Timeline of the World Religions

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Timeline of the World Religions

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Judaism

• People of the Torah

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When was Judaism Formed?

• 2000 BC - 1400 BC

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Judaism Symbol
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What is the Symbol of Judaism?
In modern times, the Star of David has become a
premier Jewish symbol. This six-pointed star
(hexagram), made of two interlocking triangles,
can be found on mezuzahs, menorahs, tallis bags,
and kipot. Ambulances in Israel bear the sign of
the "Red Star of David," and the flag of Israel
has a blue Star of David planted squarely in the
center. What is the origin of this six-pointed
symbol? The six points symbolize God's rule
over the universe in all six directions.
Through the Jewish people's long and often
difficult history, we have come to
the realization that our only hope is to place
our trust in God. The six points of the Star of
David symbolize God's rule over the universe in
all six directions north, south, east, west, up
and down. Originally, the Hebrew name Magen David
-- literally "Shield of David" -- poetically
referred to God. It acknowledges that our
military hero, King David, did not win by his
own might, but by the support of the Almighty.
This is also alluded to in the third blessing
after the Haftorah reading on Shabbat "Blessed
are you God, Shield of David." Various other
explanations exist on the meaning behind the Star
of David. One idea is that a six-pointed star
receives form and substance from its solid
center. This inner core represents the spiritual
dimension, surrounded by the six universal
directions. (A similar idea applies to Shabbat
-- the seventh day which gives balance and
perspective to the six weekdays.)

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What is the Symbolism of the Star of David?

• In Kabbalah, the two triangles represent the
  dichotomies inherent in man.
• In Kabbalah, the two triangles represent the
  dichotomies inherent in man good vs. evil,
  spiritual vs. physical, etc. The two triangles
  may also represent the reciprocal relationship
  between the Jewish people and God. The triangle
  pointing "up" symbolizes our good deeds which go
  up to heaven, and then activate a flow of
  goodness back down to the world, symbolized by
  the triangle pointing down.
• A more practical theory is that during the Bar
  Kochba rebellion (first century), a new
  technology was developed for shields using the
  inherent stability of the triangle. Behind the
  shield were two interlocking triangles, forming a
  hexagonal pattern of support points. (Buckminster
  Fuller showed how strong triangle-based designs
  are with his geodesics.)
• One cynical suggestion is that the Star of David
  is an appropriate symbol for the internal strife
  that often afflicts Jewish nation two triangles
  pointing in opposite directions!
• The Star of David was also a sad symbol of the
  Holocaust.
• The Star of David was a sad symbol of the
  Holocaust, when the Nazis forced Jews to wear an
  identifying yellow star. Actually, Jews were
  forced to wear special badges during the Middle
  Ages, both by Muslim and Christian authorities,
  and even in Israel under the Ottoman Empire.
• So whether it is a blue star waving proudly on a
  flag, or a gold star adorning a synagogue's
  entrance, the Star of David stands as a reminder
  that for the Jewish people... in God we trust.

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History of Judaism - I

• Circa 2000 BCE, the G-d of the ancient Israelites
  established a divine covenant with Abraham,
  making him the patriarch of many nations. The
  term Abramic Religions is derived from his name.
  These are the four religions which trace their
  roots back to Abraham Judaism, Christianity,
  Islam and the Baha'i World Faith.
• The book of Genesis describes the events
  surrounding the lives of the  three patriarchs
  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Joseph, who is
  recognized as a fourth patriarch by Christians is
  not considered one by Jews). Moses was the next
  leader of the ancient Israelites. He led his
  people out of captivity in Egypt, and received
  the Law from G-d. After decades of wandering
  through wilderness, Joshua led the tribes into
  the promised land, driving out the Canaanites
  through a series of military battles.
• The original tribal organization was converted
  into a kingdom by Samuel its first king was
  Saul. The second king, David, established
  Jerusalem as the religious and political center.
  The third king, Solomon built the first temple
  there.
• Division into the Northern kingdom of Israel and
  the Southern kingdom of Judah occurred shortly
  after the death of Solomon in 922 BCE. Israel
  fell to Assyria in 722 BCE Judah fell to the
  Babylonians in 587 BCE. The temple was destroyed.
  Some Jews returned from captivity under the
  Babylonians and started to restore the temple in
  536 BCE. (Orthodox Jews date the Babylonian exile
  from 422 to 352 BCE). Alexander the Great invaded
  the area in 332 BCE. From circa 300 to 63 BCE,
  Greek became the language of commerce, and Greek
  culture had a major influence on Judaism. In 63
  BCE, the Roman Empire took control of Palestine.

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History of Judaism - II

• Four major (and some minor) religious sects had
  formed by the 1st century AD the Basusim,
  Essenes, Pharisees and Sadducees. Many
  anticipated the arrival of the Messiah who would
  drive the Roman invaders out and restore
  independence. Christianity was established
  initially as a Jewish sect, centered in
  Jerusalem. Paul broke with this tradition and
  spread the religion to the Gentiles (non-Jews).
  Many mini-revolts led to the destruction of
  Jerusalem and its temple in 70 CE. The Jewish
  Christians were wiped out or scattered at this
  time. The movement started by Paul flourished and
  quickly evolved into the religion of
  Christianity. Jews were scattered throughout the
  known world. Their religion was no longer
  centered in Jerusalem Jews were prohibited from
  setting foot there. Judaism became decentralized
  and stopped seeking converts. The local synagogue
  became the new center of Jewish life, and
  authority shifted from the centralized priesthood
  to local scholars and teachers, giving rise to
  Rabbinic Judaism.

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Who was the Prophet of Judaism?

• Moses

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Confidence

• Do not,therefore, throw away your confidence,
  for it carries a great reward.
• Hebrews 1035

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What is Confidence?

• Being certain and feeling self-assurance
• When you are confident in others you rely on them
  and trust them
• Confidence brings peace of mind
• When you have confidence, you trust that whatever
  comes to you in your life is a gift from God for
  your perfecting.

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Why Practice Confidence?

• When you have confidence you try new things and
  learn all of the time.
• Without confidence you feel confused.
• Wit confidence you can try new things and
  sometimes fail and learn from your mistakes.

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How Do You Practice?

• You practice confidence by knowing that you are
  worthwhile whether you win, or lose, succeed or
  fail
• When fears come, you feel them, but you dont let
  them control you
• Confidence in others is trusting them to do what
  they say they will do.

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Signs of Success

• Remember you are worthwhile whether you succeed
  or fail
• Are willing to try new things
• Discover your talents
• Think positively

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You Might Need More Practice if You Find Yourself

• Feel afraid, worried, or upset a lot of the time
• Hide mistakes and dont try to learn from them
• Are afraid to try new things
• Just do things without figuring out how to do
  them first

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Affirmation

• I am confident. When I try something new, I give
  it my best effort. I am free of worry. I welcome
  new possibilities and trust God to support me.

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Home Work on Judaism

• Watch The Prince of Egypt
• What is matza?
• Where is Israel?
• What does the Star of David have to do with the
  Holocaust?

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Home Work on Virtues

• Think about your answers to these questions for
  next week. It is ok to talk about them with your
  parents or other family members.
• What would look confidence like if ..
• Your friends invite you to play a game you have
  never played before?
• You start to worry about performing in a play
  opening night?
• Your receive a very low score on a math test?
• You try out for a sport and dont get picked?