Judaism is the oldest of the three Abrahamic religions and is the religion, philosophy, and way of life of the Jewish people. At its core, Judaism has a monotheistic faith centered around the belief in one God, who is the creator and ruler of the universe. Jews believe that God established a covenant with Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism, and made a promise that Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation. This covenant was reaffirmed with Isaac, Jacob and later Moses, through whom God gave the Torah, or divine law, to the Jewish people.
The Torah consists of the Five Books of Moses or Pentateuch and is the central text of Judaism. It outlines the 613 mitzvot or commandments that Jews are obligated to observe. These include ethical and moral imperatives as well as religious practices such as prayer, festivals, dietary laws and Sabbath observance. The Hebrew Bible, which Christians refer to as the Old Testament, is considered sacred scripture in Judaism. It describes how God chose the Jews to be an example to the world, and the special relationship and responsibilities this involves.
Jews worship in synagogues, where the focal point is the ark containing the Torah scrolls. Services involve prayers and readings from the Torah and other sacred texts. Judaism has a long tradition of textual interpretation and exegesis of these texts that forms a significant body of oral law and commentary. Over time, this gave rise to the central texts of rabbinic Judaism which includes the Mishnah and the Talmud.
Philosophically, Judaism emphasizes ethical monotheism and the importance of morality, social justice and strong community. Jews believe they are God’s chosen people and have a responsibility to be a light unto the nations. The Jewish conception of God is that He is eternal, omnipotent, non-corporeal and the source of morality. God is often referred to as HaShem, meaning ‘the Name’, out of reverence.
As Jews have lived in many countries for millennia, there are variations in beliefs and practices between communities. Nevertheless, there are core tenets that define traditional or Orthodox Judaism. These include belief in a single, omniscient God; the divine origin of the Torah given to Moses at Mount Sinai along with the rest of the biblical canon; faith in the prophecy of the Jewish prophets; the importance of the land of Israel and the hope for a messianic age.
Orthodox Jews adhere strictly to halakha or Jewish law and tradition as set out in classical rabbinic texts. This covers aspects of life such as kashrut (dietary laws), family purity, Shabbat (Sabbath) and Jewish holidays, prayer and more. An emphasis is placed on living according to God’s will through carrying out mitzvot and Torah study.
Reform Judaism emerged in 19th century Germany in response to modernization and Enlightenment values. It modified or eliminated some traditional practices while emphasizing ethical teachings and social justice. Conservative Judaism occupies a middle ground, affirming Jewish law while allowing for modernization. Within each movement, there is diversity in levels of observance and belief.
Some core practices are common across most Jewish denominations. These include circumcision of male infants; bar and bat mitzvah coming-of-age ceremonies; keeping kosher homes with separation of meat and dairy and abstention from certain foods; observance of the Sabbath starting Friday evening which may involve refraining from work, driving and use of electricity; and celebrating the major biblical festivals of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot.
Life cycle events are marked with Jewish rituals and traditions. Weddings involve signing a religious marriage contract and groom ceremonially breaking a glass. After birth, boys are circumcised on the eighth day. At death, bodies are buried promptly, often wrapped in a simple white shroud. Mourning practices are observed and Kaddish prayer recited by family.
The synagogue is the center of communal life for Jews to gather, pray and study. Services are led by a rabbi and cantor and the focal point is the ark containing the Torah scrolls. Jews face towards Jerusalem during daily prayers which are recited three times following a liturgy. Communal worship takes place during the Sabbath starting Friday at sunset, and festivals which have particular rituals, liturgies and traditions associated with them.
Shabbat is the Jewish Sabbath which spans from Friday evening to Saturday night. It is a day of rest and the most important Jewish holiday representing completion of creation. Traditions include lighting Shabbat candles, making Kiddush blessing over wine to sanctify the day, having festive meals with challah bread and refraining from work. During Shabbat, Jews gather at synagogue for morning, afternoon and evening services.
The kosher diet has laws prescribing which foods are fit for consumption, how they must be slaughtered and how meat and dairy must be kept separate. only meat from certain animals is considered kosher. Fish must have fins and scales, while poultry must be slaughtered in a prescribed manner. Meat and milk products cannot be mixed in cooking or eaten together. Separate utensils, dishes and kitchens may be kept. For Passover, leavened products are prohibited.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the High Holy Days in the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins a 10-day period of introspection and atonement culminating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement which is a 25-hour fast and day spent in synagogue praying. These holy days focus on repentance for sins and reconciliation with God and others.
Passover celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, as described in the Book of Exodus. Rituals include removing leavened products from the home, holding a special Seder meal retelling the Exodus story, and eating matzah. The holiday symbolizes the birth of the Jewish nation through God’s divine intervention in history to free His people.
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorates the temporary dwellings used by Israelites during 40 years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus. It is celebrated by building a sukkah hut and ‘dwelling’ in it. The holiday expresses thanks for the fall harvest and acknowledges the fragility of life. The four species of plants are shaken each day.
The weekly Torah portion is read during Shabbat morning services, with the entire Torah read over the course of the year. The first five books of the Bible contain 613 mitzvot and form the cornerstone of Jewish religion and practice. The prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah conveyed moral and spiritual messages from God to Israel. Writings like Psalms and Proverbs contain poetry, wisdom and songs integral to worship.
Jews believe in the inherent sanctity and dignity of human life. Guiding ethical principles include pursuing justice, treating others with compassion, repairing the world through good deeds, moderation and self-discipline over passion, and respect for human intellect reflecting the Divine. Family is valued as are education and intellect. The preservation of life overrides almost all other commandments.
The land of Israel is considered holy as promised to the Jewish people in the Bible. Jerusalem has deep spiritual meaning as the ancient capital with the First and Second Temples at the Temple Mount site. Many Jews pray facing Jerusalem or have a symbol of it in their home. Although there was a historical exile after the destruction of the temples, the constant Jewish presence in Israel represents the eternal covenant.
While Judaism focuses on present life and deed over beliefs about the afterlife, Jews believe in the World to Come where the righteous of all nations will be resurrected. This will occur with the coming of the Jewish Messiah who will bring universal peace and unity to the world. Until then, much Jewish thought is centered on the concept of tikkun olam or ‘repairing the world’ through acts of kindness and charity.
Judaism has had a profound influence on Western civilization. As the first Abrahamic religion, its monotheism, moral code and Bible provided the foundations for both Christianity and Islam. Its emphasis on study, discipline and family life have shaped Western values and ethics. Despite persecution, Jews have maintained their identity, traditions and faith throughout centuries underscoring Judaism’s strong resilience and appeal as a belief system and way of life centered on the worship of one eternal, omnipotent God.