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Answer 1

The generally agreed most important (and perhaps only universal) core belief among Jews is:

There is only One God, absolutely distinct, all powerful and supreme. Not to be confused with anything else. This is the basic message of the only real "creed" in Judaism (Deuteronomy ch.6), called the "Shema" ("Hear" -- most Jewish prayers are named after the first one or two Hebrew words of the prayer): "Shema Yisroel, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Ehad" ("Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, The Lord is One" or sometimes translated "Hear O Israel, The Lord is our God, the Lord alone")

This is of top importance, recited at all religious services and included in the text inside the item (a mezuzah) that is affixed to the doorposts of a Jewish house.

You don't see images or likenesses of God in Jewish house or in places of worship so you can't confuse yourself by envisioning "God" (because you would not be correct; God surpasses human understanding).

The concept of only one God, the Creator of all the universe, probably originated among the Hebrew people about 3,500 to 4,000 years ago, and was distinct from the widespread notion that each nation may have its own god or gods, but that Adonai Elohim (the Lord God) was the greatest and most powerful. The Jewish belief was adopted by Christianity and Islam; and as these faiths make up more than half the world's population, it may be Judaism's greatest mark on the world today.

Here are some other core beliefs:

Jews were once slaves in Egypt and were led by Moses with God's help (Exodus ch.3-12)nto the Promised Land, which had been given to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis ch.15) for all time. (Details of that promise are up for debate even among Jews).

Jews were "chosen" among all the nations of the world (Exodus ch.19) for a specific purpose although there are disagreements about what that is. Many say it was to obey and interpret the Torah (the first five books of The Bible) and/or share that Torah with all the nations. It is important to note that the Reform and Reconstructionist movements within Judaism have greatly de-emphasized this notion.

The great Sages of the Talmudic times (100-450 CE) codified the Oral Law, passed down from Moses through the generations in the aftermath of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70CE. They did this to protect the tradition for Jews as they wandered the earth in search of a safe place to live. These sages handed down the details of Jewish Law (keeping the Sabbath, keeping kosher, how to celebrate holidays, marriage and family laws, property laws, inheritance), etc.

Answer 2

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 is a list of the most basic beliefs of Judaism, as codified by Maimonides:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Answer 3

With the many historical forms of Judaism, they all share similar characteristics. The most essential characteristic is the belief in one God who created the universe and continues to rule it. The God who created the world revealed himself to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The content of that revelation makes up the Torah, God's will for humankind stated in his commandments. A second major concept in Judaism is that of the covenant, or agreement, between God and the Jewish people. The Jews would acknowledge God, agreeing to obey his laws. God, in turn, would acknowledge Israel as his chosen people (euteronomy 26:16-19).

Jewish People believe that goodness and obedience will be rewarded and sin punished by God's judgment after death. At the end of times, God will send his Messiah to redeem the Jews and deliver them to their Promised Land. Although all forms of Judaism come from the Hebrew Bible, Judaism is mainly derived from the rabbinic movement during the first centuries of the Christian era. At the turn of the 3rd century, the rabbis, or Jewish sages, produced the Mishnah, the earliest written document of rabbinic literature. Answer 4

the core belief is to be a good person and respct God.


That God created everything and gave the Torah.

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7y ago

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