Cracking the Code of Judaism

We cannot imagine our world without religions. There are people who fully believe in God and there are those who don’t believe.

The concept of every religion even a small one is very complex and takes hours to be explained. However, in my paper I will try to crack the code of Judaism briefly, presenting the most important points of this fascinating religion. I will also touch upon some of the basic similarities and distinctions Judaism and Christianity have. Judaism is all over the world.

You can find Jewish people in many countries.It is also the oldest monotheistic religion, originating at least 3,000 years ago. “Judaism is both the least and the greatest of the great religions. Strictly by the numbers, it is by far the smallest. There are only about 14 million Jews worldwide. But this tiny religion has a huge influence far out of proportion to its numbers.

It started a revolution that remade the western world. It continues to demand justice for the poor and oppressed. It gives us stories that continue to animate political and literarily conversations worldwide. ” In the Bible, Jew were called Hebrews or Children of Israel.The terms “Jew” and “Judaism” come from the tribe or kingdom of Judah “Jew” now refers to all physical and spiritual descendants of Jacob. The most important book of Judaism is the Hebrew Bible, the “Old Testament”, especially its first five books, called the Torah.

According to the teachings of Judaism, God's will for human behavior was revealed to Moses and the Israelites at Mount Saini. The Torah, or commandments, which regulate how humans are to live their lives, were a gift from God so that they might live in according to His will. Observation of the weekly Sabbath as a day of rest is also a fundamental law of Judaism.God was creating the world for six days and on the seventh day He rested.

Their Sabbath, like ours lasts for a full day starting at sundown on Friday evening and ending on Saturday evening. I thought this was very interesting that they observe the Sabbath so closely just like us seventh day Adventist This last week I had the privilege of visiting the Temple of Rishon. I went into the synagogue and saw Jewish people worshiping God, heard the Torah being read aloud in Hebrew, and watched as people knelt in prayer. I was impressed with the reverent atmosphere and the sincerity that I saw the people expressing.

I learned that the synagogue is also known as House of Assembly, 'Beit ha Knesset' or House of Study, 'Beit ha Midrash'. This Synagogue is used as a house of prayer, study, and a community center. However, this is unlike a normal Christian Church, which only studies the New Testament, their most important book is the Hebrew Bible, the “Old Testament”, especially its first five books, called the Torah. The people of Rishon were very warm, welcoming, and a caring congregation. The worship service was conducted from the Torah, which is actually the Bible.The only difference is they read the lessons in Hebrew.

We sang songs in Hebrew and then after the Priest read out of the Torah we broke bread and had grape juice. I later learned that they are part of the Reform Jewish community. The different sects or denominations of Judaism are generally referred to as movements. The differences between Jewish movements today are not so much a matter of theology, but more a matter of how literally they take the scriptures, how much they think biblical requirements can be changed, and whether those requirements should be followed.Although all Jewish movements agree on general principles, I found out that there are three main Jewish movements; Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox. And I was able to observe a Reformed Jewish worship.

The reform movement began in eighteen-century Europe and flourished in the United States. It’s the more relaxed laid back out of the movements. They seek to be modern without ceasing to be Jews. Orthodox Jews, by contrast, define themselves as defenders of the Torah and tradition. They attempt to observe all the Jewish laws and regulations.The beliefs and practices of conservative Jews mark a middle path between reform and orthodox Judaism.

Like reform Jews, conservative Jews are quite open to advances in modern thought, and changes. But they are closer to orthodox Jews when it comes to worship and law, respecting not only the ethical but also the ritual commandments. No matter which kind of Judaism someone practices, in order to be considered Jewish they must practice Jewish traditions, observe Jewish law, and believe in God. After the worship in the synagogue ended we all got up and enjoyed some fellowship.I noticed afterwards when I asked about the different Jewish movements the way they talked about the different groups, I could tell there was some heat against their fellow Jewish believers.

And that the more traditional movements do not always acknowledge the conversions by the more liberal movements. “Jews have split into various branches. All these branches tell the Jewish story. All respect the Torah (Jewish bible) so while Christian denominations distinguish themselves largely on the basis of faith and belief, these branches differ more on ritual and ethics” p. 267 Given the diversity, it shouldn’t be surprising that Judaism isn’t easy to pin down.

They are many Jewish opinions and groups. Jewish law can sometimes seem irrational and the way some Jews follow the law can seem obsessive and hypocritical. They have great respect for the law. Followers work to preserve the traditional and historical practices of their faith. Some Conservative Jews hold a strong biblical understanding of God, yet others lean more towards their Reform brethren.

To me Judaism isn’t really a missionary religion.They are content with what they have and are not out seeking to reach others and try to make them converts for the most part Jews have survived through inheritance, not evangelism. They are very proud of the heritage and very devoted. Christianity broke from Judaism, forming a new religion, so even though the two religions seem similar however they are different. Judaism focuses on relationships between God and mankind, between God and the Jewish people, between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, and between human beings.

Jews do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah.Assuming that he existed, and assuming that the Christian scriptures are accurate in describing Him, but He simply did not fulfill the mission of the Messiah. They believe that Jesus did not do any of the things that the scriptures said the messiah would do. Judaism rejects the notion that Jesus Judaism rejects the notion that Jesus or any human could be God, that God could be divisible in any way, or that God could be joined to the material world in such fashion. Christianity and Judaism both believe in one God who is almighty, omniscient, all-pervading, undying, and immeasurable.Christianity and Judaism share the Old Testament, although Christianity includes the New Testament as well.

Both Christianity and Judaism believe in the concept of Heaven and Hell. Heaven in both religions is the place of the righteous, and Hell - the place for the sinful. The main difference, however, is the perception of Jesus Christ. Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is a Messiah and a Savior. Judaism, in its turn, often recognizes Jesus as a great teacher, philosopher, and, possibly, a prophet.

Still Jesus in Judaism is not a Messiah.However, what is universally accepted is that Jesus, himself and the members of the earliest Christian communities were all Jews. Jesus’ family was the Jewish observant family and frequently quoted the Hebrew Bible. Judaism is not just a set of beliefs about God, man and the universe. Judaism is a comprehensive way of life, filled with rules and practices that affect every aspect of life. Another difference between the religions is the attitude towards faith and good deeds.

Judaism puts good deeds higher as a complete reflection of faith. Christianity does not consider good deeds be sufficient if a person does not have faith inside.In terms of morale, Jews believe that a person is born neutral and only then shapes his moral values. Christianity states that a person inherits the moral values.

If you look back into history everybody it seems at one point and time has tried to abolish the Judaism religion, but they still prevail. It is the strong morals and beliefs installed in them at an early age that makes them successful. Everything they have been through, but yet they don't hold a grudge. They keep moving forward. “Judaism has survived throughout history by being flexible and by admitting foreign influences into its practice.

Its success in the 21st century depends on its ability to continue doing this in response to the pressures of modernity. Judaism has endured the challenges imposed upon it, by its ability to preserve deep-rooted traditions of the past. It is through maintaining customs from preceding times that defines the foundations of modern day Jewish practice, be it through observance, prayer or habit. ” In closing, I think everybody can look at the Jewish Culture and learn. I personally have learned a lot and can now appreciate more the good that is to be found in the Jewish culture.