Jews believe in the religion, Judaism,which has approximately 15 million jews. First religion with the belief in one god. Has two sacred writings the Talmud and the Hebrew Bible. The Jews' ancestry goes back to a Hebrew man named Abraham. During biblical times, the Jews, also called Israelites, lived in the country of Israel and later migrated to the land of Egypt where they became enslaved by the pharaoh.
According to the Bible, the Jews were delivered from Egypt by God through the prophet Moses. From there the people slowly made their way back to Israel. But the country was overthrown by different conquerors including those from the empire of Assyria and Rome so that the Jews dispersed throughout the world to as far as Spain.
A jewish marriage takes place under a huppa, a canopy which symbolizes the union of bride and groom.
Magid, Shaul. "Judaism." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 25 Aug. 2010.
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The Western Wall, a Jewish Holy Place. It is a Symbol of unity and survival. Schiffman, Lawrence H. "Western Wall." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2010.In the United States, Jews have adopted culture of the non-Jewish society. A growing number of American Jews do not practice Judaism, and not many know about Jewish history or traditions. Some Jews fear that this will cause Jews to lose their identity. A rising rate of intermarriage also contributes to the concern. But many other American Jews are expressing an interest in their heritage. A growing number worship in religious groups called havurot and many parents send their children to Jewish day schools.Lefkovitz, Elliot B. "Jews." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2010.The main teaching of Judaism is that there is one God, and he created both the heavens and the earth. It also teaches that Jews serve God by studying the scriptures and following the commandments of God. Jewish scriptural teaching use both ritual practices and moral laws. Judaism also teaches about the covenant with God. This is a special agreement that the Jews believe. The agreement was between God and Abraham, who was the ancestor of the Jewish people. It says in the Christian Bible that God promised to bless Abraham and all his family if they worshiped and remained loyal and faithful to him. The Jews also can be refered to as God's Chosen People. This means that God chose them from all the other nations to have a special relationship with him.Magid, Shaul. "Judaism." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
This painting portrays the prophet Abraham in it.Meyers, Eric M. "Abraham." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 8 Sept. 2010.
Today, there are four branches of Judaism: Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Judaism.Orthodox Jews strictly follow the traditional Jewish laws and pray three times a day. They also believe that God gave to Moses the laws of the Torah and Talmud directly.Reform Judaism started in the 1800's in the country of Germany. This branch was formed because many Jews began to question certain Jewish teachings such as whether the Talmud was writtin by humans or by divinity. In general, these Jews believe that the rituals of the Jews aren't obligations but rather things that can be judged by humans. Many of these Jews debate which Jewish practices should still be used or ignored.Conservative Judaism was also started in the 1800's. These Jews follow the commandments of the Bible and the Talmud. But they believe that the practices of Judaism can be changed to "fit the times". Although they observe almost all of the Jewish practices, they also believe that rabbis can change some laws.Reconstructionist Judaism birthed off of Conservative Judaism in the United States the 1900's. These followers believe that Judaism is a civilization and that the laws and practices are just part of the culture. They also reject the idea that God chose the Jews.Magid, Shaul. "Judaism." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 7 Sept. 2010.http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar291500&st=jewsBelow are Priests studying the Torah, one of the Jewish holy books.Meyers, Carol L. "Pentateuch." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 3 Sept. 2010.
Pentateuch
The synagogue is the Jewish place of worship. Most synagogues are built so that while praying, you are facing the Holy land of Jerusalem. The rabbi is the spiritual leader of the synagogue. Sabbath is celebrated on Saturday. The religious service includes mostly reading from the Torah and chanting of prayers.
Magid, Shaul. "Judaism." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 7 Sept. 2010. http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar291500&st=jewish+cultural+beliefs
According to the Bible, the Jews were delivered from Egypt by God through the prophet Moses. From there the people slowly made their way back to Israel. But the country was overthrown by different conquerors including those from the empire of Assyria and Rome so that the Jews dispersed throughout the world to as far as Spain.
Lefkovitz, Elliot B. "Jews." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 2 Sept. 2010.
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar288400&st=jews
A jewish marriage takes place under a huppa, a canopy which symbolizes the union of bride and groom.
Magid, Shaul. "Judaism." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 25 Aug. 2010.
The Western Wall, a Jewish Holy Place. It is a Symbol of unity and survival.
Schiffman, Lawrence H. "Western Wall." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2010.In the United States, Jews have adopted culture of the non-Jewish society. A growing number of American Jews do not practice Judaism, and not many know about Jewish history or traditions. Some Jews fear that this will cause Jews to lose their identity. A rising rate of intermarriage also contributes to the concern. But many other American Jews are expressing an interest in their heritage. A growing number worship in religious groups called havurot and many parents send their children to Jewish day schools.Lefkovitz, Elliot B. "Jews." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2010.The main teaching of Judaism is that there is one God, and he created both the heavens and the earth. It also teaches that Jews serve God by studying the scriptures and following the commandments of God. Jewish scriptural teaching use both ritual practices and moral laws. Judaism also teaches about the covenant with God. This is a special agreement that the Jews believe. The agreement was between God and Abraham, who was the ancestor of the Jewish people. It says in the Christian Bible that God promised to bless Abraham and all his family if they worshiped and remained loyal and faithful to him. The Jews also can be refered to as God's Chosen People. This means that God chose them from all the other nations to have a special relationship with him.Magid, Shaul. "Judaism." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
Today, there are four branches of Judaism: Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Judaism.Orthodox Jews strictly follow the traditional Jewish laws and pray three times a day. They also believe that God gave to Moses the laws of the Torah and Talmud directly.Reform Judaism started in the 1800's in the country of Germany. This branch was formed because many Jews began to question certain Jewish teachings such as whether the Talmud was writtin by humans or by divinity. In general, these Jews believe that the rituals of the Jews aren't obligations but rather things that can be judged by humans. Many of these Jews debate which Jewish practices should still be used or ignored.Conservative Judaism was also started in the 1800's. These Jews follow the commandments of the Bible and the Talmud. But they believe that the practices of Judaism can be changed to "fit the times". Although they observe almost all of the Jewish practices, they also believe that rabbis can change some laws.Reconstructionist Judaism birthed off of Conservative Judaism in the United States the 1900's. These followers believe that Judaism is a civilization and that the laws and practices are just part of the culture. They also reject the idea that God chose the Jews.Magid, Shaul. "Judaism." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 7 Sept. 2010.http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar291500&st=jewsBelow are Priests studying the Torah, one of the Jewish holy books.Meyers, Carol L. "Pentateuch." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 3 Sept. 2010.
Magid, Shaul. "Judaism." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Web. 7 Sept. 2010. http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar291500&st=jewish+cultural+beliefs