RELG 402 - World's Living Religions
Module 2 - Judaism
Module Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to :
- Identify the people and events associated with Judaism.
- Discuss the literature associated with Judaism.
- Describe the teachings and ethical standards of Judaism.
- Describe the world-view associated with Judaism.
- Describe the varieties of worship associated with Judaism.
Readings
- Textbook - Chapter 11, Judaism
- Notes on Judaism.
- Go here for student essays relating to Judaism.
- NOTE - page 388 of the textbook presents the Ten Commandments incorrectly. What the textbook lists as "1" is not a commandment but the introduction, giving the reason for God to be able to command the Jews to obey Him. What the textbook lists as "2" contains both "1" ("You shall have no other gods besides Me" - Exodus 19:20) and an abbreviated and incorrect version of "2" ("You shall not make for yourself any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth - you shall not bow down to them, nor serve them" - Exodus 20:4-6)
Optional InterNet Resources
- Go here for Links to optional extra resources for this week.
- Useful articles can be found by using the Topics as search words in Search Engines such as GoodSearch
- Remember - always cite your sources
Preparatory Questions
Before taking the Test, prepare an answer sheet for yourself by answering the following questions. Then you may use it, along with the textbook and the course notes, to answer the questions on the Test and to formulate a Thread for the Discussion Board.
- What five attributes of God are mentioned in the textbook?
- Why does Judaism claim to be a "revealed religion"?
- What meanings can the word 'torah' have in Jewish practice?
- What is the Talmud, and how is it used?
- Describe the concept of mitzvot (pronounced MITS-vote). According to the rabbis, what is the greatest mitzvah? Under what circumstances may a mitzvah be relaxed?
- How does Judaism view the relationship of God to the Jewish people?
- Write out the Ten Commandments NOTE - the form given in the textbook is incorrect. What the textbook lists as "1" is not a commandment but the introduction, giving the reason for God to be able to command the Jews to obey Him. See notes above.
- Describe the concept of Israel's election
- What was the original meaning of the term mashiach (messiah), and how did its meaning develop over time?
- When did King David and King Solomon reign? What was the great religious achievement of King Solomon's reign?
- Describe the development of Judaism during the Second Temple period
- What are Maimonides' 13 Articles of Jewish belief?
- What was the shoah. Why do some Jews prefer this term to the term "holocaust"?
- Which are the five major festivals of the Jewish year, what do they commemorate, and how are they celebrated?
- Which are the five minor festivals, when do they occur, how are they celebrated, and what do they commemorate?
- How does a Jewish family celebrate Shabbat?
- What is a Bar-Mitzvah or Bat-Mitzvah, and what rights and responsibilities does it confer?
- What happens when a Jewish person dies?
- What is the dietary code of kashrut
- What are a shofar, tefillim, a torah scroll and yad, and how are they used in Judaism?
Prepare a set of answers for yourself, then use it to help you answer the Test and post your Thread to the Discussion Board.
Discussion Board 2
Thread :
If you are Jewish, discuss what you would most like Gentiles to know about Jews.
If you are not Jewish, or if you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Jewish or non-Jewish, discuss at least one aspect of anti-Semitism, and what one might do to counter-act it.
Replies to 2 of your classmates' Threads :
If possible, choose Threads which deal with different topics.
Do you have any particular insights and/or experiences which might be helpful to the poster or to your classmates as a whole?
Test 2
Go to the Test Section of the course, and take the test at least once before 12 noon of the Monday following the Module.
You will have 1 hour to complete the test.
You may take the test three times before the cut-off time.
Questions will vary each time you take the test.
Your highest score will count towards your course grade.
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
