Judaism

INTRO

To begin with Judaism is one of the oldest religions still existing today. It began as the religion of the small nation of the Hebrews In spite of the thousands of years of suffering, persecution, dispersion, and occasional victory, Judaism continued to be a profoundly influential religion and culture. Today, 14 million people identify themselves as Jewish.

Founder

The founder of Judaism is the God of the Ancient Israelites and Abraham around 2000 BCE.Jadaism was founded 4000 years ago (the current year to the jewish calendar is 5765 a). The Jewish nation was founded about 400 years later by Moses when the Jews left egypt.

Followers

Today there is a whopping 14 million followers, it's one of the largest religions in the world. This religion is popular in many states like California, New Jersey, Texas, and even Illinois. In addition judaism is also popular in Israel, Russia, England and Canada. Furthermore you will find very few Jews if any in Muslim countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, UAE, Kuwait.

Holy Books and Sacred Texts

The cannon of the Old Testament of the Christian Bible is called the Tanakh in Judaism. Torah is the term used for the first five books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Tanakh is divided in Judaism into three sections, Torah (the Law), Nevi'im (the Prophets), and Kethuvim (the Writings). The Torah is the most important book for the Jews. Also known as the "Pentateuch" or the "Five Books of Moses, "Christians will recognize it as the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) Some other Texts in Judaism:

Religious holidays

• Religious holidays of Judaism include Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New year), Aseret Yemei Teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance), Hanukkah (Festival of Lights). One you are probably familiar with is Hanukkah, Hanukkah commemorates this miracle with the lighting of candles on eight successive nights. Hanukkah menorah, with nine branches instead of the seven on a regular menorah, is used for this purpose. Eight of the candles are lit one by one on each night of Hanukkah, and the ninth candle, known as the shamash, is lit every night and used to kindle the other candles.
• Menorah: The menorah is said to represent the burning bush which Moses saw, as related in the Hebrew Bible

Rituals and customs

Birthdays

Usually the first birthday of the child is celebrated elaborately with the parents arranging a special feast for the guests. All of them give gifts to the kid. And the child cuts a special birthday cake to be shared between the guests.

Baptism is an important ritual in the life of a Christian. A child is admitted to the church congregation as a member only through Baptism.

Marriage

This is usually held at the brides' residence. It is more or less a family affair and only the close relatives attend the function.

The priest starts the function with a prayer. Then the girl and the boy exchange garlands, the Bible and a ring as a mark of their engagement. The priest delivers a small sermon and a feast is given for the invitees.

The girl and the boy are given time to talk and understand each other. On this day the date of marriage and other details are discussed between the groom's and the bride's side.

Marriages usually take place in the nearby churches. The marriage celebrations are influenced by local customs and practices and may vary according to the region.

Particular Dress/clothing

The ladies lifestyle of dressing should not draw attention purposely for the beauty and costly of the garments but draw attention for their modesty as a woman.

Hierarchy/Organization

The three grades of Judaism Hierarchy are bishop, priest, and deacon

Bishop:A high-ranking Judaism cleric, in modern churches usually in charge of a diocese and in some churches regarded as having received the highest ordination in unbroken succession from the apostles.

Priest: In many Judaism churches, a member of the second grade of clergy ranking below a bishop but above a deacon and having authority to administer the sacraments.

Deacon:A cleric ranking just below a priest in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic churches