Judaism's core beliefs center on monotheism and ethical living. The religion emphasizes one God, the importance of the Torah, and the pursuit of social justice. These principles shape Jewish identity and practice, influencing how followers understand their place in the world.

Jewish rituals and observances play a crucial role in daily life. From Shabbat to holiday celebrations and life cycle events, these practices reinforce Jewish values and foster community connections. They provide a framework for living out Jewish beliefs in practical ways.

Monotheism in Jewish Belief

The Oneness of God

• Judaism is a monotheistic religion that believes in one God, often referred to as Yahweh or Jehovah, who is the creator and ruler of the universe
• The Shema, a central prayer in Judaism, affirms the oneness of God and is recited twice daily by observant Jews
  • The Shema begins with the words "Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
  • Reciting the Shema is a declaration of faith in the unity and uniqueness of God
• The concept of monotheism distinguishes Judaism from other ancient Near Eastern religions, which were often polytheistic (believing in multiple gods) or henotheistic (worshipping one god while acknowledging the existence of others)

Attributes and Prohibitions

• In Jewish belief, God is incorporeal (has no physical form), eternal, and omnipotent (all-powerful), possessing attributes such as justice, mercy, and love
• The prohibition of idolatry, the worship of other gods or physical representations of the divine, is a fundamental principle in Jewish monotheism
  • The Second Commandment in the Ten Commandments explicitly forbids the creation and worship of idols or graven images (Exodus 20:4-6)
• Jewish theologians, such as Maimonides (12th-century philosopher), have sought to reconcile the concept of an all-powerful, all-knowing God with the existence of human free will
  • Maimonides' 13 Principles of Faith, a summary of core Jewish beliefs, emphasizes the unity, incorporeality, and eternity of God

Significance of the Torah

Revelation and Content

• The Torah, also known as the Five Books of Moses or the Pentateuch, is the central sacred text of Judaism and is believed to have been revealed to Moses by God at Mount Sinai
• The Torah contains the foundational narratives, laws, and teachings that guide Jewish religious life, including:
  • The creation story (Genesis 1-2)
  • The Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 1-15)
  • The giving of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
  • Laws governing social, ethical, and ritual conduct (Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
• Jewish tradition holds that the Torah exists in two forms: the Written Torah (the Five Books of Moses) and the Oral Torah (interpretations and commentaries passed down through generations)

Study and Ritual

• The Torah is read in a yearly cycle in synagogues, with a portion (parasha) read each week, and is the basis for Jewish legal codes, such as the Mishnah and the Talmud
• The study of Torah is considered a sacred obligation in Judaism, and engaging with its text and interpretations is a lifelong pursuit for many Jews
  • The Talmud states, "The study of Torah is equal to them all" (Shabbat 127a), emphasizing the centrality of Torah study in Jewish life
• The Torah scroll, handwritten on parchment by a trained scribe (sofer), is the most sacred object in Judaism and is treated with great reverence in synagogues and Jewish ritual life
  • The Torah scroll is housed in the Ark (Aron Kodesh) in the front of the synagogue and is taken out and read during prayer services
  • Kissing the Torah scroll or touching it with a prayer shawl (tallit) is a sign of respect and devotion

Ethical Behavior and Social Justice

Foundational Principles

• The concept of tikkun olam, or "repairing the world," is a central ethical principle in Judaism that emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to work towards creating a more just and compassionate society
• The Torah and rabbinic literature contain numerous commandments and teachings related to ethical behavior, such as:
  • The prohibition of murder, theft, and bearing false witness (Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:13-16)
  • The imperative to love one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18)
  • The obligation to pursue justice and righteousness (Deuteronomy 16:20)
• The prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible, such as Isaiah and Amos, emphasize the importance of social justice and criticize those who oppress the poor and vulnerable
  • "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause" (Isaiah 1:17)

Applications and Activism

• Jewish law (halakha) includes provisions for the ethical treatment of animals, the environment, and business practices, reflecting a holistic approach to moral responsibility
  • The principle of tza'ar ba'alei chayim prohibits causing unnecessary pain to animals
  • The concept of bal tashchit emphasizes the importance of conserving resources and avoiding wastefulness
• Jewish history is marked by a commitment to social activism and movements for justice, from labor rights to civil rights to human rights, often inspired by Jewish ethical teachings
  • Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a prominent 20th-century Jewish theologian, famously marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march
• Contemporary Jewish thinkers and organizations continue to grapple with the application of Jewish ethical principles to modern social, political, and economic challenges
  • Jewish organizations such as the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the American Jewish World Service advocate for social justice causes and humanitarian aid

Ritual and Observance in Jewish Practice

Sacred Time and Holidays

• Jewish religious life is structured around a system of daily, weekly, and annual rituals and observances that serve to sanctify time, connect individuals to the divine, and foster community
• The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat), observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, is a weekly day of rest and spiritual renewal marked by special prayers, meals, and prohibitions on work
  • Lighting Shabbat candles, reciting Kiddush (blessing over wine), and sharing challah bread are central rituals of the Shabbat meal
• Jewish holidays, such as Passover (commemorating the Exodus from Egypt), Shavuot (celebrating the giving of the Torah), and Sukkot (remembering the Israelites' journey through the wilderness), are celebrated with distinctive rituals, foods, and customs
  • The Passover Seder, a ceremonial meal with symbolic foods and the retelling of the Exodus story, is a widely observed Jewish holiday tradition

Daily Practice and Life Cycle Events

• The observance of Jewish dietary laws (kashrut), which regulate the permissibility and preparation of food, is an important aspect of Jewish ritual life for many observant Jews
  • Kosher dietary laws prohibit the consumption of certain animals (such as pork and shellfish), require the separation of meat and dairy, and prescribe methods for slaughtering and preparing food
• Life cycle events, such as birth, bar/bat mitzvah (coming of age ceremony), marriage, and death, are marked by specific rituals and ceremonies that reflect Jewish values and traditions
  • The brit milah (circumcision) is performed on male infants on the eighth day after birth as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people
  • The bar/bat mitzvah ceremony marks a young person's assumption of religious responsibilities and their first reading from the Torah in public
• Daily prayer, often conducted in a minyan (quorum of ten adult Jews), is a central feature of Jewish religious practice and includes the recitation of the Shema and the Amidah (standing prayer)
• The performance of mitzvot, or commandments, such as giving charity (tzedakah), visiting the sick (bikkur cholim), and studying Torah, is seen as a means of sanctifying daily life and fulfilling one's religious obligations