Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion, originating in the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Tanakh) and explored further in later texts such as the Talmud. Its main principles are based around the idea of a single, universal God, and the idea that people can enter into a covenantal relationship with that God through ethical living, rituals and traditional practices. It is one of the oldest religions still practised today and is, at present, the second largest religion in the United States.
Judaism arose in the Middle East some 4,000-5,000 years ago, with the early practitioners believed to have been Abraham and Sarah. It quickly spread across the Middle East, central Europe and North Africa, and by the 21st century had reached countries ranging from India and Australia to South Africa and Brazil. Estimates put the number of Jews living worldwide at around 14.2 million.
Judaism places a strong emphasis on morality and ethics, with a belief that humans were created in the image of God and should aspire to live according to His will. This is often termed Hasidic Judaism. Practices have adapted over time and today vary by denomination, but all the major denominations share a reverence for the Hebrew scriptures and a recognition of the importance of the six-hundred-and-twelve commandments (known as mitzvot).
Orthodox Judaism holds on to traditional practices, while Reform Judaism has modernized and adjusted key beliefs and rituals to suit contemporary society. A third major denomination, Conservative Judaism, attempts to strike a balance between following traditional teachings yet allowing for modern interpretations of scripture. This can be seen in the varying approaches to contentious legal issues, such as the attitude toward homosexuality, which poses an interesting challenge for modern-day Judaism.
The Hebrew Bible forms the basis for Jewish life. It is divided into three sections (the Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim) which guide the practice of Judaism. The sixth century CE saw the completion of the Talmud, which provides a broader depth of Jewish law as formulated by rabbis over the previous centuries. This remains important to the practice of Judaism today and forms the basis for modern practices of study and worship in the varying denominations.
As with most religions, Judaism has a strong thread of practices and beliefs about correct food, worship and observance. The kosher laws, which restrict the kinds of animals that can be eaten, govern the kinds of food eaten by people of the faith, while Sabbath and Shavuot, the two main holidays of the faith, offer a time to relax and refresh. Jewish people are also encouraged to observe the ritual aspect of their faith by attending services, celebrating festivals and engaging with rituals such as bar/bat mitzvah and marriage.
Traditions and Customs
Central to the practice of Judaism is the idea of observing the many rituals, practices and customs that the faith has built up over the centuries. This includes observing the kosher laws, attending services and religious festivals, and engaging in traditional ceremonies such as bar/bat mitzvah. These rituals are considered important in the sense that they provide a means for people to express their commitment to their faith and to deepen their spiritual connection with God.
Customs include the performance of blessings, the wearing of prayer shawls and tfillin, and the reading of the Ten Commandments at Passover. Observance of Jewish customs and rituals also usually takes on a certain degree of etiquette, including the lighting of candles and the placing of a mezuzah on the doorpost, both of which serve as a reminder of one’s commitment to their faith. Finally, the concept of charity, or tzedakah, is central to the faith and encourages followers to devote time and resources to helping those in need.
Influence From Other Religions
Since its emergence, Judaism has absorbed influence from other religions and philosophies, such as the Greek ideals of reason and ethics philosophy, as well as from Christianity and Islam. From the 12th century onwards, Jewish reformers such as Saadia Gaon and Maimonides attempted to bring Jewish beliefs and practice in line with prevailing philosophical, scientific and religious thought including from Arabic Muslim scholars, which of course had its own influences from Greek philosophy.
Due to the context in which the religion expanded, there has become a strong culture of assimilation and tolerance of different religious beliefs and practices. Over the years, this has led to the emergence of branches of the faith that differ in terms of observance and other practices, yet all still looking to the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, as their common reference point.
Significance of the Land of Israel
The Land of Israel is of major importance to Judaism, having played an integral role in the development and history of the faith. It was the birthplace of Israelite and later Jewish history, and thus for followers of Judaism, it is of significant spiritual and emotional importance. Its Political significance has grown to importance in modern times and is at the very heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Whilst not all Jews are Zionists, the importance of the Land of Israel in Jewish thought and history cannot be understated, with the magnanimous spiritual significance of the Western Wall in the Temple Mount in Jerusalem being the spiritual heart of the faith. The recapture of the city by the Israeli Defense Forces in the Six Day War in 1967, coupled with the multiple attempts at peace talks have only served to increase its political and emotional importance in Judaism.
Impact of the Holocaust
One of the most difficult and harrowing events associated with the history of Judaism is the Holocaust. The Holocaust, which is the name given to the systematic genocide of the Jewish people by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, is estimated to have killed up to six million Jews, or two thirds of the total number of Jews then living in Europe.
The impact of this event on the Jewish people as a collective is profound and often traumatic, with many current generations of Jews feel connected to the event through family experience or through commemorative events. It has left a deep impression on the Jewish people, no more so that in the State of Israel, where the Holocaust is prominently commemorated each year on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Religious Practices In The 21st Century
The 21st century has seen significant changes for religious practices, not least for Judaism. This has encompassed the emergence of alternative religious movements, such as Humanistic Judaism, as well as the added challenges of adapting to an increasingly secularised world.
Reform and Conservative Judaism have continued to modernise, looking increasingly to integrate into contemporary society while still offering a transcendent connection with God. Traditional Orthodox practices have also remained fundamental to Jewish life, with many adherents considering their religious practices to be all the more important in providing meaningful insight, perspective and guidance in a fast-paced, digital age.
Jewish Innovation & Contributions To The World
The Jewish people have had a long and important history of innovation and contribution to the world. On a more personal level, adherents of the faith prize learning, scholarship and intellectual growth, with the faith renowned for its contribution of thinkers, scholars, leaders, writers and activists.
At a broader level, significant contributions by the Jewish people to the world, both in terms of culture and science, cannot be overstated. An obvious example is the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 and the economic, political and scientific contributions to the world this now-thriving nation continues to make.
In more recent times, Jewish people around the world have been actively engaged in multiple philanthropic endeavours, with foundations such as the Jewish National Fund providing vital assistances across the Middle East and internationally, while organisations such as the Jewish World Service have extended their support to refugees and humanitarian initiatives around the world.
Jewish Identity in the 21st Century
With Jewish people living in multiple countries and cultures, not to mention the emergence of alternative religious movements in recent years, the concept of Jewish identity has come to the fore in recent times. This has seen a rise in both interfaith dialogue and diaspora communities, as well as a growing recognition of a multi-faceted approach to ‘being Jewish’.
Indeed, for many adherents of the faith, it is not necessarily in terms of doctrine, worship or even citizenship that Jewish identity is expressed, but rather in terms of culture, history and intellectual exchange. Education has always been widely respected in the Jewish faith and thus has often been seen to be the route through which Jewish identity has been expressed. It is within the academic world and especially within the humanities that Jewish culture and history have been transmitted and perpetuated.
Finally, the internet has opened up another significant channel for expressing Jewish identity, with large, engaged communities emerging to debate and support each other on any number of issues. This could be in terms of religious policy or to discuss personal matters, even down to the sharing of recipes and other forms of cultural exchange such as art and music.
