Judaism:
Judaism
is the oldest of the monotheistic faiths. It affirms the existence of
one God, Yahweh, who entered into covenant with the descendants of
Abraham; God's chosen people. Judaism's holy writings reveal how God has
been present with them throughout their history. These writings are
known as the Torah, specifically the five books of Moses, but most
broadly conceived as the Hebrew Scriptures (traditionally called the Old
Testament by Christians) and the compilation of oral tradition known as
the Talmud (which includes the Mishnah, the oral law).
According to Scripture the Hebrew patriarch Abraham (20Ih century
B.C) founded the faith that would become known as Judaism. He obeyed
the call of God to depart northern Mesopotamia and travel to Canaan. God
promised to bless his descendants if they remained faithful in worship.
Abraham's line descended through Isaac, then Jacob (also called Israel;
his descendants came to be called Israelites). According to Scripture,
12 families that descended from Jacob migrated to Egypt, where they were
enslaved. They were led out of bondage (13th century B.C.) by Moses,
who united them in the worship of Yahweh. The Hebrews returned to Canaan
after a 40 year sojourn in the desert, conquering from the local
peoples the "promised land" that God had provided for them.
The
12 tribes of Israel lived in a covenant association during the period
of the judges (1200-1000 B.C.), leaders known for wisdom and heroism.
Saul first established a monarchy (r. 1025?-1005? B.C): his successor,
David (r. 1005?-965? B.C.), unified the land of Israel and made
Jerusalem its religious and political center. Under his son, Solomon (r.
968?-928? B.C.), a golden era culminated in the building of a temple,
replacing the portable sanctuary in use until that time. Following
Solomon's death, the kingdom was split into Israel in the north and
Judah in the south. Political conflicts resulted in the conquest of
Israel by Assyria (721 B.C.) and the defeat of Judah by Babylon (586
B.C.). Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed, and many Judeans were
exiled to Babylon.
During
the era of the kings, the prophets were active in Israel and Judah.
Their writings emphasize faith in Yahweh as God of Israel and of the
entire universe, and they warn of the dangers of worshiping other gods.
They also cry out for social justice.
The
Judeans were permitted to return in 539 B.C. to Judea, where they were
ruled as a Persian province. Although temple and cult were restored in
Jerusalem, during the exile a new class of religious leaders had
emerged-the scribes. They became rivals to the temple hierarchy and
would eventually evolve into the party known as the Pharisees.
Persian
rule ended when Alexander the Great conquered Palestine in 332 B.C.
After his death, rule of Judea alternated between Egypt and Syria. When
the Syrian ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes tried to prevent the practice of
Judaism, a revolt was led by the Maccabees (a Jewish family), winning
Jewish independence in 128 B.C. The Romans conquered Jerusalem in 63
B.C.
During
this period the Sadducees (temple priests) and the Pharisees (teachers
of the law in the synagogues) offered different interpretations of
Judaism. Smaller groups that emerged were the Essenes, a religious
order; the Apocalyptists, who expected divine deliverance led by the
Messiah; and the Zealots, who were prepared to fight for national
independence. Hellenism also influenced Judaism at this time.
When
the Zealots revolted, the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and its
temple (A.D. 70). The Jews were scattered in the Diaspora (dispersion)
and experienced much persecution. Rabbinic Judaism, developed according
to Pharisaic practice and centered on Torah and synagogue, became the
primary expression of faith. The Scriptures became codified, and the
Talmud took shape. In the 12th century Maimonides formulated the
influential 13 Articles of Faith, including belief in God, God's oneness
and lack of physical or other form, the changelessness of Torah,
restoration of the monarchy under the Messiah, and resurrection of the
dead.
Two
branches of European Judaism developed during the middle Ages: the
Sephardic, based in Spain and with an affinity to Babylonian Jews; and
the Ashkenazic, based in Franco-German lands and affiliated with Rome
and Palestine. Two forms of Jewish mysticism also arose at this time:
medieval Hasidism and attention to the Kabbalah (a mystical
interpretation of Scripture).
After
a respite during the 18th-century Enlightenment, anti-Semitism again
plagued European Jews in the 19th century, sparking the Zionist movement
that culminated in the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. The
Holocaust of World War II took the lives of more than 6 million Jews.
Jews
today continue synagogue worship, which includes readings from the Law
and the Prophets and prayers, such as the Shema (Hear, O Israel) and the
Amidah (the 18 Benedictions). Religious life is guided by the
commandments of the Torah, which include the practice of circumcision
and Sabbath observance.
Present-day
Judaism has three main expressions: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform.
Reform movements, resulting from the Haskala (Jewish
Enlightenment) of the 18th century, began in Western Europe but took
root in North America. Reform Jews do not hold the oral law (Talmud) to
be a divine revelation, and they emphasize ethical and moral teachings.
Orthodox Jews follow the traditional faith and practice with great
seriousness. They follow a strict kosher diet and keep the Sabbath with
care. Conservative Judaism, which developed in the mid-I8th century,
holds the Talmud to be authoritative and follows most traditional
practices, yet tries to make Judaism relevant for each generation,
believing that change and tradition can complement each other. Because
the Torah assumes belief in God but does not require it, a strong
secular' movement also exists within Judaism, including atheist and
agnostic elements.
In general, Jews do not proselytize, but they do welcome newcomers to their faith.
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