WorldReligion Q1 Mod4
WorldReligion Q1 Mod4
WorldReligion Q1 Mod4
Introduction to World
Religions and Belief Systems
Module 4: Judaism
AIRs - LM
LU_Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems_Module 4
HUMSS – INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS
Module 4: Judaism
Second Edition, 2021
Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division
Region I
All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without written
permission from the copyright owners.
Introduction to World
Religions and Belief Systems
Module 4: Judaism
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you
step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are
also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on
how they can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on
any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises
and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
Thank you.
From the previous lessons, you studied the negative and positive effects
of religion. Religion can be described as a two-edged sword; it can have both
positive and negative effects on society. It has played a really important role
within the development of societies by integrating and stabilizing them;
however it's also created conflicts.
This module will provide you with information and activities that help
you to understand what Judaism is. At the end of this module, the students
should be able to study the Jewish faith, heritage of law, and culture.
Examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Judaism (HUMSS_WRB12-I/IIId-4.1; HUMSS_WRB12-
I/IIId-4.2; HUMSS_WRB12-I/IIId-4.3; HUMSS_WRB12-I/IIId-4.4)
( based from Curriculum Guide)
Learning Objective:
A. recall the history of Judaism;
b. discuss the core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related
issues;
c. analyze the significance of Judaism.
Before proceeding, check your knowledge about this topic. Answer the
pretest in the next page using a separate sheet.
Activity 1: Sequencing
Direction: Arrange the 10 commandments by King James Version (KJV)
chronologically through cuneiform tablet. Use separate sheet of paper for your
answer.
6. _________________ 1. _________________
_________________ _________________
7. _________________ 2. _________________
_________________ _________________
8. _________________ 3. _________________
_________________ _________________
9. _________________ 4. _________________
_________________ _________________
10._________________ 5. _________________
_________________ _________________
A. Historical Background
Judaism traces its origin as an organized during the Bronze Age in West Asia
and world oldest religion and monotheistic religion that developed among the ancient
Hebrews. Judaism is that the complex phenomenon of a complete way of life for the
Jewish people, comprising theology, law, and innumerable cultural.
Jews/Jewish people- known as the “People of the Book” and referred as ‘Child of
Israel. They consider themselves as the people chosen by God to serve as an
exemplar of devotion in purity to humankind. They were groups of Semites
called Hebrews. Non-Jews, on the other hand, are called Gentiles in the
Hebrew Bible.
Hebrews- refers to those who accepted Yahweh as their God
Abraham – his original name is Abram, born in the City of Ur. This name means
“Father of Multitude” known to be the “Father of Faith” and “Father of All
Nation”. His two sons Isaac and Ishmael and his story can be read in Genesis
11-25. He was 99 years old when God appeared to him. The covenant made
by Yahweh to Abraham is sealed with the rite circumcision. (Any male
individual who submits himself to the rite of circumcision becomes a member
of the covenant community.
Promised Land- also called as Canaan, Israel, Palestine, Land of Jesus. This name
was due to the belief that God gave a promise to Abraham about a land
flowing with milk and honey (Gen. 15:18)
Israelites/Israelites Jews - refers to the people whom the Hebrew Bible describes
specifically as the direct descendants of any of the sons of the patriarch
Jacob(later called Israel) and his descendants as a people are also collectively
called "Israel".
Sarah- her original name is Sarai. It means “princess” or noble woman”. He bore a
child after they have entered a covenant with God. He is wife of Abraham.
Isaac- son of Sarah and Abraham. The heir to God’s Covenant and the ancestor of
the Jewish people. Later married to Rebecca and had a twin sons (Jacob and
Esau)
Jacob- His name was changed to “Israel” which suggests “the one who wrestled
with God”. The name Israel symbolizes the profound relationship of God
together with his people. His family was forced to settle in Egypt because of
famine. Among four different women, Jacob fathered twelve sons and one
daughter. His twelve sons become the twelve tribes of Israel.
Twelve Tribes
Reuben Gad
Simeon Asher
Levi Naphtali
Judah Joseph
Zebelun Benjamin
Issachar Dan
Joseph- he was the favorite child of Jacob. Sold by his jealous brother to the
Egyptian Merchant. He has the ability to see and interpret visions which he
earned his place in court as a Vizier.
B. Books/Sacred Writings
The Jewish people have been called the “people of the Book” in reference to
the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh or Mikra) that has been the authority, guide, and
inspiration of the many forms of Judaism that have evolved throughout the different
periods of time and in various places Parrinder (1971). They had produced several
books and sacred writings and they are as follows.
Tanakh – the Hebrew Bible, constituting the entire canon of divinely revealed
scripture in Judaism. Hebrew bible (Old Testament) for Christians it
contains 24 collection of books with 3 parts the following are: Torah/
Pentateuch (teaching or law), Nevi’im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (writings)
also called Written Torah
1.Torah/Pentateuch- The term Torah means “teachings and instructions.”
composed the first “Five Books” of the Pentateuch traditionally believed to
have been authored by Moses through divine instruction in Sinai. It could
mean as the whole body of Jewish laws or teachings. It narrates the history,
religious statues, and moral regulations for individuals and society,
ceremonial rites and creation stories by Yahweh, and the origin and growth
of mankind.
Five Books are the following:
◘Genesis (Origin) ◘ Leviticus ◘Deutoronomy
◘Exodus ◘Numbers
2. Prophets/Nevi’im- is one who was called by God to communicate His word to
the King and to the people. (One important Jewish belief- belief in the words
of the prophets) and served as spokesperson who criticize the hypocritical
practices of Jewish rituals.
Prophets
Joshua Samuel Isaiah Ezekiel
Judges Kings Jeremiah
Minor Prophets
Hosea Zephaniah Haggai
Amos Zechariah Malachi
Jonah Joel Micah
Nahum Obadiah Habakkuk
3. Ketuvim/Writings- contains works of poetry, temple ritual, private prayer,
philosophical explorations, and other canonical works the following are:
Psalm Ruth Daniel
In Judaism, actions are more significant than beliefs. However, while Judaism
has no dogma, there is definitely a place for belief within the religion since it focuses
on the worship to one God, the practice of good deeds, and the love of learning.
For the Jews, there is one everlasting god who created the universe in its
entirety and remains to be the master of it. Human Beings were created by God,
provided them the capacity to decide what is right and wrong, and gave them the
freedom and responsibility for their own actions. Humans have the ability to restrain
their evil intentions because of their propensities for both good and evil.
For Jews, all human beings created equal. God can communicate with humans
through revelations, humans also communicate to him by means of prayer and
meditations.
Sabbath (Shabbat)
The most important day in the Jewish calendar because it commemorates
God’s completion of the creation of the universe and his rest day toil.
It begins a few minutes before sunset on Friday and runs until an hour after sunset
on Saturday. At Friday sundown, Sabbath candles are lighted and Kiddush
(‘sanctification”) is recited over wine or grape juice.
Tishri- is the seventh month in the ecclesiastical years of the Jewish calendar. * The
first ten days of Tishri are called the “Days of AWE” where the first two days comprise
the New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and the tenth day as the Day of Atonement (Yom
Kippur). All Jews must undergo self-reflection and make amends for all the sins they
have committed.
Rosh Hashanah is also a day of judgement wherein God assesses one’s deeds and
decides what lies ahead of him or her following year. These deeds are recorded in the
“Book of Life” and sealed on Yom Kippur. Work is not permitted during the Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah marks the starts of the ten day
penitence leading to the Yom Kippur and is distinguished from other days by blowing
a ram’s horn trumpet (shofar) in the synagogue and eating apples dipped in honey
which is symbolic for a sweet new year.
Yom Kippur is the most sacred and solemn day in the Jewish calendar that brings
the period of repentance to its conclusion. The eve of the day is called Kol Nidrei (all
vows) which are the opening words of a prayer. The words and music of the Kol Nidrei
is said to be the most powerful single item in Jewish Liturgy. A day of fasting and
praying for absolution of one’s sins, it provides every Jew an opportunity for both
personal and communal repentance. One must refrain from eating and drinking,
even water. Symbolizing purity, it is customary for the Jews to wear white during
holiday. An entire day is spent in the synagogue while reciting prayers.
Pilgrimage Festivals
During the golden days, the Torah commanded the ancient Israelites to go to
Jerusalem on the three pilgrimage festivals and participate in the worship at the
Temple also called as Shalosh Regalim, these are Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Weeks
or Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). These festivals spiritualize human life and
merge nature and history during a divine pattern.
Sukkot – It is the nine day festival commemorating the autumn harvest and the
forty years of Israelites stay in the desert wilderness subsisting solely on the bounty
of God.
Halakha- set of rules and practices that govern their everyday living. “the path that
one walks”. These are Jewish religious laws derived from the “Oral Torah” and
“Written Torah” including 613 rules( mitzvot in Hebrew) which include the ten
commandments written on two stone tablets. Jewish laws contain directions on how
to revere God and treat other people and animals.
It instructs Jew what to do as they wake up in the morning, what foods to eat,
what clothes to wear, who to marry, and how to observe Sabbath and holy days.When
properly observed, Halakha increases one’s spirituality as even mundane acts
becomes essential to his her existence.
Temple- David conquered Jerusalem around 1003 BCE, and made it his capital.
Bringing with him the “Ark of the Covenant”, David intended to build a temple to
become the first and fixed place to worship for the Jews. However, God told David
that it would be one of his sons who will have the privilege of accomplishing this
task.
The Hebrew Bible acknowledged Solomon, David’s son as builder of the First
Temple in Jerusalem around 1000 BCE which was also known as “Solomon’s
Temple”. Within temple, the most important room was the “Holy Holies” where the
“Ark of the Covenant” was kept. The ark contained the tablets of the Ten
Commandments and the Pentateuch.
The first temple became the focus of Jewish worship for 400 years until
Nebuchadnezzar II and Babylonians completely destroyed the structure in 587 BCE.
Allegedly located in Temple Mount or Mount Zion, the remains of the First Temple
has never been found and the “Ark of the Covenant” has continuously been shrouded
in the mystery.
E. Subdivisions
Orthodox Judaism
Is the most traditional of modern Judaism that adheres to the authority of the
entire Torah as given to Moses by God at Mount Sinai. The Torah is the sole authority
that must be strictly followed until the present time. It rejects all other Jewish
movements as undesirable deviations from the original Jewish religion.
Reform Judaism
Liberal or progressive Judaism it is considered the most liberal expression of
Judaism that subjects religious laws and customs to human judgment. It developed
due to internal changes in Judaism as well as other factors operating within the
society. This domination sought to adhere to the original teachings of Judaism while
allowing some changes in their traditions. For example: services were permitted to
be conducted in mixed Hebrew and English, no longer conducted solely in the
Hebrew language. Women were also accorded equality in terms of sitting together
with men in synagogues and allowing them to become rabbis unlike other
denominations.
Conservative Judaism
Seek to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism while at the same time
allows for modernization that is less radical than Reform Judaism.
Gradual change in law and practice is allowed only if such occurrence is in harmony
with Jewish tradition. It falls halfway between the two major denominations.
F. Selected Issues
Women in Judaism
Women’s role in the Jewish religion is determined by the Tanakh, the “Oral
Torah,” and Jewish customs. Mishnah instructs that women must follow nearly all
the negative commandments except trimming the beard and viewing a dead body.
Women must also follow all positive commandments not structured by time but are
exempted from those that are restricted by time.
Women from laws they find difficult or impossible to perform given their
traditional domestic roles, such as giving birth, taking care of the family, and
accomplishing household chores. In addition, women have the right to be consulted
on matters concerning marriage. Judaism offers tremendous respect to roles given
to women as wives and mothers. Even Jewishness or the question of Jewish self-
identification is passed down through the mother.
Orthodox Judaism, there exist different roles for men and women in their religious
lives. For example, it is sufficient for any woman to understand the practical nature
of the Torah, but she is traditionally excused from furthering her education beyond
that knowledge. However, provision for education for Jewish women has progressed
rapidly in the past century. One interesting phenomenon in Judaism is the concept
of agunot or married women who wish to divorce their husbands but whose husbands
decline to do so. In Orthodox Judaism, only the husbands are given this privilege.
Conservative Judaism has acted upon several areas that enable women to actively
participate in Jewish rituals thereby minimizing legal disparity between men and
women.
Reform Judaism affirms that men and women should be equal in terms of
performing their duties within the Jewish community. Prayer books have been
revised in order to avoid words and pronouns that appear male in character. Jewish
patriarchs and matriarchs must be placed side by side whenever they are mentioned
in prayer books. While men and women generally sit separately in most synagogues,
Reform Judaism has allowed women to sit together with men.
Holocaust
The term Holocaust is of Greek origin that means “sacrifice by fire.” In history,
Holocaust pertains to the methodical, bureaucratic, and state sponsored persecution
and execution of around six million Jews undertaken by the Nazi regime and its
collaborators from 1933 to 1945. For the Hitler-led Nazis, the Germans were racially
superior and considered themselves as the master race as compared to the Jews who
were seen as inferior people. Hitler’s police chief, Heinrich Himmler, also believed in
Aryan superiority leading to the enslavement and extermination of “non-Aryans” and
the inferior race (Perry 1988). He was one of the German officials directly responsible
for the holocaust. The Nazis also targeted Jewish children for extermination to create
a biologically pure Aryan society.
The killing of Jewish children aimed to prevent the emergence of a new
generation of European Jews. As a result, about one and a half million children were
murdered all across Europe.
Anti-Semitism
The term anti-Semitism pertains to hostility towards and discrimination
against the Jewish people that was strongly felt in France, Germany, Poland, and
Russia in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The term was popularized in
Germany around 1870s. The most common manifestations of anti-Semitism were
the many violent riots or pogroms undertaken against the Jews. The planned
extermination of the entire Jewish race during the time of the holocaust was the most
extreme form of anti-Semitism. Other forms of anti-Semitic activities include the
persecution and massacre of Jews throughout history.
More than a thousand synagogues were burned and over seven thousand
Jewish businesses were destroyed or damaged. The event was known as
Kristallnacht or “Night of Broken Glass,” referring to the shards of broken glass that
littered the streets.
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Here are some enrichment activities for you to master and strengthen the basic
concepts you have learned from the previous lesson
Direction: Choose your answer from the wordbox. Use a separate sheet of paper for
your answer.
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Deepen
1. How do the basic tenets of Judaism underpin the importance of actions for
the Jewish people? (4pts)
3. Explain how keeping the 10 commandments might affect the way Jews live
their daily lives? (4pts)
4. All Jews should believe the same things and practice the same traditions.
Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you simply
have considered different points of view? (4pts)
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Gauge
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.
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Printed Materials:
Ong, Jerome A. et.al (2016). Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems,
1253 Gregorio Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, Vibal Group, Inc. pp.46-64
Jr. Mabaquiao, Napoleon M.PhD, (2016). Introduction to World Religion and Belief
Systems, 927 Phoenix Bldg, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila Phoenix
Publishing House (Pandayon Series). pp 44-73
Website:
Bible Hub. King James Bible (2012). Exodus 20: 2 . Retrieved September 18, 2020
from https://biblehub.com/kjv/exodus/20.html
A&E Television Networks. January 5, 2018. Judaism. Retrieved September 18, 2020
from https://www.history.com/topics/religion/judaism
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