Aim: What is unique

about the Judaic

faith?
 Aim: What is unique about the Judaic faith?
Principles of the religion of the Hebrews. The first person to be called a Hebrew was Abraham, and the
name commonly refers to his descendants, known as the Jewish people.
This is the beginning of a monotheistic religion.
 Historical Context
■ A “covenant relationship” between Yahweh (God) and
Abraham/Hebrew people.
■ The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (“Israel”) – origins
of the Hebrew people (more than 3800 years ago)
■ Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land of
Israel), ends 6th century BCE. Torah is the “Holy” book!
The rest of The Old Testament is written around this
time
■ Captivity under the Egyptians ,conquered by the
Assyrians, the Babylonians. Freed by Cyrus !
■ A nation in Diaspora (dispersed)
 Aim: What is unique about the Judaic faith?
Group Activity: Read primary
source on the following slides and
answer the questions that follow.
Discussion questions
according to the primary
source:
1. How should Hebrews act
toward others?

2. The commandments fall

into two categories of
conduct: what are they?

3. In what ways do the

commandments form a basis
for civil law?
How many of these principles do you practice in your life?
 How does Judaism sanctify life?
There is no heaven or hell therefore…
Life celebrations:
■ Bris – ritual circumcision, sign of the covenant
■ Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status and responsibility
within the religion
■ Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22)
■ Death – funerals, mourning (sitting “Shiva”), and
memorials (“Yartzeits”)
 Compare World Ideologies
Summary
Consider the two verses below from Hebrew Scriptures. How do they
compare or contrast with the ideas of Confucianism and Legalism?

■For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it
is he who will save us.
Isaiah 33:22

■Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good
and who never sins
Ecclesiastes 7:20