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 the oldest monotheistic religion in the world, and it has had a profound influence on all subsequent monotheistic religions, including Christianity and Islam.
Here are some of the unique aspects of Judaism that have influenced other monotheistic religions:
- The belief in one God: Judaism is the first religion to believe in one God, and this belief has been a major influence on Christianity and Islam. Both of these religions also believe in one God, and they trace their origins back to Judaism.
- The concept of chosenness: Judaism teaches that God chose the Israelites to be His special people. This concept of chosenness has been interpreted in different ways by different Jewish thinkers, but it has always been a source of pride and identity for the Jewish people.