A single glance at Hinduism and Judaism may trigger the thought that these two religions have numerous similarities. From the outset, their religious holy books, values and beliefs might seem to be the same. But upon careful examination and with the help of an expert’s eye, we can determine that the two beliefs are quite distinct from one another.
Judaism has its roots in the Middle East, with the Jewish population following a set of laws known as Torah. Hindus, on the other hand, mainly live in India and practice a variety of beliefs and religions, although Hinduism is the main religion. Both religions have similar concepts – of one God and divine guidance, of laws and regulations to help one lead a righteous life, and of sin and redemption.
Yet, there are differences as well. For starters, the Jewish population believes in a single, omnipotent God, as opposed to multiple of them. This means that right and wrong depend primarily on the goodness and will of a single deity, where one can obtain forgiveness of sins by rites like offering sacrifices. On the other hand, Hinduism has a complex set of gods, which are believed to be more than one, but all conveying the same philosophy and message. As such, Hindus are guided by the general ethical system of ‘dharma’, which states that all actions should have a positive outcome in order to lead a good life.
Another important distinction lies in their linguistic and literary roots. Jewish scriptures are primarily composed in Hebrew, while Hindu texts incorporate Sanskrit, Pali or the vernacular tongue. Moreover, Jews focus heavily on the Prophet Moses, who his people believe to be their savior, while Hinduism refers to its revered gods and goddesses, such as Krishna and Rama, and is based on ancient, timeless texts from scriptures such as the Vedas and Upanishads.
Because of their geographic backgrounds and cultural religious practises, there are also differences in other aspects. For instance, Jewish religious laws follow the dietary laws of kashrut, which impose restrictions on what can and cannot be eaten. Hindus, on the other hand, do not have the same dietary restrictions and are permitted to consume certain types of food, including certain vegetarian dishes.
Furthermore, the way the two religions perceive death is also different. For Jews, death is the ultimate punishment for sins and is viewed as an undesirable ending. This belief is connected to the idea that Jews are commanded to be fruitful and multiply, hence it is considered an act of sin if a Jewish individual unnecessarily hastens death by suicide. Hinduism, in contrast, basically allows an individual to end their life in certain conditions. This is due to the philosophy of karma, wherein it is believed that death can be seen as a form of rebirth.
Rituals
There are also rituals and ceremonies that differentiate the two religious practises. Jewish holy books are based on 10 commandments, which are used to control the Jews’ everyday lives. These commandments determine the rules of marriage and divorce, how to observe the Sabbath, and how to observe the holy day of Pesach. As for Hindu religious practises, there are numerous sacred ceremonies that involve meditation, contemplation and physical exercises like yoga. Hindus conduct annual festivals – such as Diwali, Holi, Navratri and Janmashtami- and they take special dietary precautions during these times.
Death And Afterlife
It is also important to note that Judaism and Hinduism follow different beliefs when it comes to death and afterlife. For Jews, when someone dies, their soul is said to pass through a series of trials. Once the soul passes these trials, they are said to have been released into a spiritual paradise known as Gan Eden. On the other hand, Hindus believe in a concept of reincarnation: when a person dies, they are said to be reborn into another form, depending on their karma and deeds.
Ceremonies
When it comes to ceremonies and rituals, there are also subtle differences between Judaism and Hinduism. Jewish ceremonies are typically rooted in worship and prayer. In particular, many of the religious ceremonies for Jews involve the reading of sacred texts and the recitation of prayers. Hindus, on the other hand, observe several ceremonies such as puja, which revolve around devotion and adoration of several gods and goddesses. Other ceremonies also include the performance of sacred music and dance, with devotees wearing traditional clothes for religious occasions.
Conclusion
Even though there are similarities between the two religions, Judaism and Hinduism are in fact quite different. By observing the differences in scriptures and holy books, religious practises and beliefs, rituals and afterlife expectations, we can come to understand how each of the two beliefs has evolved over time and how they are distinct, yet related, in their fundamental ways.
