Judaism
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| Stemming
from the descendants of Judah in Judea, Judaism was founded c. 2000
B.C. by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and has 18 million followers in the
U.S. Judaism espouses belief in a monotheistic God, who is creator of
the universe and who leads His people, the Jews, by speaking through
prophets. His word is revealed in the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament),
especially in that part known as the Torah. The Torah also contains,
according to rabbinic tradition, a total of 613 biblical commandments,
including the Ten Commandments, which are explicated in the Talmud.
Jews believe that the human condition can be improved, that the letter
and the spirit of the Torah must be followed, and that a Messiah will
eventually bring the world to a state of paradise. Judaism promotes
community among all people of Jewish faith, dedication to a synagogue
or temple (the basic social unit of a group of Jews, led by a rabbi),
and the importance of family life. Religious observance takes place
both at home and in temple. Judaism is divided into three main groups
who vary in their interpretation of those parts of the Torah that deal
with personal, communal, international, and religious activities: the
Orthodox community, which views the Torah as derived from God, and
therefore absolutely binding; the Reform movement, which follows
primarily its ethical content; and the Conservative Jews, who follow
most of the observances set out in the Torah but allow for change in
the face of modern life. A fourth group, Reconstructionist Jews,
rejects the concept of the Jews as God's chosen people, yet maintains
rituals as part of the Judaic cultural heritage. |
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