JUDAISM

JEWISH BELIEFS

Jews believe in one God who created the universe. The Jews have to fulfill their commandments through their covenant with God - how strict many see it as a matter of interpretation.

"Shema Israel" is the most important prayer of Judaism, which at the same time carries the creed. However, a generally valid and binding confession is foreign to Judaism. The closest one may be to the 13 articles of faith of Moses Maimonides. In the twelfth century, the Jewish philosopher and jurist attempted a summary of Jewish beliefs. Although the text was included in the prayer books in an abbreviated form, it did not receive the status of a confession.

TORAH AS THE MAIN SOURCE OF FAITH

At the center of Jewish religious life is the Torah, which comprises the five books of Moses. Together with the "Nevi'im" (prophets) and the "Ketuvim" (scriptures), the Torah forms the "Tanach". The texts compiled in it are considered normative for the Jewish religion.

In addition to the Tanach still exists the Talmud, whose center forms the Mishnah. This is, according to traditional Jewish understanding, the scriptural oral doctrine which Moses received from God in addition to the written text - the Torah. Above all, the Mishnah contains provisions on Jewish religious law.

DIFFERENT FONTS

How relevant the understanding of the Scriptures is to the Jewish religion can be seen in the three great currents of Judaism. They are just different in their understanding of Scripture. Orthodox Judaism maintains that both Torah and Mishna were revealed and written by God. Reform Judaism sees the Torah as a revelation of God, but written by man. Scripture and commandments can therefore be redesigned. Conservative Judaism takes a middle ground. It has a similar understanding of revelation as Reform Judaism, but it is increasingly adhering to commandments and traditions.

However, the tripartite division is not to be understood as absolute. In addition, there are a multitude of smaller denominations that do not feel attached to any of the directions and Jews who do not belong to any established stream.

COVENANT WITH GOD OBLIGES TO OBSERVE THE COMMANDMENTS

Nevertheless, the Torah understanding must be seen as determining the understanding and interpretation of the commandments. 613 "Mitzwot" (plural of "Mitzwa" = commandment) can be found, according to Talmud in the Torah. This includes food regulations as well as purity requirements and the commandment to observe the Shabbat. If the Torah is understood as literally given by God, then all its commandments must be followed exactly. If one sees in it divine revelation in human form, one can also discuss the validity of the commandments.

According to orthodox understanding, the pros and cons are in any case binding on all Jews. From the age of 13, a Jewish boy is required to observe the commandments of God, girls from the age of twelve. Boys then become the "Bar Mitzvah" (son of the bid), the girl becomes the Bat Mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandment).

CIRCUMCISION AS A SIGN OF THE COVENANT

Behind the idea of ​​a divine law is the belief that God has made a covenant with his people - a conviction found in numerous passages of the Jewish scriptures: from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to Moses to the prophets. The idea of ​​the divine covenant became the determining factor for the Jewish religion. For example, the circumcision of newborn boys, which was widespread in many peoples of the East, was interpreted in Judaism as a sign of covenant with God.

CREATOR GOD, APPROACHABLE IN PRAYER

In the period of the Babylonian exile (597 to 539 BC), YHWH ("YHWH" is the unspeakable proper name of God) became a monotheistic god and creator of the entire cosmos. Man, too, is understood as the creature of God, and owes his existence to YHWH. Although this may not be shown in pictures, nor should its name be pronounced. Nevertheless, he is not only understood as a further creator God, but as a personal and prayerful addressed. His work is reflected in the history of his people. The history of the people of Israel is therefore also interpreted as the history of the action of God.

RESURRECTION DOCTRINE EMERGED RELATIVELY LATE

For that reason, too, other-worldly ideas for a long time played no part in the faith of Israel. YHWH was the god of the living and death was characterized above all by the separation from God. The Jewish Underworld ("Sheol") is first and foremost an undefined place of shadows. The idea of ​​the resurrection also comes up relatively late. It is not until the book of Daniel, probably around the middle of the second century BC, that recalls the resurrection doctrine and post-mortal judgment. That the Jewish salvation expectation is primarily an earthly one is also expressed in the image of the Messiah ("the anointed one").

NO ORIGINAL SIN IN JUDAISM

Even in apocalyptic ideas, the Messiah never becomes a Redeemer figure. For, unlike in Christianity, man in Judaism needs no deliverance from original sin. Although each person sins in the course of his life, sincere repentance brings with it the reconciliation with God.

Likewise, there was and is no mission in Judaism. Such efforts were already opposed by the close interlocking of the national community and religion. Of course, at the latest under a fully developed monotheism, the question arose as to how God's relationship to non-Jews was shaped. From the Noah narrative (Noah lived according to Torah before Abraham and therefore could not be a Jew) and the there described covenant between God and Noah, the rabbis derived the seven Noahidean commandments. These should apply to all non-Jews. Anyone who considers himself a non-Jew in Judaism is also considered a "zaddik" (righteous).

JEWISH FAITH PRACTICE

The 613 laws and prohibitions of the Torah (five books of Moses) shape and structure the religious and everyday life of the Jews.

Among the divine "Mitzvot" (commandments) is the commandment to sanctify "Shabbat" (Saturday), the weekly holiday. From Friday at sunset to Saturday to sunset, the Sabbath rest is considered a religious imperative. On Friday evening and Saturday morning, the congregation gathers for prayer in the synagogue. Work is forbidden, prayer and family are in the foreground. Only if danger to life exists, the Shabbat rest may be interrupted.

FOOD LAWS AND PURITY LAWS

The dietary laws are also an important element of Jewish religious practice: Jews are only allowed to eat food and drinks that are kosher (suitable for consumption). There are extensive detailed regulations regarding the dietary laws, but the most important rules are:

- keep milky and meaty foods strictly separated

- only to eat meat from ruminants (eg no pork)

- only to eat meat from slaughtered animals

- only fish with fins and scales to eat (so no eel, for example, but no seafood).

Ritual purity plays a role in the kitchen, but also in other areas of life. Similar to Islam (see the entry "Wudu '") there is also a purification ritual in Judaism: the dipping bath ("mikwe"). For example, if you come in contact with blood or a dead man, you have to cleanse yourself again in the "mikveh". It is not about cleanliness - the bath is allowed to enter only freshly washed - but the cultic purity. For women, the "mikvah" has a special meaning because of their monthly bleeding: After each period, but also after birth women visit the ritual bath. When crossing to Judaism, the dip is also mandatory.

BRIT MILA: CIRCUMCISION OF NEWBORN BOYS

Children of a Jewish mother are regarded as Jews from birth. Boys are circumcised on the eighth day after birth - as a sign of their covenant with God and belonging to the people of Israel. This commandment goes to Gen 17, 10 ff (standard translation on die-bibel.de). back. The "mohel" (pruner) removes part of the foreskin on the penis of the newborn. The circumcision ceremony is called "Brit Mila" (Circumcision of the circumcision), usually in the circle of family and friends also celebrated.

The next religious ceremony in the life of a Jew follows shortly after the 13th Birthday, when he becomes "Bar Mitzvah" (Son of Duty) and thus religiously legal, girls are already a year earlier than "Bat Mitzvah" in the circle of adult believers added.

TORAH, TALMUD AND HALACHA

The written and oral "Torah," which Moses received from God in Sinai, contains those commandments that the people of Israel have committed to obey through their covenant with God. The written Torah are also known as the Five Books of Moses and the Pentateuch. The oral Torah has been translated as "Mishnah" and forms, together with the "Gemara", the interpretation of the Mishnah by important rabbis, the "Talmud". However, as in Islam, Judaism does not have a definitive, fixed code of law. The religious law, the "Halacha", is rather a work that has emerged over time and continues to evolve today.

"BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY"

"Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen 1:22 after the unit translation) is the first commandment of the Torah. Therefore, it is the divine will of the Jews to marry and found a family. In devout families, marriages are often donated by a matchmaker, the "Schadchan", who brings together suitable spouses, but Jews usually choose their own partners.

Condition for the wedding is the "Ketuba" (marriage contract). It defines the rights and obligations of the spouses. This "wedding certificate" is often very elaborately designed. The wedding itself is often celebrated big and extensive. The ceremony itself takes place under the "Chuppa" (fairy-tale canopy), often under the open sky. A divorce is possible in Judaism, but it is not seen gladly, the marriage covenant should be closed for life.

As a wedding date, Tuesday is considered a particularly good day, because in Genesis for the third day of the creation story (Gen 1: 9-13 after the unit translation) it means twice: "God saw that it was good." Twice as well should the marriage that was closed on a Tuesday. On Saturdays ("Shabbat") and holidays are not married.

SEVEN DAYS OF MOURNING SITTING

If a Jew dies, he must be buried as soon as possible, if possible on the same day. The body is washed and wrapped in a linen death shirt. The funeral itself is led by a rabbi, the funeral prayer ("Kaddish") speaks the son of the deceased or the next male relatives. As a sign of mourning, the relatives and friends tear their clothes.

Seven days after a person dies, the relatives sit "Shiva" (seven). During this period of mourning, when relatives are not allowed to do any work, can not shave and wash, sexual relations are forbidden and even not read from the Torah. It is considered a godly act to visit, feed and sit with mourners during this time. The following thirty days ("Schloschim") are relaxed mourning regulations, except for mother and father, who are mourned for a full year.

FESTIVALS IN THE ANNUAL CIRCLE

Judaism knows a number of holidays that have different meanings, but in a same one: to do work is forbidden. The main holiday is "Yom Kippur" (atonement), which is fasted fast. He belongs with "Rosh Hashanah" and "Sukkot" to the holidays in autumn. Also in the spring there are a number of holidays, of which "Passover" is the most important. Passover is the reminder of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, and has special dietary requirements to follow during the one-week festival.