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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.
Here are four basic beliefs of Judaism, from among those codified by Maimonides:
1a. 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.
1b. 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 the center of our world-outlook and thoughts. (See: Biography of Abraham)
1c. 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.
1d. 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.1e. God rewards the good and punishes the wicked.
This belief provides a vast incentive towards righteousness and, when needed, repentance.
It also forms 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.
2. 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.
3. 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. (See: Archaeology and Bible-critics)
4a. The prophecies of Moses are true; and he was the greatest prophet.
4b. 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.
4c. 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.
See also:
What else can I help you with?
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What are the Names of four tribes of judaism?
Here are twelve. Pick four that appeal to you. -- Reuben -- Levi -- Judah -- Issachar -- Zebulun -- Dan -- Naftali -- Gad -- Asher -- Benjamin -- Ephraim -- Menashe
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Four;GermanyAustria-HungaryOttoman EmpireBulgaria
Did Judaism start in southwest Asia?
Yes. Judaism started either in Haran, Turkey/Syria (where Abraham became a monotheist), the Mount Sinai, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt (where Moses received the Ten Commandments), Biblical Israel (where the Jewish religion developed and where post-Temple Judaism also came from), and Babylon, Iraq (where Western Scholars believe that Judaism developed). All four locations are in Southwest Asia.
What religions were not founded in the Middle East Judaism Christianity Hinduism and Islam?
Of those four, Hinduism was the only one not founded in the Middle East.
What are the four cornerstones of Judaism?
Belief in One God Obedience to the TorahAwareness that we have a soulPrayerSee also:Jewish beliefs
What are the four gospel books in the Bible and what is their significance in Christian theology?
The four gospel books in the Bible are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are significant in Christian theology because they provide accounts of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These gospels are considered foundational texts for understanding the central beliefs of Christianity and serve as a guide for Christian faith and practice.
What are some characteristics if the five major world religions?
The five major world religions—Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism—each have distinct characteristics. Christianity centers on the teachings of Jesus Christ and emphasizes salvation through faith. Islam is based on the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, focusing on submission to Allah and the Five Pillars of Islam. Hinduism is a diverse tradition that includes a variety of beliefs and practices, often centered around karma and dharma, while Buddhism emphasizes the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a means to achieve enlightenment. Judaism is rooted in covenantal relationships with God and the teachings of the Torah, highlighting ethical conduct and community.
What are the Gospels in the Bible and why are they considered significant in Christian teachings?
The Gospels in the Bible are the first four books of the New Testament, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are considered significant in Christian teachings because they contain the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, providing the foundation of Christian faith and beliefs.
Contemporary Judaism has split into four parts The most liberal is called?
Reconstructionist Judaism
What were the Four Noble Truths and whose teachings they were centered on.?
The Four Noble Truths were not founded on the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism arose from the Middle Path and the Four Noble Truths.
What are the basic teachings of Buddhism that deal with suffering?
The four noble truths are central to all Buddhists and might be regarded as the most important values in Buddhism. Many Buddhist would not think of them as beliefs, as they can largely be proven through our own experience. They are: The truth of suffering, why we suffer. The truth of how the suffering begins. The truth of how the suffering can end. The truth of how we can end suffering.
What is the heart of the Buddha's teachings?
four noble truths
What beliefs did Buddhism borrow from Hinduism?
Buddhism does not borrow any belief from any other religion. Buddhism is the teachings of the Buddha, who possessed the golden omniscience, which refers to 'the ability of knowing everything without the help of anyone or anything'. That is, everything the Buddha preached is independent of any other belief and besides, the Buddha's teachings are not beliefs, they are universal truths (the four noble truths, etc.) which were practically found by the Buddha himself.
What is abiya?
In Judaism abiya is the four levels or worlds of reality.
What isn't part of Buddhist beliefs eightfold path five steps three jewels four noble truths?
Since I know that the Eightfold Path, the Three Jewels and the Four Noble Truths are all a basic part of Buddhist teachings, I would have to say that the Five Step approach is not.
What are four religons?
The major religions include:Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Christianity, and Judaism
