LESSON 4:

ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS
JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM
“Abrahamic” Religions?
• From the frontiers of West Asia
developed the Abrahamic religions
of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam,
known as the first monotheistic
religions.
• Since these religions came from the
same region, it is not surprising that
they share common beliefs,
foremost of which is the belief that
they share common roots to the
patriarch Abraham.
JUDAISM
RELIGION OF THE JEWS
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
OF JUDAISM
Historical Background of Judaism
• Judaism is an ancient monotheistic
religion that traces its origin as an
organized belief system during the
Bronze Age (3300 BC) in West Asia.
• It is the religion professed by the Jews
known as the “people of the book”.
The Jews consider themselves as the
people chosen by God to serve as an
exemplar of devotion and purity to
humankind.
Historical Background of Judaism
• It is quite difficult to separate the history of Judaism
to the Jews themselves.
• The ancestors of the Jews were group of Semites
called Hebrews whose origins can be traced in the
desert lands of Arabia.
• The origin of the Jewish people and the beginning of
Judaism are recorded in the first five books of the
Hebrew Bible, the Pentateuch.
Historical Background of Judaism
• Judaism has three notable
founding patriarchs: Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob.
• Judaism is anchored upon God’s
revelation to Abraham that he is
the creator and ruler of the
universe, and that he loves his
creatures and demands
righteousness from them.
Historical Background of Judaism
After a series of tragic events
involving humankind, God
entered into a covenant
with Abraham promising
him that he would become
the father of a great nation
and would possess vast tract
of lands.
Historical Background of Judaism
Abraham in return must be
devoted to the covenant. He
would become the
embodiment of uprightness
and holiness to the world.
Later on he was succeeded
by his son Isaac, his grandson
Jacob, and eventually
Jacob’s twelve sons.
Historical Background of Judaism
Abraham was a nomad.
Traditionally known as
“Abram”, he was born in
the City of Ur of the
Chaldees or Chaldea
around 1800 B.C.E.
Historical Background of Judaism
Questioning idol worship, he left his
home to heed the call of God en
route to Canaan situated on the
Western side of the Fertile Crescent.
(The Fertile Crescent, often referred to as “the
cradle of civilization,” is the crescent-shaped
region in Western Asia and North Africa that
spans the modern-day countries of Iraq,
Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and,
for some scholars, Egypt.)
 Historical Background of Judaism
• As the covenant was established
between God and Abram, and
Abram must prove his worth to this
agreement by way of tests of faith
throughout his lifetime.
• While Abram and his wife Sarai
were initially childless, Abram bore a
son to Sarai’s Egyptian handmaid,
Hagar. The child was named
Ishmael. However, he was not the
heir to God’s promise.
 Historical Background of Judaism
• God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah
which means “noblewoman”
• Years later, Abram and Sarah had a
son named Isaac, the heir to God’s
covenant and the ancestor of the
Jewish people.
• Abram’s name was then changed to
Abraham which means “the father
of many nations”
Historical Background of Judaism
• The most difficult trial given to
Abraham came when God
commanded the he sacrifice his
own son Isaac at an Altar in
Mount Moriah.
• Abraham obeyed by building a
fire and tying up Isaac. With
Abraham’s obedience being put
to a test, an angel stopped him.
A ram was instead sacrificed in
place of Isaac.
Historical Background of Judaism
• Later on, Isaac married Rebecca
who bore him twin sons, Jacob
and Esau.
• Always in constant strife, the
younger Jacob bought Esau’s
birthright and tricked his father
Isaac into giving him Esau’s
blessing as the eldest son.
Historical Background of Judaism
A close encounter with
an angel merited him
a change of name from
Jacob to “Israel” which
means “the one who
wrestled with God”. (The
Jewish people are referred to as
the “children of Israel)
Historical Background of Judaism
Among four wives, Jacob
fathered twelve sons and
one daughter. They
became the ancestors of
the twelve tribes in
Canaan. (Reuben, Simeon, Levi,
Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad,
Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and
Benjamin)
Historical Background of Judaism
• As famine struck Canaan, Jacob and his family were
forced to settle in Egypt.
Historical Background of Judaism
As centuries passed and the descendants of
Jacob/Israel grew in numbers, the alarmed
Pharaoh decreed that all male children be
put to death by throwing them to the river.
Historical Background of Judaism
• A woman from Levi’s tribe,
Jochebed, secretly placed her
youngest child a woven basket
and sent him down the Nile
river. The pharaoh’s daughter,
Bithia, found the child and
reared him as her own.
• The child later on became
known as Moses, prince of
Egypt.
Historical Background of Judaism
At the age of 40, Moses killed an Egyptian
soldier in defense of a slave and fled to Sinai
desert where he spent the next 40 years as a
shepherd.
Historical Background of Judaism
On Mount Horeb, Abraham’s
God revealed himself to Moses as
he spoke through a burning bush
that was not consumed.
Revealing God’s name as
“Yahweh”, he commanded
Moses to return to Egypt and
demand the release of
Israelites from slavery.
Historical Background of Judaism

Through the ten

miraculous and horrific
plagues that God inflicted
upon Egypt and its
people, the Pharaoh
conceded.
Historical Background of Judaism
The Israelites were liberated
with Moses leading them
across the Red Sea. When
the pharaoh changed his
mind and began to pursue
the fleeing Israelites, Moses
parted the Red Sea that
allowed them to cross the
water and reach Sinai.
Historical Background of Judaism
• This event called Exodus became part of Jewish
history that manifested Yahweh’s intervention to
deliver his chosen people.
SACRED
SCRIPTURES IN
JUDAISM
Sacred Scriptures in Judaism
• Tanakh (“Written Torah”) or Mikra – Hebrew
bible which has been the authority, guide, and
inspiration of the many forms of Judaism that has
evolved throughout the different periods of time and
in various places.
• In Jewish tradition, the Hebrew bible is divided into
three principal sections, namely Torah, Nevi’im,
and Ketuvim.
Sacred Scriptures in Judaism
• Torah (“Teachings”) is composed of the first five books or
the Pentateuch traditionally believed to have been
authored by Moses in Sinai. The Pentateuch includes
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and
Deuteronomy.
• Pentateuch also 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.
• To non-Jews, Torah pertains to the Old Testament of the
bible.
Sacred Scriptures in Judaism
• Nevi’im (“Prophets”) is subdivided into Earlier
Prophets, Later Prophets, and twelve minor
prophets. Prophets were specifically chosen by God to
preach his message to the people.
• Ketuvim (“Writings”) form the third section of the
Hebrew bible that contains works on poetry, temple
ritual, private prayer, philosophical explorations, and
other canonical works.
Sacred Scriptures in Judaism
Sacred Scriptures in Judaism
• Another sacred writing in Judaism is the Talmud
(“Oral Torah”) which means “study”. All studies and
interpretations done by Jewish rabbis or teachers of
the Torah are contained in the Talmud.
• In short, Talmud is the and authoritative collection of
rabbinic interpretations of the sacred scriptures.
• Around the second century C.E., this oral law was
compiled and written down as “Mishnah” or a
restatement of the law by a respected opinion.
Sacred Scriptures in Judaism
• The next few centuries witnessed the writing of
additional strand of commentaries in Jerusalem and
Babylonia about the Mishnah.
• Known as Gemara, it inludes legends, folklores, and
sayings.
• Mishnah and Gemara comprise the Talmud that was
completed in 5th century C.E.
• The whole Talmud contains 63 tractates that is often
printed 6, 200 pages long.
BELIEFS AND
DOCTRINES IN
JUDAISM
Beliefs and Doctrines
• A Jew is someone whose mother is a Jew.
• For the Jews, there is one everlasting God.
• 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.
• Humans beings are created equal.
• Humans can commune with God through prayers and
motivations.
 ARTICLES OF
FAITH IN JUDAISM
Articles of Faith
1. Jewish Principles of Faith
2. The Ten Commandments
3. 613 mitzvot in the Torah (248 positive, 365 negative
commandments)
1. Jewish Principles of Faith

Created by the Jewish

philosopher Moshe Ben
Maimon (also known as
Rambam), the thirteen
principles of faith are the
minimum requirements of
Jewish belief.
2. The Ten Commandments
• The Ten Commandments
are set of absolute laws
given by God to Moses at
Mount Sinai.
• Most scholars consider this
period as the official
beginning of Judaism as
an organized religion.
Worship and Observances
in Judaism
Worship and Observances
• The Jewish community utilizes a lunar calendar with
twelve months, each beginning at the new moon of
29 or 30 days.
• Every festival and Sabbath commences and
terminates at dusk or sunset rather than midnight in
adherence to the biblical pattern.
• Jewish holidays are special days observed to
commemorate key events in Jewish history and other
events that depict the special connections with the
world such as creation, revelation and redemption.
1. Sabbath
• Sabbath (or Shabbat) is the most important day in
the Jewish calendar which commemorates God’s
completion of the creation of the universe and his rest
after the six-day toil.
• It begins a few minutes before sunset on Friday and
runs until an hour after sunset on Saturday or almost
25 hours to be precise.
• At Friday sundown, Sabbath candles are lighted and
kiddush (“sanctification”) is recited over wine or
grape juice.
1. Sabbath
• On Sabbath, Jews must abstain from work and must
study the Torah. Some work prohibitions include
lighting fires, using money, and writing.
• The Sabbath ends through the symbolic ritual of
Havdalah (“division”) done by dousing wine on
candles and smelling sweet spices.
2. The Days of Awe
• Tishri is the seventh month in the ecclesiastical year
of the Jewish calendar.
• The first ten days of Tishri are called Yamim
Noraim (“The Days of Awe”) wherein the first two
days comprise Rosh Hashanah (“New Year”) and
the tenth day as Yom Kippur (“Day of
Atonement”)
2. The Days of Awe
• Rosh Hashanah, which is also a day of judgment,
marks the start of the ten-day period of 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.
• Using shofar, a total of hundred notes are sounded
each day. All Jews must undergo self-reflection and
make amends for all the sins they have committed.
2. The Days of Awe
• Yom Kippur is the most sacred and solemn day in
the Jewish calendar that brings the period of
repentance to its conclusion.
• Eating, drinking, washing, bathing, using perfumes,
wearing leather shoes, and engaging in sexual
relations are restricted on this day.
• 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 the Jewish liturgy.
2. The Days of Awe
• Symbolizing purity, it is customary for Jews to wear
white during holiday. An entire day must be spent in
the synagogue while reciting prayers.
• Another blowing of the ram’s horn ends the final
prayer service.
3. Pilgrimage Festivals (Shalosh Regalim)
• Pesach (Passover) – an eight-day festival that originally
marked the beginning of barley harvest. Its principal
purpose is to commemorate the Exodus of the Jews from
Egypt.
• Shavuot (Weeks or Pentecost) – a two-day celebration
of wheat harvest and revelation of the Torah to Moses at
Mount Sinai.
• Sukkot (Tabernacles) – a nine-day festival of autumn
harvest and commemoration of the 40 years of Israelites’
stay in the desert wilderness only relying on the bounty of
God.
4. Other Important Days
• Hannukah (“Festival of Lights” or “Feast of Dedication”)
– is a celebration to commemorate the victory of
Jewish fighters against the Seleucid Empire in 165
B.C.E.
• Purim (Feast of Esther) – celebrates the deliverance
of the Jews during the Persian Empire, specifically
from the vizier Haman who wanted to annihilate all
Persian Jews as recorded in the Book of Esther.
5. Halakha
• Halakha (or “the path that one walks”) – these are
Jewish religious laws derived from the Tanakh and
Talmud including 613 mitzvot.
• Halakha instructs Jews what to do as they wake up
in the morning, what foods to eat, what clothes to
wear, and how to observe Sabbath and holidays.
• When properly observed, halakha increases one’s
spirituality.
6. Synagogues

Synagogues are Jewish

temples of worship,
instruction, and community
fellowship that contain
separate rooms designed for
specific activities such as
praying and studying.
7. The Temple
• Around 1003 B.C.E, David conquered Jerusalem 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 of worship for the
Jews.
• The Hebrew bible acknowledged Solomon, David’s
son, as the builder of the First Temple in Jerusalem
around 1000 B.C.E.
7. The Temple
• Within the temple, the most important room was the
“Holy of Holies” where the “Ark of the Covenant”
was kept. The ark contained the tablets of the “Ten
Commandments” and the Pentateuch.
• For 400 years, it became the center of Jewish worship
until Nebuchadnezzar II completely destroyed the
structure in 587 B.C.E.
7. The Temple
• In 353 B.C.E., the Jews began to rebuild their Temple
under the ratification of King Darius of Persia.
The Second Temple was completed in 349 B.C.E
which lasted for 420 years until the Romans razed
Jerusalem in 70 C.E.
• For Orthodox Jews, a Third Temple will be established
before the coming of the Messiah. (Messiah or mashiach
translates to “the anointed one”)
• Prophesized in the Book of Ezekiel, it will be known
as Ezekiel’s Temple.
SUBDIVISIONS IN JUDAISM
Subdivisions
1. Reform Judaism – considered as the most liberal
expression of Judaism.
2. Conservative Judaism – seeks to conserve the
traditional elements of Judaism while at the same
time allows for modernization that is less radical
than reform Judaism.
3. Orthodox Judaism – most traditional Judaism
that adheres to the authority of the entire Torah.
ISSUES IN JUDAISM
Selected Issues
1. Women in Judaism
2. Anti-Semitism
3. Jewish Diaspora and the Zionist Movement
4. Holocaust