Pd3+Judaism+A

=** JUDAISM **=


 * Founder of the religion:** The founder of Judaism is Abraham, at around 3760 B.C. Abraham was a loyal man who had complete faith in God. One day, God came to Abraham and told him that if he gave up his home and family, he would bless him and make him a great nation. He accepted this covenant, and his descendants became the Israelites. Abraham is considered the father of the people of Israel, and is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.


 * Religious Leaders:** The main religious leader is the Rabbi. A Rabbi is the leader of a Synogauge, and is similar to a Priest in a Church.


 * Place of Worship:** The place of worship is a Synogauge. Jewish people usually go to Synogauge on Fridays, but people can on Saturday mornings, too. Synogauges have no distinct shape, unlike a church, but sometimes they are circular with domes on the top.


 * Where it Began:** Judaism began in Israel, but has spread all over the world. 40% of Jews live in Israel, 40% of Jews live the United States, and the other 20% is spread all over the world.


 * Main Beliefs:**
 * God exists; he is eternal, one, and is and always was existing.
 * Prayer should only be directed to God.
 * The words of the prophets are true.
 * Moses's prophecies are true.
 * The Torah was given to Moses; there will be no other.
 * God knows the thoughts and deeds of men.
 * God will reward the good, and punish the evil.
 * The messiah will come.
 * The Dead will be resurrected.
 * God(s):** Judaism is a monotheistic religion, which means they only believe in one God. God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient.


 * Scared Writings:** The sacred writings are called the Torah. Moses was the Torahs author; he received it from God at about 1300 B.C. the Torah consists of five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Dueteronomy. The Torah talks about the creation of the world, Abraham's life, the Ten Commandments, and teaches you how to act, think, and what to eat (keeping Kosher). Another fact about the Torah is that it is identical to the Old Testament (from The Bible, in Christianity), but Christians re-named it.


 * Religious Practices:** Jews pray 2 or 3 times a day; once in the morning, then the afternoon, and evening. They go to the Synogauge every Friday (or Saturday, if they cannot go on Friday). Jews also have a strict diet, called keeping Kosher (all Jews practice this, except for Reform Jews). Here are the rules of Kosher:
 * Ritually slaughtered beef, goat, and deer are permitted (all animals must be healthy, too). Pork, Camel, rabbit, rodents, reptiles, or any other animal that dies of natural causes are forrbiden.