Important Figures

Two important figures are Moses and Abraham. Abraham was the prophet
who first taught people about God. Abraham led his followers to Israel where
they started faming. When famine came, they fled to Egypt and were
enslaved for 400 years. In circa 1290 B.C.E. (Before Common Era), Moses, a
leader, led the out of Egypt and enslavement, in what is known as the
Exodus. While he was freeing them, God gave him the Ten Commandments
(ten laws on how to live, written on two stone tablets). They are a pivotal
part of Judaism.

Holy Sites
On Mount Moriah, in 10th B.C.E., it is believed that King Solomon built the
First Temple that was destroyed by Babylonian invaders. In 515 B.C.E., the
Second Temple, which was later destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E., was
built. All that remains of it today is the Western Wall, where some people
pray.

The Torah and the Talmud

The Torah is viewed as the "revealed" words of God. They are the first five
books of the Old Testament and contain the complete Jewish history and the
foundation of Jewish Laws. The original word of the Torah, in Hebrew, is
written on a scroll by a trained person, with a quill and special ink. The
Talmud tells you how to behave in every part of your life.

Beliefs
Jews believe that God wants them to not only follow Jewish laws, but to also
share them with the world. They also believe in God's forgiveness and the
respect and love of others. They believe that either a Messianic Age (a time
of peace) or a Messiah (a savior) will one day come. They believe that people
are equal in death.

Practices and Traditions

Jews practice the dietary laws of Kosher, which say that they can't eat pigs,
horses, rabbits, birds of prey or shellfish. Jews pray three times a day, facing
Jerusalem. A synagogue is the Jewish place of worship, and it is led by a
rabbi. Sabbath is a day of rest and prayer. It starts every Friday, at sundown
and ends the next day, at sundown.

Major Holidays

Major holidays include Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and Passover, the
Festival of Unleavened Bread. Yom Kippur is the most sacred day and is
accordingly spent completely in synagogue services, praying and fasting. It
is ten days after Rosh Hashanah and is a day for asking for forgiveness,
because all Jews are judged by God. Passover celebrates the Jewish escape
from Egypt, is eight days long, and eating yeast is forbidden, hence the
name. The special meal that takes place is called Seder and every food in it
tells a part of the story of the Exodus.