Judaism

Explain the Importance of Judaism

throughout history and today
Shalom!
Topic today is to Explain the Importance of
Judaism throughout history and today.
The lesson today consists of two sections:
Significant Person- Moses Maimonides
Significant Practice: Death and Mourning

So lets get started!
Moses Maimonides- Who am I?
Some consider me the
most instrumental
Jewish Thinker of all
time.
My significance within
Jewish History was
making the
fundamentals of
Judaism to be
accessible to all Jews
in an easier and more
prominent way.

Sources of Halakhah Law
Torah
Genesis, Exodus
Leviticus, Numbers
Deuteronomy
Talmud
Mishnah
Gemara
Baraita
613 Mitzvot
365 Positive Mitzvot
248 Negative Mitzvot
Jewish Rabbis
Orthodox
Reform
Conservative
Mishneh Torah
Considered
Maimonides greatest
work, the Mishneh
Torah is the codification
of the Talmud.
Allows all Jews to easily
become accessible to
Jewish Laws and
precepts, simplifying the
process of study
The Thirteen Articles of Faith

Devising the Thirteen
Articles of faith was
fundamental in ensuring
Jews are able to adhere
to the most important
mitzvot.
Allows Jews to more
easily find and practice
the most significant
mitzvot

1. God created all things;
2. There is only one God;
3. God has no bodily form;
4. God is eternal;
5. We must pray only to God;
6. All the words of the prophets are true;
7. Moses was the greatest of the
prophets;
8. The Torah we have is the same that
was given to Moses;
9. The Torah will never be changed;
10. God knows human deeds and
thoughts;
11. God rewards good and punishes evil;
12. The Messiah will come to redeem Israel
and the world;
13. There will be a resurrection of the dead.
Moreh Nevuchim- The Guide for the
Perplexed
Literally a guide for the
troubled Jews in
society.
Extremely important in
allowing all Jews to
appreciate the Torah.
Provides answers to the
nature and existence of
God, the purpose of
creation and the
meaning of life.

Death and Mourning
Kaddish: May he establish His Kingdom in
your lifetime and during your days, and
within the life of the entire House of
Israel, speedily and soon; and say,
Amen.

A time of sadness and thanksgiving to
God for ones own life and the life of the
deceased individual.

Death is considered a natural process
within Jewish Life

A universal symbol within all of Judaism,
the ripping of ones piece of clothing is
called Kriah, performed upon hearing the
death of an individual (Orthodox Judaism)
or at the funeral (Reform Judaism)

Yahrzeit Candle
Variants of Judaism
Similar between
variants, the Chevra
Kaddisha (Jewish Burial
Society) officiates the
funeral service.

Orthodox Judaism does
not permit cremation,
however, Progressive
Jews may allow
cremation at the will of
the deceased person
In Orthodox Judaism,
only males are
permitted to recite the
Kaddish prayer, where
is progressive Judaism
both males and females
are permitted.
Orthodox Jewish
Funeral Service
Significance of Death and Mourning
for the Individual

A reaffirmation of faith in
God is partaken even under
sad circumstances.
During mourning joy is
reduced for the praying of
the soul of the loved one
The process of Lchayyim (to
life) seeking to reintegrate
into life, and the affirmation
of the impacts the deceased
had on the individuals life.
Significance of Death and Mourning to
the Community
Death and Mourning
unites the community in
the mourning process
(Shiva and Sloshim)
Nichum Aveilim
(comforting the
mourners)
Communal gatherings
at the mourners
household
Shiva Mourning
Period
Judaism Quiz- Question One



From how many Mitzvot did Moses
Maimonides condense into thirteen to create
the Thirteen Articles of Faith?
Answer Question One



613 Mitzvot
Question Two



What were the contributions made by Moses
Maimonides discussed within the tutorial?
Question Two Answer


The Mishneh Torah
The Thirteen Articles of Faith
The Guide for the Perplexed
Question Three



Why is Moses Maimonides contribution
significant to Judaism as a whole?
Answer Question Three

The great scholar of Judaism in Moses
Maimonides has been significant in providing
Jews with the foundations for a more easily
accessible tradition, through his creation of
the Mishneh Torah, The Thirteen Articles of
Faith and the Guide for the Perplexed.
Question Four



What does the Yahrzeit Candle symbolise
within Judaism?
Answer Question Four


The flickering light of the Yahrzeit Candle
symbolises the risen soul of the deceased
individual.
Question Five


Identify one reason as to how the practice of
Death and Mourning is significant to both the
Individual and the Community.
Question Five Answer

Death unites the community because people
are taking part in the mourning process.
OR
Demonstrates a reaffirmation of faith in God
(death is a part of the larger experience of
Jewish life).