Judaism, Christianity and Islam People, Texts, Ideologies, and Places

Judaism, Christianity and IslamPeople, Texts, Ideologies, and Places

Words to Know! Right Side

AbrahamMessiahTorahSynagogueJerusalemDiaspora

JesusBibleMonotheismCatholic/ProtestantChurch

MeccaMuslims/IslamMuhammadCaliphThe QuranSunni/ShiaMosque

MonotheisticPolytheistic

Ethnic group vs Religious Group

►Ethnic groups share many common characteristics such as language, physical features, customs, and traditions

►Religious groups share a common belief system but are not necessarily composted of a single ethnic group.

Abraham, founded the religion now known as Judaism, and his descendants are the Jewish people.

Judaism is a monotheistic religion based on principles in the Hebrew Bible, the Torah.

Abraham ►According to Jewish tradition, Abraham was born under the name Abram in the city of Ur in

Babylonia in the year 1948 from Creation (circa 1800 BCE). He was the son of Terach, an idol merchant, but from his early childhood, he questioned the faith of his father and sought the truth.

►He believed the universe was the work of a single Creator (Monotheistic).

Ancient Babylon

►Abram tried to convince his father, Terach, of the folly of idol worship. One day, when Abram was left alone to mind the store, he took a hammer and smashed all of the idols except the largest one. He placed the hammer in the hand of the largest idol. When his father returned and asked what happened, Abram said, "The idols got into a fight, and the big one smashed all the other ones." His father said, "Don't be ridiculous. These idols have no life or power. They can't do anything." Abram replied, "Then why do you worship them?"

►According to the story, God offered a B’rit (convenant , agreement, or contract with God). If Abraham would leave his home and his family, then God would make him a great nation and bless him.

►Abraham was subjected to ten tests of faith to prove his part of the covenant. Leaving his home is one of these tests.

►Abraham, raised as a city-dweller, adopted a nomadic lifestyle, traveling through what is now the land of Israel for many years. According to the Torah God promised this land (present day Israel) to Abraham's descendants (Present day Israel).

Interactive Notebook Questions (left side)

►How many gods did Abrahams father worship; what is the term for multiple gods?

►Abraham had a son, Ishmael, who, according to both Muslim and Jewish tradition, is the ancestor of the Arabs. (Gen 16)

►Another of Abrahams’ sons Isaac was the ancestor of the Jewish people. Thus, the conflict between Arabs and Jews can be seen as a form of sibling rivalry!

Abraham

IshmaelFather of the

Arabs

IsaacFather of the Jews

►Slowly Judaism spread through the Middle East.

►In 2007, the world Jewish population was estimated at 13.2 million people—41% of whom lived in Israel. In modern Judaism, central authority is not vested in any single person or body, but in sacred texts, traditions, and learned Rabbis who interpret those texts and laws.

►The term Diaspora refers to the forced or voluntary dispersal of any population sharing common ethnic identity to leave their settled territory.

Jewish Holy Places►Jerusalem is the holyest place in Judaism. Jerusalem is

also a holy place for Christians and Muslims.

►It is mainly because of the destroyed Temple that Jerusalem has become so important to Jewish identity. The only remaining part of it, the Western Wall, or Wailing Wall is it is also called, is the holiest place on earth for Jews.

►The second most important place is Hebron, Palestine, where Abraham was buried.

►Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the covenant from God is also important to Jews.

The Western Wall in Jerusalem is a remnant of the wall encircling the Second Temple. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism.

Synagogue►A house of worship for Jews. There is no standard synagogue

architecture. A typical synagogue contains an ark (where the scrolls of the Law are kept), an "eternal light" burning before the ark, two candelabra, and pews

Jesus in Judaism

►Jews believe the Messiah has not yet arrived.►Jesus is accepted in Judaism as a teacher, not the son of God.

Denominations►Orthodox Judaism ►Modern Orthodox Judaism ►Haredi Judaism ►Hasidic Judaism►Conservative Judaism►Reform Judaism►Reconstructionist Judaism ►Jewish Renewal►Humanistic Judaism

Hanukkah

►also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight day Jewish holiday. The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the kindling of lights on each of the festival's eight nights, one on the first night, two on the second night and so on.

►Spiritually, Hanukkah commemorates the "Miracle of the Oil". According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days - which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate new oil.

►Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Bible and was never considered a major holiday in Judaism, but it has become much more visible and widely celebrated in modern times, mainly because it falls around the same time as Christmas and has national Jewish overtones that have been emphasized since the establishment of the State of Israel.

Graphic Organizer (Right Side)

About Yeshua (Jesus):

• Christians follow the teachings of Yeshua of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ.

• Jesus is seen as the Messiah• He was executed by the Roman occupying authorities in Palestine

(present day Israel).• The Trinity consists of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; three separate

persons, all eternal, all omnipresent, all omnipotent, all beneficent, who form a single, unified deity [Monotheistic].

Church history:

After Jesus' death, his followers formed the Jewish Christian movement, centered in Jerusalem. One of Jesus' followers, Simon Peter, may have headed the group. James, who was either Jesus' brother, cousin, or friend, took over leadership later. They regarded themselves as a reform movement within Judaism; they continued to sacrifice at the temple, follow Jewish kosher food laws, etc.

• The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to a split within Christianity. The Protestant movement further fragmented into what is now thousands of individual denominations and groups of denominations.

• Pope-Human leader of the Catholic Church.

Modern Christianity

Catholic Protestant

Roman Catholic

Orthodox CatholicEastern

Orthodox

Baptist

Methodist

Presbyterian

And so on…

Christian Holy Places

• Jerusalem is believed to be the site of some of Jesus' teaching, the Last Supper, as well as his entombment; Christians believe He was crucified on a nearby hill, Golgotha (sometimes called Calvary). It contains the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Church of All Nations.

• Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus. • Nazareth is Jesus' hometown

• Christians meet in a place of worship known as a Church.

• What other religions also considers Jerusalem to be a holy city?

Christianity

Ideas=10 Commandments

Islam/Muslim

Texts=Torah+Bible----Quran

Figures=JesusMohammad God-----------Allah

5 Pillars

Graphic Organizer (Right Side)

1. Which of the following is a true statement:

A. All Arabs are Muslims B. All Muslims are Arabs

C. Iran is an Arab country D. None of the above

1. Which of the following is a true statement:

A. All Arabs are Muslims B. All Muslims are Arabs

C. Iran is an Arab country D. None of the above

2. During prayer a Muslim should face:

A. Mecca B. Islamabad

C. Jerusalem D. Washington, DC

2. During prayer a Muslim should face:

A. Mecca B. Islamabad

C. Jerusalem D. Washington, DC

Muslims are strict monotheists.

They believe in God, which they call Allah.

Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.114 suras (chapters).

Written in Arabic.

Important People in IslamImportant People in IslamImportant People in IslamImportant People in Islam

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

The Origins of IslamThe Origins of Islam

Muhammad-born in Mecca in 571, descendent of Abraham.

Muhammad spoke to the angel Gabriel, spread the word of Allah. Muhammad is not the messiah!

Muhammad’s revelations were compiled into the Qur’an after his death.

Caliph-Spiritual leader of Islam

Viewpoint of JesusViewpoint of JesusViewpoint of JesusViewpoint of Jesus

Jesus is a prophet but not the son of Allah (GOD).

the Qur'an emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal man who, like other prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread God's message.

Islam by the death of Mohammed 632

732, 100 Yrs after Mohammed

The framework for Muslim life. Essential practices

1. The declaration of faith: • "There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God"

2. Prayer: • Five obligatory prayers each day.

* dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed•Wash before praying•Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam

• 3.Zakat: • Obligatory charitable giving. • Wealth belong to God and it is held in trust by humans.• Zakat, or, "purification" by setting aside a portion (2.5%) for the needy

• 4.Fasting: • From sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam

• 5.Pilgrimage:

• A pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, Arabia. Only those who can.

• Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.• 2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.

Christianity

Ideas=10 Commandments

Islam/Muslim

Tests=Torah+Bible----Quran

Figures=Jesus-----------Muhammad God-------------AKA-Allah

Graphic Organizer (Right Side)

Jihad and the Conduct of War

• Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not one of its "pillars”

• Jihad in Arabic does not mean "holy war”. It means "struggle” or “strive”.

• It is the difficult effort needed to put God's will into practice at every level

Relation with other Faiths

• Like the Torah, the Quran permits retaliation eye for eye, tooth for tooth. But, like the Gospels, it says “it is meritorious to forgo revenge in a spirit of charity (5: 45)

• Acknowledges Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Zacharia, Jesus, John the paptist, and others as the “the good prophets of God”

• A special place for Jesus and Mary (e.g., 3:45,46; 4:156-158; 19:1-98)

• Accepts that Mary’s conception is from God’s soul.

• Rejects the divinity of Jesus (no trinity).

• Jesus was not killed (e.g., 4:155-159; 5:17-19)

Sunni and Shia(Shiite) Split

Like many other religions the Islamic faith is divided between two separate groups (the

Sunni and the Shia). Approx 90% of muslims are Sunnis. Shias are Muslims who follow Ali, Muhammad’s closet relative. Ali was Muhammad’s

cousin And was married to his daughter. After Muhammad died, Muslims split over

Who would succeed Muhammad as leader of Islam. The Sunnis wanted the Community to choose the best leader to succeed Muhammad, while the Shia favored Ali, feeling that leadership should stay within the prophet’s family.

*Most Iranians are Shia muslims.

Sunni and Shia Split

Mount Moriah Rockwhere Muhammad ascended into heaven.

Three holiest cities in Islam: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

Interactive Notebook Questions (left side)

►How does sharing Jerusalem as a holy city in each of the major religions in the area cause conflict?

Christianity

Ideas=10 Commandments

Islam/Muslim

Tests=Torah+Bible----Quran

Figures=Jesus-----------Muhammad God-------------AKA-Allah

Ideas 5 PillarsHoly Place=Jerusalem----------Mecca

Graphic Organizer (Right Side)

The Dome of the Rock is one of the holiest sites in Islam. Its significance is from the religious beliefs regarding the rock at its center. According to Islamic tradition, the rock is the spot from where Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel.

The stone hillside over which the Muslim shrine was built is also the holiest site in Judaism. Just as Muslims pray towards the Kaaba in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam, Jews pray towards the site of the the Foundation Stone, the holiest site in Judaism.

In Christianity it is called the Church of the Holy Wisdom.

So who’s religious site is it?

The Ka'aba (literally "the cube" in Arabic) is an ancient stone structure that was built and re-built by prophets as a house of monotheistic worship. It is located inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Ka'aba is considered the center of the Muslim world, and is a unifying focal point for Islamic worship.

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

House of Worship= MosqueIslamic public place of prayer. Mosques are the centre of community worship and the site of Friday prayer services. Essentially an open space, usually roofed, with a minaret sometimes attached. Statues and pictures are not permitted as decoration. The minaret, originally any elevated place but now usually a tower, is used by the muezzin (crier) to proclaim the call to worship five times each day. During prayer, Muslims orient themselves toward the qiblah wall, which is invariably oriented toward the Ka'bah in Mecca. The mosque has traditionally been the centre of social, political, and educational life in Islamic societies.

Christianity

Building=Church

Ideas=10 Commandments

Islam/Muslim

Tests=Torah+Bible----Quran

Figures=Jesus-----------Muhammad God-------------AKA-Allah

Building= Mosque

Ideas 5 PillarsHoly Place=Jerusalem----------Mecca

Graphic Organizer (Right Side)

Activating Activity #1 (Left Side)

List the differences between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Summarizing Activity #1 (Left Side)

List the following for Judaism:

Holy TextHoly place of WorshipHoly CityRole of Jesus

Summarizing Activity #2 (Left Side)

List the following for Christianity:

Holy TextHoly place of WorshipHoly CityRole of Jesus

Summarizing Activity #3 (Left Side)

List the following for Islam:

Holy TextHoly place of WorshipHoly CityRole of Jesus

Islam's Sunni-Shiite split. Dan Murphy | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0117/p25s01-wome.html•Rich, T. R., The Patriarchs and the Origins of Judaism, http://www.jewfaq.org/origins.htm, August 19, 2007•http://www.jesuswalk.com/abraham/1_call.htm, August 19, 2007•http://www.starbeck.com/judaism.html•http://prophetess.lstc.edu/~rklein/Documents/mblb.htm August 13, 2008•http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00maplinks/overview/sunnishia/sunnishia.html September 1, 2010

Bibliography