Followers of Judaism, called Jews, believe that there is only one God, who they call Adonai, and that the Torah, which is their holy scripture, contains God’s laws and teachings.
Jews follow a set of religious practices and customs that are intended to bring them closer to God and to help them live according to his will. These practices include participating in synagogue services, observing the Sabbath and other holidays, and performing acts of charity and kindness.
Jews also have a rich tradition of cultural and intellectual achievements, including contributions to literature, art, music, science, and politics.
Judaism origin
Judaism is the oldest of the Abrahamic religions, and its text, the Torah, contains the teachings and laws that Jews believe were given by God to Moses.
The origins of Judaism can be traced back to the ancient Israelites, a loosely organized group of tribes that lived in the area around Palestine and the Levant. Over time, the Israelites developed a system of laws, worship, and beliefs about God that would become the foundation of Judaism.
Historically, Judaism has been marked by several significant events and movements. One of the most important of these was the Babylonian exile, during which the Israelites were captured and taken to Babylon. This event profoundly impacted Judaism, as it resulted in the creation of the Jewish diaspora, which is the dispersion of Jews outside of Palestine.
Other significant events in Jewish history include the Babylonian exile, the Roman occupation of Palestine, the Holocaust, and the establishment of the State of Israel. Judaism has evolved and adapted throughout these and other events, but it has remained a vibrant and influential religion.
Main features of Judaism
Judaism is a religion over 3,000 years old and based on the belief in one God. It is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world. Some of the main features of Judaism include:
- A belief in one God: Jews believe in one God, who is the creator and ruler of the universe. This belief is known as monotheism. Jews believe God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good and involved in people’s lives.
- The Ten Commandments: The Ten Commandments are a set of moral and ethical guidelines that are considered to be the foundation of Jewish law. They include commandments such as “You shall have no other gods before me,” “You shall not make for yourself an idol,” and “You shall not murder.”
- The Torah: The Torah is the holy book of Judaism and contains the laws and teachings of the religion. It is also known as the Five Books of Moses, as it is believed to have been given to the Jewish people by the prophet Moses. The Torah is written in Hebrew and is central to the practice of Judaism.
- The Jewish people and their covenant with God: Judaism greatly emphasizes the special relationship between the Jewish people and God. Jews believe that God made a covenant (a promise) with the Jewish people and that they have a special responsibility to follow God’s laws and teachings.
- The coming of a messiah and the redemption of the world: Jews believe in the coming of a messiah, a savior who will bring peace and prosperity to the world. They also believe in the eventual redemption of the world, when all people will live in harmony and prosperity.
- Circumcision: Male circumcision is a central practice in Judaism. It is seen as a symbol of the covenant between God and the Jewish people and is performed on male babies when they are eight days old.
- The Sabbath (Shabbat) and other holy days: Jews observe the Sabbath (Shabbat), which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. During this time, Jews abstain from work and other activities and instead focus on rest and spiritual contemplation. Jews also observe several other holy days throughout the year, including Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and Hanukkah (the Festival of Lights).
- Mitzvot: Mitzvot are good deeds that Jews are commanded to perform. They include acts of kindness, charity, and observing the commandments of the Torah.
- Kosher dietary laws: Jews follow a set of dietary laws known as kosher laws. These laws specify which foods can and cannot be eaten and how they should be prepared.
- Education and the study of Torah: Jews greatly emphasize education and the study of the Torah and other Jewish texts. Jewish education is seen as a way to deepen one’s understanding of the religion and to live better according to its teachings.
