For levels 1 & 2 For levels 3 & 4 For levels 5 & 6 For levels 7 & 8 Glossary for Judaism up

 

Judaism 1 & 2

When relating teaching and learning objectives at levels 1 and 2 to Jewish experience, the teacher should draw on the following in an appropriate context

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  • Jews believe there is only one God, who is good and cares for all people. They believe God made the world. In many Jewish prayers God is called, the 'King of the Universe'.

  • For Jews, home and family life are very important. Many religious ceremonies and traditions are carried out at home rather than in the synagogue. Each week Jewish families celebrate Shabbat, the day of rest, which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday. It is welcomed with the lighting of candies and prayers. Children receive a special blessing from their parents. Blessings are also said over plaited bread (challah) and wine. The family eat together and often sing songs and play games. Shabbat is a reminder of how God rested after the creation of the world.

  • The Jewish Torah is made up of the five books of Moses. It is written in Hebrew and may be in the form of a scroll or an ordinary book (chumash). The Torah contains rules and laws (mitzvot) which tell people how to live; the most famous are the Ten Commandments. It contains sayings which show what is really important in life e.g. "love your neighbour as yourself'. It also contains stories which are told to Jewish children: about how God created the Earth and about people who are very important to the Jews (e.g. Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his 12 sons, one of whom was called Joseph; Moses and Miriam). A mezuzah (a tiny scroll with words from the Torah placed in a case) is put on the doorpost of a Jewish home; it shows that this is a place where God's Torah is loved and obeyed.

  • Jews celebrate many festivals connected with their history and with the land of Israel. Israel is very special to Jewish people although Jews live all over the world. It is the land they believe God promised to their ancestors; it is sometimes called the 'promised land'. Passover (or Pesach) recalls the time when God rescued the Jews from slavery in Egypt. Sukkot is a harvest festival, but also a reminder of how the Jews camped in the desert after they left Egypt. Hanukkah, with its lighting of candles, recalls the recapture of the Temple in Jerusalem from Jewish enemies and Purim, the saving of the Jews from danger in Persia. Often there is a special role for children who learn much of the history of their people at these times.

  • Jews meet in a synagogue to worship God and read the Torah. At the front of the synagogue is the Ark or cupboard for the Torah and nearer the middle a desk, the bimah, where the scrolls are placed for reading to the congregation. During a service prayers are said in Hebrew. Families also meet in the synagogue for weddings and a wide range of other services.

  • Children born to Jewish mothers are considered Jewish, regardless of whether or not their parents practise their religion. Children of observant Jews are usually given special Hebrew names in addition to any others their parents choose. Boys are welcomed into the community through the rite of Brit Milah or circumcision, a reminder of God's covenant with Israel (Genesis 17). A girl is welcomed into the community on the first Sabbath (Shabbat) after she is born when her father announces her Hebrew name in the synagogue.

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Judaism 3 & 4

When relating teaching and learning objectives at levels 3 and 4 to Jewish experience, the teacher should draw on the following in an appropriate context

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  • Jews are descendants of Abraham to whom they believe God promised the land of Israel. They believe the Jewish people were chosen by God and given special rules to live by. The name 'Jew' is derived from 'Judah', one of the tribes of Israel. On several occasions Jews were exiled from their land, latterly in 70 CE by the Romans, who destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem and scattered the Jewish people across the world. Israel was re-established as a Jewish homeland only in 1948. The Star of David, shown on the Israeli flag, has become the modern symbol of Judaism but its origins are unknown. The Menorah or 7- branched candlestick is an older symbol based on the original taken from the Jerusalem Temple by the Romans in 70 CE.

  • Jews believe in one God. The Shema, the first prayer Jewish children learn, declares "Listen, Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one!" (Deuteronomy 6). God is a great king, creator of the universe, but also cares for people. This is recognised in the Grace before meals and Grace after meals and the many blessings Jewish people make during a day. Teaching about God can be found in the Ten Commandments, in Bible stories and in Psalms. God's name is seen as particularly holy; it may be written G-d. Jews may pray to God three times a day: morning, afternoon and evening. A kippah or skull-cap is worn as a mark of respect before God. Tefillin (small leather boxes containing Bible passages) are sometimes worn by observant males over 13 in many services, except on Shabbat. A tallit (prayer shawl) is worn at all morning services. A siddur (prayer book) contains prayers for the services. Siddur means 'order' of service.

  • The Torah (law), Nevi'im (prophets) and Ketuvim (writings) form the Tenakh. The Torah, as God's law, is treated as particularly special. A Torah scroll is hand-written in Hebrew by a scribe following strict rules; it normally takes a year to complete one scroll. Scrolls are dressed in beautifully ornamented covers and kept in the Holy Ark. A portion (sidrah) of the Torah is read weekly in the Synagogue and it is considered a great honour to be 'called to the Torah'. When the cycle of readings comes to an end, it immediately begins again at a joyful celebration called Simchat Torah. The Torah contains 613 laws and rules (mitzvot which set out how Jews should live. They include laws about caring for others, looking after the environment, kosher (permitted) food, worship and festivals.

  • Synagogue or 'shul' is a community centre for Jews, used for worship, study, and fellowship. Synagogue means 'coming together'. It plays a key part in community life (e.g. religion school for young people, adult study groups, fund raising, social functions, celebrations). The focal point of a synagogue is the Ark, a cupboard where the Torah is kept. Scrolls are read from the Bimah. The Ten Commandments may be seen above the Ark and a Ner Tamid (eternal light) symbolises God's presence. Some synagogues have a women's gallery. Services may be led by a chazan (cantor), members of the congregation may recite blessings or read portions of the Torah and the rabbi may give a talk.

  • Jewish children may attend religion classes (Cheddar) to read Hebrew, study Torah and hear stories of the 'patriarchs and matriarchs' of the Jewish nation. They will hear of Jacob whom God renamed Israel, of Joseph and Moses, and of later prophets like Elijah and Isaiah. Many stories come to life for them at festivals: Pesach (Passover) celebrates the Jewish escape from slavery in Egypt; Sukkot celebrates God's protection in the wilderness after that escape and involves building a succah; Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah and the story of Ruth is read.

  • Shabbat is the 'queen of festivals', a weekly rest day observed as a, reminder of Creation and in obedience to the Ten Commandments. There are special meals, synagogue services and time together as a family. It is a day to be welcomed not something dull or restrictive. Jews also celebrate other important occasions: circumcision, a girl's naming ceremony, marriage under the huppah. They also meet together at funerals, the saying of Kaddish for a year after the death of a close relative and additionally on the anniversary of the death.

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Judaism 5 & 6

When relating teaching and learning objectives at levels 5 and 6 to Jewish experience, the teacher should draw on the following in an appropriate context

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  • Jews are monotheists; they believe in one God. The most basic Jewish teaching about God is contained in the Shema. In the Torah God's name is written using 4 consonants i.e. without vowels. It is too holy to be pronounced. In everyday speech and prayers many terms are used to refer to God: the holy one, blessed be he; ribbons shel olam (sovereign of the universe); ha shem (the name); shomer Yisrael (guardian of Israel); adonal (Lord). These titles give an indication of how Jews perceive God. There is a deep emphasis on both the mercy of God and the justice of God as seen in stories like Abraham and Isaac, Sodom and Gomorrah.

  • Jews understand their relationship with God in terms of a Covenant. God requires them to keep Mitzvot (commandments) and on his part promises to be their God. Jews believe they are a chosen people; chosen not for privilege, but for particular responsibilities. The stories of Abraham (the founding of the Covenant) and Moses (the great servant of God) tell of the beginnings of that relationship but it is not seen as an easy one though; the name Israel literally means 'one who struggles with God'. Jews believe they should respond to God through prayer and worship (Tefillah). They should be grateful for all God has done, a response seen in the Amidah (the standing prayer with 1 8 blessings in praise of God) which is said at daily services and in thanksgiving after meals. They should also respond through Teshuva (repentance) and Tzedaka (seeking social justice).

  • The High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), express beliefs about God's judgement and the need for repentance and forgiveness. The Shofar calls people to think about judgement day. White robes and covers for Torah symbolise purity. The custom of Tashlich is practised by some Jews and symbolises the 'throwing away' of sins. Yom Kippur is a day of contemplation and reflection, making amends, and seeking God's forgiveness through fasting.

  • The Torah is important to the Jews as God's revelation; it was a precious gift from God on Mt Sinai. Written in Hebrew it contains laws, stories and poetry. Over the years copying Torah scrolls has developed into an exacting art with many rules governing how words must be copied, what to do if a mistake is made and so on. This attention to detail has enabled a high degree of accuracy in the copying. In Reformed Synagogues a translation in the local language is often used. Many children learn Hebrew and study Torah in a very detailed way. Talmud is also studied; this consists of Mishnah (Oral Law) and Gemara (commentary). Mishnah is mostly Halakhah (rules, legal decisions) regarded as binding on Jews but some is Agadah (moral teaching, legend and ideas) which is less so.

  • Mishnah says boys of 13 and girls of 12 can accept religious responsibility. Boys become Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandment) when they reach 13 and a public ceremony, involving reading aloud from the Torah in the synagogue, has marked it for many years. Friends and relatives come to watch as the boy is called up by his Hebrew name to the Torah. He reads a Bar Mitzvah prayer stating his resolve to take up his religious responsibilities and asking God's help in his new commitment to keep the mitzvot, wear tefillin and so on. A Bat Mitzvah service is a newer idea and only accepted in some Jewish communities. A group of girls may recite a psalm together, read about Bible women, say the Shema and the 10 commandments before the rabbi blesses them.

  • Many Jews pray the morning, afternoon and evening services in their prayer book, finding in their prayers strength for living. Some may attend the synagogue for these services. Many of the set prayers are ones of praise and blessing towards God rather than prayers of intercession; they often draw on Psalms from the Bible. Apart from the set services Jews use many short prayers or blessings in the course of everyday life. While many pray in Hebrew, English is also used. Certain symbolic garments are worn for prayer: the Tallit (prayer shawl) and Tefillin (phylacteries) and their use goes back to Biblical times (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:18-21). In Orthodox synagogues, women pray separately from the men.

  • Eretz Israel was promised to Abraham and his descendants by God. The modern state of Israel developed after the Second World War and many Jews 'returned' to the land of their forefathers. Pilgrimage was not expected of Jews after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, but many see the remaining Western Wall of the Temple mount as a sacred place. It is treated as an open air synagogue; people place prayers in the cracks of the wall and Bar Mitzvahs are held there. Many visit Yad Vashem in Jerusalem (the Holocaust memorial) and also Masada, a mountain-top fort, scene of the Jews' last stand against the Romans.

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Judaism 7 & 8

When relating teaching and learning objectives at levels 7 and 8 to Jewish experience, the teacher should draw on the following in an appropriate context

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  • Judaism teaches that a child born of a Jewish mother is a Jew irrespective of upbringing. A child with a non-Jewish father and a Jewish mother, brought up as a Christian is still regarded by Judaism as a Jew. The religion of the mother is, therefore, the key factor in determining membership of the faith community. A few Jews have become so through conversion.

  • Judaism was not founded by a particular person. Jewish people emerged from ancient Mesopotamian civilisation as a tribe who had rejected polytheism in favour of a unique God, who was in their experience just and merciful. Jews believe that God intervened in history to support his covenant relationship with them.

  • Jewish ideas and faith about God: Jewish belief and faith is best summed up in the Thirteen Principles of faith. They stress the nature of God, his message to them and the assurance that the Messiah will come. The nature of God is perceived to be one of justice, compassion and love for all people. The compassion and grace of God permit atonement with those whose repent of their sin and spiritual estrangement.

  • Jews believe that human beings are made in the image of God. Justice and compassion are divine attributes which human beings must also realise in their lives. Love of one's neighbour is the principle of social life and the basis of the Jewish community. Nevertheless, human beings are prone to sinfulness and require God's law to lead a righteous life. Judaism teaches that each person is free to choose whether to do good or evil. All human beings have a responsibility to serve God. There are 7 mitzvot (Noachide Code) for all human beings and for Jews, the Chosen People, there are 613 mitzvot. They believe that all people who accept the Noachide Code are guaranteed salvation. Jews do not believe they are chosen by God for privilege, but for the responsibility of maintaining their covenant with him.

  • Beliefs about the Messiah (Mashiach): Jews believe that a human descendant of King David, will be a future leader of the Jewish people and will bring great changes to the world. He will be a man of piety and learning and he will usher in a new age.

  • Halachah (Jewish law) in the modern world: Human life is constantly changing, particularly in modern technological societies. These changes raise questions about how the laws (mitzvot) should be kept. It is the role of Jewish spiritual leaders (rabbis) to re-interpret mitzvot for the new conditions. Jews need answers to questions such as "is it breaking the Sabbath to use automated machinery?" The Jewish law (e.g.pirkei Avot- Ethics of the Fathers) is applied to a wide range of moral issues, including medical ethics (e.g. "When does human life begin or end?"; "Is contraception permitted? If so by what method?"; Pikuakh Nefesh - setting aside certain laws to save a life) and environmental ethics (Tikkun Olam - 'mending the world').

  • Shoah (the destruction) is the term Jews use for the Holocaust in which six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis. This event has had a huge impact on Jewish communities throughout the world. Jews still struggle with questions such as "Where was God?" or "Where was humanity?" or "Why did God allow the Holocaust to happen?". The Holocaust contributed to the dispersion of Jews around the world (Diaspora). Jews believe they have a special responsibility not to let the world forget the inhumanity and suffering in order to prevent such evil happening again.

  • The Jewish community in Great Britain is composed of both Sephardi and Ashkenazi communities. Sephardi Jews originally came from Spain and Portugal. However, the majority of Jews in this country are descendants of Ashkenazi Jews who originally came from Central and East Europe for economic reasons or to escape persecution. Within these communities there are various traditions. The two main traditions are Orthodox (They believe:- the Torah is revealed truth; unchanging and unchangeable) and Progressive (They believe:- Torah is inspired, containing the essence of Judaism, but is open to challenge and revision; e.g. Shabbat and pursuit of justice are absolute, but gender distinction in the Law are relative and temporary. God reveals himself bit by bit - progressively.)

  • Most Jews wish to marry a Jewish partner. This is strongly encouraged in this country by the Chief Rabbi. Sexual relationships before marriage are strictly forbidden. The Talmud encourages marriage. Marriages generally take place in a synagogue, but only where both partners are Jews. Sexual relations within marriage are looked upon as holy and pure. The majority of Jews no longer favour arranged marriages. Divorce has always been allowed in Judaism, although it is seen as a tragic event. In Orthodox Judaism a woman still does not have the power to divorce her husband. Providing the formalities have been completed satisfactorily divorced Jews are free to re-marry.

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