Many Jews see Judaism as a way of life rather than a set of beliefs. The essentials of their faith are derived from the Bible. God has made a ‘covenant’ (solemn agreement) with the Jews.
   
GOD

1.   Judaism takes the existence of God as granted and offers no proof. He is present everywhere and is eternal.

2.   The nearest statement of faith is the SHEMA – declaring that:
* God is one
* His name is Jehovah (Yahweh) – a spiritual being beyond human ability to name.
* God is Unique – He is separate from all other beings.  

HUMAN LIFE

1.   God created the first human in his image. The image is that of a spiritual quality that makes every human unique.

2.   Body & Spirit – Life is a union of the two.  God breathed his spirit in to us and we became ‘a living soul’.

3.   The status of humans is described as ‘being a little lower than the angels’.

4.   Humans are given dominion in the world and the status of representing him before the world.

5.    Individual & Community – Everyone is part of the social ‘whole’. The activities of Judaism are notably communal. God is a God of the people and every individual belongs to the people.

THE NATURAL WORLD

1.    It is God's creation – he controls and acts within it. Nature is God’s gift and its resources can be used for the benefit of mankind.

2.   The Hasidic movement in the 18thC preached that Jews should immerse themselves in the natural world  as salvation was for the whole of creation and the whole of life, physical, spiritual & moral.

3.   Zionists believe by acting in the right way in the present, humankind can help forward the process of salvation.   

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1.    As death approaches a Jew makes a VIDDUI (Confession) of faith in God and a confession of sin.

2.   The lasts words are the Shema but there is no set form of burial.

3.    At the funeral service a eulogy may be given, psalms sung and the KADDISH (a prayer in praise of God as soveriegn over the whole of life) may be offered.

4.   Older traditions not now compulsory may be undertaken:

v KERIAH – tearing a piece of garment from the person.
v Guarding the body
v Dressing in ritual garb
v Observing a weeks mourning.

5.   A service is held in the home of the deceased on the night before the burial.

6.   A year after the burial a headstone may be consecrated at the grave.

7.   The KADDISH is said annually on the anniversary of a death.

HISTORICAL VIEWS

1.   In biblical times belief the soul entered SHEOL (Hell) where the good & wicked survived as shadows.

2.   Later this gave way to Heaven & Hell – punishment and reward.

3.   The soul is thought to survive in union with the body.

4.   There is no absolute belief in what happens after death – they trust in God.

5.   There is a logic though to believe in the immortality of the soul:
*God is eternal – he created humans as a living soul; reasonable to suppose the soul lives a life of eternity with him.
* Faith & godliness will be rewarded – faith & love will not end with physical death. 

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