The document summarizes the effects of the Jewish diaspora on cultural traditions. It describes how the Ashkenazim who migrated to Eastern Europe developed Yiddish as their language, while the Sephardim who settled in Iberia created Ladino. Both groups observed the same core beliefs but developed distinct customs. Major Jewish holidays discussed include Hanukkah, Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which commemorate important events and unite Jews through shared religious practices and remembrance of their history.
2. BACKGROUND
With the Diaspora, Jews spread out
all over the world.
It began after the Babylonian Captivity
in the 500s BC.
Jews all over the world shared the
same basic beliefs of Judaism: one
God, same laws, same texts.
But in different communities, with
different customs, they began to
develop their own languages,
rituals and cultures.
These differences led to the
creation of two main cultural
traditions, which still exist today.
3. TWO CULTURAL TRADITIONS:
EASTERN EUROPE
The Askenazim is a a branch of
Judaism made up of the descendants of
Jews who moved to France, Germany
and Eastern Europe during the
Diaspora.
They lived in Jewish communities,
separate from non-Jewish neighbors.
Therefore, they developed their own
customs:
Yiddish is a language, similar to
German but written in the
Hebrew alphabet. A. Einstein
4. TWO CULTURAL TRADITIONS: SPAIN
AND PORTUGAL
The Sephardim are the Jews who were
descendants of those that established
themselves in the Iberian Peninsula.
They have their own language, the Ladino (a mix
of Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic).
Unlike the Ashkenazim, they did mix with
non-Jewish residents.
Therefore, their culture is a blend of different
traditions.
They are known for their writings and their
philosophies, they produced a Golden Age
of Jewish culture in the 1000s.
Their poets wrote in Hebrew.
Scholars made great advances in math,
astronomy, medicine and philosophy.
5. TRADITIONS
Jewish culture is one of the oldest in the
world. Because their roots go back so
far, many of them feel a strong
connection with the past.
They also feel that understanding their
own history will help them better follow
Jewish teachings.
6. HOLY DAYS: HANUKKAH
It is a holiday celebrated in December
and honors the rededication of the
Second Temple during the revolt of
the Maccabees.
They wanted to make a celebration but
they didn´t have enough lamp oil to
perform the ceremony. Miraculously, the oil
they had – enough for a day - burned for
eight full days.
Today it is celebrated by lighting eight
candles in a special candleholder.
They also exchange gifts on each
one of the eight nights.
7. PASSOVER
It is more important than Hanukkah and is celebrated in March or
April.
It is a time for Jews to remember the Exodus.
During the Exodus, Jews left so quickly that bakers did not have time to let the
bread rise.
Therefore, during Passover, Jews only eat matzo, a flat, unrisen bread.
They also celebrate with ceremonies and rituals.
8. HIGH HOLY DAYS
These are the two most sacred of all
Jewish holidays. They take place in
September or October.
The first two days are Rosh
Hashanah, which celebrates the
beginning of the new year on the
Jewish calendar.
On Yom Kippur, soon afterward, Jews
ask God to forgive their sins.
Since it is the holiest of all days for
Jews, they do not eat or drink
anything for the entire day.
The ceremonies performed during
Yom Kippur date back to the days
of the Second Temple
9. ASK YOURSELF
Recall:
What language did each Jewish cultural tradition
develop?
Contrast:
How do Ashkenazim and Sephardim differ?
Define:
What is Hanukkah?
Identify:
What is the most sacred Jewish holiday, and what
events does it mark?
Summarize:
How do Jewish traditions and holy days unite Jews?
10. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History (Teacher´s
Edition) (1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida,
US.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Images taken from www.google.com
