Judaism Beliefs and the History of the Jewish People - Essay Example

Judaism Introduction Judaism is one of the many religions being practiced around the world and along with the other religions in the world, it boasts of a rich and dynamic history that has actually allowed it to stand the test of time. Although it only covers 0.2% of the global population, its influence has been extensive, even more than what the numbers actually reflect (Robinson, 2009). This paper shall discuss the history of the Jewish people including matters which need to be known about Judaism, their worship, their holidays, their food, and such other characteristics of their religion, their belief system, their traditions, and their practices. Through the data gathered in this paper, a more thorough understanding of Judaism and of the Jewish people is hoped to be achieved by this student. Discussion The history of the Jewish people and of Judaism cannot be discussed without referring to the Bible and to Christianity. Historians refer to the earliest history of Judaism by referring to the Old Testament of the Holy Bible or the Tanakh under the Hebrew Bible (Fisher, 2009). The Tanakh describes the Jews as the chosen people of God; although the Tanakh further accounts for many moments when the relationship between God and the Jews was stormy (BBC Religion, 2001). The Bible also accounts how Abraham was chosen by God as the father of the Jewish people who would set a good example to his people and to the rest of the world. Through the guidance of their kings Saul, David, and Solomon, the Jews flourished and Judaism expanded (BBC Religion, 2001). However, at about 920 BCE, their kingdom fell apart and the Jews split into many groups. This marked the time of the prophets. At about 600 BCE, the temple built by Solomon was destroyed and with it Jewish leadership (BBC Religion, 2001). Jews were sent into exile in Babylon after the collapse of the Jewish leadership and although many Jews were later allowed to return to their homeland, most of them stayed in exile. This marked the beginning of the Jewish Diaspora (BBC Religion, 2001). The Jewish people slowly rebuilt their leadership from 300 years BCE onwards and in the process; they began to practice their faith freely and to embrace it deeply. At about 175 BCE, the King of Syria desecrated the Jewish temple and set forth several decrees which meant to eliminate Judaism in favor of Zeus worship. Following a revolt in 164 BCE, the temple was later restored. This revolt is celebrated and remembered through the Jewish festival of Hanukkah (BBC Religion, 2001). During the Roman times, the Jews were able to govern themselves because they were at peace with the Roman Empire (BBC Religion, 2001). However, due to strife in their relationship, the Jews still ended up being governed by the Romans in 63 BCE. After the birth of Jesus Christ (Current Era), Jewish followers of Jesus Christ split from Judaism and later established Christianity (BBC Religion, 2001). In the early years after the birth of Jesus Christ, the rabbis or teachers in the Jewish faith encouraged the people to observe the different ethical practices and to observe the cycle of prayer and the festivals in the home and in the synagogues (BBC Religion, 2001). This era marked a major change in the Jewish life because the temple of the Jewish people no longer symbolized a focus of Jewish prayer; consequently, many synagogues were founded and built for the Jews to worship in (BBC Religion, 2001). In 70-200 CE, many political, religious, spiritual, social, and cultural changes were seen in Palestine. And although the Jewish academies were robust, the Jews could not essentially bear being ruled by the Romans. And so they rebelled against their Roman leaders; however, their attempts were largely unsuccessful. In the process of revolt, their temple was destroyed and this brought an end to temple worship. Jews mark this day as the fast day of Tisha B’av (Fisher, 2009). Also, during one of the revolts, hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed, thousands more enslaved, and the rest were banned from Jerusalem (BBC Religion, 2001). In the years that followed the revolts, the Jewish academies were undaunted and continued to flourish. A need to write down the teachings of Judaism also overcame many of the Jews. Such accounts and teachings were compiled into the Mishna which was a collection of teachings, sayings, and interpretations of the early rabbis (BBC Religion, 2001). More teachings were later compiled into the Talmud (Fisher, 2009). They were later accepted as Roman citizens but were not allowed to own slaves. Starting in 1000 CE, the Jews in Spain co-existed well with Spain’s Islamic rules and through their interaction they developed their literature and their science (Fisher, 1997). From 1090 to 1600, we mark the period of the Crusades where military operations were sent to capture the Holy Land. These crusaders attacked the Jews in Palestine and in Germany; eventually Jerusalem was captured (BBC Religion, 2001). Jews were banned from Jerusalem; but as many of them were under the protection of Henry I, the Jewish population in Britain increased. Jews were later driven out of Spain by a Berber invasion and serious anti-Jewish activities were launched throughout Europe (BBC Religion, 2001). The Jews faced further expulsions from Britain, France, and the rest of Europe in the 13th Century. However, during this time, scholarship, literature, and mysticism (Kabbalah) flourished among the Jews (Fisher, 2009). From the 1650s onwards, Jewish expansion was seen as they were now slowly allowed to return to England (BBC Religion, 2001). Other countries withdrew their restrictions against Jews and slowly but surely, their race started to experience a rebirth. This too was seen in Israel, their homeland. In the mid-16th Century massive Jewish migration to America was seen (Fisher, 1997). With the oppressive regimes and practices the Jews experienced in Europe and in Central Asia (Russia), it was inevitable that their influx into America was at a frantic and massive pace. Their history of oppression had its most significant impact during the Second World War in the hands of Adolf Hitler. The main issue against the Jews is still very much credited to their largely mixed genealogy. “Racist theories spread that those of ‘pure’ Nordic blood were genetically ideal, while Jews were a dangerous ‘mongrel’ race” (Fisher, 1997). This was the very essence of Hitler’s and other anti-Semitics’ issue against the Jews – that they were an impure race. Worship and prayers Prayer and worship is an essential part of the Jewish faith. In almost all aspects of their life – including pain, suffering, joy, and gratitude, the Jews have managed to intersperse their life and their faith with prayer and worship. Prayer has been a practice which has been passed on to them from the Biblical times through Abraham, Moses, and even Joshua. Through Joshua, they have managed to understand and apply the concept personal prayers (Cohn-Sherbok, 2003). Many Jews have also embraced the practice of communal worship and their ancient history saw many of them worshipping in the Temple in Jerusalem twice daily (morning and afternoon) with the assistance and guidance of their priests (Fisher, 1997). During these prayers, sacrifices and offerings were made; and their priests gave additional services during their festivals and on Sabbaths (Cohn-Sherbok, 2003). After the destruction of the Temple, their worship was transferred to the synagogues. Jewish worship and prayer is considered a community intercession as a Jew is an integral part of the community and he does not stand alone before God. “Even in prayer the Jew is bound up with the Jewish people, sharing its past history, its fate in the present, and its future destiny (Appel, 1977). The practice of communal worship is a practice which was laid out by its history. Consequently, a Jew must not utter his prayers alone and in private when he can instead recite it with his community. A Jew who does not choose to worship with the rest of his community is labeled a bad neighbor (Appel, 1977). Hence, Jews have a stronger sense of communion with each other, not only because of their common race, but also because of their common faith and beliefs (Appel, 1977). Jewish Holidays There are several Jewish holidays and the main ones include: Bar Mitzvah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and the Passover. The Bar Mitzvah is considered as the “coming of age for a Jewish boy…” (Fisher, 2009, p. 401). Bar mitzvah translates to “son of the commandments” and signifies a period when the Jewish boy is now ready to take on responsibilities of his own. The Jewish boy is often taught by his parents the important details about his faith and about his responsibilities as a Jew. On the day of the boy’s Bar Mitzvah, he enters the synagogue wearing his Tallit and Kippah and during the ceremony he would read portions of the scripture in Hebrew (Taylor, 2002). This ceremony would be conducted in front of his family and friends. The Rosh Hashanah is about spiritual renewal and is also known as the Jewish New Year. It is known to fall once a year during the month of Tishrei and ten days before Yom Kippur (Pelaia, 2010). Rosh Hashanah falls in the month of Tishrei or the 7th month on the Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew calendar actually starts with the month of Nissan which is marked with the freedom of the Jews from Egypt (Pelaia, 2010). The month of Tishrei is believed to be the month when God created the world. The Jews then believe that Tishrei is the birthday of the world (Pelaia, 2010). Yom Kippur symbolizes the Day of Atonement for the Jews and it is also their most solemn day (Penney, 1999). At this time, they ask for forgiveness from God and as a sign of their remorse, they fast for up to 25 hours and spent most of the day praying in the synagogue (Penney, 1999). During this holiday, they are dressed in white and the Ark is also covered with white cloths as a sign of cleanliness and purity (Penney, 1999). During the ceremony, the shofar is blown and it serves to remind the Jews of their promise and their commitment to stay clean and to live good lives in the coming year (Penney, 1999). The Hanukkah refers to the Jewish people’s celebration of their ancient victory which resulted in their right to worship. It was a “celebration of the Maccabean Rebellion against the attempt by Antiochus to force non-Jewish practices on the Jews” (Fisher, 1994, p. 257). This holiday starts on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. It has become a popular holiday among the Jews because of its close proximity to Christmas usually falling sometime between late November and late December (Pelaia, 2010). In this holiday, children receive gifts from their parents, most often, one gift for each of the eight days in the holiday. However, this practice has mostly been adopted in order to not to leave out the Jewish children in the Christmas spirit which often pervades the society at about the same time of the Jewish Hanukkah (Pelaia, 2010). Finally, another important Jewish holiday is the Passover. It symbolizes their day of liberation from Egypt – about 3300 years ago (Mideast Web, 2008). The Passover is a spring holiday, celebrated for 7 days starting on the 14th day of the month of Nissan. The week of the Passover celebration starts with a ritual festive meal called the Seder where a Paschal lamb is eaten (Mideast Web, 2008). During this time, traditions and stories are passed on to the children about the importance and significance of the holiday; there are several references to the land of Israel and to Jerusalem. They also give thanks to God for their bountiful land and for their blessings. During the week of the Passover, they only eat unleavened bread made from special flour; beer is forbidden along with cakes or food which contains yeast (Mideast Web, 2008). Conclusion The Jews have a colorful and rich history marked with suffering and discrimination. However, they have managed to survive many challenges to their faith and to their practices. Like all other religions, they too have managed to evolve. They have managed to maintain and sustain many of their practices, even making the necessary adjustments in these modern times. However, essentially, their basic traditions as a people and as a religion have stayed the same. Works Cited Appel, G. (1977) Concise Code of Jewish Law, volume one. USA: KTAV House Cohn-Sherbok, D. (2003) Judaism: history, belief, and practice. New York: Routledge Fisher, M. (1997) Living religions: an encyclopaedia of the worlds faiths. London: IB Tauris Fisher, M (2009) Living Religions, 7th Edition. London: IB Tauris History of Judaism (2009) BBC Religions. Retrieved 02 February 2010 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/history/history_1.shtml#h3 Pelaia, A. (2010) Introduction to Rosh HaShanah. About.com. Retrieved 03 February 2010 from http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/roshhashanah.htm Pelaia, A. (2010) What Is Hanukkah? About.com. Retrieved 02 February 2010 from http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/hanukkah.htm Penney, S. (1999) Judaism. London: Heinneman Publishers Robinson, B. (2009) Religions of the world: Judaism: Beliefs, practices, Jewish-Christian relations, news... Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved 02 February 2010 from http://www.religioustolerance.org/judaism.htm Taylor, I. (2002) Directions, Volume 3. UK: Nelson Thorne The Story of PASSOVER ("Pesah") (2008). Mideast Web. Retrieved 02 February 2010 from http://www.mideastweb.org/passover.htm Read More