Beliefs and Practices

Beliefs and Practices

Jewish Beliefs

Monotheism

  • Judaism is monotheistic, meaning they believe in a single, all-powerful God.
  • This belief is encapsulated in the Shema prayer: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.”

The Covenant

  • Jews believe in a special pact or covenant between their people and God.
  • This covenant was established with patriarchs like Abraham and Moses and structured around the laws handed down by God.

The Role of the Messiah

  • Judaism prophesies the coming of a Messiah, who is a future Jewish king from the Davidic line, who will rule the Jewish people during the Messianic Age.
  • However, the role and nature of the Messiah is interpreted differently among various Jewish sects.

Life after Death

  • While Judaism focuses on earthly life, beliefs about afterlife vary.
  • Resurrection and Olam Ha-Ba (the World to Come) are found in traditional Jewish teachings.

Jewish Practices

Observance of the Sabbath

  • Shabbat, or the Sabbath, is a day of rest observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday.
  • Activities like work are prohibited, while prayer, family time and rest are encouraged.

Dietary Laws

  • Kashrut are the Jewish dietary laws defining what is kosher (permissible) and treif (forbidden).
  • Certain animals, like pigs and shellfish, are prohibited, and there are rules for slaughtering animals humanely.

Circumcision

  • Male Jews are traditionally circumcised as a sign of the covenant.
  • This ceremony, called a Bris, takes place on the eighth day after birth.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  • When Jewish children reach 13 (boys) or 12 (girls), they undergo a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
  • This ritual represents their transition to adulthood and their responsibility to observe Jewish law.

Prayer and Worship

  • Regular prayer, individually and communally, is integral to Jewish life.
  • Jews pray in a synagogue, led by a Rabbi, and the main worship services are on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Festivals

  • Judaism has numerous important festivals, including Passover (Pesach), Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah.
  • Each commemorates significant events in Jewish history and has unique rituals and customs.