Judaism Brief Overview

Origins God established covenant with Abraham –Divine promise to Abraham that his descendants would enjoy God’s blessing –In turn, they were obligated to obey the divine word Hebrews embraced Judaism –Monotheism –Ethical behavior

Torah = 1 st 5 books of the Hebrew Bible received by Moses –Core sacred text of Judaism from about 3,500 years ago –Essence of a way of life: devotion to God, life- long learning, reason, wisdom, ethical conduct –Talmud – 60 books of rabbis’ thinking & decisions between 300 and (year) = Rome conquered Middle East –Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed –Ancient Jewish state of Israel became a province of the Roman Empire Jewish Diaspora = dispersion of Jewish communities throughout W. & E. Europe, N. Africa, & E. Mediterranean

Some Core Beliefs Flexibility in belief = no hierarchical religious authority codifies & enforces religious precepts Rabbi interpretations of sacred texts Ethical practice & moral action = more important than conformity to abstract theological or ritual rules People are created in God’s image & are uniquely capable of performing good deeds: mitzvah (righteous acts)

Some Core Beliefs God’s creation is an unending process, always unfolding in the virtuous actions of people Land of Israel = God commanded Abraham to settle in Israel –Returning to the Promised Land = coming of the messiah, ending 2000 yrs. of exile –1948 = modern state of Israel –Longing for the homeland expressed in prayers

Some Core Beliefs “chosen people” = covenant placed responsibilities on Jewish people to demonstrate by their own actions the universal truth of God’s commandments –Jews were to guide others in living morally & ethically –NOT an ethnocentric sense of superiority or entitlement Human nature = people are self- determining: can choose to act righteously or sinfully

Some Core Beliefs Judaism Focuses on this world –Heaven & hell vaguely mentioned in Jewish writings: not distinct places where divinity dispenses rewards & punishments for behavior on earth –Heaven & hell are experienced in this life as rewards & punishments for human actions

Different traditions of Judaism Orthodox Judaism = Torah was literally bestowed by God on Moses & the Jewish people & is therefore sacred and beyond challenge Ultra-orthodox Hasidic Judaism = 1700’s in Poland, mystical Judaism that finds divine presence in all places; rabbis are charismatic leaders with special powers to perform miracles (Jews lived in segregated ghettos)

Reform Judaism –1800s in Germany – Western Europe began to tolerate Jews: granted citizenship & civil rights –Process of social & political liberalization extended to Judaism –Emphasized aspects consistent with rationality & modern thought –Rejected ancient rules & beliefs: dietary laws (kosher); use of spoken languages in place of Hebrew; seating segregation by gender

Conservative Judaism –Distinctly US American branch –Some adaptation of Jewish law to contemporary life –Not as far as Reform Jews in updating ancient tradition –Ex. Ordination of Conservative women rabbis is still controversial Reconstructionism –Small offshoot of Conservative –Emphasizes Jewish peoplehood, common culture –Like Reform, willing to question the most fundamental tenets of the faith, such as the nature of God & role of sacred texts in modern life