Lesson 2: Jewish Beliefs and Texts (The Hebrews and Judaism)
✡️ Jewish Beliefs Anchor Their Society
The Jewish people believe in one God. This idea was very different from many other ancient people who believed in many gods. Jews believe God is good, powerful, and wants people to do what is right.
📚 Education
Jewish children, especially boys, were taught to read and study the Torah. Even in hard times, families made sure their children learned. Education was very important in Jewish life.
Story Time! In some villages, fathers would teach their sons to read the Torah by using honey. They would put honey on the letters. When the boys touched the honey and tasted it, they learned that “God’s word is sweet.”
⚖️ Justice and Righteousness
Jews believe they must treat all people with fairness (justice) and do what is right (righteousness). Helping the poor, being kind to strangers, and telling the truth are very important.
🕯️ Religious and Moral Law
Jews follow God’s laws, which tell them how to live, pray, and treat others. These laws are written in the Torah. Many Jews also follow special holidays, like Shabbat (a day of rest) and Passover (remembering the Exodus from Egypt).
📜 Texts List Jewish Beliefs
📖 The Torah
The Torah is the most holy book for Jews. It has the first five books of the Bible and teaches about God’s laws, Jewish history, and how to live a good life.
📘 The Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible includes the Torah and other books. It tells stories of kings, prophets, and poems. One famous book is Psalms, written by King David. Another is Proverbs, full of wise sayings like:
“A gentle answer turns away anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
📙 The Talmud and Commentaries
The Talmud is a book of Jewish commentaries. It explains the laws in the Torah and helps people understand how to follow them. Rabbis (Jewish teachers) wrote many ideas and stories to help people live by God’s laws.
🏺 Scrolls Reveal Past Beliefs
In 1947, some boys were playing near the Dead Sea. They threw a rock into a cave—and heard something crack! Inside, they found old scrolls in clay jars. These are now called the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The scrolls are over 2,000 years old! They include parts of the Bible and writings from a special group of Jews called the Essenes. These scrolls help us understand what ancient Jews believed.
🌍 Judaism and Later Cultures
Judaism is one of the oldest religions that still exists today. It has influenced many other cultures and religions, including Christianity and Islam. These religions also believe in one God and many of the same stories and laws.
Jewish ideas about right and wrong, justice, and the value of life have helped shape laws and beliefs around the world.
📝 Summary
Jews believe in one God, and living by God's laws is very important.
The Torah, Hebrew Bible, and Talmud teach Jews how to live.
The Dead Sea Scrolls tell us what ancient Jews believed.
Judaism influenced Christianity, Islam, and modern laws and values.