Judaism

Judaism is a monotheistic religion as Jews believe in only one God. Jews believe that God created the world and gave Moses 613 commandments that they should adhere to. Jews find reference to these commandments in the Torah. They also believe that God will judge how well they obey these commandments and whether they perform good deeds. These commandments form part of their relationship with God. The Torah tells how God made agreements with Noah, Abraham and Moses, setting out promises on both sides. In return for keeping to His rules, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation and that He would give them the land of Canaan, known as the Promised Land. As a way of showing this agreement, Jewish baby boys are circumcised when they are 8 days old. Jews believe that God is omnipotent (all-powerful) and omnipresent (always present). Even though they believe that God is everywhere, it is thought that there are particular times and places where God’s presence can be strongly felt, for example when the candles are lit at Shabbat. Some Jews would say that an important belief is that God will anoint people who will bring in a new age. Orthodox Jews believe that at this time, the Temple will be rebuilt and an age of universal peace will be ushered in.

Within Judaism, the five books of Moses are thought to be the holiest part of the Tenakh. These five books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Orthodox Jews believe that they are the Word of God. Throughout the year, portions of these books are read out during worship when Jews meet together at a house of assembly. Jews gather at this building in order to study and take part in public prayer. Within Orthodox Judaism, a minyan of ten men is needed in order for public worship to take place. Many Jewish men and boys would attend a short service at sunset on Friday, when the day of spiritual renewal and rest begins. Until it ends at nightfall on Saturday night, many Orthodox Jews will not do any work; for example, they will not cook, use their phones, watch TV or drive. By not working, Jews believe they are keeping God’s commandment. Many Jews would also believe that they need to look at the Book of Leviticus (chapter 11) in order to find out the foods they are permitted to eat. Following these rules would also mean that other objects such as Torah scrolls or the parchment inside a mezuzah or tefillin need to be ‘fit’ or ‘proper’.

Within Judaism, the five books of Moses are thought to be the holiest part of the Tenakh. These five books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Orthodox Jews believe that they are the Word of God and that they contain the rules by which they should live. For many, the most important of these are the ten duties given by God to Moses as they form the basis of Jewish belief. One of these duties is to “keep the Sabbath holy”, and in order to keep to this, many Orthodox Jews will not do any work; for example, they will not cook, use their phones, watch TV or drive. However, within Judaism there is the obligation to save life whenever possible so medical treatment can be given on Shabbat. A prayer declaring Jewish faith can be found in the book of Deuteronomy. Many Jews would say this prayer twice daily and it would also be placed in a mezuzah case and within tefillin.