Judaism Related Information:

Judaism is one of three Abramic religions, along with Islam and Christianity. The Jewish influence on the world throughout history has been prominent. The religion, which is about 3500 years old, began in the Middle East. Known as the parent faith of Christianity, it is based on a founding by Moses and Abraham. There are currently around twelve millions followers of Judaism, and they are mainly situated in Israel and the United States. One of the tragedies in which Jews will always be remembered for their suffering is the holocaust, where six millions Jews lost their lives in an attempt to wipe out Judaism.

Some basic Jewish beliefs

Judaism is based around a single God who created the Universe and continues to affect people and everything they do. Jewish people abide by God’s laws and attempt to live holy lives, as they believe that they were chosen by God to set an example of holiness to the world. This is not to say that they see themselves as superior to others, but simply as chosen to set an example to others.

Jews also believe strongly in a community life, and this is strongly affected by the way they live their lives and in everything that they do. This religion and the events and activities tied to Judaism is strongly based around home and family life.

The basis of Jewish life is the Ten Commandments ( Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuterotomy 5:6-21) by which Jews seek to live their lives. The commandments are:

• I am the Lord your God
• You shall not recognize the gods of others in My presence
• You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain
• Remember the day of Shabbat to keep it holy
• Honor your father and your mother
• You shall not murder
• You shall not commit adultery
• You shall not steal
• Do not give false testimony against your neighbor
• You shall not covet your fellow's possessions

The Jewish also believe that all people are created equal, because all people are created in the image of God. The Jewish also believe that this likeness extends to peoples’ intellect, and therefore people are responsible for their choices and actions because they have free will.

Unlike Christians, the Jewish religion does not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, which is the major difference between Christianity and Judaism, as both religions are very similar in many other ways. The topic of Jewish beliefs is a complex and detailed one, but the most widely accepted listing of beliefs is Rambam’s thirteen principles of faith.

Practices in Judaism

There are a number of Jewish practices that are part of normal life as part of this faith. They include:

• Observing the day of rest, Sabbath, and ensuring that all chores are finished by sundown each Friday. This lasts until sundown on Saturday.
• The celebration of Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah, which signify the Jewish coming of age of a boy (at age thirteen) or a girl (at age twelve)
• Attending a synagogue regularly
• The celebration of Passover, which is each Spring, where it is customary to eat a specials, ritual meal at home.

Jewish Holy days

There are a number of Holy days in Judaism, and the holiest time of the year is in the autumn. Some of the holy days and festivals celebrated as part of Judaism include:

• Sabbath (also known in Hebrew as Shabbat): This runs from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, and is the day of rest as required by God.
• Rosh Hashanah: A commemoration of the creation of the world, and a celebration of the New Year.
• Passover: This is a celebration to remember the escape from captivity in Egypt

• Days of Repentance: This is a ten-day period, which allows people to repent

• Yom Kipper: This comes at the end of the Days of Repentance and is a very sacred day in the Jewish calendar.
• Sukkot: This is to celebrate God taking special care of the Jewish when traveling through the desert to reach the Promised Land. It is also in remembrance of the time spent traveling through the desert.