World Religions
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Reading and Writing Workshop

Judaism – Origins, Beliefs, Practices, and Cultural Impact

Standards: Religious Studies, Comparative Religion, and Literacy in History/Social Studies

Session 1: Historical Development of Judaism
​Focus: Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), the Exodus, the united and divided kingdoms, the Babylonian Exile, and the global Diaspora.
Readings:

• Genesis 12:1–7 (Abrahamic Covenant)
  Public Domain (KJV): https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-12-1_12-7/
• Exodus 3:1–15 (Moses and the burning bush)
  Public Domain (KJV): https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-Chapter-3/

Activities:

• Create a visual or written timeline charting the major events from the Patriarchs through the Babylonian Exile and the Diaspora.
• Reflective writing: "How does shared history shape group identity?"

Session 2: Core Beliefs of Judaism
Focus: Covenant, Monotheism, and the Law (Torah)
Readings:

• Exodus 20:1–17 (The Ten Commandments)
  Public Domain (KJV): https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-Chapter-20/
• Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (Shema – affirmation of monotheism)
  Public Domain (KJV): https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-Chapter-6/

Activities:

• Group discussion: How does the idea of a covenant compare to modern legal or moral obligations?
• Writing prompt: "How do written laws express a community's core values?"

Session 3: Sacred Texts of Judaism
Focus: Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, Writings) and the Talmud
Readings:

• Overview of the Hebrew Bible
  Jewish Virtual Library: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-hebrew-bible
• Talmud passage – The Oven of Akhnai (Bava Metzia 59b)
  Sefaria: https://www.sefaria.org/Bava_Metzia.59b.6?lang=bi

Activities:

• Compare the authority of the Torah versus the Talmud in Jewish tradition.
• Writing prompt: "How does interpretation help preserve or transform sacred texts?"

Session 4: Jewish Practices
Focus: Sabbath, Kosher laws, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and Passover
Readings:

• Exodus 12:1–28 (The institution of Passover)
  Public Domain (KJV): https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-Chapter-12/
• Shabbat overview
  Jewish Virtual Library: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/shabbat

Activities:

• Create a comparison chart of two Jewish practices, examining symbolism, structure, and community function.
• Journal prompt: "How do religious rituals reinforce cultural and spiritual identity?"

Session 5: Cultural Impact and the Jewish Diaspora
Focus: Jewish identity, global diaspora communities, and Zionism
Readings:

• The Jewish State by Theodor Herzl (1896)
  Wikisource: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Jewish_State
• Overview of the Jewish Diaspora
  Internet History Sourcebooks Project: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/jewish/jewishsbook.asp

Activities:

• Socratic seminar: “What does it mean to preserve cultural identity in exile?”
• Writing prompt: "How has the idea of 'return' influenced Jewish history and politics?"

Session 6: Comparative Text Study – Torah and Talmud
​Focus: Interpretation and commentary in sacred texts
Texts:

• Torah: Exodus 22:21–24 – Treatment of strangers
  Public Domain (KJV): https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-Chapter-22/
• Talmud: Sanhedrin 98a – Discussion of the Messiah and suffering
  Sefaria: https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.98a?lang=bi

Activities:

• Compare how the Torah provides commandments and how the Talmud interprets or expands on them.
• Final writing assignment: “How does interpretation through the Talmud keep the Torah relevant in changing times?”

Assessment Options

• Daily reflective journals
• Final comparative essay (Torah vs. Talmud)
• Group presentation on Jewish cultural continuity
• Short quiz on historical and religious foundations