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Archaeology has shown that no ancient society ever existed that did not believe in the supernatural.
According to Jewish tradition (Rashi commentary, Genesis 4:26), monotheism is more ancient than polytheism.
Idolatry and immorality came before Judaism but after the original brief monotheism, as the spiritual level of the ancient nations descended and they succumbed to their desires (Talmud, Sanhedrin 63). Even then, the subsequent idolatry retained traces of the original belief.
Abraham (who founded Judaism) came at a time when the (relatively) new idolatry had completely supplanted peoples' awareness of One God. Being surrounded by idolaters, he discovered the truth through his own efforts; but in effect he was actually reinstating the original belief.
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∙ 7y ago
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∙ 9y agoOne thing that researchers agree upon is that mankind has always believed in a Higher Power. Archaeology has shown that no ancient society ever existed that did not believe in the supernatural.Link: Can you show me that God exists?
According to Jewish tradition (Rashi commentary, Genesis 4:26), monotheism is more ancient than polytheism. Maimonides describes the process by which polytheism began: "A couple of centuries after the Creation, mankind made a great mistake. They said that since God had created the stars and spheres and placed them on high, accordingly it is fitting for people to praise and glorify them and to treat them with honor. They perceived this to be the will of God, that people should exalt and honor the stars. They began to praise and glorify them with words, and prostrate themselves before them, because by doing so, they would (according to their false conception) be indirectly honoring God too."
Link: The full quote from Maimonides
In secular scholarship as well, and based upon a massive worldwide study of the most ancient inscriptions and the earliest levels of civilization, Dr. Wilhelm Schmidt (in his twelve-volume Der Ursprung Der Gottesidee) concluded that the original belief was monotheistic (see footnote 1, below). It was a simple belief in the Creator (Dyeus Pater; Sky-Father) with no imagery of any kind. It gave way relatively quickly to polytheism and idolatry, but its traces could still be seen by the careful researcher, just as (for example) Proto-Indo European has left indelible marks within the later languages. Other traditions also are traceable worldwide, such as the religious significance of the number seven, and the immortality of the soul.
Idolatry and immorality came before Judaism but after the original brief monotheism, as the spiritual level of the ancient nations descended and they succumbed to their desires (Talmud, Sanhedrin 63). Even then, the subsequent idolatry retained traces of the original belief.
Abraham (who founded Judaism) came at a time when idolatry had completely supplanted peoples' awareness of One God. Being surrounded by idolaters, he discovered the truth through his own efforts; but in effect he was actually reinstating the original belief. His efforts were corroborated later, when the Torah was given at Sinai. See also the other Related Link.Link: Abraham's monotheism
This explains why Adam, and a few others, were considered something akin to Torah-sages. Though they came before Judaism, they had the original beliefs and practices which were later revived in the Torah-tradition.
Footnote:
1) Albright, "From the Stone Age," p.170; and J.A. Wilson, "The Culture of ancient Egypt," p.129. Also Baron, "A Social and Religious History," vol. I, p.44 and 311. Also James Meek, "Hebrew Origins," p.188, quoting Langdon, Lagrange and John Ross. Also Martin Nilsson, Handbuch der Altertumswissenschaften, 2nd ed., p.61, 141, 220 and 394.
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Who is the founder of judaism after jesus?
Judaism's foundations come before Jesus and have nothing to do with Jesus. It is a common Christian and Muslim preconception that Judaism is fundamentally defined by the rejection of Jesus, but it is not. Judaism has a track-record of many false claimed Messiahs (they usually crop up every 100-150 years). All of them were believed by some, but then disproved in the community. The original founders of Judaism according to Jewish belief are Abraham (who was the ancestor of the Jewish people) and Moses (who revealed God's law to the community). Historians see Judaism developing during the Israelite Kingdoms and crystallizing during the Babylonian Captivity, nearly 550 years before Jesus.
What was the Jewish religious thinking before Jesus arrived?
The Jewish thinking before Jesus is the same as Jewish thinking today. Jesus didn't change Judaism, and therefore he doesn't have a role in Judaism.
In Judaism can you get your tallit before you have your bar mitzvah?
In Jewish tradition, a boy does not wear a tallit intil he becomes a bar mitzvah (turns 13) as wearing a tallit is an adult obligation.
How does one become wholly Jewish?
A Jew is someone born to a Jewish mother or who has converted to Judaism; Jewish tradition does not recognize "half Jewish" or "partly Jewish" as a status. You either are or you are not. A Jew who abandons Judaism and adopts another religion is an apostate. It is important to understand, though, that to be Jewish is to be accepted as a Jew by the Jewish community. It is not just between you and God. So, conversion to Judaism involves coming learning enough to come before a rabbinical court and be accepted as a Jew. There are also ritual requirements such as circumcision and dunking in a mikvah. For an apostate to return to Judaism, mere private renunciation of the other religion is not enough, it is also necessary to patch up differences with the Jewish community.
Who was the patriach of Judaism?
The patriarchs of Judaism ... those who, according to the narratives of their lives in the Torah, are considered to have lived their lives according to the Jewish culture even before it was codified, taught it to their children, and exemplified it to their neighbors ... are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In Hebrew, they are referred to simply as "The Fathers".
Is Zach Braff of the television series 'Srubs' Jewish?
Zach Braff's father is Jewish and Zach Braff's mother converted to Judaism before marrying his father. Zach Braff was raised in Conservative Judaism. It is hard to say how practising he is today.
Did Jewish synagogues first come into existence before the babylonian exile?
Yes. According to our tradition, there were synagogues in the time of the Prophets (First-Temple era) as well as later.
In the book of exodus who is the son of amminadab?
Nachshon was the son of Amminadav. According to the Jewish tradition, he was the first to enter the see before it was split by Moses, and the rest of the people followed him.
Are converted women's children Jewish?
Yes, if the woman converts to Judaism before they're born.
What is the Jewish tradition called when the groom lowers the brides veil before the ceremony and raises it before the kiss?
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What if your mother is Jewish and converted to Catholicism?
If you were born before she converted, you are Jewish. If you were born after she converted, you're technically a Jew but the conservative and orthodox movements might require you to go through a process to confirm that you are going to live as a Jew - similar to converts to other religions who wish to return to Judaism.
Was Jesus the founder of Judaism?
No. Judaism's foundations come before Jesus and have nothing to do with Jesus. It is a common Christian and Muslim preconception that Judaism is fundamentally defined by the rejection of Jesus, but it is not. Judaism has a track-record of many false claimed Messiahs (they usually crop up every 100-150 years). All of them were believed by some, but then disproved in the community. The original founders of Judaism according to Jewish belief are Abraham (who was the ancestor of the Jewish people) and Moses (who revealed God's law to the community). Historians see Judaism developing during the Israelite Kingdoms and crystallizing during the Babylonian Captivity, nearly 550 years before Jesus.
