Judaism Paper

Mike Steverson       2-14-2012

I had an experience within the culture of Judaism. It really surprised me to see the similarities between my own religion and that of the Jewish people. They have rich traditions and preserve their religion in the coolest and most expressive ways. I think as a Christian there is much that can be learned from the Jewish people that will better my relationship with my, family, friends, and most importantly my God.

Judaism is a 4000 year-old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place. (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life) They consider their religion to be a “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people and a celebration and sanctification of life. They look to their religion as a faith, a people, and a way of life… The Patriarchs of Judaism are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (“Israel”); these are the origins of the Hebrew people more than 3800 years ago. The Jewish people were Enslaved in ancient Egypt and freed by Moses more than 3300 years ago. There is a Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land of Israel), ends 6th century BCE.

As a Faith the Jews believe in one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal, in prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people, in Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew. The Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament.
There are 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”) that they live and die by. Talmud (“Oral Law”) is the commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through. They have strict, dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher), dress and other symbols, based on some of the 613 commandments in the Torah.   They hold time aside daily for prayer and devotion to the one God, and hold true the Temple and Temple rites, and take part in observance of Holy days;... [continues]

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