What is the Jewish religion like?

Answer 1

An answer from the WikiAnswers community:

The Jewish religion is similar to the Christian religion in many aspects. These include the beleif in one almighty ruler of the universe, the notion that all men are created equally (though in different ways) and that kindness among people of the world is perhaps the most important aspect of living. Although there are many differences, the overall moral code is similar for both religions.

Jewish people do not believe in the Christian notion that Jesus was the holy son of God, or (depending on the branch of Christianity) that Jesus was God incarnated on Earth. That does not mean that the Jewish people nessicarily believe that Jesus' teachings of kindness were misguiding, but they do believe that the concept of Jesus posing as one with a seat at the right hand of the Father was inexcusable and for this reason they exclude him from religious study.

Of course, many people would agree that the Old Testament God was somewhat of a tyranical overload and that with the exclusion of the New Testament Jews accept their God as such. However, this is not nessicarily true. Ultimately its a matter of opinion. Some may look past the Old Testament God's actions against humans and see the greater good in what he was doing- preserving the goodness of existence.

Ultimately all religion is a matter of opinion. There are many different aspects that separate Christians from Jews, but Jews do generally believe the following key points:

1.There is a God- He created the Universe, as well as man. He Judges man and seperates the Righteous from the Fallen by uplifting them to either Heaven, or by damning them to hell.

2.To be considered Righteous you must...

-Beleive in the one almighty Father and respect his word.

-Remain kind to all despite the sinful nature of things.

3.Jesus was a preacher, but not a prophet- In no way was he the son of God and he most certainly was not an incarnation of him.

4.God's word is absolute- You should obey his word without second thought and initiate the plan he has set for you.

Jewish answer:

The above answer is mistaken. Judaism as it is actually lived is very different from Christianity.

Answer 2

The Jewish religion is still around.

In ancient times, it was a location-based religion that included animal sacrifices to God. After the year 70, it shifted to a religion that focused on prayer and study.

Today, there are many different views and practices within Judaism, but all of them still focus on principles of social justice (צדקה) and Tikkun Olam (תיקון עולם) which basically means making the world a better place.

The most traditional branch is the Orthodox branch, but even they do not practice Judaism the way it was 2000 years ago.

Answer 3

During the Holocaust, one-third of the Jews on the planet were wiped out. In Germany, Jews were rounded up at gunpoint and packed into trains, then taken to the concentration camps. For some Jews, watching their loved ones being slaughtered and tortured tested their faith to breaking point. Others found solace in their religion. So it's not an easy question to address.

In terms of what happened to Judaism as a whole: it was devastated. Six million Jews were exterminated and after the camps were liberated, those Jews who had managed to survive were left traumatised and wandering from place to place trying desperately to locate any relatives or friends who may possibly have survived the Holocaust.

Before the Holocaust, German Jews had been extremely assimilated and they loved Germany, because throughout Europe it was seen as a highly 'cultured' and intellectual nation. That's why at the start nobody could believe what was happening; it seemed impossible that such a 'civilised' country could turn on its Jewish citizens the way it did.

In fact, many German intellectuals thought of Germany as the very pinnacle of civilization ... Their universities had an outstanding reputation and many ambititous students from other countries, such as the US and Britain, studied there (in the period from about 1870-1933), especially at postgraduate level - at a time when Study Abroad was unusual.

In the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, most of the surviving Jews were unable to return home and had to live in Displaced Persons' (DP) camps, till they could find somewhere to settle permanently. In many cases going back to their previous countries was impossible or very dangerous. For example, in Poland, some hundreds of Jews were massacred (by Poles) after the Holocaust. (Poland was badly affected by the notion that Jews are Communists).

In the course of time, many of the survivors were extraordinarily resilient.

Answer 4

Though it may have an associated culture and one or more associated languages, the traditional definition of Judaism is the observance of the Torah, which is why dictionaries define Judaism as "the religion of Moses." In this sense, the word "Torah" is meant in its wider meaning, which includes the Tanakh, the Talmud, and other classical Jewish texts.Link: The texts of Judaism

The philosophy of Judaism is that 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.

• For fuller detail, see Related Links.
  

The typical religious Jew - probably the majority of them - tends to be a white-collar worker who, in addition to a regular job, attends synagogue services morning and evening each day. Many also attend a daily "Daf Yomi" class in which one page of the Talmud is taught each day.Link: The Talmud
Religious Jews tend to get married relatively young (early twenties) and have large families (six to ten children is commonplace); and family life is paramount in importance.

The parents are deeply involved in the education of their children. They foot the bill for private-school for the children because of the importance of a Jewish education.

Daily life in the home is replete with mitzvah-observances. Blessings are said over all foods and drinks; Torah-festivals and Sabbath are observed in the home, and the children are taught portions from the Torah on a daily or weekly basis.

Link: Mitzvah-observances
Though conversation is typically in English, it is seasoned with hundreds of Hebrew and Yiddish expressions, many of them expressing religious concepts.

The kosher diet is adhered to. Clothing will be more or less Western (modern) in appearance (depending on the particular Jewish community), but it is always modest in style.

Religious Jewish women have a tightly-knit community of their own; each woman has a close circle of friends who constantly share and help each other. Many women attend weekly classes in various subjects of Torah or outlook.

See also the Related Links.

Link: The basic beliefs of Judaism

Link: The principles of Judaism

Link: The ethics of Judaism

Link: How Judaism began

Link: Jewish community life

Answer 5

Hebrew society (the society in ancient Israel) was based upon the covenant with God, as set forth in the Torah (Exodus ch.19, Deuteronomy 26:16-19). There was always a learned class among the Israelites, and virtually all men and boys (and a good percentage of women) could read and write. A portion of each day was spent praying; and a larger part of the day was spent studying Torah (by a good part of the populace). Religious questions (and torts) were brought to one of the many Rabbis or Jewish courts.

• Link: Social classes among the Israelites
  

Having a large family was an ideal, as was welcoming guests into the home, giving charity, and many other forms of kindness. A portion of crops was given to the poor. The calendar year was replete with the Sabbaths and festivals; and blessings were said before and after eating and on many other occasions.
In brief, there was no such thing as a secular part of life, since the Torah's laws cover every form of activity, including business.

• Link: Some examples of the Torah's law

Note that it is a misconception to think that Judaism switched to a prayer-based religion. Jews always worshiped in synagogues, even when the Holy Temple stood. Even within the Temple premises, there were several synagogues. During the Second Temple era, ancient Greek authors attest to the large synagogues that stood in all the countries where Jews lived. The Dioploston in Alexandria, for example, was famous for its size (Talmud, Tosefta Sukkah 4:6). In First Temple times also, synagogues served the same function (of daily prayer and study) that they do today (Talmud, Megillah 26b and Berakhot 31a).