JUDAISM

WHAT IS JUDAISM?
Judaism is the religion of the Jews.

HOW CAN WE TRACE THE JEWISH NATION BACK TO ABRAHAM?
In Genesis 12;1-2, God told Abraham to leave his country and his people and his family to journey to a land that He(God) was going to show him. God promise Abraham that He would make of him a great nation……..

HOW WAS THE JEWISH NATION BEGAN?

Abraham and Sarah



Isaac(the son of promise) & Rebecca
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Esau Jacob
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12 sons

The nation of Israel was born out of the twelve (12) sons of Jacob.

WHERE DID THE NAME ‘ISRAEL’ COME FROM?
Gen. 32:24-28 we read that Jacob wrestled with an angel. He refused to let the angel go until the angel blessed him. The angel asked him what his name was, he replied “Jacob” the angel told him that he would no longer be called Jacob but Israel because he had struggle with God and men and had overcome. Therefore, his changed name became the name of the Jewish nation called the Israelites.

JEWISH BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
The Jews keep the Commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. Their statement of belief is called the Shema which is written in the Torah (the five books of Moses). The Shema reads: “Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deut. 6:4, 5).
Sabbath

The Jews follow the fourth commandment- which says to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. (ex.20:4). The day begins at sun set on Friday and ends at sun set on Saturday. As the Sabbath begins, the wife blesses the children and lights candles. The husband on return from the synagogue gathers his family around the table and blesses them. The ceremony is called Kiddush.

Jewish Diet

The Jewish diet and preparation of meat is based on the Leviticus law handed down from God to Moses. In Lev. 11 God made a listing of the things He made to eat that are clean and fit for eating; and those that are not clean and unfit for eating. The Leviticus law also states how the blood should be drain from the animals before eating. Because Jews follow the Leviticus law of food preparation, their food is referred to as Kosher (food prepared in a healthy way and fit for eating).

Birth
A special ceremony is held for a Jewish boy and girl eight days after birth. Baby boys are circumcised in accordance with the covenant made with Abraham and God and special prayers are said for the health of the boy and his parents. Baby girls have similar prayers are spoken over girls and both boys and girls are named during this time.