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INTRODUCTION

The History of Judaism has been one of struggle from slavery in Egypt, to exile in Babylon and destruction caused by the Roman Empire. By the 20^th century Jewish communities were established throughout the world.

And it was only in 1948 that the modern state of Israel was founded and once more became a central focal point of Jewish life after the terror of the Holocaust.

SIZE AND LOCATION

There are 14 million Jews worldwide with approximately 300,000 living in the UK.  

ORIGINS

It is the oldest of the Western religions started around 2000 BC.

The roots of Judaism can be traced to a covenant through which God formed a permanent relationship with the Jews. This was through the prophet Abraham who is seen as the patriarch of the Jewish people and then the prophet Moses who was given the Torah – law on Mount Sinai by God.

The exodus from slavery in Egypt  (the Passover) and the founding of their own country in Canaan established in the minds of the Jews that they were the chosen people of God.

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HOLY TEXTS

The Jewish Holy book is the Torah (Sacred Writings) and consists of the five books of Moses:  

There are within the Torah 613 commandments or Mitzvot which are the basis of the covenant relationship between God and the Jewish people.

The Jewish scriptures also include books known as Nevi’im – of the prophets. The Scriptures can be broken up into the following:  

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WHAT DOES A JEW BELIEVE ?

There is one Universal God, he has revealed himself through the Prophets (Abraham & Moses) and God has chosen them to be his people. God has given the Torah to the Jews as a means of showing in practice what an obedient and holy life is like.

Jews look forward to God’s Kingdom being established on earth, which has traditionally been connected with the coming of the Messiah.

Obeying the law – Torah is doing God’s will and showing respect and love for God. The interpretation and application of what is required is found in the Talmud which is organised into two parts and is an integral part of the life and beliefs of Jews:

The Mishnah comprising 6 Sedarim or orders:

  Zera’im – contains prayers and agricultural laws

                        Mo’ed – Matters concerned with 
                            Shabbat and festivals

                        Nashim – Marital and divorce laws

                        Nezikin – Civil and criminal law

                         Kodashim – Laws of sacrifice and 
                            Temple ritual

                        Tohorot – Laws on personal and 
                             religious purity

The Gemara comments on and discusses the Mishnah.

Legal material in the Talmud is known as Halakhah, whilst non-legal material is called Aggadah. The study of the Torah and Talmud is an essential part of getting closer to God.  

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OTHER TRADITIONS OF JUDAISM

All male Jewish babies are circumcised (rites of passage) which signifies the covenant between God and the Jewish people and was first undertaken by Abraham.

At the age of 13 Jewish boys have a Barmitzvah which is a ceremony in which the boy becomes a full member of the community. In modern times this has been paralleled with a Batmitzvah for the girls (though this is not traditional and is not a requirement).

To remind Jews of the importance of the Torah, Jewish homes have on their doorframes (normally the front door) a Mezuzah – a parchment scroll in a small box which contains the first paragraphs of the Shema (basic prayer of Jewish belief).

Jews have strict dietary requirements as to what types of foods are kosher (permitted).

The thirteen articles of faith (additional information to be added soon).    

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GOD

Judaism is a monotheistic religion. God is normally known under the name Yahweh or Jehovah. 

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WORSHIP

Worship is undertaken at a Synagogue. The holy day is Saturday (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) - Shabbat. There are many different festivals celebrated by Jews.  

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THE AFTER LIFE

There is only one life, when we die the person will be judged according to the life they lived (beliefs vary as to when this judgement will take place).  

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ORGANISATION

Any one who is born of a Jewish mother is traditionally understood to be Jewish. There are though different types of Judaism practiced which are:

Orthodox –  Orthadox Jews believe the Torah and the Talmud Contain the actual words of God which must be Applied in all circumstances.  

Orthodoxy also includes:
Hasidim – Followers of the teaching of Israel Ben Eliezer
Haredim – sometimes refered to as Ultra-orthadox  

Progressive – They believe in the divine inspiration of the Torah but since it was recorded by humans at a certain point of time in history, it then becomes necessary to 
reinterpret the words in the context of the times you are living in. 

Includes:
Reform Judaism – established in early 19^thCentury
Liberal Judaism – originally an offshoot of Reform  

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