The Nature of God

Nature of God in Judaism

Judaism is a monotheistic religion, meaning that practitioners believe in the existence of a single, unique God.
This key belief in oneness is encapsulated in the Shema, a key Jewish prayer that declares: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
It is believed that God is indivisible and no other being can be compared to Him.

Jewish belief holds that God created the universe and everything within it.
Jewish texts describe God as saying “Let there be light,” to create the universe, indicating God’s power and ability to create through speech.
God is responsible for the ongoing operation of the universe and continues to interact with the world and its events.

God is seen as THE giver of laws in Judaism, being the source of the Torah and its commandments (mitzvot).
The Ten Commandments, given to Moses at Mount Sinai, are seen as the core of many legal and ethical Jewish teachings.
For Jews, following God’s commandments is part of their covenantal (agreement) relationship with God.

Judaism views God as omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing) and omnibenevolent (all-good).
God’s omnipotence is demonstrated in the creation of the universe and miracles performed in stories from the Torah.
His omniscience is shown in His awareness of all human actions and thoughts.
God’s omnibenevolence is manifested in the care and guidance He provides for His creations, including providing the Torah as a guide for moral and ethical behaviour.

The covenant is a key part of Jewish belief, with the first covenant established between God and Abraham.
The covenant represents a promise between God and the Jewish people, with both sides having obligations.
God promised to make Abraham’s descendants a great nation and give them the land of Israel, while Abraham and his descendants were to remain faithful to God and follow His laws.

In Jewish tradition, God is seen as actively involved in human history, guiding the Jewish people and the world at large.
Stories from the Torah, such as the Exodus from Egypt, exemplify God’s direct involvement in the fate of the Jewish people.
The idea of God as an active and concerned participant in history is a core aspect of the Jewish perspective on the divine.