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Jewish Practices and Beliefs . Torah. Torah –not arbitrary list of rules ** God’s revelation of self – what he expects in response to his covenant love ** Studying Torah is a form of worship – lifelong tasks for practicing Jews - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Jewish Practices and Beliefs
Torah
Torah –not arbitrary list of rules
** God’s revelation of self – what he expects in response to his covenant love **
Studying Torah is a form of worship – lifelong tasks for practicing Jews
The Jews attempted to live Torah-law perfectly – in belief that they will then be the blessed, special, forever protected favorite people
Synagogue
-house of prayer (prayer always best in a quorum of 10 adult men…)
-house of study (observant Jew – study of sacred texts is a life-long task)
-place of discussion for legal settlements
Sabbath: Day of Rest
precious gift from God, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week,
a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher pursuits.
** The most important ritual observance in Judaism **
(radical concept in ancient times, when only the wealthy ruling class rested…)
Pilgrimage Holy Days
Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year
-no work, much of day in synagogue
-eat apples with honey – symbol of wish for a sweet year
-“tashlikh” – casting off – walk to flowing water, empty pockets (small pieces of bread)casting off sins…
Theological significance?
Restore covenantal relationships
Days of Awe – 10 days starting with Rosh Hashanah & ending with Yom Kippur
-time to consider the sins of previous year and repent before Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur – “Day of Atonement”-day set aside to “afflict the soul” to atone for the sins of the past year-complete Sabbath – no work whatsoever-complete 25 hour fast-wear white – symbolizing our sins to be white/pure as snow
Chanukkah
-festival of rededication of lights – 8 day
-ran out of non-defiled oil for Lampstand… miraculously 8 days lasted…)
Faith in G-d’s miraculous and active work in in history and lives of faithful
Shavu’ot, Festival of Weeks, Pentecost -agriculturally commemorates time when the first fruits harvested are brought to Temple-historically celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai-from 2nd day of Passover to Day before Shavu’ot – 49 days – 7 weeks
Sukkot – Festival of Booths (7 days)-commemorates 40 years in desert, wandering, living in temporary shelters-Fall harvest celebration – pilgrims to Jerusalem built huts of branches (to recall time spent in wilderness), approached Temple in procession with branches raised…
Ideas of Messiah in Judaism
Basic & fundamental part of traditional Judaism is belief in the eventual coming of the Messiah. (Concept introduced during age of the prophets)
Term “meshiach” – literally means “the anointed one”
-refers to ancient practice of anointing kings with oil as they took the throne
“Meshiach” will be anointed as king in the “End of Days”
Messiah will be:
-great political leader descended from King David
-well-versed in Jewish law & observant of its commandments
-charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example
-great military leader who will win battles for Israel
-great judge, who makes righteous decisions
-human being – 100%
Messiah will:
-bring political and spiritual redemption of the Jewish people by bringing them back to Israel & will restore Jerusalem
-establish a government in Israel that will be the center of all world government – both for Jews & gentiles
-rebuild Temple and re-establish its worship
-restore the religious court system & will establish Jewish law as rule of the land
Messianic Passages-Isaiah 2, 11, 42, 59:20-Jeremiah 23, 30, 33, 48:47; 49:39-Ezekiel 38:16-Hosea 3:4-5-Micah 4-Zephaniah 3:9-Zechariah 14:9-Daniel 10:14