Judaism

About the Symbol

One of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith is the menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple.
It has been said that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel and their mission to be "a light unto the nations." (Isaiah 42:6).
The sages emphasize that light is not a violent force; Israel is to accomplish its mission by setting an example, not by using force. This idea is highlighted in the vision in Zechariah 4:1-6. Zechariah sees a menorah, and G-d explains: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit." (excerpts from Judaism 101: Signs and Symbols).

Founder / Major Figures

Abraham - brought his people to faith in one God
Moses - the greatest of the prophets; he led his people to freedom from slavery in Egypt and received the Law from God
David - one of the great kings of ancient Israel

Major Beliefs

Historically, Jews believe that God is intimately involved in the affairs of the world, and that creation has a moral purpose in which good is rewarded and evil is punished. Besides being perfectly just and righteous, God is also gracious and merciful, extending pardon to all who repent of their misdoings.
This unique One whom Jews worship is understood to relate to humanity in personal ways, so that certain similarities between the divine and the human exist. The divine Lord is always regarded as being infinitely high above all that is created, always other than human beings.
The particular calling of the Jewish nation is expressed as a divine-human agreement or covenant. This agreement was inaugurated by the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses, which became to Jews the basis of their life.
They are not as concerned about delving into the mystery of God's nature as they are in regulating their lives to conform to the models of behavior set forth in divinely inspired laws and teachings.
For Jews, actions are more important than beliefs. Judaism focuses on one's relationship to G-d and to others. Rambam's set of thirteen principles of faith, widely accepted by Jews, is the following:
G-d* exists.
G-d is one and unique.
G-d is incorporeal.
G-d is eternal.
Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and no other.
The words of the prophets are true.
Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets.
The Written Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) and the Oral Torah (teachings in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses.
There will be no other Torah.
G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of humankind.
G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked.
The Messiah will come.
The dead will be resurrected.
*Jews honor G-d by not writing out or saying the name of the Holy One.

Scripture / Sacred Writings

The Hebrew Scripture, consisting of the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, recounts the story of a people specially chosen to show forth the beauty and power of life lived by faith in the Creator of all things, the One True and Living God.
The Written Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) are the books of the Law and the writings held most sacred by Jews.
The Talmud, a collection of oral traditions (eventually written down), concerns all aspects of Jewish practice and experience and is also revered.

Worship and Spiritual Practice

Jewish life is grounded in religious practices and observances of holy days. The most important ritual for a Jew is the observance of Shabbat, or Sabbath which begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday.
Observant Jews pray three times a day: in the evening, in the morning, and in the afternoon.
Worship by Jews can be understood as a vast meditation upon the historical unfolding of their life as a people. Whether in the home, traditionally the primary place for learning and practicing Jewish values, or in the synagogue, each week they observe Shabbat (the Sabbath), a solemn day of rest, prayer and praise to God.
When the people gather they follow the leadership of a rabbi, or teacher. There is a public reading from the Torah. Praying, litanies, songs, chants and sermons are also parts of the weekly service. The atmosphere in the synagogue may vary from respectful dignity to joyful exuberance.

Because God in Judaism is holy and infinitely just, the standards of that faith for morals and ethics are high. Believers hold to certain ceremonial rules regarding rites of initiation, food, drink, dress and social behavior, which are observed with varying strictness.

Movements and Branches

Within Judaism are three movements: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Differences between them have to do both with ritual practices and beliefs.

History

Jewish people belong to a unique tradition of faith and practice that goes back 4,000 years in the Middle East.
They trace their roots to Abraham who brought his people to faith in one God.
Then as the children of Abraham continued their walk of faith under the leadership of Moses and a line of kings and prophets, a nation was formed, a law was divinely revealed, a land was settled, authoritative writings of legislation, history and devotion developed.
This nation, called Israel, felt a sense of destiny as a collective witness to the reality of the one God of the universe. At various times it came into conflict with secular powers and rival religious movements. Internal strife also caused serious breaks at times in the unity of the nation.
Over the centuries the people of Israel were scattered into many countries, but they have always retained their ethnic and religious distinctiveness. Ethnicity is as important as faith in identifying Jewish people.
History as it continues to unfold teaches Jews further lessons of their faith. Dispersed to all parts of the earth, they have seen their own in Europe suffer the ultimate in horror at the hands of Nazi Germany during World War II. While the persecutions leading up to those tragic events were gathering force, from the remnant of the dispersion there emerged a dynamic movement, called Zionism, to regain the Promised Land for Jews. Its result has been the establishment of the State of Israel, an event of great hope to all people of that faith.
The lessons of history have been sad beyond measure for Jews, and even though the present scene of Israel's rebirth as a nation offers promise, Jews are cautious and watchful. Anti-Jewish feeling lies just below the surface in many cultures.
There is also history to be anticipated. Jewish faith has nourished through the centuries the hope of a golden age when a divinely appointed leader called the Messiah, or Anointed One, will rule the world in peace. While many Jews today do not hold to a literal interpretation of their ancient messianic belief, it remains as a symbol to encourage hope in a world community founded on the promise of universal justice.
Today the descendants of Moses' people enjoy a rich heritage handed down to them from many generations of Jews who have maintained the tradition in spite of untold hardship and persecution.
There are nearly six million Jews in the United States and about 13 million worldwide.

Calendar

Jews have a lunar calendar with the new year beginning on Yom Kippur (in September).
Every four years an additional month is added to the calendar in order to make it congruent with the Gregorian calendar.
Jews commemorate historical events of their faith by the celebration of festivals. The Sabbath itself is one of them, remembering the week of divine creation of the world.
Other occasions include:
Passover: remembering the time when Moses' people were delivered from slavery in Egypt
The Feast of Weeks: a harvest festival as well a remembrance of the giving of the divine law
The Feast of Tabernacles: to remember God's protection during ancient Israel's wanderings in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land