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Modern Judaism

Modern Judaism. Religion of Obedience to the Righteous God. TORAH. Founder of Judaism. Often associated with Moses and receiving the law Biblically starts with Abraham. Historical Development. God’s Election of Israel Revealed ( See timeline ) God in the world, Gen. 1-11 God to all people

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Modern Judaism

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  1. Modern Judaism Religion of Obedience to the Righteous God TORAH

  2. Founder of Judaism • Often associated with Moses and receiving the law • Biblically starts with Abraham

  3. Historical Development • God’s Election of Israel Revealed (See timeline) • God in the world, Gen. 1-11 • God to all people • All people answerable to God • God’s election of Abraham for a chosen people • A people through whom all peoples would be blessed • Abraham (2100 B. C.) • Joseph in Egypt (1900 B. C.) • Two Commonwealths • Law given to fall of southern kingdom (1446 B. C. – 587 B. C.) • Fall of southern kingdom to destruction of Jerusalem (586 B. C. – A. D. 70)

  4. Historical Development • First Commonwealth (1446 – 587 B. C.) • Exodus and the Law (1446 – 1406 B. C.) • Period of Judges (1406 – 1050 B. C.) • United Kingdom (1050 – 931 B. C.) • Fall of Northern Kingdom, Israel (722 B. C.) • Features of First Commonwealth • Identity as a nation • Legal code • Worship & sacrificial system

  5. Historical Development • Second Commonwealth (586 B. C. – A. D. 70) • Fall of Southern Kingdom, Judah (586 B. C.) • End of Exile (537 B. C.) • Last Biblical Prophet, Malachi (440 B. C.) • Conquest of Alexander the Great (332 B. C.) • Maccabean revolt (166 B. C.) • Herod the Great, Hasmonean Kingdom (37 B. C. to A. D. 4) • Destruction of Jerusalem (A. D. 70) & Masada (A. D. 74) • Features of Second Commonwealth • Ethnic Identity • Legal Code: Keeping the Law • Devotion to God • Party Division: Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, etc. • Messianic expectation

  6. Historical Development Masada (Breached Spring of A. D. 74)

  7. Historical Development • Rabbinic Judaism • Developed after fall of Masada from Pharisees as the source of Rabbis • Emphasized obedience to the law • Today Judaism emphasizes obedience to the law, not a personal belief • Rabbis kept the Tanakh (Jewish scripture) alive • Collecting the Mishnah begun • Sacrificial system replaced with liturgical prayer and ethical behavior • Synagogues centers of worship • Minyan – quorum of ten adult males for community worship

  8. Historical Development • Rabbinic Judaism into Middle Ages • A. D. 136 Bar Kochba rebellion put down and Jerusalem razed • Jews dispersed to various parts of the Roman Empire • Mishnah completed by Rabbi Judah, the Prince in A.D. 200 (completed legal teaching of oral Torah). • Jews that dispersed to Persia prospered among Zoroastrians • Became the center of Jewish intellectual activity until 10th century • When Shi’ite Islam came to Persia in 7th cent. Judaism began moving to Iberian Peninsula • Further movement to Europe because of anti-Semitism of Islam and Christianity and Crusades

  9. Historical Development • Talmudic Tradition to Middle Ages • Time of the Crusades • Began in the 11th century • Jews victims of the Crusades • Jews pressured with force to convert • Rashi - Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac (1040-1105) • Literal interpretation • Rambam (Rabbi Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) • Know for his intellectual defense of Judaism • Commentary on the Mishnah • Quoted by Thomas Aquinas

  10. Historical Development • 1492 - Messianic Hope but Persecution • Kabalic scholars had predicted 1492 as a redemptive year • Ferdinand and Isabella unified Spain under Catholic rule and expelled Jews • Many Jews settled in Southeastern Europe under Turkish rule and lived fairly peaceful lives and others move further north in Europe • Some Jews “converted” rather than be expelled • Inquisition used to violently enforce proper Catholic doctrine • After 1555 Italy and Germany forced Jews into “Ghettos” and wore yellow bands (later used by Nazi)

  11. Historical Development • Forced migration gave rise to two main Jewish Groups: • Two main Jewish groups by language • Sephardic Jews – Spanish roots, Turkish & Arab influence, “Ladino” language, Spanish dialect, Hebrew script • Ashkenazic Jews – north & northeastern European roots. Separate from Gentile Europeans. Yiddish – German with Hebrew script.

  12. Historical Development • 17th Century – Renewal of Messianic Expectation • SabbataiZevi • Jews from Europe, Middle East, and North Africa thought him to be the Messiah • Publicly proclaim by Nathan of Gaza as the Messiah • Sabbatai went to convert the Turkish Sultan but was given the choice to convert to Islam or be killed, he became a Muslim • General despair among Jew over messianic hope

  13. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Hasidism • Hasid = pious one • Eastern Europeans • Communal nature • Organized around Tzaddik (righteous man) direct link between God and humans • Gave rise to Kabbalism • Central figure – Israel benEliezer • Know as Baal Shem (master of the good name or good master of the name) • Also know as Besht • Born 1700 • Miracle worker in Eastern Europe

  14. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Hasidism • God is found not in study or obeying the law but found inside the person and manifested in singing and dancing. • Joyful expression of God in their midst. • Not antinomians • Followed Talmudic tradition but more mystical • Access to God could be found through devotion and prayer • After Besht’s death, villages setup centered around rebbe or Zeddik who was believed to have healing powers • Rebbe was given absolute obedience • Persecution drove them to the U. S. • European Jews were most exterminated by Nazis • Some objected to new state of Israel with no Messiah but changed

  15. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Hasidism • Current Hasidism retains those cultural forms of the 18th century (like the Amish) • Black clothing with beard and braids • In Middle Ages non-people could not wear colorful clothing like those of high rank and so they wore a yellow armband (later used by Nazis) • Currently about 650,000 worldwide • Beliefs: • Panthiestic as the world is part of God’s being • Devekut – interconnectedness between God & humanity

  16. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Reformed Judaism • Arose in 18th century • Accepted European culture and intellectual climate • Central figure: Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786) • Studied in University of Berlin • Abandoned outward Jewish forms • Adopted the enlightenment ideal of the universality of humanity • Jews were free to adopt the culture in which they lived • Followers felt like traditional Jewish practices were hindering Jews from integrating into modern life

  17. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Reformed Judaism • Main Characteristics • Traditional forms not authoritative • Talmud not considered authoritative • Following orthodox practices not wrong but not binding • Religious practice is in a state of continues development • Not an unchanging eternal truth • Do notseek a Messiah – if a Messiah exists, it is people working to make a better world. God acting in history toward messianic freedom • Initially opposed a separate homeland for Jews but in the wake of the Holocaust they supported the state of Israel • Meeting place called a temple • Similar concerns as mainline Protestants & worship

  18. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Orthodox Judaism • Arose in the late 18th and early 19th century in opposition to Reformed Judaism which was continuing away from traditional Judaism • Considers itself as true Judaism • Main figures were: • Moses Sofer (1762-1839) • Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsh (1808-88) • Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin Salanter (1810-83)

  19. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Orthodox Judaism • Orthodox can be either Zionest or non-Zionest • Zionist movement • Theodor Herzl (1860-1904) a journalist believed the Jews could not defend themselves against anti-semitism without a nation • Zionism – salvation linked with retaking the Holy Land • Many sects

  20. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Orthodox Judaism • Main Characteristics • God revealed himself only in eternal, unchanging covenant given at Sinai • Literal messianic belief • Keeping of written and oral Torah • Return to Jerusalem to await deliverance of the messiah • Strict adherence to traditional Jewish Law • Some acceptance of modern culture to outright rejection • Jewish religion studied in traditional style with no modern forms of scholarship

  21. Historical Development • New Movements and Reinterpretation of Judaism • Conservative Judaism • Arose in 19th century • Central figure: Zecharias Frankel in Germany • Characterized by adhering to the law and adapting to the contemporary culture • Reconstructionist Judaism (1934) • Central figure: Mordecai Kaplan • Small movement attempting to integrate religious Judaism into all aspects of Jewish life with evolution of total Jewish culture • Not a covenant people • Goal is pursuit of morality and justice

  22. Historical Development • Third Commonwealth (Proposed by Some) • Migration to Palestine in the 19th century • English took over Palestine from Turkey in 1917 • Both Arabs and Jews migrated • Holocaust moved international opinion in favor of Jews • Creation of state of Israel 1948 • Recapture of Jerusalem in 1967

  23. Sacred Writings of Judaism • Biblical – canon agreed on in A. D. 90 at Jamnia, lead by Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai • Torah (Genesis – Deuteronomy) • Prophets • Early prophets – Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings • Later prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and twelve minor prophets (Hosea to Malachi) • Writings (Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1-2 Chronicles

  24. Sacred Writings of Judaism • The Talmud – the books containing both the Mishnah and Gemara • Mishnah (Halakah) + Gemara (Haggadah) = Talmud • Gamara – less formal traditions, stories illustrating the application of the law • Two versions of the Talmud • Palestinian – completed in the 4th century • Babylonian – completed in the 5th century • Seventeen dense volumes • Orthodox – inspired • Liberals – historical value • Others – authoritative but not necessarily inspired

  25. Sacred Writings of Judaism • The Mishnah – collection of interpretations of the law by Rabbis • Collected over decades by Rabbis who met at Tiberius • Rabbi Meier and Rabbi Akiba lead the process • Came to a halt temporarily in A. D. 136 with the second conflict with Rome under Bar Kochba • Rabbi akiba and bar Kochba executed • Jerusalem razed and Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem • Jerusalem dedicated to Jupiter, Aeolia Capitolina

  26. Sacred Writings of Judaism • The Mishnah • Mishnah completed by Rabbi Judah the Prince in A. D. 200. • Six categories • Seeds – agriculture and prayer • Feasts – holy days and writing of scrolls • Women – marriage and other vows • Damages – criminal and civil laws, idolatry • Holy Matters – sacrifices and laws • Purities – ritual cleanliness and purification • Halakah – application of the law

  27. Divisions of Judaism • Five Primary Divisions of Judaism • Hasidic Judaism • Reform Judaism • Conservative • Orthodox – primary religious Judaism • Secular Judaism • No belief in God • Jewish by birth and culture • Not religious • Other smaller groups

  28. Hasidic Division of Judaism

  29. Hasidic Division of Judaism • Leading Figures • Israel ben Eliezer or Baal Shem Tov - “Besht” (1700-1760) • Zaddik – Group leader • God • God is understood to be diffused through the world and interacts with it in an omnipresent manner. He is compassionate and desires a relationship with humans.

  30. Hasidic Division of Judaism • Humanity • People were created to commune with God and are unique in His creation. People can know God, influence Him and improve their spiritual conditions with Him. • Authority & Scripture • The source of authority is primarily through their religious experience. The Hebrew scriptures are important containing the literal words of God. Male leaders have unquestioned authority.

  31. Hasidic Division of Judaism • Sin • Failing to keep one’s thoughts on God and appeal to Him in all of life’s situations is sin in that it fails to draw on God’s righteous influence. There are various forms of retribution. • Salvation • Continues communion with God brings righteousness. A person must confess to the tzaddik for forgiveness of sins. • Messiah • Rebbe may be a possible messiah at any one time. Acts of kindness can facilitate the coming of the messiah.

  32. Hasidic Division of Judaism • Afterlife • Heaven is a place for souls to serve God. Rabbis instruct various groups to improve their abilities to serve God. • Creation • World created in seven 24 hour days. • God the creator and creation are not totally separate with God’s substance diffused throughout the creation although God exist independently of the creation, he permeates it. • Through the created one glimpses God’s reality.

  33. Hasidic Division of Judaism • Important Characteristics • Panentheism – the world is part of God’s being like the soul is part of the human body • Devekut – communion between God and humanity whose acts and communications bring a response from God. • By contemplating on God a person can unite with Him and influence Him.

  34. Reform Division of Judaism • Leading Figures • Moses Mendelssohn (1729-86) • Samuel Holdheim (1806-60) • God • One living God, the source of everything and reigns over the world with love and mercy. He provides moral ideals. God seen from mystical to humanist

  35. Reform Division of Judaism • Humanity • Created in the image of God and are children of God. Some believe there is an immortal soul, basically good, and have free will. Should resist evil and fight injustice • Authority & Scripture • Canon same as Orthodox but seen as human documents but valuable for ethical insights. Revelation is an ongoing process but individual is the locus in autonomous individual.

  36. Reform Division of Judaism • Sin • Sin is primarily about unjust social structures and humans are not innately sinful but it is evil behavior that is the problem. Sickness and death are not part of the fall. • Salvation • Betterment of oneself and society. • Messiah • No actual messiah but a humankind will bring about a utopian time of justice.

  37. Reform Division of Judaism • Afterlife • No one belief but generally no literal afterlife, you live on in the minds of others through the good you do • Creation • There is no one position but theistic accounts of creation are generally espoused. • Creation is of great value and humanity is responsible for preserving it.

  38. Conservative Division of Judaism • Leading Figures • Rabbi Zecharias Frankel (1801-75) • God – wide range of views • Mystical view • Panentheism with God in process, limited or evolving • God is finite

  39. Conservative Division of Judaism • Humanity • People bear the image of God and are of great value and are created for a relationship with God and other people. People should work with God to improve it. • Authority & Scripture • God gave the Torah and Talmud to His people and they are to obey scripture as best they are able. Scripture is a mixture of revelation and human interpretation.

  40. Conservative Division of Judaism • Sin • People essentially good • Can become ethically flawless by education and self-effort • Personal sin and social-structure sin • Salvation • Social progression by improving socio-cultural aspects of society, improving education, scientific advancement. • Messiah • Sometimes viewed as a person or just a time of justice.

  41. Conservative Division of Judaism • Afterlife • Diverse view, may even include reincarnation but main focus is on conditions in this life • Creation • Most understand God as a personal creator with many of the divine attributes traditionally associate with God. Others may take the view that he is a creative force or symbol of goodness. Overall he is viewed as involved in the world and cares about his creation, especially humanity with whom he has a special bond.

  42. Orthodox Division of Judaism

  43. Orthodox Division of Judaism • Leading Figures • Rabbi Samson Pahael (1808-88) • Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin Salanter • (1810-83) • Theodor Hersl (1860-1904) • God • God is extremely sacred God’s name is not pronounced, G-d, or incorrect vowels. • Infinite, supreme, everlasting, almighty

  44. Orthodox Division of Judaism • Humanity • A person is body and spirit but morally neutral. Can do good or evil. Overcomes evil by observing Jewish law but every person has a choice and responsible for one’s decisions. • Authority & Scripture • Law, Prophets, Wisdom • Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) is God’s revelation with the main focus on the Torah and rest interpreted through the Torah. Oral and written traditions are authoritative.

  45. Orthodox Division of Judaism • Sin • Go astray by moral inclinations • Pesha - intentional breaking of God’s law • Avon-willingly disobeying God’s law but by irresistible impulse • Cheit - unintentional • Salvation • Keeping a covenant relationship with God through prayer, repentance for sins, and obedience to the law. • Messiah • Person from line of David will come that bring global peace and prosperity where he takes people back to Israel, restores Jerusalem, and redeems the Jews.

  46. Orthodox Division of Judaism • Afterlife • Physical resurrection and obedient living with God forever, disobedient suffer the justice but disagree on how. • Creation • Various position but theistic accounts of creation are generally espoused. • Literal six day creation less than 10,000 years ago • Day in Genesis could be a time period other than 24 hours • Modern science does not contradict but attests to God’s power

  47. Orthodox Judaism Worldview • Spiritual Realm • Ultimate Reality • One supreme holy God • Covenant maker with His people • Spiritual Beings • Angels • Satan • Type of Spiritual Existence • Resurrection • Heaven – Gehenna (temporary for most) • Relationship to Humanity • Covenant relationship

  48. Orthodox Judaism Worldview God & Spiritual Realm Law/Repentance Material Realm

  49. Orthodox Judaism Worldview • Physical Realm • Belief system • Worship of one God • Obedience to God • Prayer • Community • Keeping Kosher • Keeping the Sabbath • Source of revelation or enlightenment • Torah and Talmud

  50. Orthodox Judaism Worldview • Physical Realm • Relation to spiritual realm • Belief in God • Keeping the law • Ultimate goal of religion • Live as God’s chosen people according to law • Resurrection • Hope of Messiah • Welfare of other people

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