Introduction: Judaism is one of the oldest surviving religions in the world, with its roots going back to pre-historic times. It was during the ancient period that it began to take shape, with spiritual, cultural and political aspects forming through the emergence of key religious texts and practices. From its beginnings in ancient times, Judaism has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing world, becoming a major world religion still practised today.
Origins: Judaic beliefs and practices are said to have been established in the Middle East around 1200 BCE, with the emergence of the Israelites under the leadership of Abraham, who is considered the ‘father of the Jews’. Between 1200 and 600 BCE, different poems, songs and stories formed the basis for what would become the Hebrew Bible, which is the main sacred text for Judaism. This was supplemented by the oral Torah, or ‘Mishnah’, which was codified in 200 CE. These texts depict the history of the Jews and provide guidance on their faith.
The Spread of Judaism: It is believed that the Jewish people were originally a nomadic tribe living in the Middle East, which eventually immigrated to other regions of the world. From its earliest beginnings, Jews have had to migrate in order to survive persecution and conflict. The ancient Babylonian and Assyrian empires saw the diaspora of the Jews, with many settling in places like Egypt, Europe, Central Asia and India. This spread of Judaism has had a significant impact on the culture, language and religion of many different societies around the world.
Key Beliefs & Practices: Jews share certain fundamental beliefs and culturally distinctive practices that are distinct from other religions. The core principles of Judaism are often referred to as the ‘Shema’ and encompass beliefs such as monotheism, the oneness of humanity, the importance of faith and devotion to God, moral responsibility, and the holiness of life. Jews also observe certain customs and traditions such as shabbat, the sabbath, an important holiday which celebrates the creation of the world and the joy of life. The dietary laws of kashrut, which include regulations about which foods Jews can and cannot eat, are also followed.
Modern Forms: Over the past two thousand years, Judaism has splintered into various denominations, with Orthodoxy, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Judaism being the main forms. Orthodoxy is the most traditional form and espouses strict adherence to religious law. Reform Judaism is by contrast more flexible in its view of Jewish law and emphasises modern interpretations of Jewish faith and culture. Conservative to some extent follows a middle path between Reform and Orthodoxy, while those who adhere to Reconstructionist Judaism view their faith as an ever changing evolutionary process.
Judaism Today: Today, Judaism is the majority faith of many countries, with the highest concentration of Jews being in Israel. Jews comprise a major part of the population in North America, and are a significant minority in countries such as Russia, Germany, Argentina and the United Kingdom. The number of Jews has slowly increased in recent years, with a growth of around 15% between 2000 and 2016. In terms of its influence, Jews have made significant contributions in many fields, from science and technology to art and philosophy.
History of Jewish persecution
Antisemitism: Throughout its history, Jews have faced persecution and discrimination. Jews have been subjected to violence, displacement, and social and economic inequality, culminating in the Nazi Holocaust during World War II. Jews were stripped of basic human rights and brutally massacred in an attempt to completely eradicate them. Antisemitism still exists today in various forms, and studies suggest that up to one in five Jews have been victimised in some way in the past year. This includes physical attacks as well as insults and verbal harassment.
Responses: Jews have responded to persecution and discrimination in a variety of ways. Some organisations, such as the American Jewish Committee, are actively dedicated to fighting antisemitism and promoting understanding between different faith groups. Others, such as the World Jewish Congress, focus on protecting the rights of Jews and addressing key political issues that affect them. More recently, Jews have engaged in civil disobedience and direct action in an effort to draw attention to their plight and push for change.
Other challenges: Jews also face many challenges in addition to antisemitism. Gender inequality is a major issue, with women facing inequalities in access to education, job opportunities and marriage. Intermarriage is also a significant issue, with some parts of the Jewish community encouraging Jews to marry within the faith, while others are more accepting of Jews marrying non-Jews, although there is still a degree of animosity between the two. Climate change is also a growing concern, with many Jews feeling strongly that governments around the world need to take action.
The Jewish Faith
The Foundation: Judaism is founded on key spiritual and cultural teachings, with the Torah being the foundation for the faith. The Torah contains 613 commandments, or mitzvot, and is divided into 5 sections or ‘books’, which cover a variety of subjects. It is the main source from which Jewish law is derived and is closely followed by orthodox Jews, though it is perceived in different ways by the more progressive denominations such as Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism.
Holiday Celebrations: With its focus on themes of creation and redemption, Judaism puts great emphasis on annual festival celebrations. The major religious holidays are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the autumn, Passover in the spring, and Sukkot and Shavuot during the summer. These holidays are celebrated with a variety of rituals and activities and emphasise themes such as renewal and restoration, faith and joy.
Life cycle rituals: Judaism has certain rituals that mark key life stages, from birth to death. These vary from denomination to denomination, but the main rituals are circumcision for boys, Bar/Bat Mitzvah for adolescents, marriage and, for the dead, burial or cremation followed by a memorial service. These rituals help to commemorate important milestones, bind together the community and pass on traditional beliefs and values to future generations.
Laws and Ethics: Jews are guided by laws and ethical principles when it comes to living a moral and fulfilling life. Jewish laws and traditions shape and instruct on how Jews should treat others and themselves, stressing the importance of charity and justice. Principles such as ‘love thy neighbour as thyself’ are highly emphasised, with these teachings being passed down through the generations and still being valued today.
The Jewish Contributions to Society
Innovations: Jews have been at the forefront of many scientific and technological innovations, with several prominent figures throughout history making contributions in areas ranging from medicine to mathematics. Jews have won numerous prestigious awards for their accomplishments, with several Nobel Prizes also being awarded for breakthroughs in a variety of fields. Jews have also made great contributions to literature, art and music, with their works reaching a global audience.
Philosophy: Jewish philosophy has had a strong influence on the development of science and politics in the West. The ethical philosophies of early Jewish thinkers such as Maimonides and Spinoza have shaped the views of many intellectuals and sparked debates on a range of topics, from the nature of man’s relationship with God to the efficacy of various political systems. The ideas of later thinkers such as Hannah Arendt and Martin Buber have also been significantly influential in modern society.
Social Change: Jews are known for their commitment to social justice and aid, with groups such as the Rothschild family in the 19th century and the Jewish philanthropic organisations such as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee being instrumental in alleviating poverty and providing aid to people in need. Jews are also very active in the civil rights movement, with many taking part in the effort to end segregation and promote equality for everyone.
Relationship between Judaism & Christianity
Similarities: Judaism and Christianity are two of the most influential and widespread religions in the world, and there are a number of similarities between the two. For one, both faiths share the same monotheism, with followers of either religion worshipping the same God. They also share similar beliefs on moral issues such as marriage, fidelity, and family. Finally, both faiths emphasise the importance of prayer and worship.
Differences: Despite the similarities, there are also several significant differences between Judaism and Christianity. The most obvious of these is the belief in Jesus as the messiah by Christians and the rejection of this concept by Jews. Other major differences include the importance placed on oral law by Jews, the exclusive centrality of the Old Testament for both faiths, and the divergent interpretations of key theological doctrines.
Influences: Over time, Christianity has also come to influence Judaism, with many features of the two faiths becoming intertwined, especially in areas such as ethics, morality and language. Jewish people have adopted certain Christian practices and customs, and vice versa, leading to a more blended approach to religion. This has had the effect of allowing a mutual understanding between the two faiths and improving relations, although there are still some tensions between the two groups.
Judaism in Other Countries
Israel: Israel is the only state in the world that acts as a homeland for Jews and is both a spiritual and political focal point for many of them. In 1948, it was declared an independent nation, becoming the only Jewish state in the world. This has helped to unite Jews from all over the world and has sparked further Jewish immigration to the region. Israel also has the highest percentage of Jewish citizens of any country in the world, with over 75% of the population belonging to the faith.
Other Regions: While Jews are found throughout the world, the largest population outside of Israel is in the United States, with around 5.2 million people identifying as Jews. Europe also hosts a large Jewish population, particularly in France, the United Kingdom and Germany. In recent years, many Jews have moved to other countries in search of economic opportunities, with the largest population being located in South America, particularly in Argentina and Brazil.
The Future: Despite the many challenges it has faced over the years, Judaism is still one of the world’s major religions, with millions of people practicing it around the globe. Although there are fears of a decline in the number of Jews in some areas, the number is still increasing worldwide and the faith is likely to remain a powerful force for the foreseeable future.
