Online Class: Judaism 101 — An Introduction
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19Lessons
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40Exams &
Assignments -
625Students
have taken this course -
16Hours
average time -
1.6CEUs
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Video Audit
Available
Course Description
Discovering Judaism: A Comprehensive Online Introduction
Embark on a transformative journey through the rich tapestry of Judaism, one of the world's most ancient and profound religious traditions. In "Judaism 101," we endeavor to unveil the depth and breadth of Jewish heritage, beliefs, and practices that have shaped the course of history and influenced countless lives over millennia.
Judaism isn't just a religion; it's a confluence of history, culture, tradition, and spirituality. In this course, students will traverse the dawn of Judaism, acquainting themselves with foundational beliefs and tenets that have sustained this faith for over 3,000 years. You will be ushered into the heart of Jewish communal life—the Synagogue—and uncover the significance of life-altering rituals such as the bris (covenant of circumcision) and the bar and bat mitzvah (rites of passage).
Jewish festivals and Holy Days, replete with symbolism and ancient wisdom, will be illuminated, offering insights into the profound importance of each celebration in the Jewish calendar.
Your journey won't be confined to places of worship or major events. You'll be welcomed into the sanctity of a Jewish home. From understanding the nuances of kosher dietary laws to the warmth of the Shabbat dinner table, you'll witness firsthand how faith seamlessly intertwines with daily life. Delve into the written and oral laws—integral pillars of Judaism—and discern their pivotal role in guiding aspects of life, from matrimony to mourning.
Beyond the tangible, we venture into the spiritual realm, exploring Jewish perspectives on prayer, mysticism, and age-old beliefs about the celestial and the ethereal—including angels, demons, and conceptions of the afterlife.
History is a testament to a people's resilience and faith. From the epoch of the patriarch Abraham, through the eras of prophets and kings, you'll traverse time, culminating in the solemn reflection of the Holocaust—one of the darkest chapters of human history. Yet, from the ashes of the past emerged the resolute spirit of the Jewish people, leading to the rebirth of a nation in the form of the modern State of Israel.
Our aspiration is that "Judaism 101" becomes more than a course—it becomes a beacon. A beacon that not only enlightens but also inspires deeper exploration and understanding of Judaism and, by extension, fosters a world enriched by tolerance, knowledge, and mutual respect for all faiths.
Embark on this enlightening journey with us, and let the timeless wisdom of Judaism illuminate your path.
Course Lessons
Lesson 1: What is Judaism?
From ancient times to today, Judaism has provided millions of individuals around the world with a solid foundation for their religious, cultural, and spiritual beliefs.Lesson 2: Who's Who in the Synagogue
Understanding Jewish leadership in the synagogue or temple means learning the basics of how the synagogue functions as a whole and how its leaders are responsible for offering the guidance, examples and lessons of their faith.Lesson 3: Life Traditions
In this lesson, we'll briefly cover each milestone and the different traditions involved in their recognition and celebration.Lesson 4: Jewish Celebrations and Holy Days
In this lesson, we'll go through the calendar year and highlight some of the most important holy days - and traditions or celebrations - of the Jewish faith.Lesson 5: The Jewish Home
In a Jewish home, family life and marriage are considered a religious obligation.Lesson 6: Jewish Foods and Cuisine
In this lesson, we will go over the basic laws and traditions when it comes to Jewish cooking and food preparation.Lesson 7: Jewish Written Laws
In this lesson, we'll cover some of the basics in regard to Jewish written law and how such laws affect the lives, beliefs and practices of Jewish people around the world.Lesson 8: The Oral Laws
While the Torah includes a written description, interpretation and commentary regarding laws, oral laws involve legal decisions and are open to discussion, deliberation, and interpretation to some degree.Lesson 9: Jewish Burial Rituals and Traditions
In this lesson, you'll learn the basics regarding a few Jewish burial traditions and rituals, as well as how funerals are prepared.Lesson 10: Abraham to Exodus
In this lesson, we'll cover the period of Jewish history from the time of Abraham, to the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt.Lesson 11: The Books of Moses
The book of Exodus focuses on instructing the Israeli people regarding the need for redemption, and how to prepare for such redemption.Lesson 12: From King David to the Lesser Prophets
In this lesson, you'll receive a brief introduction into some of the most well-known and respected figures of the Old Testament, who helped to guide and develop Judaism, culture, and instruct the people to follow Judaic law, traditions, and rituals.Lesson 13: Jewish Prayers
In this lesson, we'll offer a brief introduction into the concept of prayer in Judaism.Lesson 14: Jewish Mysticism
In this lesson, students will gain a brief introduction into the Jewish belief system involving angels and prophets, and dreams and visions, which may be considered mysterious by some, and perfectly natural for others.Lesson 15: The Holocaust
Known by the Jewish people as Shoah, the term Holocaust refers to one of the most tragic and horrifying periods of history of the Jewish people.Lesson 16: Starting Over
The State of Israel was established on May 14,1948. A tentative peace was created with its Arab neighbors, an uneasy peace fraught with struggles, outbreaks of violence, and sometimes war.Lesson 17: The Six-Day War
During the days leading up to the Six-Day War, Israel was surrounded by nearly 500,000 troops, 3,000 tanks, and 800 military aircraft from their detractors.Lesson 18: Influential Jewish Contributions
In the following lesson, we'll give you a brief glimpse into some of the most important contributors to society in a variety of categories.Lesson 19: Post Modern Age Judaism
We conclude this lesson on your introduction into Judaism with the feelings and attitudes regarding both the ancient homeland of Israel, and the country as a modern state.
Learning Outcomes
- Define what Judaism is.
- Describe who's who in the Synagogue.
- Summarize life traditions.
- Summarize Jewish celebrations and holy days.
- Describe the Jewish home.
- Summarize Jewish foods and cuisine.
- Summarize Jewish Written Laws.
- Describe the Oral Laws.
- Describe Jewish Burial Rituals and Traditions.
- Summarize Abraham to Exodus.
- Describe The Books of Moses.
- Summarize From King David to the Lesser Prophets.
- Summarize Jewish Prayers.
- Describe Jewish Mysticism.
- Summarize The Holocaust.
- Describe The Six-Day War.
- Summarize influential Jewish contributions.
- Describe Post Modern Age Judaism.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information
- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Student Testimonials
- "The Instructor is very knowledgeable and was extremely helpful. Interaction with the Instructor was thought provoking. Detailed analysis and thorough grading are appreciated. I definitely appreciate the time, effort and expertise offered by the Instructor to provide feedback on my learning process. I definitely would like to take more courses with this Instructor." -- Mohammad H.
- "The instructor was amazingly quick in correcting exams and reading my assignments. His comments were encouraging. The overall organization of the course was helpful. " -- Teresa B.
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