Judaism Speech

Judaism is one of the oldest major religions in the world. There are approximately 15 million Jewish peoples. The Jews, are the only people under the religion of Judaism and where the first to introduce the belief in one God. Judaism has paved the way for other religions such as Christianity and Islam. The Jewish believe that they are the chosen people of God and the ancestor of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They believe that messiah will be resurrected and come back to earth.

Rituals and Ceremonies are a crucial part to many religions, including Judaism. There are a number of rituals and ceremonies carried out by the Jewish people, including Hanukah, the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Circumcision, weddings, death and coming of age ceremonies such as bar mitzvahs or bat mitzvahs.

Hanukkah is a celebration that last for 8 days and 8 nights, it is celebrated from the 25th of December. Hanukah means dedication, in this celebration the Jews remember the Macabbees who regained the Jewish temple after it was seized by Syrian-Greek soldiers. To purify the temple after it was regained they wished to burn oil in the menorah for 8 nights and days, however there was only enough oil for one day left. They lit the menorah anyway, and it lasted for 8 days and 8 nights. This is the celebration of Hanukah. Jewish law states that Hanukah is not one of the most important celebrations, however becoming increasingly more popular due to it is relation to the Christian celebration of Christmas, this shows how it is adapting to become a living tradition.

A Very important ritual in the Jewish tradition is Circumcision of a baby boy at 8 days of age. It is usually performed on the Sabbath at the family’s home. This ritual is carried out as it is commanded by Genesis 17:12-14, it reads 10 ‘12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” This passage basically states that those who are not circumcised are not allowed to partake in the rituals and ceremonies carried out by the Jews. Abraham was told by God to circumcise himself to keep an everlasting kingdom. This ritual is for males only; there is not an alternative or mirroring ritual for women.

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