RELS 131 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Kippah, Johanan Ben Zakai, Pharisees

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Religious Studies
• Course: RELS 131
• Professor: Forough Jahanbakhsh

Document Summary

Judaism the oldest of the world"s three great monotheistic religions. Majority of jewish festivals, rituals, and customs are derived from biblical stories. Accuracy is a matter of debate among scholars. Writings were intended to convey a theological message and teach the israelites how to live their lives devoutly both in action and in attitude. Bible identifies the israelites as god"s chosen people* This relationship obliged them to assume the responsibilities of serving god. Relationship between israelites and their gods is a covenant. Covenant a pact between the israelites and god. Involved promises to live in accordance with a moral code in exchange for the protection of the deity and its presence in their lives. God creator of all things supreme being. Human beings communicate with him through worship, prayer, etc. Torah teaching written with capital t refers to the first 5 books, t one single teaching.