History of Judaism
Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world, dating back to more than 3,000 years ago in the Middle East. The practice originated with Abraham, a Hebrew man who was among the first people to recognize the existence of a single, shared god. Much of Jewish teaching is based on the Torah, which Jews believe was gifted to Moses at Mount Sinai. The Torah outlines a unique set of values and beliefs which forms the essence of Judaism.
Fundamental Beliefs
Judaism is a monotheistic religion, believing in one God who is compassionate and caring. Jews believe that God created the world and continually supports and sustains it. They also believe that the Covenant between God and Abraham is still valid, and God communicates through the written and oral law, as well as prophets. Jewish teachings are based on the idea that we are all made in the image of God, and all deserve respect and dignity.
Ultimate Goal of Judaism
The ultimate goal of Judaism is to ensure that God is at the centre of every aspect of life. By striving to lead a life of holiness, complete with ethical and spiritual components, Jews can model their lives after the teachings of the Torah and the prophets. The goal is to build a strong connection with God and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
The overarching purpose of religion and of life itself, according to Jewish tradition, is to make the world a better place, to bring more goodness and justice into the world. This is referred to as the concept of Tikkun Olam, which loosely translates to “repairing the world”. Jews are meant to use their lives to make a positive impact and to strive to leave the world in a better state than when we found it.
Jewish Practices
Throughout Jewish history, there have been a variety of ways to fulfill this mission. Jewish practice includes prayers, rituals, holy days, celebrations, dietary restrictions, and circumcision, among other things. All of these practices are meant to remind Jews of their deeply shared values, to bring them closer to God and to help them become better versions of themselves.
For instance, the practice of keeping kosher is meant to remind the Jews of their commitment to only eat clean and pure foods, living a holier life-style. The laws of Shabbat are meant to teach Jews the importance of rest, relaxation, and the presence of God, allowing them to leave the worries of the world behind. By completing these practices, Jews can become closer to God, and even have moments of divine inspiration and connection.
Morality and Ethics
Jewish morality and ethics are typically centered around treating every human with respect and compassion, as if they were all made in the image of God. This is why Judaism puts an emphasis on helping those who are disadvantaged and the poor, as this is the most direct path to fulfill their ultimate goal. Jews are expected to be humble, honest, compassionate, and forgiving. They strive to find themselves in God and spread goodness in the world through charitable endeavors and good deeds.
Ethically, Judaism sets out a clear set of laws that outline how people should treat each other. These laws include ethical behaviors such as refraining from lying, stealing, and killing, as well as being honest, honest in business dealings, and caring for others. However, beyond these specific laws, Jews are expected to show general ethics and morality, and practice respect in their daily interactions.
Role of the Messianic Age
Judaism also contains a Messianic age. Many Jews believe that a special period will come in which a figure, often called a Messiah, will appear to bring an end to suffering and help create a world free from suffering and evil. The Messiah is seen as a spiritual being, which has the power to bring about significant change. Judaism does not have one single vision for this Messianic age. Rather, different texts and commentaries have different interpretations of this period of time.
The role of the Messianic Age is to help move humanity closer to the ultimate goal of Judaism. It is the time in which God will have the final say in the world, and suffering on Earth will be quelled. Jews believe that this will ultimately bring a transformation of the world, which will leave it more perfect, more just, and more in line with God’s wishes.
Human Action and Free Will
Part of what makes Judaism unique is its view of human action and determinism. Jews believe that although their ultimate goal is to move closer to God and make the world more perfect, humans still have to choose to make the right choices. They still have to strive to be honest and kind, to choose the right path, and to make the world a better place. It is not enough to just have faith and to pray for the Messianic Age to come. Jews also have to actively participate in making the world a better place, through their own individual actions.
The importance of free will comes into play as well. Jews believe that humans are not forced to make moral decisions, but are instead given complete freedom to choose the right path. This freedom of choice is seen as a crucial part of fulfilling the ultimate goal of Judaism, as it allows humans to not simply accept the world as it is, but to actively strive to make it better.
A Common Thread
Though different Jews may interpret the ultimate goal of Judaism in different ways, there is a common thread between them. They all believe in a single God, in the Torah as His Word, and in the Messianic Age as a time when the world will become perfect. They all strive to live a life of holiness and to practice respect and compassion. They seek to find God and to make the world a better place, striving to fulfill the ultimate goal of Judaism.
