Beliefs and history
- Jews believe in one God, who made a covenant (agreement) with Abraham, promising that his descendants would become a great nation.
- Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (the Exodus). At Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.
- The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Tenakh). It contains 613 commandments (mitzvot).
Practices
- Jews worship in a synagogue, led by a rabbi (teacher). The Torah scrolls are kept in the Ark.
- Shabbat (the Sabbath) lasts from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. It is a day of rest, with candles, blessings and a family meal.
- Kosher food laws say which foods may be eaten, such as no pork, and not mixing meat and dairy.
- At 13, a boy becomes Bar Mitzvah; at 12 (or 13 in some communities), a girl becomes Bat Mitzvah, taking responsibility for keeping the commandments.
Festivals and groups
- Pesach (Passover) remembers the Exodus from Egypt, with a Seder meal.
- Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day of fasting and asking forgiveness.
- Hanukkah, the festival of lights, uses a nine-branched candlestick (hanukiah).
- Orthodox Jews follow traditional practices closely; Reform (Progressive) Jews adapt some practices to modern life.
Key terms
- Covenant
- An agreement between God and people.
- Torah
- The first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
- Synagogue
- A Jewish place of worship.
- Rabbi
- A Jewish teacher and leader.
- Shabbat
- The day of rest, from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall.
- Kosher
- Food that is allowed by Jewish law.
- Pesach
- Passover, remembering the Exodus from Egypt.