Judaism

Introduction


Origins

• Judaism is one of the three Prophetic Monotheisitic Religions in the world, the other two are Christianity an Islam
• It is Prophetic as there were numerous Prophets who predicted the coming of Messiah, Monotheistic as they believe in one God - Mono (one) Theology (belief/study of god)

History

• Jews are an ancient people of around 3000 years old, their history is told in the Bible and is traced back to Abraham of around 1900 BC (before common time era)
• The Jews have been known as Jews, Israelites and Hebrews. (Jesus was a Jew, however the Jews accept Jesus as a wise man, but not the chosen Messiah as Christians believe, hence Judaism predates and heavily influences Christianity, but is not a part of Christianity.) 

Abraham

• Abraham is on of the first recorded leaders of the Hebrews in the bible. He was a wealthy man who was called by God to leave his land and move from Ur to Canaan, or Israel as it is called today
• Abraham heard the call of the Lord to stop believing in Pagan Gods (like God of wind, God of Mountains etc) and he followed God's request and led his people Mesopotamia to Canaan. this Journey is recorded in the book on Genesis. We can map his Journey here.

Who is Abraham? the first Jew, founder or Judaism
What did Abraham Believe? How was is different to the people of the time? He believed in one God, while all others believed in many gods.
What do you think a Covenant is? What Covenant did god make with Abraham. A Covenant is a promise, God Promises Abraham three things, To make a great nation/ father of many nations, To boss everyone in his name and promise him land.
What Sacrifice was Abraham requested to make? Why did god ask this of Abraham? God asked Abraham to Sacrifice his son Isaac.
The word Patriarchs means father of the religion, Abraham - Isaac and Jacob