Introduction to Judaism: Important Beliefs, Practices, and Texts

This report covers the important beliefs and practices of Judaism, including Monotheism, identity, covenant, and worship. It also discusses the significance of Jewish texts as a spiritual, moral, and practical guide in an individual's life.

INTRODUCTION TO
JUDAISM

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY.....................................................................................................................................3
Important beliefs and practices in Judaism..................................................................................3
Jewish texts supporting the beliefs .............................................................................................3
Significance of beliefs in Judaism and role of texts....................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

SUMMARY
Judaism is an old Abrahamic religion where the followers are known as Jews. This report
is about the important belief and practices of Judaism.
Important beliefs and practices in Judaism
Judaism is a religion which is developed around the ancient Hebrews. It is a complex
phenomenon which is a way of life for the Jewish people comprising law and other cultural
traditions. The beliefs of Judaism are Monotheism, identity and covenant which is an agreement
between God and its people. One of the most important teaching of Judaism is that there is one
God who is looking at its people to do what is just and compassionate. This religion teaches its
people to serve God by learning of the holy books and working on what they teach. The teaching
of Judaism is ritually based as well as ethical (Boyarin, 2018). They believe that there is just one
God and only God created the universe and controls the same. The religion teaches that God is
spiritual but not physical. They believe that God is a single Unity and cannot be divided into
different parts. Nobody can explain what it looks like in words but only what it does. Jewish
people believe that good behaviour and morality comes from God.
Jewish texts supporting the beliefs
God is looking after what its people are doing and keeps an eye on them. This religion
builds an image of God which is supposed to be treated with dignity and respect. An individual
will serve God by being like one which means to be fair, show mercy and treat everyone with
kindness as well as love for people. The main practice they follow is mitzvah which is worship, a
duty which is part of the covenant God. Worshipping is an important aspect for the Jews as it
helps in bringing the community together. They follow worship which includes having daily
services, rites of passage and festivals. Practising worship in the home space includes prayers,
Shabbat meals and study of religion (Beider, 2017). The sacred text of Judaism is known as
Tanakh and Hebrew Bible. It includes the books same as the old testament present in the
Christian bible. However, it is placed in a different way. Torah is a one such book which exhibits
laws to be followed by the Jewish people. This sacred text says that God wants its people to walk
their ways while loving and serving him. It says that actions are more important than beliefs
while also, these beliefs are supposed to be made into actions.

Significance of beliefs in Judaism and role of texts
The importance of Judaism texts goes far beyond the religious context. It is not just made
in the Judaism religion perceptions but also with the historical and social heritage of Jewish
people. These texts carry variety of meanings starting from the spiritual, moral and practical
guide in an individual's life. The principles of Torah are same as the beliefs of Judaism which is
having an absolute unity of God and his creation of the world (Mahzor contents: A guide to high
holidays prayers, 2021). This text is also the origin of some non-Jewish traditions as well which
includes Shabbat as a day for rest. Torah exhibits significance about teaching and denotes
specific body of statues.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Beider, N., 2017. Religious practices and beliefs among religious stayers and religious switchers in Israeli
Judaism. Sociology of religion. 78(1). pp.81-99.
Boyarin, D., 2018. Judaism: The genealogy of a modern notion. Rutgers University Press.
Online
Mahzor contents: A guide to high holidays prayers, 2021. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.myjewishlearning.com/>