What is the core beliefs of the Orthodox Jew?

Answer 1

That being shomer mitzvot (a guardian or keeper of the commandments) is the most important thing, and that Orthodox Rabbis are the source of authority about how to do this.

Answer 2

Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, The Lord is One (Deuteronomy 6:4). And they should follow in the ancient traditions of Judaism exactly.

Answer:

The need to obey God.

The central belief and tradition of Judaism is the existence of One ethical God. This world is a purposeful creation by God, in which all people are tested concerning their use of free-will. We possess a soul which lives on after the body dies and is held responsible for the person's actions. Anyone who is worthy, Jewish or not, can merit reward in the afterlife. Here is a list of the most basic beliefs of Judaism, as collated by Maimonides:

• 1. God exists, and is the Creator.
  

This tells us that the world is not purposeless or chaotic. Life is the result of a deliberate, purposeful, intelligent and kind Creator; not a melancholy chaos or a string of fortuitous accidents.

• 2. God is One and unique.
  

This is the basis of all Western monotheistic belief, which was given to the world by Abraham and his descendants. This belief places God at the center of reality and of our world-outlook and thoughts.

• 3. God is not physical.
  

This includes the corollary that no person should be worshiped as God or as a god. Judaism has no god-kings, no demigods, no angel who flouts God's will, and no sports-idols, movie-idols etc.

• 4. God is eternal.
  

This includes the belief that God's ways are also eternal. God is not capricious, forgetful or fickle. Investing in a relationship with God is the only thing that will bear eternal benefits.

• 5. Prayer is to be directed only to God.
  

This also teaches us that no person, government or institution is to be accorded blind trust. We pray directly to God, three times a day; and we recount our shortcomings, ask for our needs, and acknowledge our successes with happy thanks.

• 6. The words of the prophets are true.
  

The prophecies of the Hebrew Bible have been coming true throughout history. Even secular archaeologists (the unbiased ones) have stated that the Hebrew Bible is the most accurate of historical records, as the disdainful theories of Wellhausen and Bible-critics of his ilk have been shattered by the archaeologist's spade. A list of Bible verses which were deemed anachronistic but later shown to be perfectly accurate would run into the many hundreds.

• 7. The prophecies of Moses are true; and he was the greatest prophet.
  
• 8. The Torah was given to Moses by God.
  

These two beliefs are the basis of our attitude towards the Torah: it is the center of our lives. Jews are keeping mitzvot (commands), saying blessings, praying, learning Torah and doing acts of kindness and charity all the time. The Torah is the single greatest thing that a Jew has; given to us to provide knowledge, guidance, inspiration, awe and reverence, advice, law, comfort, history and more. It is the basis of Judaism.

• 9. There will be no other Torah.
  

We Jews have been around for 3800 years. New fads, manifestos, beliefs or lifestyles which rear their heads are met by the Jew with a calm, seasoned eye and the proverbial grain of salt. The Torah doesn't change; and every new thing can be measured against the Torah's standards.

• 10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of all.
  
• 11. God rewards the good and punishes the wicked.
  

These two beliefs provide a vast incentive towards righteousness and, when needed, repentance.
They also form part of the basis of our belief in the afterlife, since this entire world wouldn't be enough to reward a Moses or punish a Hitler.
God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4); and all outstanding accounts are settled after this life.

• 12. The Messiah will come.
  
• 13. The dead will be resurrected.
  

Judaism is the only ancient religion which taught optimism; and a large part of that optimism was and is based upon the words of the prophets.

Answer:

God is One.

Answer:

The core belief of Orthodox Jews is the Torah, with all of its laws and beliefs.

Answer 3

That God created the world and that Jews are his loyal people that are required to love him, and love the Torah, and abide by the laws given to them. When Jews don't do as required, God gets upset with them and may punish them if need be to teach them and keep them on their toes. However, at the end of the day, Jews' actions mean a great deal to God as does all peoples as they relate to Jews and God as well. Orthodox Jews believe that Israel, as written in the Torah is promised to them by God, and that will reach Messianic times. The Jews living in Israel is a sign of this, after 2000 years of living in exile that was never wanted.

Answer 4

Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah must be fully observed (Deuteronomy 13:5). They keep the laws of Judaism as codified in the Shulchan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law), which lists the laws of the Torah and Talmud. Torah-study is seen as very important (Deuteronomy 5:1); and the modern world is seen as subservient to the Torah (Talmud, Nedarim 32a), not the other way around.
Other Jewish groups (Conservative, Reform) adapt, curtail or change the Torah-laws in contemporary life, to a greater or lesser degree.See also:

Types of Jews

Modern challenges for observant Jews

Answer 5

The central belief and tradition of Judaism is the existence of One ethical God.

This world is a purposeful creation by God, in which all people are tested concerning their use of free-will. We possess a soul which lives on after the body dies and is held responsible for the person's actions. Anyone who is worthy, Jewish or not, can merit reward in the afterlife.

• Link: Judaism and philosophy
  

Here is a list of the most basic beliefs of Judaism, as collated by Maimonides:
1. God exists, and is the Creator.

• Link: The Creation

2. God is One and unique.

• Link: Can you show that God exists

3. God is not physical.

• Link: What do Jews believe God is like?

4. God is eternal.
5. Prayer is to be directed only to God.
6. The words of the prophets are true.
The prophecies of the Hebrew Bible have been coming true throughout history. Even secular archaeologists (the unbiased ones) have stated that the Hebrew Bible is the most accurate of historical records, as the disdainful theories of Wellhausen and Bible-critics of his ilk have been shattered by the archaeologist's spade. A list of Bible verses which were deemed anachronistic but later shown to be perfectly accurate would run into the many hundreds.

• Link: Refuting theories of Bible-critics

7. The prophecies of Moses are true; and he was the greatest prophet.

• Link: About the Hebrew Prophets

8. The Torah was given to Moses by God.
9. There will be no other Torah.
10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of all.
11. God rewards the good and punishes the wicked.
12. The Messiah will come.
13. The dead will be resurrected.

• Link: The afterlife in Judaism