A.

Historical Background

Judaism traces its origin as an organized during the Bronze Age in West Asia and
world oldest religion and monotheistic religion that developed among the ancient
Hebrews. Judaism is that the complex phenomenon of a complete way of life for the
Jewish people, comprising theology, law, and innumerable cultural.

Jews/Jewish people- known as the “People of the Book” and referred as ‘Child of
Israel. They consider themselves as the people chosen by God to serve as an
exemplar of devotion in purity to humankind. They were groups of Semites called
Hebrews. Non-Jews, on the other hand, are called Gentiles in the Hebrew Bible.
Hebrews- refers to those who accepted Yahweh as their God
Abraham – his original name is Abram, born in the City of Ur. This name means “Father
of Multitude” known to be the “Father of Faith” and “Father of All Nation”. His two
sons Isaac and Ishmael and his story can be read in Genesis 11-25. He was 99 years
old when God appeared to him. The covenant made by Yahweh to Abraham is sealed
with the rite circumcision. (Any male individual who submits himself to the rite of
circumcision becomes a member of the covenant community.
Promised Land- also called as Canaan, Israel, Palestine, Land of Jesus. This name was
due to the belief that God gave a promise to Abraham about a land flowing with milk
and honey (Gen. 15:18)
Israelites/Israelites Jews - refers to the people whom the Hebrew Bible describes
specifically as the direct descendants of any of the sons of the patriarch Jacob(later
called Israel) and his descendants as a people are also collectively called "Israel".
Sarah- her original name is Sarai. It means “princess” or noble woman”. He bore a child
after they have entered a covenant with God. He is wife of Abraham.
Isaac- son of Sarah and Abraham. The heir to God’s Covenant and the ancestor of the
Jewish people. Later married to Rebecca and had a twin sons (Jacob and Esau)
Jacob- His name was changed to “Israel” which suggests “the one who wrestled with
God”. The name Israel symbolizes the profound relationship of God together with
his people. His family was forced to settle in Egypt because of famine. Among four
different women, Jacob fathered twelve sons and one daughter. His twelve sons
become the twelve tribes of Israel.
Twelve Tribes
Reuben Gad
Simeon Asher
Levi Naphtali
Judah Joseph
Zebelun Benjamin
Issachar Dan
Joseph- he was the favorite child of Jacob. Sold by his jealous brother to the Egyptian
Merchant. He has the ability to see and interpret visions which he earned his place
in court as a Vizier.
Moses – he is the son of Jochebed, a woman from a Levi tribe. His mother put him in a
basket and sent him down to the Nile river because there is a decree coming from
the Pharaoh that all male child will be put to death because of the growing number
of the Israelites. Bithia, pharaoh’s daughter found and rescued him. He

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 has a good life in the hands of the Princess. He was called as “The Liberator”. On
Mount Horeb, God revealed himself to Moses in a burning bush and commanded
him to save the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
Ramses- the Egyptian pharaoh refuse to release the Israelites so they suffer the “Ten
Plagues”. One of it is the first born male child will die, sons of Israelites will be saved
if they marked their door with a blood of lamb killed as a sacrifice. In that fated
night, lamb must be cooked and eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread- this
is known as the Passover- an important Jewish Festival
Exodus- the exit of the Israelites from Egypt led by Moses (they cross the Red Sea) it
became a part of Jewish history that manifested Yahweh’s intervention to deliver his
chosen people.

B. Books/Sacred Writings
The Jewish people have been called the “people of the Book” in reference to the
Hebrew Bible (Tanakh or Mikra) that has been the authority, guide, and inspiration of the
many forms of Judaism that have evolved throughout the different periods of time and in
various places Parrinder (1971). They had produced several books and sacred writings and
they are as follows.

Tanakh – the Hebrew Bible, constituting the entire canon of divinely revealed scripture in
Judaism. Hebrew bible (Old Testament) for Christians it contains 24 collection of
books with 3 parts the following are: Torah/Pentateuch (teaching or law), Nevi’im
(Prophets) and Ketuvim (writings)also called Written Torah

1. Torah/Pentateuch - The term Torah means “teachings and instructions.” composed

the first “Five Books” of the Pentateuch traditionally believed to have been authored
by Moses through divine instruction in Sinai. It could mean as the whole body of
Jewish laws or teachings. It narrates the history, religious statues, and moral
regulations for individuals and society, ceremonial rites and creation stories by
Yahweh, and the origin and growth of mankind.
Five Books are the following:
◘ Genesis (Origin) ◘ Leviticus ◘ Deutoronomy
◘ Exodus ◘ Numbers
2. Prophets/Nevi’im - is one who was called by God to communicate His word to the
King and to the people. (One important Jewish belief- belief in the words of the
prophets) and served as spokesperson who criticize the hypocritical practices of
Jewish rituals.
Prophets
Joshua Samuel Isaiah Ezekiel
Judges Kings Jeremiah
Minor Prophets
Hosea Zephaniah Haggai
Amos Zechariah Malachi
Jonah Joel Micah
Nahum Obadiah Habakkuk
3. Ketuvim/Writings - contains works of poetry, temple ritual, private prayer,
philosophical explorations, and other canonical works the following are:
Psalm Ruth Daniel
Proverbs Lamentations Ezra-Nehemiah
Job Ecclesiastes Chronicles
Song of Songs Esther

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Talmud (Oral Torah) - it means “study”. It contains all the studies and interpretations
done by Jewish rabbis or teachers of Torah. It is an authoritative collection of
rabbinic interpretations of the sacred scriptures. It contains materials of law and
moral codes. The Talmud contains the Mishnah and another text known as the
Gemara.
a. Mishnah- compilation of oral law or a resentment of the law by respected opinion.
(Compilation of Talmud)
b. Gemara - it examines the legal and ethical commentaries on the Mishnah

Midrash- examines the nonliteral meanings of the Tanakh. They are mostly stories that
relay to words, themes, or stories in the Tanakh, which aim to make these words,
themes, or stories more clear and related to a person’s life.

C. Beliefs and Doctrines

In Judaism, actions are more significant than beliefs. However, while Judaism has
no dogma, there is definitely a place for belief within the religion since it focuses on the
worship to one God, the practice of good deeds, and the love of learning.
For the Jews, there is one everlasting god who created the universe in its entirety
and remains to be the master of it. Human Beings were created by God, provided them
the capacity to decide what is right and wrong, and gave them the freedom and
responsibility for their own actions. Humans have the ability to restrain their evil
intentions because of their propensities for both good and evil.
For Jews, all human beings created equal. God can communicate with humans
through revelations, humans also communicate to him by means of prayer and
meditations.

Articles and Faith

It was proposed by the eminent medieval Jewish philosopher Moshe ben Maimon
(also known as Rambam or Moses Maimonies) during the latter part of 12 century C.E as
an appendix to his commentary in Mishnah. According to him, it is the minimum
requirements of Jewish belief as listed in his Thirteen Principles of Faith.

Jewish Principles of Faith

1. God exist.
2. God is one and unique.
3. God is incorporeal
4. God is eternal.
5. Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other.
6. The words of the prophets are true.
7. Moses prophecies are true, and Moses was the best of the prophets.
8. The Written Torah and therefore the Oral Torah got to Moses.
9. There will be no other Torah.
10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men.
11. God will reward the great and punish the wicked.
12. The Messiah will come.
13. The dead will be resurrected.

The Ten Commandments

Set of absolute laws given by God to Moses at the biblical Mount Sinai that shall
govern the life of every Israelite. Most scholars consider this period as the official
beginning of Judaism as an organized and structured belief system. These laws are

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 twice mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in Exodus (20:2-17) and Deuteronomy (5:6-
21). Inscribed on two stone tablets, these commandments present God’s complete and
enduring standard for morality. It includes instructions to venerate only one God, to
honor one’s parents, and to observe Sabbath as holy day.

D. Worships and Observances

Sabbath (Shabbat)
The most important day in the Jewish calendar because it commemorates God’s
completion of the creation of the universe and his rest day toil.
It begins a few minutes before sunset on Friday and runs until an hour after sunset on
Saturday. At Friday sundown, Sabbath candles are lighted and Kiddush (‘sanctification”)
is recited over wine or grape juice.

The Days of the AWE

Tishri- is the seventh month in the ecclesiastical years of the Jewish calendar. * The first
ten days of Tishri are called the “Days of AWE” where the first two days comprise the New
Year (Rosh Hashanah) and the tenth day as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). All Jews
must undergo self-reflection and make amends for all the sins they have committed.

Rosh Hashanah is also a day of judgement wherein God assesses one’s deeds and
decides what lies ahead of him or her following year. These deeds are recorded in the
“Book of Life” and sealed on Yom Kippur. Work is not permitted during the Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah marks the starts of the ten day penitence
leading to the Yom Kippur and is distinguished from other days by blowing a ram’s
horn trumpet (shofar) in the synagogue and eating apples dipped in honey which is
symbolic for a sweet new year.

Yom Kippur is the most sacred and solemn day in the Jewish calendar that brings the
period of repentance to its conclusion. The eve of the day is called Kol Nidrei (all vows)
which are the opening words of a prayer. The words and music of the Kol Nidrei is said to
be the most powerful single item in Jewish Liturgy. A day of fasting and praying for
absolution of one’s sins, it provides every Jew an opportunity for both personal and
communal repentance. One must refrain from eating and drinking, even water.
Symbolizing purity, it is customary for the Jews to wear white during holiday. An entire
day is spent in the synagogue while reciting prayers.

Pilgrimage Festivals
During the golden days, the Torah commanded the ancient Israelites to go to
Jerusalem on the three pilgrimage festivals and participate in the worship at the Temple
also called as Shalosh Regalim, these are Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Weeks or
Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). These festivals spiritualize human life and merge
nature and history during a divine pattern.

Pesach- It is the eight day festival that originally marked the beginning of the barley
harvest. Its principal purpose is to commemorate and recreate the Exodus of the Jews
from Egypt. A festive meal is celebrated wherein the story of Exodus is narrated by the
heads of the family to the children.

Shavuot – It is a two-day festival that was originally a celebration of the wheat harvest.
It commemorates the revelation of the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai.

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Sukkot – It is the nine day festival commemorating the autumn harvest and the forty years
of Israelites stay in the desert wilderness subsisting solely on the bounty of God.

Other Important Days

1. Hanukkah (Festival of Lights or Feast of Dedication)- is a celebration to

commemorate the victory of Jewish fighters against Seleucid Empire in 165 BCE.
2. Purim (Feast of Esther)- celebrates the deliverance of the Jews during the Persian
Empire specifically from the vizier Haman who wanted to annihilate all Persian Jews
as recorded in the Book of Esther.

Halakha - set of rules and practices that govern their everyday living. “the path that one
walks”. These are Jewish religious laws derived from the “Oral Torah” and “Written
Torah” including 613 rules( mitzvot in Hebrew) which include the ten commandments
written on two stone tablets. Jewish laws contain directions on how to revere God and
treat other people and animals.
It instructs Jew what to do as they wake up in the morning, what foods to eat, what
clothes to wear, who to marry, and how to observe Sabbath and holy days. When properly
observed, Halakha increases one’s spirituality as even mundane acts becomes essential to
his her existence.

Synagogue - Jewish temples or worship, instruction, and community fellowship that

contains separate rooms designed for specific activities such as praying and studying. In
Orthodox Judaism, men and women sit separately at the synagogue; Reform Judaism,
they sit altogether in temples.

“Ark of the Covenant” – an ark inside a temple is generally placed during a manner
that when people face the ark , they're facing the direction of Jerusalem.

Temple- David conquered Jerusalem around 1003 BCE, and made it his capital.
Bringing with him the “Ark of the Covenant”, David intended to build a temple to become
the first and fixed place to worship for the Jews. However, God told David that it would
be one of his sons who will have the privilege of accomplishing this task.
The Hebrew Bible acknowledged Solomon, David’s son as builder of the First
Temple in Jerusalem around 1000 BCE which was also known as “Solomon’s Temple”.
Within temple, the most important room was the “Holy Holies” where the “Ark of the
Covenant” was kept. The ark contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments and the
Pentateuch.
The first temple became the focus of Jewish worship for 400 years until
Nebuchadnezzar II and Babylonians completely destroyed the structure in 587 BCE.
Allegedly located in Temple Mount or Mount Zion, the remains of the First Temple has
never been found and the “Ark of the Covenant” has continuously been shrouded in the
mystery.
In 353 BCE, the Jews began to rebuild their temple under the Persian King Darius
who ratified their effort. The Second Temple was completed in 349 BCE that was
substantially altered under Herod around 20 BCE and destroyed by Romans in 70 CE.
Presently this is the famous “Western Wall” (Wailing Wall or Kotel) that has been a
popular site of prayer and pilgrimage for the Jews throughout many centuries.
For Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, a Third Temple will be established before
the coming of the Messiah. Prophesized in the Book of Ezekiel, it will be known as
“Ezekiel’s Temple” that will become a lasting structure and serve as permanent abode of
the God of Israel. The concept of Messiah (anointed one) in Judaism pertains to a great
political human leader descended from David who shall accomplish prearranged things
in the coming future, such as bringing the Jews to Israel, rebuilding new temples in
Jerusalem and establishing law as the law of the land.

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E. Subdivisions

Orthodox Judaism
Is the most traditional of modern Judaism that adheres to the authority of the
entire Torah as given to Moses by God at Mount Sinai. The Torah is the sole authority
that must be strictly followed until the present time. It rejects all other Jewish movements
as undesirable deviations from the original Jewish religion.

Reform Judaism
Liberal or progressive Judaism it is considered the most liberal expression of
Judaism that subjects religious laws and customs to human judgment. It developed due
to internal changes in Judaism as well as other factors operating within the society. This
domination sought to adhere to the original teachings of Judaism while allowing some
changes in their traditions. For example: services were permitted to be conducted in
mixed Hebrew and English, no longer conducted solely in the Hebrew language. Women
were also accorded equality in terms of sitting together with men in synagogues and
allowing them to become rabbis unlike other denominations.

Conservative Judaism
Seek to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism while at the same time
allows for modernization that is less radical than Reform Judaism.
Gradual change in law and practice is allowed only if such occurrence is in harmony
with Jewish tradition. It falls halfway between the two major denominations.

Reconstructionist Judaism- Reconstructionist dates back to 1922 when Mordecai

Kaplan founded the Society for the Advancement of Judaism. This sect believes that
Judaism is a religious civilization that’s constantly evolving.

Hasidism or Hasidic Judaism

Emerged in Germany during the 12th century and it was largely a spiritual
movement that gives prime importance to asceticism ( relating to or having a strict and
simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure) and experience as a result of love and
humility before God. During the 18th century, modern Hasidic movements were started
in Poland by Baal Shem Toy (Master of the Good Name) as a reaction to the excessive
legalistic nature of Judaism during that time.

Kabbalah
Is another mystical form of Judaism that attempts to penetrate deeper into God’s
essence itself. They believe that God moves in mysterious ways, they also hold that
genuine knowledge and understanding of that inner process is achievable.
Zorah (Splendor or Radiance)- important commentary on the Torah that underpinned
kabbalah that first appeared in Spain in the 13th century.

F. Selected Issues

Women in Judaism
Women’s role in the Jewish religion is determined by the Tanakh, the “Oral
Torah,” and Jewish customs. Mishnah instructs that women must follow nearly all the
negative commandments except trimming the beard and viewing a dead body. Women
must also follow all positive commandments not structured by time but are exempted
from those that are restricted by time.
Women from laws they find difficult or impossible to perform given their
traditional domestic roles, such as giving birth, taking care of the family, and
accomplishing household chores. In addition, women have the right to be consulted on

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matters concerning marriage. Judaism offers tremendous respect to roles given to women
as wives and mothers. Even Jewishness or the question of Jewish self- identification is
passed down through the mother.

Orthodox Judaism, there exist different roles for men and women in their religious
lives. For example, it is sufficient for any woman to understand the practical nature of the
Torah, but she is traditionally excused from furthering her education beyond that
knowledge. However, provision for education for Jewish women has progressed rapidly
in the past century. One interesting phenomenon in Judaism is the concept of agunot or
married women who wish to divorce their husbands but whose husbands decline to do so.
In Orthodox Judaism, only the husbands are given this privilege.

Conservative Judaism has acted upon several areas that enable women to actively
participate in Jewish rituals thereby minimizing legal disparity between men and women.

Reform Judaism affirms that men and women should be equal in terms of performing
their duties within the Jewish community. Prayer books have been revised in order to
avoid words and pronouns that appear male in character. Jewish patriarchs and
matriarchs must be placed side by side whenever they are mentioned in prayer books.
While men and women generally sit separately in most synagogues, Reform Judaism has
allowed women to sit together with men.

Jewish Diaspora and Zionist Movement

In the 16th and 17th centuries, there had been calls to persuade the Jews to return
to Palestine. During the late 18th century, the Haskalah (“Jewish Enlightenment”)
movement promoted Jewish assimilation to Western secular culture (Parrinder 1971). In the
early 19th century, the idea of Jewish returning to Palestine was kept alive by Christian
millenarians or believers of divine intervention that will ultimately bring a new world order.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the Hungarian journalist and political activist
Theodor Herzl founded the Zionist movement that advocated the return of Jews to Eretz
Yisrael or “Land of Israel.” The word zion, also a Jewish synonym for Jerusalem, derived
from the name of a mountain where Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem was located.
Originally secular in nature, supporters of this movement are called Zionists.
The Zionists believed that Jews as the chosen people of God will be reunited from
dispersion or exile back to their rightful homeland. The dispersion of Jewish communities
outside Israel that have continually occurred since ancient Judaism 63 history is called
diaspora. Eventually, Zionist activities in the US became influential in garnering American
congressional and presidential support that led to the creation of the state of Israel in
1948. Since that time of establishment, the Zionist movement has come to promote the
development and protection of Israel.

Holocaust
The term Holocaust is of Greek origin that means “sacrifice by fire.” In history,
Holocaust pertains to the methodical, bureaucratic, and state sponsored persecution and
execution of around six million Jews undertaken by the Nazi regime and its collaborators
from 1933 to 1945. For the Hitler-led Nazis, the Germans were racially superior and
considered themselves as the master race as compared to the Jews who were seen as
inferior people. Hitler’s police chief, Heinrich Himmler, also believed in Aryan superiority
leading to the enslavement and extermination of “non-Aryans” and the inferior race
(Perry 1988). He was one of the German officials directly responsible

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for the holocaust. The Nazis also targeted Jewish children for extermination to
create a biologically pure Aryan society.
The killing of Jewish children aimed to prevent the emergence of a new
generation of European Jews. As a result, about one and a half million children
were murdered all across Europe.

Anti-Semitism
The term anti-Semitism pertains to hostility towards and discrimination
against the Jewish people that was strongly felt in France, Germany, Poland, and
Russia in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The term was popularized
in Germany around 1870s. The most common manifestations of anti-Semitism
were the many violent riots or pogroms undertaken against the Jews. The planned
extermination of the entire Jewish race during the time of the holocaust was the
most extreme form of anti- Semitism. Other forms of anti-Semitic activities
include the persecution and massacre of Jews throughout history.
More than a thousand synagogues were burned and over seven thousand
Jewish businesses were destroyed or damaged. The event was known as
Kristallnacht or “Night of Broken Glass,” referring to the shards of broken glass that
littered the streets.