An Introduction to Judaism and Christianity: Beliefs, Origins, and Worship Practices, Study notes of Religion

Download An Introduction to Judaism and Christianity: Beliefs, Origins, and Worship Practices and more Study notes Religion in PDF only on Docsity! Judaism 101 One of the world’s oldest religions, Judaism was founded by the Hebrew people in the land of Canaan around 2000 B.C.E. The religion developed gradually over time but has always been monotheistic. All Jews, as the followers are called, believe in and worship one God, Yahweh. They believe that Yahweh is the creator of the universe and everything in it. Jews believe that they are God’s chosen people and trace their ancestry to Abraham. They believe that through God’s covenant, or agreement, with Abraham, his descendants formed the nation called Israel. It was these Jewish descendants that were led from slavery in Egypt by Moses. God revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses. These Commandments are the basis and model for Jewish moral thought and values. The history and beliefs of Judaism are written in the Hebrew Bible. Christians and others refer to this as the Old Testament. The first five books make up the Torah, which is very holy to the Jewish people. Worship services are held weekly to celebrate the Sabbath which is on Saturday. These services are held in synagogues or temples and services are led by rabbis. Jewish beliefs are based in the history and law put forth in the Bible. Judaism is a belief in one God. Followers gain salvation from their belief in God and through good deeds. Jews believe Jesus was a Jewish man and preacher who was killed by the Romans for his teachings. The Jewish faith does not view Jesus as the Son of God or the Messiah because according to their faith, Jesus did not meet all of the requirements of the promised Messiah. However, Jews are taught to respect the beliefs of people of all faiths.