History

1800 BCE- Abraham (known as the father of Judaism) moved from Mesopotamia to Canaan under God's command. Abraham made a covenant with God.
1600 BCE- Many Israelites migrated to Egypt as a result of famine
-Taken into slavery until the 13th century BCE when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt
-Known as the Exodus
1200 BCE- The Jews returned to Canaan and settled the land
-A kingdom was established under Saul and continued under King David and Solomon (capital was Jerusalem)
-The nation split into the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah. They were both eventually conquered and the experiences were recorded in the Talmud
70 AD- The Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the Jews were forced out of the area and into Mediterranean countries and other areas in southwest Asia. This is known as the Diaspora. Their lives didn't improve much as they suffered persecution and poverty.
During and after World War II- Organized murder of Jews. This is the Holocaust

http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/history.htm

ED

Shavuot

Shavuot commemorates the giving of God's commandments. Shavuot occurs seven weeks after Passover. It is the second of three major festivals. Agriculturally it commemorates the time when fruits were harvested. Historically it commemorates the time when the Torah was given at Mount Sinai. It is really important for the Jewish people to count the days in between Passover and Shavuot, because it helps them to tie the two together. Passover, was whent eh Jewish people were freed, but the giving of the Torah was what spiritually redeemed them from bondage/slavery. Work is not allowed during Shavuot. It is customery to stay up the whole first night of Shavuot. It is also customery to eat one dairy meal during Shavuot.

http://www.jewfaq.org/holidayc.htm

HC

Messiah

Messiah: The messiah is the "annoited one," a king that will be sent from God at the end of time. Belief in the messiah is a fundamental belief of traditional Judaism. It is believed that the suggestion of a messiah was brought out during the time of the prophets. It is said that the messiah will be a great political leader and a descendent of King David. He will know Jewish law and the commandments very well. He is said to be a profound military leader, a great judge, a charismatic leader, who will easily lead people in his ways. But most importantly, he is said to be a human being, not a god. It is also said that in every generation a human with the potential to be a messiah is born. It is said that the messiah will come at a time when he is most needed. When the messiah comes it is said that he will restore Jerusalem. These are all things believed by the Jewish people, but none of it is yet for sure known, becuase none of it has happened yet.

http://www.jewfaq.org/moshiach.htm

HC

Day of Antontment

Day of Antontment: The Day of Antontment is the final day of a ten day period of penitence. It begins with Rosh Hashanah. The Day of Antontment is the day that you make up for things you have done wrong and the day for making peace with the people that you have upset. This is the day the Jews try to become at peace with God. In order to do this they must ask for forgiveness and aknowledge the fact that there are changes that need to be made in their lives. For about a month before The Day of Antontment (Yom Kippur) there is a shofar blown in the synagogue. A shofar is a ram's horn, and it calls the Jewish people to make them think of the things that they need to ask forgiveness for on The Day of Antontment. Jews are given ten days before The Day of Antontment to put their lives in order and to think about who they need to apologize to and what they need to ask forgiveness for.



Living Religions: Judaism, By Cavan Wood



HC

History of Judaism

The religion is 4,000 years old. It gave birth to Christianity and Islam. It is a monotheistic religion that worships Adonai.

Judaism started with a group of people called Hebrews. They lived a nomadic life in what is now Iraq. Abraham is the first Jew and his son Isaac and Isaac's son Jacob are the 3 patriarchs or fathers of Judaism. Jacob had 12 sons and they became the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel.

http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/history.htm

ED