Judaism
Judaism is one of three
Abramic religions -- faiths which recognize Abraham as a Patriarch.
The others are Christianity and Islam. Although Jews comprise only about
0.2% of the human race, Jewish influence on the world has been vast
-- far more than their numbers would indicate.
Early History of Judaism
Circa 2000 BCE, the Father of the ancient Israelites established a
divine covenant with Abraham, making him the patriarch of many nations.
The term Abramic Religions is derived from his name. These are the
four religions which trace their roots back to Abraham: Judaism, Christianity,
Islam and the Baha'i World Faith. The book of Genesis describes the
events surrounding the lives of the three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob. (Joseph, who is recognized as a fourth patriarch by Christians
is not considered one by Jews). Moses was the next leader of the ancient
Israelites. He led his people out of captivity in Egypt, and received
the Law from Him. After decades of wandering through wilderness, Joshua
led the tribes into the promised land, driving out the Canaanites
through a series of military battles.
The original tribal organization was converted into a kingdom by
Samuel; its first king was Saul. The second king, David, established
Jerusalem as the religious and political center. The third king, Solomon
built the first temple there.
Division into the Northern kingdom of Israel and the Southern kingdom
of Judah occurred shortly after the death of Solomon in 922 BCE. Israel
fell to Assyria in 722 BCE; Judah fell to the Babylonians in 587 BCE.
The temple was destroyed. Some Jews returned from captivity under
the Babylonians and started to restore the temple in 536 BCE. (Orthodox
Jews date the Babylonian exile from 422 to 352 BCE). Alexander the
Great invaded the area in 332 BCE. From circa 300 to 63 BCE, Greek
became the language of commerce, and Greek culture had a major influence
on Judaism. In 63 BCE, the Roman Empire took control of Judea and
Israel.
Four major (and some minor) religious sects had formed by the 1st
century CE: the Basusim, Essenes, Pharisees and Sadducees. Many anticipated
the arrival of the Messiah who would drive the Roman invaders out
and restore independence. Christianity was established initially as
a Jewish sect, centered in Jerusalem. Paul broke with this tradition
and spread the religion to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Many mini-revolts
led to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 70 CE. The Jewish
Christians were wiped out or scattered at this time. The movement
started by Paul flourished and quickly evolved into the religion of
Christianity. Jews were scattered throughout the known world. Their
religion was no longer centered in Jerusalem; Jews were prohibited
from setting foot there. Judaism became decentralized and stopped
seeking converts. The local synagogue became the new center of Jewish
life, and authority shifted from the centralized priesthood to local
scholars and teachers, giving rise to Rabbinic Judaism.
The period from the destruction of the temple onward give rise to
heavy persecution by Christians throughout Europe and Russia. Many
groundless stories were spread, accusing Jews of ritual murder, the
desecration of the Catholic host and continuing responsibility for
the execution of Jesus . Unsubstantiated rumors continue to be circulated
today. In the 1930s and 1940s, Adolph Hitler and the German Nazi party
drew on centuries of anti-Semitism, and upon their own psychotic beliefs
in racial purity. They organized the Holocaust, the attempted extermination
of all Jews in Europe. About 6 million were killed in one of the world's
greatest examples of religious and racial intolerance.
The Zionist movement was a response within all Jewish traditions
to centuries of Christian persecution. Their initial goal was create
a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The state of Israel was formed on
1948-MAY-18.
There are currently about 18 million Jews throughout the world. They
are mainly concentrated in North America (about 7 million) and Israel
(about 4.5 million).
Jewish Texts
The Tanakh corresponds to the Jewish Scriptures, (often referred to
as the Old Testament by Christians). It is composed of three groups
of books:
- The Torah (aka Pentateuch): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers
and Deuteronomy.
- The Nevi'im: Joshua, Judges, Samuel (2), Kings (2), Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, MalachiIsaiah, Amos.
- The Ketuvim, the "Writings" including Psalms, Proverbs,
Job, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Ruth, Esther, Lamentations, Daniel,
Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles (2).
The Talmud contains stories, laws, medical knowledge, debates about
moral choices, etc. It is composed of material which comes mainly
from two sources:
- The Mishnah, 6 "orders" containing hundreds of chapters,
including series of laws from the Hebrew Scriptures. It was compiled
about 200 CE.
- The Gemara (one Babylonian and one Palestinian) is encyclopedic
in scope. It includes comments from hundreds of Rabbis from 200 -
500 CE, explaining the Mishnah with additional historical, religious,
legal, sociological, etc. material. It often records many different
opinions on a topic without giving a definitive answer.
Basic Jewish Beliefs
There is a story in wide circulation about a question asked of Rabbi
Hillel -- a notable rabbi from the 1st century BCE. A non-Jew asked
the rabbi to teach him everything about the Torah while standing on
one foot. Rabbi Hillel responded: "What is hateful to you, don't
do unto your neighbor. The rest is commentary. Now, go and study."
Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, (a.k.a. Maimonides) is generally accepted
as one of the most important Jewish scholars from Medieval times.
He wrote a list of thirteen principles of faith. This list has been
generally accepted by Jews for centuries as a brief summary of the
Jewish faith. However, the liberal wings of Judaism dispute some of
the 13 today.
- He exists.
- He is one and unique.
- He is incorporeal.
- He is eternal.
- Prayer is to be directed to Him alone and to no other.
- The words of the prophets are true.
- Moses was the greatest of the prophets, and his prophecies are true.
- The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings
now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses.
- There will be no other Torah.
- He knows the thoughts and deeds of men.
- He will reward the good and punish the wicked.
- The Messiah will come.
- The dead will be resurrected.
Additional Jewish Beliefs
Some additional beliefs found commonly among Jews are:
- Some Jews view Jesus as a great moral teacher. Others see him
as a false prophet or as an idol of Christianity. Some sects of Judaism
will not even say his name due to the prohibition against saying an
idol's name.
- The Jews are often referred to as His chosen people. This does not
mean that they are in any way to be considered superior to other groups.
- - Biblical verses such as Exodus 19:5 simply imply that He has selected
Israel to receive and study the Torah, to worship Him only, to rest
on the Sabbath, and to celebrate the festivals. Jews were not chosen
to be better that others; they were simply selected to receive more
difficult responsibilities, and more onerous punishment if they fail.
- The 613 commandments found in Leviticus and other books regulate
all aspects of Jewish life
- The Ten commandments, as delineated in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy
5:6-21, form a brief synopsis of the Law
- The Messiah (the anointed one of Him) will arrive in the future
and gather Jews once more into the land of Israel. There will be a
general resurrection of the dead at that time. The Jerusalem Temple,
destroyed in 70 CE, will be rebuilt.
- A fetus gains full personhood when it is half-emerged from its mother's
body.
- Boys reach the status of Bar Mitzvah on their 13th birthday; girls
reach Bat Mitzvah on their 12th birthday. This means that they are
recognized as adults and are personally responsible to follow the
Jewish commandments and laws. Males are allowed to lead a religious
service; they are counted in a "minyan" (a quota of men
necessary to perform certain parts of religious services). Following
their Bar Mitzvah or - Bat Mitzvah they can sign contracts; they can
testify in religious courts; theoretically, they can marry, although
the Talmud recommends 18 to 24 as the proper age for marriage.
The more liberal movements within Judaism differ from some of the
above beliefs concerning the source of the Torah, the concept of direct
reward and punishment according to one's behavior, etc.
Jewish Practices
They include:
- Observation of the Sabbath as a day of rest, starting at sundown
on Friday evening.
- Strict discipline, according to the Law, which governs all areas
of life
- Regular attendance by Jewish males at Synagogue
- Celebration of the annual festivals including: Passover, or Pesach
is held each Spring to recall the Jews' deliverance out of slavery
in Egypt circa 1300 BCE. A ritual Seder meal is eaten in each observing
Jewish home at this time. Six different foods are placed on the seder
plate in the order in which they area eaten:
- Karpas (vegetables dipped in salt water) recalls the bitter tears
shed during slavery
- Maror (bitter herbs) to symbolize the bitterness of slavery.
- Chazeret (bitter vegetables) also to symbolize the bitterness of
slavery.
- Choroset (apple, nuts & spices with wine) represents the mortar
used by Hebrew slaves.
Also placed on the seder plate, but uneaten during the Seder meal:
Zeroa (lamb shankbone) to recall the Passover sacrifice in the ancient
temple.
Beitzah (roasted egg) symbolizes mourning, sacrifice, spring, and
renewal.
Not placed on the Seder plate, but often eaten, is a boiled egg.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and is the anniversary of the
completion of creation, about 5760 years ago. It is held in the fall.
The 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement,
are days of fasting and penitence.
Sukkoth or the Feast of Booths is an 8 day harvest festival; a time
of thanksgiving.
Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights is an 8 day feast of dedication. It
recalls the war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of religious
freedom. It is typically observed in December. Originally a minor
Jewish holy day, it has become more important in recent years.
Purim, the Feast of Lots recalls the defeat by Queen Esther of the
plan to slaughter all of the Persian Jews, circa 400 BCE.
Shavout, the Feast of Weeks recalls His revelation of the Torah to
the Jewish people. It is held in late May or early June.
The local synagogue is governed by the congregation and is normally
led by a rabbi who has been chosen by the congregation. A rabbi is
a teacher who has been well educated in Jewish law and tradition.
Any adult male with sufficient knowledge can lead religious services.
In reform and some conservative congregations, a woman can also preside.
This is often done in those Jewish communities who lack a rabbi.
The Chief Rabbis in France and Great Britain have authority only by
the agreement of those who accept it. Two Chief Rabbis in Israel have
civil authority in areas of family law.
Jewish Movements
There are five main forms of Judaism in the world today. However,
the most conservative traditions do not necessarily recognize the
most liberal as being part of Judaism. This is a common problem among
many of the world's great religions:
1. Conservative* Judaism: This began in the mid-nineteenth century
as a reaction against the Reform movement. It is a main-line movement
midway between Reform and Orthodox.
2. Humanistic Judaism: This is a very small group, mainly composed
of atheists and agnostics, who regard mankind as the measure of all
things.
3. Orthodox* Judaism: This the oldest, most conservative, and most
diverse form of Judaism. Modern Orthodox, Chasidim and Ultra Orthodox
share a basic belief in the derivation of Jewish law, even as they
hold very different outlooks on life. They attempt to follow the original
form of Judaism as they view it to be. They look upon every word in
their sacred texts as being divinely inspired.
4. Reconstructionist Judaism: This is a new, small, liberal movement
started by Mordecai Kaplan as an attempt to unify and revitalize the
religion. They reject the concept that Jews are a uniquely favored
and chosen people. They have no connection at all with Christian Reconstructionism,
which is an ultra-conservative form of Christianity.
5. Reform* Judaism: They are a liberal group, followed by many North
American Jews. The movement started in the 1790's in Germany. They
follow the ethical laws of Judaism, but leave up to the individual
the decision whether to follow or ignore the dietary and other traditional
laws. They use modern forms of worship. There are many female rabbis
in reform congregations.
* These are the largest forms of Judaism.
A survey conducted in 2001 for the 2002 edition of the American Jewish
Year Book indicated that fewer that 10% of American Jews are estimated
to be Orthodox. However, Orthodox synagogues represent 40% of all
U.S. synagogues. Reform Judaism has 26 percent of all synagogues;
Conservatives have 23 percent. "Every other denomination or group
representing synagogues –- Reconstructionist, Sephardi, Traditional,
Humanistic, Gay/Lesbian –- accounts for 3 percent or less of synagogue
affiliations..." The total number of U.S. synagogues has increased
from 2,851 in 1936 to 3,727 in 2001.
Jewish-Christian Relations
The faith of Israel, as described in the Hebrew Scriptures, had divided
into a number of Jewish Sects (the Basusim, Pharisees, Essenes, Saducees,
Zealots and others) by the early first century CE. Subsequently, a
number of events of momentous importance occurred:
- 30 CE: Some Jews, following the teachings of Jeshua (known by
Christians as Jesus Christ), formed a Jewish Christian reform movement
within Judaism under the leadership of James, an apostle of Jeshua.
circa 55 CE: Paul, a Jewish persecutor of Christians, became converted
to Christianity and started to organize Pauline Christian churches
throughout much of the Roman empire in conflict with the Jewish Christians.
- 70 CE: The Roman army destroyed the Temple and the rest of Jerusalem.
- 132 CE: Many Jews accepted Bar Kochba as the Messiah. This led to
a hopeless three-year revolt against the Roman Empire. About a half-million
Jews were killed; thousands were sold into slavery or taken into captivity.
The rest were exiled from Palestine and scattered throughout the known
world in what is called the "Diaspora."
Out of these events came two major world religions:
- Judaism in its Rabbinical form, centered in local synagogues,
scattered throughout the known world, and
- Pauline Christianity which later became centered in Rome.
Relations between the two religions became strained. The Christian
Scriptures include many examples of anti-Judaism. One of the gospels,
written during the last third of the 1st century CE, included the
accusation that all Jews, (past, present, and future), are responsible
for deicide: the killing of Him. This form of religious propaganda
was serious enough in its original setting, as long as Christianity
remained a small reform movement within Judaism. There are many examples
of inter-religious friction throughout literature of that era; indeed,
it is prevalent today. But when the Christian religion became the
official religion of Rome in the late 4th century CE, Christianity
became sufficiently powerful to actively oppress and persecute Jews.
This led to numerous exterminations of groups of Jews during the Dark
Ages, Middle Ages, Renaissance and into the modern era. Ancient Christian
teachings and practices paved the way for the Nazi holocaust during
World War II.
Today, only a few fringe Christian groups still teach that Jews are
responsible for Christ's death. Many Christian denominations teach
that the promises that He made to the Jewish people have been withdrawn
and transferred to the Christian Church. This teaching has led to
conflicts over attempts to evangelize Jews. Although anti-Semitism
has been abandoned by most in North America, the relationships between
Christians and Jews have much room for improvement.
