Comparative Religions, Monday, Period #3, Class #3--Judaism
As the students entered the Danger Room Shop, as they'd been handwavily instructed to do, they would find a setting that looking very, very much like a desert.
There was a reason for that.
"Hello, my class." Vala entered, carrying a box of paper hats and streamers, as well as some noisemakers. "Welcome to the shiny new year of 5768. At least according to the Jewish religion, which is what we'll be learning about today. This religion existed at the time of the Egyptians, those wake polytheists that we learned about last week. However, they were what is known as monotheists--or those who believe in one god as the supreme being in the universe."
"You may ask why we're sitting in the middle of a desert. Well, most of the major events in the history and formation of this religion took place in the desert, traditionally thought to be around the area where Israel now exists, though that is in some doubt, and I thought it might lead to inspiration. The person traditionally credited with having the revelations that are the basis for the religion is Abraham, who is thought to have gotten his ideas while wandering around in the desert. So, take that with a grain of salt, or as you will, but the adherents of this religion had many revelations in the desert--check out Moses and the movie Prince of Egypt if you want the story there."
"Modern history seems to consider Judaism as a dying religion, or tends to focus on their persecution at the hands of Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans, Russians, or being massacred by the Germans. However, past history shows a religion of stubborn survivors, with a strong tradition of learning, study, and examination of most moral and political issues that have arisen. No aspect of life has been left unexplored--there are dietary restrictions, debates on the meanings and importance of words in particular passages, rules for religious rituals and sacrifices, rules for mourning, and so on. However, one of the hallmarks of Judaism is that there is no one right answer about anything, except the existence of one god."
She consulted her notes. "The Torah is the holy Jewish law, but there is an oral law based on the debate about those laws, since written down, and I'm not quite sure how that works, called the Talmud. Studying both is an essential part of Judaism, and considered to be one of the most important things you can do as a Jew. As new issues arise due to the changing world, scholars look to these two books for answers, and an indication of what they believe they should do, according to the rules already laid out for them."
"Another hallmark of this religion--mostly due to its history of persecution by other governments--is a distinct lack of easily resellable obviously valuable relics. Any temples that might have held ancient relics were destroyed many thousands of years ago." She may have looked especially sad about that. "Many religious rituals are therefore either very simple, or home-based. Food is an important part of the religion, as well, and there is a strong focus on family, as with many of the other religions we will be studying."
Vala cleared her throat, "I believe I've bored you all enough for one day. There are history books to study, I've brought some translations of services and of the Torah and Talmud, and there is also some food, if you're hungry. Those of you who are more enterprising may feel free to attempt to make a kosher dish," she fiddled with the controls until they were in a well-appointed kitchen, with dishes and implements well-marked for their convenience. Have fun, and enjoy the new year, which was last week. Next Friday and Saturday are the holiest days of the Jewish year, called Yom Kippur--or the Day of Atonement--which involves a twenty-four hour fast while you atone for your sins, so you should be glad it's only a once a year thing."
[ooc: OCD up in a few!]
There was a reason for that.
"Hello, my class." Vala entered, carrying a box of paper hats and streamers, as well as some noisemakers. "Welcome to the shiny new year of 5768. At least according to the Jewish religion, which is what we'll be learning about today. This religion existed at the time of the Egyptians, those wake polytheists that we learned about last week. However, they were what is known as monotheists--or those who believe in one god as the supreme being in the universe."
"You may ask why we're sitting in the middle of a desert. Well, most of the major events in the history and formation of this religion took place in the desert, traditionally thought to be around the area where Israel now exists, though that is in some doubt, and I thought it might lead to inspiration. The person traditionally credited with having the revelations that are the basis for the religion is Abraham, who is thought to have gotten his ideas while wandering around in the desert. So, take that with a grain of salt, or as you will, but the adherents of this religion had many revelations in the desert--check out Moses and the movie Prince of Egypt if you want the story there."
"Modern history seems to consider Judaism as a dying religion, or tends to focus on their persecution at the hands of Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans, Russians, or being massacred by the Germans. However, past history shows a religion of stubborn survivors, with a strong tradition of learning, study, and examination of most moral and political issues that have arisen. No aspect of life has been left unexplored--there are dietary restrictions, debates on the meanings and importance of words in particular passages, rules for religious rituals and sacrifices, rules for mourning, and so on. However, one of the hallmarks of Judaism is that there is no one right answer about anything, except the existence of one god."
She consulted her notes. "The Torah is the holy Jewish law, but there is an oral law based on the debate about those laws, since written down, and I'm not quite sure how that works, called the Talmud. Studying both is an essential part of Judaism, and considered to be one of the most important things you can do as a Jew. As new issues arise due to the changing world, scholars look to these two books for answers, and an indication of what they believe they should do, according to the rules already laid out for them."
"Another hallmark of this religion--mostly due to its history of persecution by other governments--is a distinct lack of easily resellable obviously valuable relics. Any temples that might have held ancient relics were destroyed many thousands of years ago." She may have looked especially sad about that. "Many religious rituals are therefore either very simple, or home-based. Food is an important part of the religion, as well, and there is a strong focus on family, as with many of the other religions we will be studying."
Vala cleared her throat, "I believe I've bored you all enough for one day. There are history books to study, I've brought some translations of services and of the Torah and Talmud, and there is also some food, if you're hungry. Those of you who are more enterprising may feel free to attempt to make a kosher dish," she fiddled with the controls until they were in a well-appointed kitchen, with dishes and implements well-marked for their convenience. Have fun, and enjoy the new year, which was last week. Next Friday and Saturday are the holiest days of the Jewish year, called Yom Kippur--or the Day of Atonement--which involves a twenty-four hour fast while you atone for your sins, so you should be glad it's only a once a year thing."
[ooc: OCD up in a few!]