Origins, Main Laws, and Texts
Guidelines, Divisions, and Tenets
Worship and Symbols
History, Key Figures, and Current Followers
Rituals and Observances
100
Who is the founder of Judaism and when was Judaism founded?
Moses; 1200 BC
100
Where do Jews get their moral guidelines?
The Torah and the 10 Commandments
100
What is the symbol for Judaism?
The Star of David
100
Where does most of the Jewish population live?
Tel Aviv, Israel - 2,707,000 Jews.
100
What is the major Jewish holiday that is celebrated in December?
What is Hanukkah. Hanukkah or the "Feast of Lights" is the celebration of God's deliverance of the Jews in 165 B.C. That year, the Jews won their first struggle for religious freedom by defeating the Syrians, who wanted them to give up Judaism. During this holiday, Jews light candles in a special branched candleholder called a menorah
200
What is the Jewish text that states the Jewish laws and beliefs given to Moses by God?
The Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament)
200
How many denominations does Judaism have?
Four: Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Judaism.
200
What does the menorah symbolize?
The menorah symbolizes the nation of Israel and the Jewish mission to be a light unto the other nations. It also commemorates the miracle that a day's worth of oil burned for eight days.
200
What percent of Jews live in America? 1/3 of these Jewish people live in what state?
45% of Jews live in America and 1/3 of these live in New York.
200
What event takes place that celebrates a boy becoming a full member of the Jewish community and at what age does this ceremony take place?
What is a bar mitzvah; 13. This event is celebrated in the synagogue. Most Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist synagogues, as well as some Modern Orthodox synagogues, have a similar ceremony for girls called a bat mitzvah or bas mitzvah. The young person reads from the Torah during the ceremony, which is followed by a social celebration.
300
Where was Judaism founded?
Mt. Sinai
300
What are the two tenets of Judaism?
1: there is only one universal God; God of all people and nations. 2: Jews were specifically chosen by God to receive his law.
300
Jewish worship takes place where?
In the home and in the synagogue.
300
What event was the cause of the death of 6 million Jews in Europe? What else were Jews blamed for?
The Holocaust. Jews were blamed for the plague and crop failure during the middle ages.
300
What prayer do followers of Judaism read after a loved one has passed away?
What is the Kadish. Burial takes place as soon as possible, usually within a day after a death. After the funeral, the family enters a seven-day period of deep mourning called shiva. The 30-day period following burial includes a return to normal activities after shiva is completed. It leads into an 11-month period of mourning during which the mourners recite a prayer called the Kaddish. The Kaddish praises God but does not mention death. It is recited only during public prayer, in the presence of a minyan. The unveiling of the tombstone, about 11 months after the death, marks the end of the formal mourning period. On each anniversary of the death, the relatives observe a memorial called a yahrzeit, reciting the Kaddish and lighting a candle in memory of the deceased.
400
What certain dietary restriction is required of followers of Judaism?
Only Kosher food may be eaten.
400
Which denomination of Judaism is most seen in America?
Reform Judaism
400
In all Orthodox and some Conservative synagogues, what is the minimum number of participants required for a service to take place? Who can lead the service?
At least 10 men must be present; this minimum number is called a minyan. Any male who is at least 13 years old may lead the service.
400
Who is a key figure of Judaism?
Abraham. Jews believe they are descendants of Abraham, who is credited with introducing the concept of "ethical monotheism", which is the belief in one god.
400
Which day of the week is considered a holy day of rest in the Jewish faith?
What is Saturday (The Sabbath). The seventh day of the week, Saturday, is a holy day of rest for Jews. It begins at sundown on Friday and ends about one hour after sunset on Saturday, at the time when it is calculated that three stars are visible in the evening sky. On the Sabbath, Jews attend worship services in the synagogue and eat special meals at home. Orthodox and some Conservative Jews do not work, travel, or carry money on the Sabbath.
500
Who do Jews think will come to restore the Jewish nation, and where will this person rule?
Jews believe a messiah will come to rule a perfect world in Israel, which will serve as a model for the rest of the world.
500
Who are the Hasidic Jews and what denomination are the part of?
Hasidic Jews are Eastern European Jews who stress the importance of joy and enthusiasm in performing their religious duties. They are part of the Orthodox Judaism denomination.
500
What does synagogue worship consist of?
Readings from the Torah, the chanting of prayers in Hebrew from a prayer book called the Siddur, and most Sabbath and holiday services include a sermon.
500
Which other religions were formed based on the teachings of Judaism?
What is Islam and Christianity. Judaism influenced the formation of both of these religions.
500
Where does a traditional Jewish marriage take place?
What is under a huppa, a canopy that symbolizes the union of the bride and groom. If a marriage breaks up, the husband must give the wife a writ of divorce called a get.
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