings of Judaism come from the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew
Bible and oral traditions. Some of these were first oral traditions and later written in the
Mishnah, the Talmud, and other works. Both Christianity and Islam are similar to
Judaism. These religions accept the belief in one God and the moral teachings of the
Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), which includes the
Torah or "‫"תורה‬.
Moral Ethical code, Beliefs and Rituals of
Judaism
Loving-kindness and compassion. Simon
taught, "The world rests upon three things: Torah,
service to God, and showing loving-kindness
(chesed)" (Pirkei Avot 1:2). Loving-kindness is the
core ethical virtue.
Loving-kindness is closely linked with compassion in the tradition.
The Jewish moral code is a complex set of ideas sourced from many writings and
schools of thought, including the Torah and the Talmud. The 613 mitzvot are found in the
Torah and fit into one of the categories of ten positive and negative commandments.
Belief in bodily resurrection requires burial; cremation and embalming are prohibited.
The importance of communal burial societies:
"Purification" (cleansing) of corpse, covering it in simple white shroud and
recitation of "Kaddish, affirmation of faith in God.
Laws and Ethics Important in Judaism
“Ethics” is important because they help define the difference between good and
bad/or ethical act (=godly act) as opposed to a bad and unethical act. ...
Ethics is our moral compass and those defined in the Torah are
objective, not subjective. The three main beliefs at the center of
Judaism are Monotheism, Identity, and Covenant (an agreement
 between God and his people). The most important teaching of
Judaism is that there is one God, who wants people to do what is
just and compassionate.
10 Teachings on Judaism and the Environment
1. God created the universe.
2. God's Creation is good.
3. Human beings are created in the image of God.
4. Humanity should view their place in Creation with love and awe.
5. The Sabbath and prayer help us to achieve this state of mind.
6. The Sabbath and prayer help us to achieve this state of mind.
7. The Torah gives an obligation to save human life.
8. The Torah prohibits the wasteful consumption of anything.
9. Environmental Justice is a Jewish value.
10.Tikkun Olam: The perfection/fixing of the world is in our hands.
The symbol of Judaism
The Star of David is a symbol of Judaism as a religion, and of the Jewish people as a
whole. And it also thought to be the shield (or at least the emblem on it) of King David. Star of
David, Hebrew Magen David (“Shield of David”), Magen also spelled Mogen, Jewish symbol
composed of two overlaid equilateral triangles that form a six-pointed star. The yellow badge
that Jews were forced to wear in Nazioccupied Europe invested the Star of David with a
symbolism indicating martyrdom and heroism.

In Jewish Symbol

Jewish Observances and Rituals

• Circumcision (covenant of Abraham)
• Adulthood: Bat-mitzvah, bar mitzvah.
• Menstrual purification (Mikvah--purification bath) Marriage.
• Death and Mourning: Belief in bodily resurrection requires burial; cremation and embalming
prohibited. • Dietary laws (Kosher foods):
• Daily prayer: Morning, afternoon, and evening.
Jewish people believe in Torah, which was the whole of the laws given to the Israelites at
Sinai. They believe in following God’s laws which govern their daily life. Abraham a Hebrew
man is considered the father of the Jewish faith that there is one God. Sarah, the wife of
Abraham who was old and childless, was told by God that their children would be as plentiful as
the stars in the sky. At that time, many people worshipped God in the Middle East. Isaac, son of
Abraham had a son, Jacob It took many years for the Israelites to finally get to what they thought
was the promised land-Canaan. The Israelites once again found themselves enslaved, this time
by Babylonians. Most of the Jews scattered all over the region eventually moved from the region
to avoid persecution which continuous to this day. Beginning in the 1880’s Jews began returning
to their homeland in growing numbers because they believe that in order for their culture to
survive, they have to live in their own country.
Today nearly fourteen million Jewish people live all over the world. Approximately, half
of them live in the United States, one quarter live in Israel, and a quarter are still scattered around
the world. Anyone born to a Jewish mother is considered a Jew.
The Jewish view of God
1. God exists.
2. There is only one God.
3. There are no other gods.
4. God can't be subdivided into different persons (unlike the Christian view of God).
5. Jews should worship only the one God.
6. God is Transcendent.
7. God doesn't have a body.
8. God created the universe without help.
 ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY 1
Check your understanding!
1. How did the Torah help Jews to grow in faith?
2. How do the 3 different groups differ in the interpretation of Torah?
3. What is the important concept that you value from what you have read about Judaism?
4. What have you discovered about yourself in relation to the concept learned from this
module?
5. What is the most important teaching of Judaism?
6. In what way is it similar to your own belief?
7. What Jewish view of God would you like to share to your family? Why?
8. What is the most important concept that you have learned about Judaism?
9. How did this module help you as a person?
ACTIVITY 2
Let’s try what you have learned from the topic. Read and understand each item carefully.
Identify the following:
__________ 1. They believe that God continues to work in the world, affecting everything that
people do.
__________ 2. Monotheistic religion developed among the ancient Hebrews.
__________ 3. They usually lead the services and a cantor leads the laity in singing.
__________ 4. This is important because they help define the difference between good and bad.
__________ 5. They believed that all of the practices in the Torah which is practical to obey
must be obeyed without question.
__________ 6. Is the central in all sacred or normative texts of Judaism.
__________ 7. It is the Jewish Holy Books (which include the Torah) ancient collection of
writings that are sacred to the Jews.
__________ 8. A collection of teachings and commentaries on Jewish law was created.
__________ 9. Is a Greek origin (synagein, “to bring together”) and means “a place of
assembly.” and in modern times the word temple is common among some Reform and
Conservative congregations.
__________ 10. It is the most important holy book of Judaism