Judaism, one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world, traces its origins back approximately 4000 years to the ancient Middle East and the Hebrew people. At its heart, the Jewish faith centers on a profound concept introduced by Abraham: the belief in one God. This revolutionary idea stood in stark contrast to the polytheistic beliefs prevalent in the region at the time. Abraham, considered the patriarch of Judaism, and his wife Sarah are foundational figures, promised by God that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars and inherit a promised land. This promise began to unfold through generations.
Abraham’s lineage continued through his son Isaac, and then Isaac’s son Jacob, who was also known as Israel. The descendants of Abraham became known as the Israelites, a people with whom God established a covenant, pledging care and protection in exchange for adherence to divine laws. The early Israelites faced periods of migration and hardship, including enslavement in Egypt. It was during this period of oppression that Moses, a pivotal figure in Jewish history, emerged. Chosen by God, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Sinai Desert, towards the promised land. At Mount Sinai, God revealed the Law to Moses, a set of divine commandments intended to guide the Israelites. These laws, most famously encapsulated in the Ten Commandments, form the bedrock of the Torah, the foundational text of Jewish law.
The journey to the Promised Land, Canaan, was arduous and spanned many years. After periods of conflict and settlement, the Israelites established their kingdom. However, their sovereignty was repeatedly challenged by powerful empires. Canaan fell under the control of the Assyrians, then the Babylonians, and eventually the Romans. The Israelites endured another period of enslavement, this time under Babylonian rule. Later, Roman domination led to the destruction of significant structures in Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish life. This period marked the beginning of the Diaspora, the dispersion of Jews from their ancestral homeland, as they scattered across the region and beyond, often facing persecution. This displacement and migration have continued throughout history.
The 20th century witnessed the most horrific persecution in Jewish history: the Holocaust. During World War II, the Nazi regime systematically murdered over six million Jews, representing a third of the global Jewish population. This genocide underscored the vulnerability of the Jewish people and fueled the growing movement for a return to their ancestral land. Starting in the late 19th century, Jews began immigrating to their historical homeland to escape persecution. Following World War II and the Holocaust, the conviction that Jewish survival depended on self-determination in their own state solidified. In 1948, Palestine was partitioned, and the State of Israel was established in the land historically known as Canaan, surrounded by predominantly Muslim nations. This creation led to ongoing conflicts with Palestinians and neighboring Arab countries, disputes that persist in the Middle East today.
Today, the global Jewish population numbers nearly fourteen million. Approximately half reside in the United States, a quarter in Israel, and the remaining quarter are dispersed across countries in Europe, Russia, South America, Africa, Asia, and other parts of North America and the Middle East. Jewish identity is traditionally matrilineal; those born to a Jewish mother are generally considered Jewish.
Core Beliefs of Judaism: Monotheism and Divine Law
At the core of What Do Jews Believe is a steadfast commitment to monotheism, the belief in one indivisible God. This singular God is not merely a creator but also actively involved in the world and in human history. Jewish belief centers around the concept of a covenant, a binding agreement between God and the Jewish people, initiated with Abraham and reaffirmed throughout history, particularly with Moses at Mount Sinai.
This covenant entails a reciprocal relationship: God promises to protect and guide the Jewish people, and in return, they are obligated to live according to God’s commandments as outlined in the Torah. The Torah, meaning “teaching” or “law,” is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible and is considered divinely inspired. It contains 613 commandments (mitzvot) that encompass a wide range of aspects of life, from ethical behavior and social justice to ritual practices and dietary laws (kashrut).
The Ten Commandments: Foundational Ethical Principles
Within the vast body of laws in the Torah, the Ten Commandments stand out as a concise summary of fundamental ethical and religious principles. These commandments, revealed to Moses at Mount Sinai, are:
- Worship no other God but Me. (Affirmation of monotheism)
- Do not make images to worship. (Prohibition of idolatry)
- Do not misuse the name of God. (Respect for the divine)
- Observe the Sabbath Day (Saturday). Keep it Holy. (Sanctity of rest and spiritual reflection)
- Honor and respect your father and mother. (Importance of family and intergenerational respect)
- Do not murder. (Sanctity of human life)
- Do not commit adultery. (Marital fidelity)
- Do not steal. (Respect for property)
- Do not accuse anyone falsely. Do not tell lies about other people. (Truthfulness and integrity)
- Do not envy other’s possessions. (Contentment and avoidance of covetousness)
These commandments serve as a moral compass, guiding not only religious observance but also interpersonal relationships and societal ethics within Judaism.
Sacred Texts: The Tenakh and Talmud
Jewish faith and practice are deeply rooted in sacred texts that have been developed and interpreted over millennia. The primary sacred text is the Tenakh, often referred to by non-Jews as the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament. The word Tenakh is an acronym formed from the initial letters of its three main sections:
- Torah (The Five Books of Moses): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy – containing the foundational laws, stories of creation, the Exodus from Egypt, and the covenant at Sinai.
- Nevi’im (Prophets): Books recounting the history of Israel, the messages of prophets who spoke in God’s name, and calls for justice and righteousness.
- Ketuvim (Writings): A diverse collection of books including Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Daniel, and others, encompassing poetry, wisdom literature, historical narratives, and reflections on life and faith.
The Tenakh was compiled over centuries, with writings spanning from approximately 1000 to 100 BCE. Torah scrolls, meticulously handwritten on parchment, are housed in synagogues within the aron hakodish (Holy Ark). During synagogue services, sections of the Torah are read weekly using a yad (pointer) to maintain the scroll’s sanctity. This cyclical reading ensures the entire Torah is read annually, reinforcing its central importance in Jewish life.
Alongside the Tenakh, the Talmud holds immense significance in Judaism. The Talmud is a vast compilation of rabbinic discussions, interpretations, and elaborations on the Torah and Jewish law. It originated from oral traditions and scholarly debates spanning centuries, finally codified in written form starting around 200 CE. The Talmud serves as a guide for applying Torah law to evolving circumstances and provides a rich tapestry of Jewish thought, legal reasoning, ethical considerations, and folklore. Later important legal codes, such as the Mishneh Torah by Maimonides and the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), further codified and systematized Jewish law based on the Talmudic tradition, adapting it for subsequent historical periods.
Diversity within Judaism: Denominational Movements
While united by core beliefs in one God and the Torah, Judaism encompasses a range of denominations or movements that differ in their interpretations and practices. The major denominations include:
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Orthodox Judaism: Adheres to a strict interpretation of Jewish law (Halakha) as traditionally understood. Orthodox Jews believe in the divine origin and immutability of the Torah and strive to observe all commandments to the fullest extent possible in modern life. They maintain traditional gender roles in religious practice and services are conducted primarily in Hebrew.
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Conservative Judaism: Seeks to balance adherence to traditional Jewish law with adaptation to modern life. Conservative Judaism views Jewish law as evolving over time and emphasizes the importance of both tradition and contemporary understanding. Services are typically conducted in Hebrew and English, and while maintaining traditional structures, there may be some modifications to accommodate contemporary values.
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Reform Judaism: Emphasizes the ethical teachings of Judaism and personal autonomy in religious practice. Reform Judaism views Jewish law as historically conditioned rather than divinely mandated in its entirety and prioritizes individual interpretation and ethical living over strict adherence to ritualistic laws. Reform congregations often incorporate more vernacular language into services, allow for greater gender equality in religious roles, and may adapt or reinterpret traditional practices to align with contemporary values.
These denominations represent a spectrum of approaches to Jewish belief and practice, reflecting the ongoing dialogue and evolution within Judaism while maintaining a shared foundation in core tenets and traditions. Understanding what do Jews believe requires acknowledging both the unifying principles and the rich diversity of expression within this ancient and dynamic faith.
