Where did judaism and the beginnings of monotheism come from?

Answer 1

Judaism, along with Zoroastrianism, was monotheistic. The Hebrews believed that there was just one God. All prior religions had been polytheistic, which meant they believed in many gods.

Answer 2

The Book of Exodus tells us that God himslef told Moses to worship none others than him. Strictly speaking this is not monotheism, but henotheism - devotion to a single god while accepting the existence of other gods.

Scholars tell us that the worship of just one God did not begin with Moses at all, but much later, during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. The Pentateuch was begun during his reign and completed during the Babylonian Exile. Thus Moses was written into the story of monotheism many centuries after his time.

Answer 3

Biblical Answer

Monotheism was first practiced by Adam and Eve when they were created by YHVH. The earliest recorded scripture containing ideas of Monotheism was in the Hebrew book of Iyov (Job) which some scholars date at about 2100 B.C.E.

Secular Answer

Monotheism first came about in an unequivocal form in the latter Judean Period or during Babylonian Exile and was developed by the Jewish community during that timeframe (800s-500s B.C.E.)

Answer 4

According to our tradition, Abraham (18th century BCE) developed the religion which became known as Judaism. The Kuzari (Rabbi Judah HaLevi, 1075-1141) states that Abraham was a gifted man of high intelligence; and, as Maimonides (1135-1204) describes, Abraham didn't blindly accept the ubiquitous idolatry which had been foisted upon his countrymen. He contemplated the matter relentlessly, finally arriving at the conclusion that there is One God and that this should be taught to others as well. This is what is meant by his "calling out in the name of the Lord" (Genesis ch.12). He continued his contemplations, eventually arriving at the forms of behavior which God later incorporated into the Torah given to Moses. Abraham taught disciples (Talmud, Yoma 28b), gave tithes (Genesis ch.14), strove to raise a family (Genesis ch.15, 17, and 24) which would serve God, made a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15 and 17), welcomed guests into his home (Genesis ch.18) unlike the inhospitable Sodomites (Genesis ch.19), prayed for people (Genesis ch.18), rebuked others when necessary (Genesis ch.20), eulogized and buried the deceased (Genesis ch.23), and fulfilled God's will unquestioningly (Genesis ch.22).

It is therefore clear why God expresses His love for Abraham (Isaiah 41:8) and calls Himself the God of Abraham (Genesis 26:24), and says that Abraham obeyed Him fully (Genesis 26:5).