The term "G-d" is used in this essay to respect the Jewish prohibition
against spelling the name or title of the deity in full. Dates listed which are prior to
the 4th century BCE are approximate.
Early History of Judaism, according to the Hebrew Scriptures:
Circa 2000 BCE, the G-d of the ancient Israelites established a divine covenant with
Abraham, making him the patriarch of many nations. The term Abrahamic
Religions is derived from his name. These are the three or four major religions which trace their roots back to
Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i Faith. The Baha'i
faith is often not included among the Abramic religions. Also, smaller
non-Jewish groups such as Falashas, Karaits, Mandaeanism, Rastafarians,
Samaritans, etc. trace their spiritual roots back to Abraham.
The book of Genesis
describes the events surrounding the lives of the three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob. (Joseph, who is recognized as a fourth patriarch by Christians is not
considered one by Jews). Moses was the next major leader of the ancient Israelites. He led his
people out of captivity in Egypt, and received the Mosaic Law from G-d. After decades of
wandering through wilderness, Joshua led the tribes into the promised land, driving out
the Canaanites through a series of military battles.
The original tribal organization was converted into a kingdom by Samuel; its first king
was Saul. The second king, David, established Jerusalem as the religious and political
center. The third king, Solomon built the first temple there.
Division into the Northern kingdom of Israel and the Southern kingdom of Judah occurred
shortly after the death of Solomon in 922 BCE. Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BCE; Judah
fell to the Babylonians in 587 BCE. The temple was destroyed. Some Jews returned from
captivity under the Babylonians and started to restore the temple in 536 BCE.
(Orthodox Jews date the Babylonian exile from 422 to 352 BCE). Alexander
the Great invaded the area in 332 BCE. From circa 300 to 63 BCE, Greek became the language
of commerce, and Greek culture had a major influence on Judaism. In 63 BCE, the Roman
Empire took control of Judea and Israel.
Jewish developments during the 1st century CE:
About 24 religious sects had formed by the 1st century
CE of which the largest were the Basusim, Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees
and Zealots. Many anticipated the arrival of the Messiah, a
religious-political-military leader who
was expected to drive out the Roman invaders and restore independence.
Christianity was established
initially as a Jewish sect, centered in Jerusalem. The group followed the
teachings of Yeshua of Nazareth, who is now commonly referred to as Jesus
Christ. The group was led by James, one of Jesus' four brothers. They are
generally referred to as Jewish Christians. Paul broke with this tradition,
created an alternative belief system of Pauline Christianity and
spread the religion to the Gentiles (non-Jews) in much of the Roman Empire. A
third religion, Gnosticism, emerged in a number of forms, such as Christian and
Jewish Gnosticism.
Many mini-revolts led to the destruction
of Jerusalem and its temple in 70 CE. The Jewish Christians were wiped out or scattered at
this time. The movement started by Paul flourished and quickly evolved into the religion
of Christianity. Jews were scattered throughout the known world. Their religion was no
longer centered in Jerusalem; Jews were prohibited from setting foot there. Judaism became
decentralized and stopped seeking converts. The local synagogue became the new center of
Jewish life. Animal sacrifice was abandoned. Authority shifted from the centralized priesthood to local scholars and
teachers, giving rise to Rabbinic Judaism.
The period from the destruction of the temple onward give rise to heavy persecution by Christians throughout Europe and Russia. Many
groundless stories were spread, accusing Jews of ritual murder,
the desecration of the Catholic host and continuing responsibility for the execution of Jesus . Unsubstantiated rumors continue to be
circulated today. In the 1930s and 1940s, Adolph Hitler and the German Nazi party drew on
centuries of Christian-based anti-Semitism, and upon their own psychotic beliefs in racial purity. They
organized the Holocaust, the attempted extermination of all Jews in Europe. About 6
million were killed in one of the world's greatest examples of religious and racial
intolerance.
The Zionist movement was a response within all Jewish traditions to centuries of
Christian persecution. Their initial goal was create a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The
state of Israel was formed on 1948-MAY-18.
There are currently about 18 million Jews throughout the world. They are mainly
concentrated in North America (about 7 million) and Israel (about 4.5 million).
Jewish Texts
The Tanakh corresponds to the Jewish Scriptures, (often referred to as the Old
Testament by Christians). It is composed of three groups of books:
the Torah (aka Pentateuch): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
the Nevi'im: Joshua, Judges, Samuel (2), Kings (2), Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, and MalachiIsaiah.
the Ketuvim, the "Writings" including Psalms,
Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Ruth, Esther,
Lamentations, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles (2).
The Talmud contains stories, laws, medical knowledge, debates about moral
choices, etc. It is composed of material which comes mainly from two sources:
the Mishnah's, 6 "orders" containing hundreds of chapters, including
series of laws from the Hebrew Scriptures. It was compiled about 200 CE.
the Gemara (one Babylonian and one Palestinian) is encyclopedic in scope. It
includes comments from hundreds of Rabbis from 200 - 500 CE, explaining the Mishnah with
additional historical, religious, legal, sociological, etc. material. It often records
many different opinions on a topic without giving a definitive answer.
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Basic Jewish Beliefs:
There is a story in wide circulation about a question asked of Rabbi
Hillel -- a notable rabbi from the 1st century BCE. A
non-Jew asked the rabbi to teach him everything about the Torah while
standing on one foot. Rabbi Hillel responded: "What is hateful to you,
don't do unto your neighbor. The rest is commentary. Now, go and study."
Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, (a.k.a. Maimonides) is generally accepted as one
of the most important Jewish scholars from Medieval times. He wrote a list
of thirteen principles of faith. This list has been generally accepted by
Jews for centuries as a brief summary of the Jewish faith. However, the
liberal wings of Judaism dispute some of the 13 today.
G-d exists.
G-d is one and unique.
G-d is incorporeal.
G-d is eternal.
Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other.
The words of the prophets are true.
Moses was the greatest of the prophets, and his prophecies are true.
The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah
(teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to
Moses.
There will be no other Torah.
G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men.
G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked.
The Messiah will come.
The dead will be resurrected. 9
Additional Jewish beliefs:
Some additional beliefs found commonly among Jews are:
Some Jews view Jesus as a great moral teacher.
Others see him as a false prophet or as an idol of Christianity. Some
sects of Judaism will not even say his name due to the prohibition
against saying an idol's name.
The Jews are often referred to as G-d's chosen people. This does not mean
that they are in any way to be considered superior to other groups. Biblical
verses such as Exodus 19:5 simply imply that G-d has selected Israel to
receive and study the Torah, to worship G-d only, to rest on the weekly Sabbath,
and to celebrate the festivals. Jews were not chosen to be better that
others; they were simply selected to receive more difficult
responsibilities, and more onerous punishment if they fail.
The 613 commandments found in Leviticus and other books regulate all aspects of Jewish
life
The Ten commandments, as delineated in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, form a
brief synopsis of the Law
The Messiah (the anointed one of G-d) will arrive in the future and gather Jews once more
into the land of Israel. There will be a general resurrection of the dead at that time.
The Jerusalem Temple, destroyed in 70 CE, will be rebuilt.
Boys reach the status of Bar Mitzvah on their 13th birthday; girls reach
Bat
Mitzvah on their 12th birthday. This means that they are recognized as adults and are
personally responsible to follow the Jewish commandments and laws. Males are allowed to
lead a religious service; they are counted in a "minyan" (a quota of men
necessary to perform certain parts of religious services). Following their
Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah they can sign contracts; they
can testify in religious courts; theoretically, they can marry, although the Talmud
recommends 18 to 24 as the proper age for marriage.
The more liberal movements within Judaism differ from some of the above beliefs
concerning the source of the Torah, the concept of direct reward and punishment according
to one's behavior, etc.
Judaism and Christianity compared:
Although Christians base much of their faith on the same Hebrew Scriptures as Jews,
there are major differences in belief:
Jews are strict monotheists: they view G-d as a single, indivisible
entity. Most Christians view God as a Trinity: a single entity with three
personalities -- the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jews generally consider actions and behavior to be of primary
importance; beliefs come out of actions. This conflicts with
conservative Christians for whom belief is of primary importance and
actions tend to be derivative from beliefs.
Jewish belief does not accept the Christian concept of original sin (the belief that all
people have inherited Adam and Eve's sin when they disobeyed G-d's instructions in the
Garden of Eden).
Judaism affirms the inherent goodness of the world and its people as creations of G-d.
Jewish believers are able to sanctify their lives and draw closer to G-d by performing
fulfilling mitzvot (divine commandments).
Jews do not recognize the need for a savior as an intermediary with G-d.
Jewish Practices
They include:
Observation of the weekly Sabbath as a day of rest, starting at sundown on Friday evening.
Strict discipline, according to the Law, which governs all areas of life
Passover, or Pesach is held each Spring to recall the Jews'
deliverance out of slavery in Egypt circa 1300 BCE. A ritual Seder meal is eaten
in each observant Jewish home at this time. Six different foods are placed on the seder
plate in the order in which they area eaten:
Karpas (vegetables dipped in salt water) recalls the bitter tears shed during slavery
Maror (bitter herbs) to symbolize the bitterness of slavery.
Chazeret (bitter vegetables) also to symbolize the bitterness of slavery.
Choroset (apple, nuts & spices with wine) represents the mortar used by Hebrew
slaves.
Also placed on the seder plate, but uneaten during the Seder
meal:
Zeroa (lamb shankbone) to recall the Passover sacrifice in the ancient temple.
Beitzah (roasted egg) symbolizes mourning, sacrifice, spring, and renewal.
Not placed on the Seder plate, but often eaten, is a boiled
egg.
After women were first allowed to become Rabbim, some Jews
commented: "A woman belongs as a Rabbi like an orange belongs on
a seder plate." As such, many Reform Jews now include an orange
with their Seder Plate to commemorate female Rabbim.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and is the anniversary of
the completion of creation, about
5760 years ago. It is held in the fall.
The 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, are days of
penitence. Yom Kippur is a day of fasting until sundown.
Sukkoth or the Feast of Booths is an 8 day harvest festival; a
time of thanksgiving.
Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights is an 8 day feast of dedication.
It recalls the war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of religious freedom.
It also commemorates a miracle in the Temple, when one-day's worth
of oil lasted eight days. It is
typically observed in December. Originally a minor Jewish holy day, it has become more
important in recent years.
Purim, the Feast of Lots recalls the defeat by Queen Esther of the plan to
slaughter all of the Persian Jews, circa 400 BCE.
Shavout, the Feast of Weeks recalls G-d's revelation of the Torah to the
Jewish people. It is held in late May or early June.
The local synagogue is governed by the congregation and is normally led by a rabbi who
has been chosen by the congregation. A rabbi is a teacher who has been well educated in
Jewish law and tradition.
Any adult male with sufficient knowledge can lead religious services.
In reform and some conservative congregations, a woman can also
preside. This is often done
in those Jewish communities who lack a rabbi.
The Chief Rabbis in France and Great Britain have authority only by the agreement of
those who accept it. Two Chief Rabbis in Israel have civil authority in areas of family
law.
There are five main forms of Judaism in the world today. However, the most
conservative traditions do not necessarily recognize the most liberal as being
part of Judaism. This is a common problem among many of the world's great
religions.
In alphabetic order, the main traditions active in North America are:
Conservative* Judaism: This began in the mid-nineteenth century as a
reaction against the Reform movement. It is a main-line movement midway between Reform and
Orthodox.
Humanistic Judaism: This is a very small group, mainly composed of
atheists and agnostics, who regard mankind as the measure of all things.
Orthodox* Judaism: This the oldest, most conservative, and most diverse
form of Judaism. Modern Orthodox, Chasidim and Ultra Orthodox share a basic belief in the
derivation of Jewish law, even as they hold very different outlooks on life. They attempt
to follow the original form of Judaism as they view it to be. They look upon every word in
their sacred texts as being divinely inspired.
Reconstructionist Judaism: This is a new, small, liberal movement
started by Mordecai Kaplan as an attempt to unify and revitalize the religion. They reject
the concept that Jews are a uniquely favored and chosen people. They have no connection at
all with Christian Reconstructionism, which is an
ultra-conservative form of Christianity.
Reform* Judaism: They are a liberal group, followed by many North
American Jews. The movement started in the 1790's in Germany. They follow the ethical laws
of Judaism, but leave up to the individual the decision whether to follow or ignore the
dietary and other traditional laws. They use modern forms of worship. There
are many female rabbis in reform congregations.
* These are the largest forms of Judaism.
A survey conducted in 2001 for the 2002 edition of the American Jewish
Year Book indicated that fewer that 10% of American Jews are estimated to be
Orthodox. However, Orthodox synagogues represent 40% of all U.S. synagogues.
Reform Judaism has 26 percent of all synagogues; Conservatives have 23 percent.
"Every other denomination or group representing synagogues –-
Reconstructionist, Sephardi, Traditional, Humanistic, Gay/Lesbian –- accounts
for 3 percent or less of synagogue affiliations..." 8 The
total number of U.S. synagogues has increased from 2,851 in 1936 to 3,727 in
2001.
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Jewish-Christian Relations:
The faith of Israel, as described in the Hebrew Scriptures, had divided into a number
of Jewish Sects (the Basusim, Pharisees, Essenes, Saducees, Zealots and others) by the
early first century CE. Subsequently, a number of events of momentous importance occurred:
30 CE: Some Jews, following the teachings of Jeshua of
Nazareth (known by
Christians as Jesus Christ), formed a Jewish Christian reform movement within Judaism.
It was led by James, an apostle of Jeshua of Nazareth who is referred to in the
Bible as the brother of Jesus. Christian denominations are divided on whether he
is a true brother, or just a cousin, or a step-brother, or simply a friend of Jesus.
circa 55 CE: Paul, a Jewish persecutor of Christians,
created an alternative religion involving the teachings and person of
Yeshua. He started to organize Pauline Christian churches throughout much of the
Roman empire in conflict with the Jewish Christians.
70 CE: The Roman army destroyed the Temple and the rest of Jerusalem.
The Jewish Christian movement was scattered and went into gradual decline.
132 CE: Many Jews accepted Bar Kochba as the Messiah.
This led to a hopeless three-year revolt against the Roman Empire. About a
half-million Jews were killed; thousands were sold into slavery or taken
into captivity. The rest were exiled from Palestine and scattered
throughout the known world."
Out of these events came two major world religions:
Judaism in its Rabbinical form, centered in local synagogues, scattered throughout the
known world, and
Christianity, the spiritual successor of Pauline Christianity which
incorporated fragments of Gnostic Christianity and Jewish Christianity. In
1054 CE, this religion split to become Roman Catholicism
and Eastern Orthodoxy. Christianity has since
fragmented into thousands of faith groups.
Relations between the two religions became strained. The Christian Scriptures include
many examples of anti-Judaism. One of the gospels, written during the last third of the 1st
century CE, included the accusation that all Jews, (past, present, and future), are responsible for deicide: the killing of G-d. This form of
religious propaganda was serious enough in its original setting, when Christianity
remained a small reform movement within Judaism. There are many examples of
intra-religious friction throughout literature of that era; indeed, it is prevalent today.
But when the Christian religion became the official religion of Rome in the late 4th
century CE, Christianity became sufficiently powerful to actively oppress
and persecute Jews. This led to numerous exterminations of groups of Jews during the
Dark Ages, Middle Ages, Renaissance and into the modern era. Ancient Christian teachings
and practices paved the way for the Nazi holocaust during World War II.
Today, only a few fringe Christian groups still teach that Jews are responsible for
Christ's death. However, many Christian denominations teach that the promises that G-d made to the
Jewish people have been withdrawn and transferred to the Christian Church. This teaching
has led to conflicts over attempts to evangelize Jews. Although
anti-Semitism has been abandoned by most faith groups in North America, the relationship between
Christians and Jews has much room for improvement.
References used:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above
essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
Robert Kaiser, Frequently Asked Questions about Judaism at: http://communities.msn.com/judaismfaqs
Topics covered are: Jewish principles of faith, The Jewish denominations,
and revelation and Torah
Zipple.net bill themselves as "The Jewish MEGA-Site"
with considerable justification. It is a wide-ranging Jewish web site with a broad list of
topics. See: http://www.zipple.net/
Click on Judaism is a project of the Reform Movement Commission
on Synagogue Affiliation. It invites Jews in their 20s and 30s to
explore liberal Judaism. See http://www.clickonjudaism.com/
This is the popular, short version of the Thirteen Principles. The
original, more complete, version appears in the book: Rambam's Commentary on
the Mishnah.
