Judaism Essay Research Paper JudaismJudaism is intrinsically

Judaism Essay, Research Paper

Judaism

Judaism is intrinsically open to history. It looks forward to a future event -

the messianic redemption – that will dwarf the importance of Exodus. This paper

will discuss the important holidays of the Jewish year and a look into the

Holocaust from a Jewish standpoint. I talked to a friend of mine, Josh Cohen.

Josh practices Conservative Judaism. I also retrieved some information from a

book The Jewish Way; Living the Holidays. Rabbi Irving Greenburg wrote it. I

will first explain the holidays I discussed with Josh, and then discuss Josh

growing up in the Jewish culture.

“They particularly exemplify the focus on developing human capacity in the

Sabbath and days of awe. The primary, Holy days that nurture personal life

along the way. The Sabbat, on a weekly basis, and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippers,

annually, are the key periods of individual family renewal. These holidays

accomplish their goals primarily by lifting the individual out of a routine that

controls, too often, deadens daily life.” The Sabbat is their weekly ceremony,

held Friday evenings, to celebrate the end of a work week. Rosh Hashanah – Yom

Kipper is the core that of being on trial for ones life. During that trial one

moves from life through death to renewed life. Also discussed in this paper is

Hanukkah, the festival of lights. Hanukkah stands for the temple that burned to

the ground. The Jewish people only had an oil lamp to provide light for six

nights and seven days. Therefore that is why they celebrate Hanukkah for six

nights and seven days. Passover is also discussed. It is a time where Jewish

families are to be fasting, no bread or meat. This last one week. Similar to

the Christian Easter celebration. When a Jewish boy turns, age thirteen into an

adult Jew they know it as a Bar Mitzvah. In order for this to happen a young

teenage boy must attend Hebrew school. They usually take place a couple times a

week. There are three types of Judaism worship Orthodox, Conservative, and

Reform. Orthodox would be the most religious, Conservatism being middle of the

road, and Reform being the least practiced.

Josh grew up into the Orthodox beliefs because of his grandparents. Josh’s

grandparents, his father’s mother and father, were Orthodox. His mother’s,

mother and father were Conservative. Eventually his mother and father switched

over to the Conservative beliefs. The Orthodox beliefs would show the in the

center and the women on the outside. They viewed women as caretakers. There

are three temples in the city of Toledo. B’NAI Israel which is the conservative

temple. Josh attends this temple. JCC, Jewish Community Center, which is the

Reformer temple. And, Etz Chay, the Orthodox temple. As a child his parents

were not strict followers. They didn’t celebrate Sabbat every Friday but did

celebrate all the holidays of Judaism. Josh went Sunday to school every Sunday

to learn about the Jewish religion, and he went to Hebrew school every Tuesday

and Thursday. At the age of thirteen, Josh celebrated Bar Mitzvah.

The Worship procedures are conducted from the Torah, which is actually the Bible.

The only difference is they read the lessons in Hebrew. Since Josh is not full

practice of Judaism, he has a hard time following along. Since the Jewish

religion does not believe in Christ, they believe that Jesus was born a Jew.

They do not celebrate the birth of Christ, Christmas. I asked Josh did this

effect him growing up?, His peers mostly celebrating Christmas. As it turns out,

his peers were jealous of him. Being able to receive gifts seven days in a row

and being able to take off more school than the other children. Josh in turn

was very envious of his peers being able to receive their gifts all at once.

The questioned was asked what did your family do on December twenty fifth? “It

was a normal day for my family. We went to the movies as a family.” Josh

celebrated his very first Christmas this past year. He celebrated with his

girlfriend and her family. I asked which celebration was to his liking? “It was

weird for him. I’m not use to the huge family gathering and presents being

opened all at once. My family, during Hanukkah, says a prayer and lights a

candle every night. Hanukkah was more peaceful and subdued” He received a gift

every day though. I asked are the gifts you receive as outrageous as some

gifts kids receive nowadays, at Christmas? ” It depends on the family. They

spoiled my sister, brother and me. We would receive an encyclopedia the first

day and on the last day we could have received a car.” The other traditional

holidays the Cohens celebrate are Yom Kipper, Rosh Hashanah, and Passover.

Passover is close to the Christian holiday Easter. During Passover they do not

allow that you ate bread or meat. Josh commented on how “His family didn’t go

all out on the

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