- This article describes the Jewish religion; for a consideration of ethnic, historic, and cultural aspects of the Jewish identity refer to the article Jew.
Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people with around 15 million followers as of 2006[For an exploration of the Jewish population, please see Jewish population and Jews by country]. It is one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths and one of the oldest religious traditions still practiced today. The values and history of the Jewish people are a major part of the foundation of other Abrahamic religions such as Christianity, Islam, as well as Samaritanism and the Bahá'í Faith.
Judaism has seldom, if ever, been monolithic in practice (although it has always been monotheistic in theology), and differs from many religions in that its central authority is not vested in any person or group but rather in its writings and traditions. Despite this, Judaism in all its variations has remained tightly bound to a number of religious principles, the most important of which is the belief in a single, omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent, transcendent God, יהוה, YHWH, who created the universe and continues to be involved in its governance. According to traditional Jewish thought, the God who created the world established a covenant with the Jewish people, and revealed his laws and commandments to them in the form of the Torah. The practice of Judaism is devoted to the study and observance of these laws and commandments, as written in the Torah.
Traditional view of the development of Judaism
The subject of the
Hebrew Bible is an account of the
Israelites' (a branch of Hebrews) relationship with
God as reflected in their history from the beginning of time until the building of the
Second Temple (ca. 350 BCE). This relationship is often portrayed as contentious, as Hebrews struggle between their faith in God and their attraction for other gods, and as some Hebrews, such as
Abraham; (most notably and directly),
Jacob, the father of all Israelites -- later known as
Israel; and
Moses struggle with God.
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Marriage :: Relationships
Judaism
Judaism - Twitter SearchThe Akeidah/Binding of Isaac 5-part poetic commentary http://bit.ly/Jpzwt #torah #Akeidah #jewish #judaism #Isaac #midrash #poetryrabbisteve_n (Rabbi Steven Nathan) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:07:30 -0000
The Akeidah/Binding of Isaac 5-part poetic commentary http://bit.ly/Jpzwt #torah #Akeidah #jewish #judaism #Isaac #midrash #poetry
.@judeotalk Judaism, Sin and Family http://j.mp/4im6G1 http://j.mp/3OirKLjewishbloggers (JewPI Blogs) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:06:05 -0000
.@judeotalk Judaism, Sin and Family http://j.mp/4im6G1 http://j.mp/3OirKL
Are Judaism and Christianity as Violent as Islam? :: Middle East Quarterly http://bit.ly/2koFxbjscism (jay scism) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:04:48 -0000
Are Judaism and Christianity as Violent as Islam? :: Middle East Quarterly http://bit.ly/2koFxb
Are Judaism and Christianity as Violent as Islam?-Middle East Quarterly http://bit.ly/ZcztrWanpeirui (Wanpeirui) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:54:45 -0000
Are Judaism and Christianity as Violent as Islam?-Middle East Quarterly http://bit.ly/Zcztr
New post: Judaism, Sin and Family http://tinyurl.com/yjekefymichaelsarko (Michael Sarko) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:39:40 -0000
New post: Judaism, Sin and Family http://tinyurl.com/yjekefy
@antiinertia Problem 4 the wrld IS in large prt Israel; There's definetely a reason.Flllow on SAT-another kind/Judaism.infinitegal (Norma Pressimone) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:30:49 -0000
@antiinertia Problem 4 the wrld IS in large prt Israel; There's definetely a reason.Flllow on SAT-another kind/Judaism.
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Hebrews: Marriage - Article about the marriage regulations and arrangements portrayed in the Old Testament.
Soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Doesn't Judaism Mandate Monogamy? - Answers the question of whether or not polygyny is permitted within any sect of Judaism.