Three Monotheistic Religions of the Middle East

Three Monotheistic Religions of the Middle East

Judaism Approx. Date of Origin Founder Christianity Islam 2000 BCE 33 CE 622 CE Moses/Abraham Jesus Muhammad Torah Bible Quran Synogogue, Saturday Church, Sunday Mosque, Friday (pray 5 x/day) Symbol Sacred Text/ Law Worship (places, times)

Judaism: the basics • Oldest monotheistic religion! • Central city is Jerusalem • Founded in 2, 000 BC (approx. ) • Founder = Moses/Abraham • God known as “Yahweh” • Trace origin to ancient Israelites, Kingdom of Israel. Eventually scattered • Mainly found in Israel, but is in diaspora (spread throughout the world) • Current number of Jews: 15 -16 million worldwide

Jewish Practices & Beliefs • Place of worship is the synagogue • Holy day = Saturday • Torah is the sacred text • Believed to be written by Moses, inspired by God • One of several books (Old Testament) record Jews’ history • 613 laws, first 10 are most important • Talmud (“oral law”): how to apply God’s law to everyday life through • • • Dietary rules (kosher) Dress & other symbols Prayer & devotion to one God Proper social relations Observance of holy days

Synagogue in Jerusalem Torah

Beliefs & Practices • Thoughts on Jesus • He was a good, wise (but ordinary) man who died thousands of years ago. Was NOT resurrected, but did die. • Still awaiting the messiah, or the political figure (not divine!) who would bring peace to earth. • What they’re concerned about: • “repairing this world” through justice & righteousness • Doing good deeds based on God’s commandments • Emphasis on family, home, responsibility, hard work & education • Through all of this, the world will be what it’s supposed to be: HOLY!

Jewish Traditions & Celebrations: Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Coming of age ritual • Bar Mitzvah = 13 -year-old boy • Bat Mitzvah = 12 -year-old girl • Idea that boys & girls are responsible for their actions at this point; boys (and some girls) can lead prayer in family or community • Fun fact: can be legally married…. . according to Jewish law • Must study a lot before the actual event • At the event: recites speech/reading for family & friends, receives gifts

Jewish Traditions: Rosh Hashanah • Jewish New Year (October 2 -4, 2016) • Occurs around September or October and lasts from evening to evening. Beginning of the “Days of Awe” (from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur) • Seen as a time to look back on mistakes of the past year & make changes in the new one • No work permitted on Rosh Hashanah—most of the day spent in synagogue

Yom Kippur • Day of Atonement • This year: October 11 -12(evening to evening) • Must practice self-denial— prohibitions (can’t do certain things) • Includes no eating, drinking, bathing, etc. • Idea is to seek forgiveness for sins. Highest synagogue attendance rate of the year!

Hanukkah • “Festival of Lights” commemorating the religious history of the Jews—rededication of the Holy Temple • In December, before Christmas • Is NOT the equivalent of the Christian Christmas! (doesn’t have as much religious significance) • Lasts 8 days • Light one candle per day, families exchange one small gift a day • Sing songs, play with dreidels, eat fried foods (latkes)

Christianity • 2 nd oldest Monotheistic religion (33 AD) • Prophet: Jesus, who was God’s son and is the eternal savior • Most practiced religion in the world with 2 billion Christians worldwide • Also has holy city of Jerusalem • Found in Europe, North & South America, and Africa • Three divisions: Catholicism, Orthodoxy & Protestantism

Practices • Attend church on their holy day, Sunday • Wednesday sometimes, too • Church led by preachers, priests • Sacred text: Bible • Jewish Old Testament + New Testament • 10 Commandments as a “how-to” guide for living a Christian life • “you shalt not murder…commit adultery. . ”

Beliefs • Life & teachings of Jesus as basis for Christianity • Jesus, who was Jewish, preached renewal; was eventually executed and then resurrected • God encompasses three spirits: the father, the son, , and the Holy Ghost (aka: HOLY TRINITY) • Way to heaven is through faith in God, good deeds, sacrament • Sacrament: baptism, communion, Lord’s Supper, etc. • No coming-of-age ritual, as seen in Judaism

Christian Traditions & Celebrations: Christmas • Comes from the word “Christes” (Old English) meaning “Christ’s mass” • December 25, every year • Attend Christmas Eve worship services, prayer in celebration of Jesus Christ’s virgin birth in Bethlehem • Christmas Day: typically presents! • Also Christmas trees, lights, candy canes, stories of Old St. Nick, waiting for Santa Claus…did I mention presents? !

Good Friday • Friday before Easter Sunday • Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ • How it’s celebrated: • Day of rest (no work/school) • Fasting in the Catholic Church, reparations in Roman Catholicism (prayer)

Easter Sunday • AKA-Pascha in some Asian countries • Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ • Marks the end of the 40 -day period of fasting in some Christian religions (Lent) • How it’s celebrated: • Church services • Recitations of the Old Testament • Both Good Friday & Easter Sunday take place in either March or April

Islam: The Basics • Founded in 622 AD • Currently the second-largest religion (1. 3 billion) • Prophet: Muhammad • Gabriel the Angel came to him & delivered a message from the one, true God monotheism in a polytheistic world • Sacred text: Qur’an • Major religion in Middle East & Southeast Asia • Two major sects: Sunni (majority) & Shia

Muslim Beliefs • Muhammad was the last of a great line of prophets • Idea that Islam has existed since the creation of the world • Other prophets include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus • There will be a day in which people are judged for their deeds on earth (AKAJudgment Day) • Account begins @ puberty • either be rewarded with heaven or punishment in Hell • Jesus IS a prophet and was born from the Virgin Mary, but was not God’s son • Jesus escaped death on the cross & was taken up to Paradise instead

Muslim Practices • Attend mosques, Friday = holy day • Leaders called “imams” • Call to prayer 5 times a day • Do not eat pork, gamble, do illegal drugs, etc. • Pronounce God’s name before eating & drinking, eat and drink with right hand • Follow the Five Pillars of Islam

Muslim Celebrations: Ramadan • Month of fasting • 2016: June 6 -July 5 • No eating, drinking between dawn & sunset • Purpose is to teach about patience, spirituality, humility & submissiveness to God • Encouraged to read the entire Qur’an

Eid-Al Fitr • Marks the end of the fasting of Ramadan • What happens: • • • Food donated to the poor Everyone wears best (usually new) clothes Communal prayers Feasting & visiting with family & friends Gifts (money & clothes) given

Eid Al-Adha • Celebration of sacrifice (sheep replaces Ishmael, Abraham’s son who was ordered to be • Sacrifice animal (goat, sheep, ram, cow or camel), divide meat in 3 parts • One for poor & needy • One for relatives & friends • One for the family