Basic+Judaism

We believe that understanding our religion will help us understand the religion of others!

=**Basic Judaism**=
 * God and Faith** (Who is God, and what are yousupposed to believe?)
 * Monotheistic - one God
 * Omnipresent - God is everywhere
 * God is not flesh, rather God is mysterious and is neither divisible nor physical
 * It is virtually impossible to know for sure the exact nature of the divine presence. We are not meant to know the reality of God - will lose his power and authority.
 * Still wating for Messiah
 * There is no single belief that makes you a Jew
 * Judaism has an ongoing dialogue between God and the Children of Israel
 * Emphasizes deeds (action)
 * Authority and Leadership** (Who are the leaders of Judaism, and what authority do they have?)
 * Rabbis (study the Torah, relate to the Torah and are certified to teach others, understand the text)
 * Main authority - Torah, also authority in later Rabbinic texts
 * Big difference: No single belife that makes you a 'jew'
 * Leadership is more democratic - rabbis are leaders because they are insightful and have learned a lot about the Torah
 * Revelation** (How does God communicate with people?)
 * Abraham and the idols
 * Moses and the burning bush
 * Ten Commandments
 * Mt. Sinai
 * Prophets
 * Celebration** (What are the major holidays, and how are they celebrated?)
 * Lots of holidays! (Sukkot, Pesach, Shavuot - Shalosh Regalim; Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Shabbat; Chanukah, Tu B'Shevat, Simchat Torah; Yom Ha _ - Holocaust, Independence Day, Israeli Soldiers)
 * Many with food!
 * Most holidays are about the historic experiences of the Jewish people
 * Salvation** (What is "saved," and how do you get there?)
 * Mi Chamocha (leaving Egypt) - we are obliged to help get others from injustice
 * Redemption - being freed from slavery in Egypt - our duty to free others from slavery
 * We redeem ourselves through atonement, seeking and giving forgiveness
 * The Meaning of Life** (What is the purpose of living?)
 * Justice
 * Deeds
 * Core Values** (What are this religion's most important values?)
 * Tikkun Olam - fix the world
 * B'tzelem Elohim
 * brit olam
 * talmud Torah
 * Ahavat Yisrael
 * Rosh Ha-shana