Introduction to Judaism

 Introduction to Judaism

By Yahya Bashir John

 

Judaism is the most ancient religion in the history of human civilization. Most of the religions in the world are influenced to it and many are inspired by its teachings. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are world-leading branches of the religion of the prophet Abraham A.S.

Definition of Judaism:

Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics defines Judaism as;

·        “Judaism may be defined as the strictest form of monotheistic belief. But it is something more than a bare mental belief. It is the effect which such a belief, with all its logical consequences, exerts on life, that is to say, on thought and conduct.  It is the religion which was first preached by Abraham and symbolized by the covenant of circumcision, and it is still practiced by his descendants.”

The compiler of the Encyclopedia writes;

·        “It is the oldest existing religion, the parent of two mighty faiths, (Christianity and Islam), that have spread over the major portion of the globe.

A formal and precise definition of Judaism, is a matter of conformity? On the other hand, it may be said, more widely, that the foundation of Judaism rests on two principles;

·        The unity of God and the choice of Israel.

·        Judaism denounces idolatry and Polytheism.

·        It believes in a universal God, but it is not exclusive.

·        It believes that this world is good.

·        That man is capable of perfection.

·        Man possesses free will and is responsible for his actions.

·        Judaism rejects any Mediator and any cosmic force for evil.

·        Man is made in the image of God; therefore he is noble, like the rest of the divine works.

·        For this reason all men are equally brothers. Just as they were united in the beginning, so will they be drawn together again at the end of time.

·        They will be brought near to the kingdom of heaven by the aid of Israel. This is the function of Judaism – to spread peace and goodwill throughout the world.

 

Stress on deed than the creed:

Yet Judaism does not lack of doctrine of faith; it is very doubtful whether an atheist, who kept the Torah, or the Jewish ideals of righteousness, could be called a Jew. There is no doubt would be ‘saved.’ In the Christian sense, because Judaism teaches that every righteous man, irrespective his beliefs, has a share in the world to come.

But just because Judaism believes that every good man is ‘saved,’ it follows that to be a good Jew must include something more, and must be ethically higher, than being a good man.

 

Minority of Judaism:

While Judaism on the one hand, opens the door to proselytes, it is inevitable, from the fact of its demanding self-sacrifice, that, it must long remain the religion of a minority.

Jews must be prepared to defend their standard at the cost of their lives, as in the past, and to sacrifice, not only their lives, but their material prosperity – often a harder task.

The world has need of a minority of idealists.

Judaism, then, has not to complete with the more popular expositions of religion; its raison d’etre is not to rival the successful missionary activity of its daughters, the church and the mosque; it claims, not to be the only form of truth, but to be the purest.

While Christianity and Islam are permeating the world with their teachings, Judaism awaits the day when it will, as originally, exert its influence over both of them, and so over all mankind.

This ‘despises faith’, which holds itself to be in reality the Remnant or essence of righteousness, is safeguarded from extinction or contamination by the fence of the miswoth (‘Commandments’).

 

Growth and Development of Judaism

1.     To the End of the Restoration Period:

 

The Exile marked a new stage in the religion of Israel. It was the beginning of internal consolidation and external expansion. The following presented successive degrees of progress in Jewish religious thought;

·        The Patriarchs         (Monotheism)

·        The Law Givers       (The Law)

·        The Prophets           (Idealism)

The faith of Abraham A.S. was moulded into the religion of people, to become, ultimately, the source of ideals for a world; monotheism, purity, righteousness, and justice had developed under the time impetus of lawgiver, priest, and prophet until the time of trial arrived.

Exile and persecution were to test the reality of these lessons, to show that the work