What Beliefs Apply to Followers of Judaism?
Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world, founded over 4,000 years ago. Its beliefs, practices and laws have been handed down through generations, and are today enshrined within the Five Books of Moses. Though the religion has evolved and adapted over the millennia, its core fundamentals remain: one God, chosen people, covenant and mitzvot (commandments).
For most Jews, belief in God forms the baseline of their faith, a centrality so important it is known as the Shema, or “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord”. This absolute belief in one God is demonstrated through acts of prayer, and uniquely among religions, it is generally accepted that the creator is incorporeal, invisible, and endowed with attributes of mercy and justice.
Another key belief is that followers of Judaism are a “chosen people”, being the descendants of Abraham. Jews are regarded by other adherents as bound by the same religious laws, irrespective of their differences within the faith: rabbis, Reformists, Modern Orthodox andUltra-Orthodox to name a few. As a special people, Jews have always held a close relationship with God, and have been inspired to carry out acts of “tikkun olam-healing the world” to make it a better place.
For Jews, the concept of covenant is highly important, symbolizing the commitment between God and humanity and is regarded as an ongoing ritual which requires that Jews observe certain religious laws or “mitzvot”. These laws or commandments relate to every aspect of life, from when it’s appropriate to worship, to food advice, community and relationship guidelines.
For Jews, faith is a way of life, rather than just a belief system. It informs the way they live their daily lives. As such, their rituals and practices form an important part of Judaism. These commandments include tefillin (prayer boxes containing sacred texts) and tzitzit (fringes worn as a reminder of faith). Other rituals cover how to keep kosher (regulating a diet) and keeping the Sabbath as a day of rest and prayer.
In summary, for followers of Judaism, the core beliefs are an absolute belief in one God, the Jewish people as a chosen people and commitment to the covenant and its observance of laws or mitzvot. Additionally, there is the importance of prayer and rituals in daily life, and a duty to work towards healing and improving the world.
About Messiah
An important question which followers of Judaism ask is what happens when the righteous have suffered and died throughout all of time and they have not seen the messiah come (in spite of the prophecies). This thought sparks a debate between the orthodox and non-orthodox denominations of Judaism; the former believes in a divinely-appointed, earthly messiah, and the latter who puts the focus more on human efforts for a better future.
The promise of messiah, who would be the redeemer from suffering, is deeply embedded in Jewish teachings. According to them, messiah will bring redemption to the world, deliver the righteous from all their suffering and with them the knowledge of God’s promise of justice. This messiah would then be capable of rebuilding the temple and restoring it to its former glory. In their belief, the messiah would come, and then suffering and death would cease.
The hope for messiah is a returning theme throughout Jewish scriptures, and for many it is a basis for hope and confidence, a belief that all good is not lost, and that a future of light and freedom from fear will come. The messiah, who will bring this to the world, is often seen as a beacon of hope.
Nevertheless, the orthodox believe that messiah will come “when he is ready” and without any human efforts, while the non-orthodox Jews had since the 19th century established their own movement, which places the responsibility of bringing about messiah on the Jewish community’s own actions. They believe that through their actions, they can bring about God’s promise of justice and redemption.
Overall, many Jews agree that the messiah is still to come, and that his arrival is imminent, while they also acknowledge that they have a responsibility in bringing the future they hope to see. There are nuances in the debate between the orthodox and non-orthodox denominations, but the general hope remains that their efforts will lead to the coming of the promised messiah.
Prayer and Rituals in Judaism
One of the most important aspects of being a follower of Judaism is the practice of prayer. There are two main types of prayer: formal (or liturgical) prayer, and personal prayer. The former is typically done in a synagogue and forms the basis of Jewish religious services, while personal prayer can be done in any environment.
Formal prayer typically follows a prescribed order and direction set up in its liturgy, including praise and petitions to God, blessings, prayers for the sick, and special festive prayers. Its purpose is to glorify and connect with God, expressing intense religious feeling and devotion. As such, it is commonly done on festivals, holidays, Sabbath and Shabbat service, circumcisions and weddings.
Personal prayer is a more personal form of prayer which can take many different forms. It can be to express joy or gratitude, seek comfort in a time of distress, or petition God for personal or collective needs. Some prayers are traditional, while others may be created spontaneously by the individual in accordance to their needs.
The practice of prayer also extends to other types of religious ritual and activities, such as baking challah bread before Shabbat, shaking a four-cornered garment containing blessings, and sounding the shofar to mark the New Year and other holidays. Other rituals include visiting the synagogue for special holiday services, fasting on Yom Kippur, and giving charity, known as tzedakah.
These religious practices and ceremonies not only link back to ancient traditions, but are also an important way to connect with a sense of peace, community and faith. Thus, prayer and rituals in Judaism remain an important part of being a follower of Judaism.
Modern Challenges
As the world progresses, it also brings new difficulties to Jewish communities, particularly in areas of assimilation, political tensions and changing social values. In the West, anti-Semitism and intermarriage, has led to Jews on the fringes of their community, almost forgotten or not taking part in religious activities and traditions. Due to politics and global tensions, statehood of Israel has also been a contentious issue, with opinions divided around the world on the matter.
In areas of social values, many Jews have left traditional religious practices, with existing communities having to work hard to pass on their faith’s traditional values to its younger generation. Others have turned to more modern practices, such as Zionism and civic politics, allowing those of other faiths to live side-by-side in the same place.
As religious traditions continue to progress and evolve, so do the beliefs of Jewish followers. With its core concepts remaining intact – belief in one God, chosen people, covenant, religious laws and rituals – modern practices can be adapted and modified in a way that reinforces the commandment to pursue justice and peace, rather than actively disregarding them.
The struggle between traditional faith activities and modern values is something that present-day followers of Judaism have to grapple with; however, these generations of modern Jews have the opportunity to explore the faith in new and innovative ways, while still finding the time to observe long-standing rules and rituals that have endured throughout centuries.
Relationships with Other Religions
Judaism has numerous connections with other faiths, and followers of the religion have interacted with those of other beliefs for centuries. In the Middle East, for example, Jews and Muslims often lived in close proximity and developed relationships of mutual reliance and respect.
The Bible also mentions interfaith interactions positively, with stories of Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality to strangers, and the respect they showed to all faiths.The Torah is also thought to contain passages which act as bridges between Jewish and other beliefs, such as the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself”, which is shared by many other faiths.
For most contemporary Jews, interfaith relationships take many forms. In synagogues, Muslims may attend prayer services and sit or stand in respect. Typically services are followed by food, offering an opportunity to dialogue and forge relationships with those of differing ideas.
In addition, many Jews believe that there is more that unites than divides different religious communities, with prayer being a common activity shared by most faiths. Through prayer, Jews can form tangible connections with those of other religions, finding common ground in shared beliefs, feelings and faith-inspired goals.
Overall, followers of Judaism, believe in the importance of having an open and respectful dialogue with those of other beliefs, both past and present. Understanding and respect should be given to those unlike us, for we can find much that binds us together, rather than that which separates us.
Summary of Jewish Practice Today
Today, Judaism continues to be a strong faith and practiced by millions, who face numerous challenges despite this. It is a faith that espouses absolute belief in one God, being a chosen people, covenant, keep religious laws and rituals, while also attempting to bridge relationships and beliefs with other faiths.
In spite of the changing world, Jews remain firm adherents to their traditional values, while also adapting to new scenarios and beliefs. Thus, even with modern struggles and different opinions among denominations, the faith of Judaism continues to be strong, powerful and practiced by millions.
