Judaism
Reagan R.
Not just Hanukkah
How much do you know about Judaism ? What do you think about Judaism? Let me guess you think about Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday, but there is much more you can learn about Judaism. What about the history of Judaism ? Family Celebrations? Read more to find out.
Origins of Judaism
To the religious explanation, the history of Israel started by the colonizing of the people by Abraham. The most significant moment in Abraham's life-time also the most important for the ancestry of Israel developed when God accomplished a pact with Abraham. In this pact God appointed Abraham to make an offering of his only son, Isaac. Abraham was going to do it, but God directed an heavenly being to stop Abraham from offering (sacrificing) Isaac. For the reward of doing God's will God pledged to make the descendants of Abraham into an everlasting nation if they were obedient to God for all time. This promise was fulfilled and Abraham's offspring was divided into 12 tribes. Beyond the coming up of generations the 12 tribes advanced to a liberated country called Israel.
The 12 tribes of Israel
Israel
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are the basis of the rules in the Jewish religion. These rules as prophesied were created by God on Mt. Sinai when Moses a prophet of God went up to Mt. Sinai and fasted (to not eat or drink) for 40 days.
Family Celebrations
One of the biggest things in the Jewish religion is dinnertime. For example, in the Jewish religion you must eat certain foods, like you cannot eat pork, pickles or cheese Danish. These food laws are called kashrut. Speaking of food, one of the biggest celebrations in the Jewish religion is the Passover. The Passover is a meal celebrated on the history of the acts during the time when the Jewish people were traveling to Egypt. Another well-known celebration is Bar Mitzvah. Bar Mitzvah is when a boy turns 13 or a girl turns 12 years of age. What they have to do is read from the Torah (the Jewish Bible). Dinnertime is a important thing, but education is too. One of the main things is the language Yiddish. Yiddish is a language the Jewish used before the Holocaust. Since the Holocaust wiped out most of the Jews the language is not used much. It is still in existence, but it is used very rarely. Around the world today Jews mostly live in Israel and the USA. The reason why Europe has few Jews is because of the Holocaust.
Dreidel Game
The game they play during Hanukkah.
Menorah the symbol of Judaism
Candles they light during Hanukkah. The Menorah is portrayed in the Torah (the Hebrew Bible) as a Jewish lampstand made of pure gold and used in the tabernacle set up by a prophet. The menorah has been a symbol of the Jewish faith since early times.
Foods Jews can and cannot eat
The Final Discussion
Now you can see that Judaism is not just about some Jewish holiday celebrated at Christmastime called Hanukkah. You could even impress a Jewish family or friend with your extended knowledge on Jewish history and Jewish family celebrations.
Works Cited
"Judaism." Britannica School. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2015. Web. 14 Dec. 2015. <http://school.eb.com.proxygsu-sgwi.galileo.usg.edu/levels/middle/article/275192#203297.toc>.