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Jewish Practices and Beliefs

TorahTorah not arbitrary list of rules** Gods revelation of self what he expects in response to his covenant love **Studying Torah is a form of worship lifelong tasks for practicing JewsThe Jews attempted to live Torah-law perfectly in belief that they will then be the blessed, special, forever protected favorite peopleSynagogue-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 Restprecious 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 DaysRosh 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 sinsTheological 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-ds miraculous and active work in in history and lives of faithful

Shavuot, 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 Shavuot 49 days 7 weeks

9Sukkot 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 raisedIdeas 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 throneMeshiach 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