Do the similarities between Zoroastrianism and Judaism show that Judaism is a derivative religion of Zoroastrianism?

Answer 1

Since the two groups lived side by side in Babylonia, there may have been some borrowing in language or other minor matters. But in terms of beliefs, the two are quite different.Judaism, according to tradition, has always been monotheistic. Even at the height of the unfortunate spread of idolatry among the less-loyal Ten Tribes, there were thousands who remained loyal to God (1 Kings 19:18).

(See: Judaism and monotheism)

The Zoroastrians, however, believed in two gods, not one. The Jewish Sages who redacted the Talmud in the early centuries of the Common Era lived in Babylonia, witnessed the practices of the Zoroastrians, and recorded this fact (Talmud, Sanhedrin 39a). In addition, Zoroastrianism is unlike Judaism in that:

• its deity is not immanent
• it believes in worship through intermediaries, who are themselves "worthy of worship"
• evil has its own creator, Angra Mainyu or Ahriman, which had always existed
• some of its adherents believe in a self-creating universe
• some modern scholars see it as a form of pantheism
• it has "fire-temples," with worship in the presence of flame
• its adherents are not required to marry within their faith
• some Zoroastrians dispose of their dead through ritual exposure to the open sky, while some others cremate the dead
• dogs are considered sacred
• such creatures as snakes, ants and flies were "not created by the creator of good"
• it includes a virgin birth, in which its messiah will be conceived without sexual penetration.

Compare: What do Jews believe God is like?

Answer 2

No. The borrowing of different traditions does not make one religion derivative of the other. To be a derivative religion, your religion must be primarily based on another religion and then proceed to alter several components to make the religion distinct. A good example of a derivative religion would be Druze from Ismaili Shiite Islam. By adding an additional prophet, making some small changes to doctrine, and solidifying mystical elements, the Druze became distinct from the Ismailis and can be seen as a derivative religion. Judaism and Zoroastrianism were contemporary religions that influenced each other, but are fundamentally distinct. Probably the clearest distinction is that Judaism is a monotheistic religion whereas Zoroastrianism is a monolatrous henotheistic faith. Angra Mainyu, also called Ahriman, is the Zoroastrian equivalent to the Devil and has enough power to create (usually used for evil) and to challenge (although not defeat) the primary god Ahura Mazda, also called Ormuzd. Conversely, in Judaism, the Satan is an angel who serves as God's loyal opposition and lacks any serious creative or punitive powers without God's permission.