The Religious World
Beliefs
The Torah, is the belief in which Jewish people worship and follow the Torah’s laws. The Israelites in Sinai is the laws that Jewish people must obey and follow. The Torah is written in the Ten Commandments:
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Do not steal
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Do not worship no other God, but the Torah
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Do not misuse the name of God.
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Do not murder
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Do not steal
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Do not envy other’s possessions
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Observe the Sabbath Day (Saturday). Keep it Holy.
Judaism is separated into three groups: Orthodox Jews, Conservative and Reform Jews and Reform Jews. These groups have different views and explanation in the Torah. Orthodox believe it is practical to obey the Torah. The Conservative and Reform Jews believe in the ritual practices which bring the the ancient laws into the modern world. The Reform Jews, allow equality with men and women and are allowed to mingle with the opposite gender. The Reform Jews introduce Hebrew into the Judaism services.
Social Structure
Symbols
Fire- Symbolising love and warmth from God. The Kabbalah believes God has a strong relationship with the world and everyone in it.
Kippah- Sign of respect and love for God. A Kippah is worn by men on the top of their heads. Once women are married they also can wear a scarf or a hat covering their head as a sign of respect and humility.
Six-pointed star- Symbolising an ancient Star of David
Tallit- Symbolizes God’s presence, and protection. The Tallit is a shawl that is worn during pray and ceremonies.
Rituals
Jewish Rituals start from the moment people are born, right up until their death. These rituals include in the Jewish Religion:
The Naming Ceremonies When a When a Jewish child is born, either female or male, on the first Sabbath the father attends the synagogue for the blessing to keep the child and the mother safe and heathy; including a naming ceremony for girls, while the boys are named after eight days of birth, as a ritual of circumcision.
Brit Milah (Circumcision)
After the eight days a baby boy is born, the ritual; circumcision is performed as part of the Judaism religion.
Bat Mitzvah/Bar Mitzvah
As part of the Jewish law and religion, once a boy is 13, is taught to obey and learn The Ten Commandments. He has a ceremony to mark becoming a man of the “Son of the Commandments” and carry out these deeds. Once a girl has turned 13 she becomes the “daughter of the commandment” and of the Jewish religion and rites.
Marriage
The Judaism religion believes a home and a family is an important aspect of the religion and carry on the traditions, teachings and cultural of the Jewish religion.
Death
Death is part of the Judaism Religion and understanding of God and the times when people die and have lived their place on the earth and carried out the religion.
Ethical principles and or oral and written codes of behaviour
Judaism’s doctrine's or belief, believe there is only one God; who is the leader and gives commandments on the moral laws and moral rights and wrongs. Judaism is set in the book of the Bible, known as the Torah. The Torah includes the ethical and legal written works; including The Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments include the moral principles, justice, equality before law, social wellbeing, peace and freedom. An example “The meek shall inherit the earth and alight in the abundance of peace”. Psalms 37:11
Myths and other Stories
Jewish mythology shapes and symbolises the Judaism religion and the Jewish cultural. The Judaism sacred texts are the major element of the Jewish mythology and influence the Christian mythology, receives all the mythology and stories from Jewish people, who share myths and stories in the old testament.
Sacred texts and other religious writings
Judaism’s sacred texts symbolise and include the jewish cultural and historical context. The sacred texts guides Jewish people for everyday life, moral values, cultural and traditional customs and wealth. The Torah is the book of Moses; the story of the God creations and descendant of the Ten Commandments of the the Israelites. The Torah is the centre of God and the historical background and belief in God’s creation of the world and the culture created by Judaism. Torah is also the teachings of moral laws and teachings.
Religious experiences
Jewish religious experiences include the services at the synagogue, reflecting and talking about the belief and faith in God. The Jewish ceremonies mention the Passover, the naming of children, the candle light of Hanukkah and mourning rituals. The Synagogue is considered the house to worship and pray to God. The Jewish spiritual life, is the start and growth in the religious world and faith in God and the religious experiences.