Judaism

Beliefs

The historical roots of Judaism can be traced back to a Brit, or covenant, through which God is believed to have formed a permanent relationship with the community. This was first through Abraham, the patriach of Jewish people, who led his family in a search for the Promised Land and then through the giving at Mount Sinai of the Torah, or law, to Moses.

The Law is preserved in the Torah which consists of the first five books of the Hebrew bible and contains 613 commandments which cover every area of daily life from civil law to personal hygiene and diet. The Law is central to Jewish life, it is primarily a code of ethical behaviour with a basic precept of "Love thy neighbour as thy self".

Moral and Ethic

The moral and ethical teachings of the Law demand

  • Dignified treatment of others
  • Respect for the family
  • Charitable works to help the sick, the poor, and the elderly
  • Education of the young

Practices

The synagogue is the centre of Jewish religious, educational and social life. Jewish religious leaders are rabbis who are learned in the Law and who are responsible for studying, interpreting and explaining the Law to people.

A devout Jewish person prays three times a day morning, afternoon and evening, either at home or in the synagogue.

The weekly Shabbat, or Sabbath is at the heart of Jewish individual and corporate life. In its abstinence from work it reflects the seventh day of creation in which God is said to have rested from creating the world. The Sabbath falls on each Saturday, it commences a quarter hour before sunset on the preceding day, and terminates just after nightfall on the day itself.

The Law requires observant Jews to follow certain dietary restrictions. This strict adherence requires that only 'kosher' ("fitting" or "proper") food be eaten and that milk or milk products and meat or meat products may not be eaten at the same meal.

For male Jewish babies, the covental relationship is initially signified by the rite of circumcision. At the age of thirteen there is the Barmitzvah ceremony in which a young adult becomes a fully responsible member of the community. In Progressive Judaism this has been parallelled by the introduction of the Barmitzvah ceremony for females.

Diversities in Judaism

Orthodox Judaism

The Orthodox Jews see the Torah and the Talmud as containing God's literal words which must be applied equally in all times and place.

Progressive Judaism

Progressive Jews believe in the divine inspiration of the Torah but also that it is necessary to reinterpret it in changing times and conditions. Progressive Judaism includes Reform and Liberal Judaism.

Conservative Judaism

Conservative Jews believe the mandates established in the Torah and the Talmud must be followed. However, they must be followed within the context of a living tradition.