Judaism
Judaism is the oldest of the world's main monotheistic religions, and remains one of the smallest.
Central to the Jewish faith is the belief that a single God created the universe, and chose Jews as his own special people to be an example to all humanity.
Judaism is sometimes described as a family and community religion, with many rites focused on the household. The faith is meant to be a central component to everyday life, with its beliefs extending beyond the synagogue, the Jewish place of worship.
The Torah, or Jewish Bible, is a revered text in Judaism and also makes up the first books of the Christian Old Testament. It provides an account of events from the creation of the world until the death of Moses.
History
Moses, a central figure in Judeo-Christian tradition, led his people from slavery in Egypt back to their Promised Land in the 13th century BC.
In that tradition, Moses asked the ruler of Egypt to release his Hebrew slaves. The Pharaoh refused, and Moses and God used strong measures to change his mind. Egypt was ravaged by ten plagues before the Pharaoh gave in.
On the way, according to Jewish tradition, Moses was called to Mount Sinai. There, God revealed the Ten Commandments to him on two stone tablets. These were carried in the gold-plated wood chest called the Ark of the Covenant.
Led by King David in the 10th century, the Hebrew people established a kingdom over the land of Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital.
The First Temple was built during the reign of David's son, Solomon. It contained the Holy of the Holies, a sacred room for the Ark. The Temple was destroyed a few centuries later, and then rebuilt as a centre of Jewish life.
At the time when Jesus was alive, Judaism was a successful missionary religion. Rabbis have reconstructed Judaism, so that the religion no longer possesses a temple. The family and the synagogue became central.
Today, most of the world's 15 million Jews live either in the U.S. or Israel, which is the world's only Jewish state. In the 2001 census, 329,995 Canadians declared themselves to be Jewish.
Beliefs
Jewish people believe there is a single, all-powerful God, who created the universe and everything in it and continues to sustain it. Although God cannot be seen or touched, one can get closer to God through study and through mystical practices.
Further, it is believed that the Messiah, a person specially anointed by or commissioned by God, will one day come to the world. The arrival of the Messiah will bring an era of peace. Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth was that Messiah.
Judaism does not have set doctrines or creeds, but is a religion that follows the Torah.
In addition, oral traditions are contained in the Mishnah and the Talmud, which is a compendium of law and commentary on the Torah, applying it to changed circumstances.
Those who convert to Judaism must undertake the observance of the Torah, including, if they are men, circumcision.
Rituals and ceremonies
The Jewish holy day, or Sabbath, starts at sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on Saturday. During the Sabbath, observant Jews will do nothing that might be counted as work, including driving and cooking.
Some ceremonies take place within a Jewish person's lifetime, including: Circumcision: This ritual takes place on the eighth day after birth, when the foreskin is cut away from the genitalia of male babies.
Bar or bat mitzvah: A family and community celebration marking the 13th birthday of boys (bar mitzvah) and girls (bat mitzvah). It is a rite of passage marking the beginning of adulthood.
Wedding: The couple is married under a portal canopy called a huppa.
Shiva: A seven-day mourning period that follows the death of an immediate family member. The actual observance of the custom in the community varies.
Variations
A distinction is often drawn between "secular" and "religious" Judaism. In the former, the faithful accept the history and values of Judaism, but do not observe the details of the Torah. Religious Judaism implies acceptance of the Torah.
Even then, there are major differences in the ways in which the Torah is brought to bear on life, among the major divisions of Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Progressive, Reconstructionist, and Liberal Judaism.
Holy days
Other major events are marked on the Jewish calendar:
Passover: The holiday commemorating the Hebrews' liberation from slavery in Egypt. It takes place in March or April.
Rosh Hashanah: The New Year in the Jewish calendar, which begins a 10-day period of self-examination and repentance. It usually takes place in September or October.
Yom Kippur: The period after Rosh Hashana concludes with this, the most solemn Jewish holiday. This is when Jewish people seek redemption for their sins and reconnection with God.
Hanukkah: The Jewish "festival of lights" marks the victory by a group called the Maccabees in the third century BC. The menorah, which is lit over the eight-day celebration, commemorates the miracle of the oil, in which a day's worth of fuel miraculously lasted for eight days.
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Your Comments
"By reading the descriptions of different religions, it appears the intent of 'religion' is to better ourselves, give answers and, most importantly, find peace within. If that really is the case, then can believing in a god do us any harm?" — Chris, Saskatchewan
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"One thing I hope for is that people keep asking God their hardest questions." — Geoff Rousseau
