Judaism
Like Christianity, Jews also believe in God, because it is a monotheistic faith. They also believe that Humankind Was Created In the Divine Image, meaning that everyone is equally important and has an infinite potential to do good in the world. Like many religions, Judaism believes that Jews are uniquely connected with each other.
Myths And Other Stories
Hanukkah The festival reminds Jews of a time over 2500 years ago when Antiochus, a Syrian king, tried to make the Jewish people worship Greek gods. A statue of Antiochus was erected in the Jewish temple and the Jews were ordered to bow down before him. The Ten Commandments forbid Jews to worship statues or idols and so they refused. A small group of Jews called Maccabees rebelled, and after a three year war they recaptured Jerusalem from the Syrians. But the temple was all but destroyed. The Jews had to clean and repair the Temple, and when they were finished they rededicated it to God. They did this by lighting the lamp (Menorah) - which was a symbol of God's presence. Only one small jar of oil was found, enough for one day, but miraculously the lamp stayed alight for eight days. Another Jewish story includes Abraham and Isaac which tells us of how Abraham sacrifices his own son Isaac for God. Sacred Texts and Other Religions There are many sacred writings in Judaism, all of which teach Judaism's adherents how to live ethical and moral lives. The writings are a major source of the laws which regulate Jewish life. Sacred texts include: - The direct words of God to man - God's revelation to the founders and prophets - A record of the forms of worship, laws, traditions and historical development of the Jewish people The Torah also known as the Five Books of Moses. These 5 books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and they are considered the absolute foundation of Judaism. The major part of these books was given to Moses on Mt Sinai together with the Ten Commandments. Rituals There are a number of Jewish rituals. These rituals happen from when the individual is born, to the time they pass away. These include: Birth and Naming Ceremonies On the first Sabbath after a Jewish child is born, the infant's father is called forward at the synagogue to recite the aliyah and ask blessings for the health of mother and child. If the child is a girl, she is named at this time. Boys will be named on the eighth day after birth, as part of the rite of circumcision. Brit Milah: Circumcision The rite of circumcision (Brit Milah) is performed on the eighth day of a boy's life. (There is no parallel practice for girls, and "female circumcision" has nothing to do with Judaism.) Bar/Bat Mitzvah Under Jewish law, children are not required to observe the commandments, though they are certainly encouraged and taught to do so. But upon turning 13, a boy is considered an adult under the law and is expected to obey all the commandments from then on. He has become a Bar Mitzvah, or "Son of the Commandments." Similarly, a girl becomes a Bat Mitzvah, "daughter of the commandment," upon turning 12. Marriage Marriage is highly revered and strongly encouraged in Judaism. The celibate life has never been considered more holy than the married life, and one must be married in order to become a rabbi. Judaism's high view of marriage is a direct result of its view of the home and family as the center of religious life. Death and the Chevra Kaddisha Death is seen as a part of life and a part of God's plan. The extensive mourning rituals in Judaism do not indicate a rejection or protest of death, but demonstrate the great value Judaism places on life in general and the life of each individual person. Social Structure |
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Ethical Principles and Oral or Written Codes of Behaviour
Ethics are concerned with human values and behaviour, and Jewish ethics define correct Jewish behaviour. There is a continual interaction between ethics and Halachah (Jewish law) because it is through the study of ethics that we come to discussions about the morals and principles of that law. From Biblical times, the Halachah strove to raise the moral conscience of the people through prescription and exhortation.
Social Ethics: Judaism has an all-enveloping and passionate dedication to the ideal of justice. The moral imperative of justice was taught by the Jewish prophets. Moses taught the ideal of justice for the elimination of social inequities and for the moral guidance of the conduct of the individual. Personal and moral conscience are awakened by the indoctrination of the ethical values of justice, truth and peace.
Other ethics Jews believe include Personal Relationship,Work and Business and Environment Ethics
Ethics are concerned with human values and behaviour, and Jewish ethics define correct Jewish behaviour. There is a continual interaction between ethics and Halachah (Jewish law) because it is through the study of ethics that we come to discussions about the morals and principles of that law. From Biblical times, the Halachah strove to raise the moral conscience of the people through prescription and exhortation.
Social Ethics: Judaism has an all-enveloping and passionate dedication to the ideal of justice. The moral imperative of justice was taught by the Jewish prophets. Moses taught the ideal of justice for the elimination of social inequities and for the moral guidance of the conduct of the individual. Personal and moral conscience are awakened by the indoctrination of the ethical values of justice, truth and peace.
Other ethics Jews believe include Personal Relationship,Work and Business and Environment Ethics