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Judaism Introduction :-
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Judaism is the oldest and smallest of the
world's four great monotheistic religions. About 12 million
followers around the world. Most Jewish people in the world
live in Israel or the USA. The largest European Jewish
community is in France. Judaism does not seek converts. Those
who convert to Judaism must undertake the adherence of Torah
(Jewish Law), as well as, if they are men, circumcision. The
symbol of Judaism is the Magen ( star ) of David.
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Holy Book
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The Torah (which Christians
call the Old Testament), and chiefly the first 5 books. At least
one copy of the Torah, in Hebrew, is kept back in every
synagogue in the form of a hand-written parchment tube. The
Talmud, a law and explanation on the Torah applying it to life
in later and changed circumstances. |
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Festivals :-
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In Judaism Hanukkah, the
festival of illumination, is celebrated by the lighting of
candles and the preparation of traditional potato cakes.
Although it is often seen today as a sign of the endurance of
the Jewish people, in Christian countries where Christmas is the
major festival, Hanukkah has become the Jewish alike with
presents given to children. |
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Sects of Judaism :-
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Jews are divided
according to their beliefs and practices and according to their
racial origins.
* Ashkenazi Jews
* Sephardi Jews |
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Orthodox Jews:
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Orthodox Jews pursue the
original knowledge and customs of the faith closely. They
believe that the Torah and the Talmud were given by God directly
to the Jewish People in, and so they look upon these documents
as being God's real words and of the uppermost power, in setting
down the traditions and laws of Judaism.
"Ultra-Orthodox" Jews comply
with religious laws very firmly. They live in divided
communities and follow their personal traditions. To some degree
they keep distant from the world around them. The
"Ultra-Orthodox" is not a expression that Jews like very much,
and it is more acceptable to use the word "Haredi”. |
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Hasidic Jews :-
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Hasidic Jews are a sub-group
of Haredi Jews, but the two terms are not exchangeable. The
crucial basics of Hasidic Judaism are the elevated significance
given to theology rather than learning, and the admiration given
to the head of each of the many sects within the group. |
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Jew links:-
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^^ www.jewsforjesus.org |
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^^ www.jewish-history.com |
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