1. Beliefs in God
The most fundamental tenet of Jewish faith is expressed in the Shema Yisrael, a phrase taken from the Bible which proclaims one God, who is indivisible: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4) This phrase is recited throughout the world several times a day as part of the Jewish morning prayer service, and holds the three core values of Judaism: belief in one God, obedience to His will and instruction as found in the Torah, and unity amongst the Jewish people. Judaism stresses that there are no intermediaries between God and man – such as saints, prophets or holy men – and that each individual is responsible for their own spiritual destiny.
2. Observance of the Torah Laws
God gave the Jewish people the living Torah, the oral and written law. This Torah is made up of 613 commandments (mitzvot) which cover all aspects of life, such as ethical standards defining right and wrong, moral values, spiritual purity, social and family responsibilities, as well as how one is to conduct him/herself in business. As such, Judaism mandates laws of kashrut (dietary laws), laws of Shabbat (Sabbath observance), the laws of family purity (preventing contact between husbands and wives during a woman’s menstrual cycle), and more.
3. Performing Good Deeds
Judaism teaches that a person’s ultimate purpose is to engage in mitzvot, fulfilling the will of God as expressed in the Torah, and to do acts of chessed (kindness). Doing mitzvot is important because it brings a person closer to God, an idea expressed in the notion of being a “partner in creation.” Creating a life which follows the Torah’s teachings helps to create an ethical society which is based on holiness and righteousness.
4. Love of Israel & the Jewish People
One of the central beliefs of Judaism is in the eternal bond between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. The State of Israel is seen not just as a national expression of the Jewish people, but also as a fulfillment of a spiritual mission. Just as there is a special relationship between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, so there is also a special relationship between each individual Jew and their fellow Jews. Love and friendship of one’s neighbor is one of the highest values expressed in the Torah, and is one of the primary religious duties of each Jew.
5. The Study of Torah
One of Judaism’s Six Pillars is the study of Torah. This is not only a religious and spiritual endeavor, but is also seen as a way to gain a greater understanding of one’s self and one’s place in the world. Jewish men are expected to devote a certain portion of their day to study, just as they would devote time to their work. Study of the Torah is looked upon not only as a source of spiritual fulfillment, but also as an avenue to gain greater wisdom and wisdom of life.
6. Looking Forward to Messiah
Judaism has a Messianic outlook, and the belief in the coming of the Messiah and the Messianic Age is a central principle of Judaism. The concept of a coming Messianic Age of peace, where all of the world’s social and political problems will be solved and everyone will live in harmony and prosperity, is a cornerstone of Jewish faith. Many Jews actively pray for, and look forward to, the coming of the Messiah and the betterment of the world that He will bring.
7. Holy Days & Holidays
Judaism is a religion that celebrates its history and traditions through observing holy days and holidays. There are four major festivals in the Jewish year in which Jews come together to observe and rejoice: Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. In addition, there are the weekly holidays, known as Shabbat, which fall on Saturday. As well, there are numerous other holidays throughout the year which commemorate special events in Jewish history and celebrate the unique body of laws and traditions in Judaism.
8. The Afterlife
Judaism is not only concerned with life on earth, but also looks forward to a deliciously anticipated afterlife. According to Torah tradition, the soul is a part of God, and does not cease to exist after death. Upon death, the soul leaves the body and is taken to the world of souls, where it awaits resurrection when the Messiah comes and the dead are brought back to life. This resurrection will occur in both the spiritual and physical realms.
9. Tzedakah
The final element of the Six Pillars of Faith is tzedakah, which is usually translated as charity but is better translated as “righteousness.” Judaism stresses the important moral value of both giving and receiving with justice, compassion and generosity. The act of giving tzedakah (or “justice”) is more than the giving of money; it encompasses the idea of living in a just society, where people take responsibility for the world and their place in it.
10. Chasidism
Just as the other Pillars of Faith form the basis of the religious practice of Judaism, so Chasidism has played an important role in its evolution over the centuries. Chasidism is a school of Jewish mysticism that emerged in the 18th century in response to the greater strain of Modern Orthodoxy. It has been influential in the spread of Jewish scholarship, the promotion of good deeds, and the continued commitment of Jews to Torah and Mitzvot.
Section 2 – Community Engagement
Jewish communities around the world often engage in communal activities to strengthen their ties. For example, in the United States, numerous synagogues and organizations are focused on connecting Jews to each other, offering social and educational programming, providing a safe and inclusive space for Jews to come together, and advocating for the individual and collective rights of Jews. Jews also support one another financially, creating social service networks that provide assistance to those in need.
Section 3 – Jewish Values
The core values of Judaism are rooted in ancient texts such as the Torah, which provide a moral and ethical code of conduct. These include treating others with respect and creating a just society, pursuing justice and righteousness, observing the Sabbath and other holidays, and committing to remaining a part of the Jewish community.
Section 4 – Educational Resources
Today, a wealth of Jewish educational resources are available, ranging from texts and lectures to videos and podcasts. Jewish books, both ancient and modern, are a valuable source of information and inspiration, with some of the most popular titles being the Talmud, the Midrash, the Zohar and the Siddur. Organizations like Hillel, the American Jewish University and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary are just a few of the institutions that offer Jewish educational programming.
Jewish outreach organizations have also furthered the educational goals of Jews around the world by providing Hebrew classes, lectures, seminars, study groups and other resources for people of all ages who are seeking to deepen their understanding of Judaism. With the availability of digital resources, many Jews are now able to access Jewish learning material and engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue with their peers.
Section 5 – Making a Difference
Making a difference in our world is one of the core values of Judaism, and Jews have a unique and wide-reaching influence in the global community. Jews are active participants in the areas of medicine, law, politics, education, business, the arts, and social and environmental justice. Jews are often at the forefront of charitable giving and philanthropy, creating organizations dedicated to providing food, clothing, shelter and other necessities to those in need, both in their own communities and throughout the world.
Jewish advocacy groups, such as the Anti-Defamation League, J Street, and Jewish Voice for Peace, are active in campaigns to support human rights initiatives and combat discrimination. Jews have also played an important role in the advancement of social justice issues, including immigration reform, civil rights, worker’s rights, and women’s rights.
Section 6 – A Changing World
In the decades since the Holocaust, the world has seen a resurgence in anti-Semitism and the growth of other forms of intolerance and hatred, including hatred of Muslims, immigrants and refugees, and people of color. As a result, Jews have had to become increasingly active in promoting and advocating for peace, understanding, and tolerance in an effort to create a better world for all. Jews have responded to this challenge by creating campaigns and organizations, such as Never Again: Jews United Against Anti-Semitism and the World Jewish Congress, which support human rights initiatives around the world and work to ensure that each person can live in safety and freedom.
Section 7 – An Eternal Bond
The Six Pillars of Judaism and the values they represent all interact to form the strong bond that is the basis of the Jews’ relationship with one another and with God. This bond can be seen in the depths of Jewish history and in the vibrancy of Jewish culture. Jews are united as one, following the mitzvot of the Torah and the traditions of their ancestors, and yet still free to search, explore and discover their own unique paths of faith and personal identity. Just as the Six Pillars of Judaism have held Jews together throughout history, they continue to do so today, providing a strong and lasting bond through generations of Jews, and bringing Jews from all corners of the globe together under one unified identity.
