Ø The term ‘Jewish’ can be used to describe a race and a culture rather than a religion, so some who identify themselves as Jewish may have little interests in the beliefs and practices associated with the religion of Judaism.
Ø The Jews believe in the teaching of the Jewish Bible, known as the Torah.
Ø This is the first Testament of the Christian Bible. There is no Second testament or New Bible for Jews.
Ø Why? Because the Jewish don’t believe Jesus is the Messiah and the Second Testament is all about Jesus and his teachings.
Written Law & Oral Law
Ø 613 commandments found in Torah (‘Written Law’)
Ø Talmud (‘Oral Law’)- commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through:
o Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher)
o Dress and other symbols
o Prayer and devotion to the one God
o The Temple and Temple rites
o Observation of Holy days
o Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc.
Core Beliefs
Ø Jews firmly believe that there is only one God, there are 13 main beliefs that Jews believe in, they include:
Ø God exists
Ø God is one and unique
Ø God is eternal
Ø Prayer is to God only
Ø The prophets spoke the truth
Ø Moses was the greatest of the prophets
Ø The Written and Oral Torah were given to Moses.
Ø There will be no other torah
Ø God will reward the good and punish the wicked.
Ø The Messiah will come
Ø The dead will be resurrected
The Family
Ø The heart of Judaism is the home and Family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on Gods commandments)
Ø Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be – Holy.
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