Judaism Religion History

Judaism is a system of beliefs and practices that are taught in the Hebrew Bible, and were expanded upon and explained in the Talmud and many other texts throughout history.  It is another of the Abrahamic, monotheistic religions that has had a great influence on Western ideas of ethics and civic life.  It is one of the oldest recorded religions that are still practiced today.  The sacred texts of Judaism are central to many of the Abrahamic religions, and thus Judaism has an incredible influence on other religions, including Christianity and Islam. 

The followers of Judaism are known as Jews.  Because Judaism teaches daily and civic duties and creeds to be followed, Jews are considered an ethno-religious group as opposed to just followers of a religion.  Like many other major followings, the religion dictates conduct in daily life, and emphasizes beliefs, community and a total way of life when practicing Judaism.   The Jewish population today is roughly 13.2 million people, and nearly 41% of those live in the state of Israel to this day.  40% are also living in the United States.  This brings necessary political and ethical ties between the US and Israel.

Modern Judaism does not dictate that there is any central authority or single person of the religion.  The most central authority in the religion would be the text itself, as it is interpreted by various rabbis and practiced in religious law.  Judaism had its origins with the Covenant between God and Abraham in 2000 BCE.  The single most prominent belief in Judaism is in that of a single and omnipotent God who created and governs the universe.   God is said to have revealed his teachings to Israelites and their descendants, and proclaimed his laws through Moses on Mount Sinai in both the Written and Oral Torah.

Judaism began with the patriarch figure of Abraham who shunned the idolatry of his era and embraced monotheism.  His sons Ishmael and Isaac carried his teachings forward, after having been exiled for their beliefs.   After many years of being enslaved for their beliefs, God summoned Moses to lead an exodus from Egypt.  In 1313 BCE the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai, where they were led to the land of Israel.

In essence, Judaism believes in the total acceptance of the Written and Oral Torah as the fundamentals of their belief system.  Throughout the ages these beliefs have undergone many different interpretations, and thus the numerous sects of Judaism that one can find today.