Judaism as a religion
At the heart of Judaism are the core dogmas that have defined it and have been held through the ages: There is no God but God; one God, indivisible. God had chosen the children of Israel (Abraham and his offspring) as his people, and he agreed to be their exclusive God. At the heart of God is his love for humanity. Humanity is his crowning work of creation. God is understood in a myriad of ways—as Lord, as nursing mother, as light, anthropomorphic as in changing his mind, beyond comprehension, all powerful (omnipotent), and all knowing (omniscient). Life is understood as sacred—a means by which we are blessed in order that we should be a blessing to others. Suffering is redemptive, and faith is restorative. Faith is passed on through the matrilineal line of descent, as opposed to the prevailing patrilineal line so common in most other religions. Proselytizing is not actively practiced but accepted, as in the story of Ruth.
Question to Answer:
What is unique to Judaism as a religion, and how has it influenced all subsequent monotheistic religions?
Sample Answer
Judaism is a unique religion in a number of ways. Here are some of the most notable:
- Monotheism: Judaism is the first monotheistic religion in the world. This means that Jews believe in one God, and one God only. This belief was revolutionary in the ancient world, where most people worshipped multiple gods.
- The Torah: The Torah is the most sacred text in Judaism. It contains the Five Books of Moses, which tell the story of the creation of the world, the history of the Jewish people, and the laws that God gave to Moses. The Torah is also the basis for Jewish law and ethics.
- The Talmud: The Talmud is a collection of rabbinic commentary on the Torah. It contains a vast amount of legal, ethical, and philosophical discussions. The Talmud is one of the most important sources of Jewish law and tradition.
- The concept of chosenness: Jews believe that they are God’s chosen people. This means that they have a special relationship with God and a special responsibility to follow God’s laws. The concept of chosenness has been both a source of pride and a source of persecution for Jews throughout history.