Oklahoma Faith Network Interfaith Youth Tour

September 22, 2024 

Judaism

“That which is hateful to you do not do to others; that is the entire Torah and the rest is its interpretation. Go and learn!” -Hillel the Sage, Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 31a

What is Judaism? Judaism is a religion with three core tenants: God, Torah (laws and teachings), and community/Israel. Judaism is both an ancient religion and a modern one, characterized by traditions that have been passed over many generations as well as new adaptations. This long history is an important part of what it means to be Jewish today.

Temple B’nai Israel is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. Reform Judaism is a branch of Judaism firmly committed to egalitarianism and interpreting Jewish laws in modern ways. Reform Judaism also places focus on Tikkun Olam, the importance of repairing the brokenness in the world and engaging in social action work.

What do Jews believe? First and foremost, Jews believe in the oneness of God. Jews believe that God made a covenant with Abraham, with Moses, and with subsequent prophets in which the Jewish people agreed to a series of commandments (or Mitzvot). Many of these commandments provide instructions for living an ethical life, as well as instructions for Jewish holidays and rituals.

What are the sacred texts for Jews?

o   TaNaKh- TaNaKh is the Hebrew name for the Hebrew Bible. TaNaKh is an acronym for the three parts of the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim.

o   Torah- Torah refers to the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). Torah means teaching and is the central text of Judaism. A Torah scroll contains these 5 books, handwritten on parchment in Hebrew without letters or vowels. Jews read a set consecutive portion of Torah each week, so that over the course of a year, the whole Torah is read.

o   Nevi’im - Nevi’im refers to the Prophets and includes books like Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the 12 minor prophets. On Shabbat and Holidays (the Sabbath, Friday night to Saturday night), a portion of the Prophets is also read.

o   Ketuvim - Meaning “the writings,” Ketuvim includes an assortment of important books, like Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. There are five books known as the 5 megilot or scrolls, each associated with a holiday: Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. There are also books of Jewish history: Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

o   Rabbinic Literature - Ancient Rabbis focused on trying to understand Torah and TaNaKh, codifying the Torah’s many rules into a code of Jewish laws and practices. Their discussions, debates, commentaries, and rulings are recorded in the Mishnah (2nd Century CE), the Talmud (5th -6th Century CE), and other important works.

 

Islam

Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Although its roots go back further, scholars typically date the creation of Islam to the 7th century. Islam started in Mecca, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, during the time of the prophet Muhammad’s life.

  • Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah.

  • Islam teaches that Allah’s word was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.

  • Muslims believe several prophets were sent to teach Allah’s law. They respect some of the same prophets as Jews and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and Jesus. Muslims contend that Muhammad was the final prophet.

  • The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam. The Hadith is another important book. Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian Bible.

  • Followers worship Allah by praying and reciting the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death.

Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include:

  • Shahada: to declare one’s faith in God and belief in Muhammad

  • Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening)

  • Zakat: to give to those in need

  • Sawm: to fast during Ramadan

  • Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a person’s lifetime if the person is able

 

Hinduism

 Hinduism, also known as Sanatana Dharma, is the world’s oldest living religion. It is a natural religion, meaning its philosophies and practices are considered universally accessible through sincere study, reason, and experience apart from special revelation. Two of the foundational concepts are that of the oneness of existence and pluralism, meaning that every being, with their varying likes and dislikes, their unique personalities, and their different cultures, not only connect with one another in their own unique ways, but connect with the Divine in their own individual ways. Therefore, Hinduism asserts that it is not only harmful, but inherently flawed to insist that one’s own path towards God is the only true and meaningful path.

All beings, from the smallest organism to man, are considered manifestations of the Divine (existence, pure being, light of consciousness) or reflections of the Divine’s qualities, depending upon the school of thought. Because of this shared divinity, Hinduism views the universe as a family.

Most Hindus believe in one, all-pervasive Divine Reality, that is formless (Brahman) and/or manifests and is worshiped in different forms (Ishvara or God/Goddess or Deities). This belief in the existence of one Divine Reality with diverse manifestations can best be described as monism. Hindu monism is the foundation for understandings of the Ultimate Reality or Divine that range from non-dualistic — that existence and the Divine are not separate, but one and the same, to dualistic — that existence and the Divine, while sharing divine qualities, are separate. Hinduism also encompasses theologies of pantheism, that all of existence is Divine, to panentheism, that all of existence is within the Divine.

The Sanskrit hymn, Rig Veda I.164.46:

Ekam sat vipraha bahudha vadanti
Truth is one, the wise call it by many names.

What are some sacred texts for Hindus?

The Bhagavad Gita: meant to help one understand that upholding dharma can be challenging, especially in situations where there is not a clear right or wrong

The Mahabharata: a trove of stories and discourses on the practice of dharma, including the importance of truth, justice, self sacrifice, and the upholding of dharma, the need for complete devotion to God, and the ultimate futility of war

 

Discussion questions

1.    What are some of the similarities between your religion and some of these religions?

 

2.    What are some of the differences?

 

3.    Was there anything that made you uncomfortable about some of these other faith traditions? Why do you think that is? 

 

4.    Was there anything about any of these beliefs or traditions that really resonated with you? What were some things you really liked?

 

5.    Would you ever be interested in visiting another faith community? Which ones?

 

6.    If you had to say three sentences about your own personal spiritual or religious beliefs, what would they be?