Quarter 1 – Module 4:

Judaism
Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems – SHS
Judaism - 1st Semester Module

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 l. INTRODUCTION

Dear learners, this module was designed especially for you to let you
understand the elements, brief history, and core teachings of Judaism. As the activity
unfolds, you will get to learn more about Judaism. Enjoy reading!

ll. OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

Understand brief history and core teachings, fundamental beliefs and

practices and related issues of Judaism.

lll. VOCABULARY LIST

To have a better understanding of the lesson, let’s grasp first the meaning of
unfamiliar words.

Word Definition
- monotheistic religion developed among the ancient
Hebrews. It characterized by a belief in one
Judaism transcendent. God who revealed himself to Abraham,
Moses, and the Hebrew prophets. The cultural, social,
and religious beliefs and practices of the Jews.
- is what Christians refer to as the “Old Testament“
(though the term is considered mildly insulting to Jews
– “Hebrews Bible” is preferred).the religion derived from
Tanakh
Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture,
and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic and
Protestant Bodies.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 3

 - are the first 5 books of the Tanakh: Genesis, Exodus,
Torah
Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
- the scripture, though the more common religious “word”
for it is (Tanakh), an acronym for the three parts into
which Jews divide the Hebrew Bible, Torah (the
Pentateuch), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim
Hebrew
(Writings)a member of an ancient people living in what
is now Israel and Palestine and, according to biblical
tradition, descended from the patriarch Jacob,
grandson of Abraham.
- an ethnoreligious group originating from Israelites and
Hebrews of Israel and Judah. Judaism is the ethnic
Jewish religion of the Jewish people, while its observance
varies from strict observance to complete
nonobservance.
- principles concerning the distinction between right and
wrong or good and bad behavior. A particular system of
Morality
values and principles of conduct, especially one held by
a specified person or society.
- a belief about good behavior and what things are
important of a person or society. A collection of guiding
Values
principles; what one deems to be correct and desirable
in life, especially regarding personal conduct.

- contains the truth, the way, and the life. After we attain
salvation, there is no longer any more pain, tears, or
Salvation sorrow, nor any more feelings of helplessness. We live
with more purpose and meaning, and we live within the
promises and blessings of God.
- the body of knowledge and principles that develops
within specified society or period. The ability to know
Wisdom
what is true or right or the collection of one’s
knowledge.
- relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge.
For someone who is honest and follows good moral
Ethical
standards. It describes a person or behavior as right in
the moral sense-truthful, fair, and honest.
- a rule that must be obeyed, especially one handed
down by God. A divine rule given by God to Moses
Commandment
such as the rule that “Thou shall not kill’’ is an example
of a commandment.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 4

 lV. PRE-TEST

CHECK WHAT YOU KNOW!

How well do you know about Judaism?

Direction: Write the letter of your answer that best describe each sentence.

1. They believe that there’s only one God who has a. Orthodox
established a covenant – or special agreement
with them. b. Shabbat

2. The world’s oldest monotheistic religion, dating back c. Jewish

nearly 4,000 years.
d. Holocaust
3. The first five books of Tanakh – outlines laws for Jews
to follow. It’s sometimes referred to as the e. Judaism
Pentateuch.
f. Tanakh
4. A collection of teachings and commentaries on
Jewish law was created. It also contains the g. Talmud
Mishnah and another text known as the Gemara h. Torah
(which examines the Mishnah)

5. Is recognized as a day of rest and prayer for Jews.

It typically begins at sunset on Friday and lasts until
nightfall on Saturday.

V. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

GETTING STRONGER!

TASK 1: First Things First

As a starter, let’s get to learn Judaism by answering the activity below.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 5

 Arrange the characteristics in order of importance with 1 as the most
important, and 10 as the least important. Write your ranking in column 2. In column
3, rate yourself (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest). Copy this in your journal.

Characteristics Ranking Self-evaluation

Imitate God and be an example
Love for one another
Serves other before my self
Respects all religions
Accept God and became His
ambassador
Contributed to the welfare of each
other
Never let fears decide for me
Recognize your gifts and those
others too.
Remind of your commitment to
help other for the common good.
Love yourself unconditionally

Answer the following questions in your journal.

1. How did you feel when you were answering the activity?
2. Which came out to be the first and last in your ranking? Why?
3. What is the most common idea among the given characteristics?
4. Which characteristic should you grow more?

Vl. DEEPENING

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?

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 6

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
https://www.history.com/topics/religion/judaism
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.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 7

 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.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 8

 Come to think of it …
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?

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.
•
www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk › religion › jewish

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:

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 9

"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 Nazi-
occupied Europe invested the Star of David with a symbolism indicating martyrdom
and heroism.

In Jewish Symbol
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 10
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.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 11

 Check your understanding!

1. What is the most important teaching of Judaism?

2. In what way is it similar to your own belief?
3. What Jewish view of God would you like to share to your family? Why?
4. What is the most important concept that you have learned about
Judaism?
5. How did this module help you as a person?

Vll. APPLICATION

Well done! You’re about to finish this module. But before that, recall what you
have learned from the discussion.

Reflect on what you have learned today by doing the activity below: In this
activity, write your new learning on the importance of beliefs of Judaism that lead
them to grow and make a balanced person.

1. Prepare 10 small sheets of paper

2. Recall the 10 Commandments as written in the Torah
3. Arranged them according to the belief of Jews
4. Pick out 5 sheets of paper
5. Read them quietly
6. Reflect on each commandment and write what you feel about it at the bottom
part of the paper

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 12

 Vlll. POST-TEST

Examine the brief history and core teachings of Judaism by answering the
questions in the table below.

JUDAISM
What questions would I
What have I learned about What have I understood
still like to ask my teacher
its brief history? about its teachings?
about it?

lX. ASSIGNMENT / ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

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.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 13

__________ 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

CONGRATULATIONS!

You did a great job! You’re done with this module.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 14

 X. ANSWER KEY

PRE-TEST

1. C
2. E
3. H
4. G
5. B

POST-TEST

1. Jews
2. Judaism
3. Rabbi
4. Ethics
5. Orthodox Jews
6. Ethical Monotheism
7. Tanakh
8. Talmud
9. Synagogue
10. Torah

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 15

References:

• Religion: Judaism. BBC., Ancient Jewish Texts. My Jewish Learning.

• The Jewish Denominations. My Jewish Learning., What is Judaism?

Chabad.org., Jewish Sacred Texts. Israel Ministry. Of Foreign Affairs., Jewish
Population. Judaism 101.

• Published by: Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, an affiliate of

Yeshiva University. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26203067 page Cunt:16

• https://www.quora.com. What-is-th…

• https://www.coursehero.com > file

• https://www.britannica.com. topic

• https://en.wikipedia.org > wiki > Sal…

• Jewish symbolism - Wikipedia

• en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Jewish_symbolism

• www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk › religion › jewish

• https://www.history.com/topics/religion/judaism

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 16

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INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 17