Why is it so hard to distinguish Jewish history from Jewish faith?

Answer 1

Answer 1

Because throughout the history of Judaism there have been many rebellions and groups that branched off like the Hellenists and the Bar'yonim (a group of hotheaded people who wanted to go to war with the Romans during their Great Siege of Jerusalem).

Answer 2

Jews are expected to learn from their history. History provides lessons and is a source for examples of these lessons, which illustrate some of our beliefs. Our Sages discuss at length (Talmud, Sotah 11-13) the principle that God causes historical events to reciprocate people's behavior. This was the meaning, for example, of the conversation in Genesis 42:21-22; see also Genesis 42:28 and 44:16). Thus, events are granted as a feedback mechanism which hinges on our behavior and we may use them to strengthen our sense of God's supervision and Providence, which is part of our faith.

Answer 3

I would beg to differ to the fact that Jewish History and Jewish Faith are very confusable. Jewish History is the string of events that have defined Jewish interaction with the myriad of countries under whose rule, the Jewish people have lived. As for Jewish Faith, this is the Jewish understanding of the Natural and Supernatural World and how a person can bring themselves to the highest moral quality in the World of the Living. What makes Judaism unique with respect to Christianity or Islam is that the Jewish people function as one unit regardless of which countries they live in, creating an ethno-religious group. Like any ethnicity, Jews have a collective history. Like any religion, Jews have an understanding of the World beyond mere physical perception.

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