Let's talk about Judaism- Wahoo!
Modern day Judaism is slightly different than foundations time period Judaism because as time has progressed Jews have debated over and thrown out certain methods of practicing Judaism. As a result of this, many Jews do not have a formal, mandatory belief system. The most accepted summary of Jewish beliefs is Rambam's 13 Principles of Faith:
*Before reading you should know that G-d stands for God. Jewish people believe that writing the Lords name is a sin because it could be erased or in some way ruined. This was seen as greatly disrespectful*
1.) G-d exists
2.)G-d is one and unique
3.) G-d is incorporeal
4.) G-d is eternal
5.) Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and no other
6.) The words of the prophets are true
7.) Moses' prophecies are true and Moses was the greatest of all the prophets
8.) The Written Torah ( first five books of the Bible) and the Oral Torah were given to Moses
9.) There will be no other Torah
10.) G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men
11.) G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked
12.) The Messiah will come
13.) The dead will be resurrected
As you can see, the main focus of Judaism is the relationship between the Creator, mankind, and the land of Israel.
Side note: Judaism is not an ethnic group! http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm explains this common misconception:
"In the 1980s, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Jews are a race, at least for purposes of certain anti-discrimination laws. Their reasoning: at the time these laws were passed, people routinely spoke of the "Jewish race" or the "Italian race" as well as the "Negro race," so that is what the legislators intended to protect.
But many Jews were deeply offended by that decision, offended by any hint that Jews could be considered a race. The idea of Jews as a race brings to mind nightmarish visions of Nazi Germany, where Jews were declared to be not just a race, but an inferior race that had to be rounded up into ghettos and exterminated like vermin.
But setting aside the emotional issues, Jews are clearly not a race"
-http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm
Sources:
http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm
*Before reading you should know that G-d stands for God. Jewish people believe that writing the Lords name is a sin because it could be erased or in some way ruined. This was seen as greatly disrespectful*
1.) G-d exists
2.)G-d is one and unique
3.) G-d is incorporeal
4.) G-d is eternal
5.) Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and no other
6.) The words of the prophets are true
7.) Moses' prophecies are true and Moses was the greatest of all the prophets
8.) The Written Torah ( first five books of the Bible) and the Oral Torah were given to Moses
9.) There will be no other Torah
10.) G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men
11.) G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked
12.) The Messiah will come
13.) The dead will be resurrected
As you can see, the main focus of Judaism is the relationship between the Creator, mankind, and the land of Israel.
Side note: Judaism is not an ethnic group! http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm explains this common misconception:
"In the 1980s, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Jews are a race, at least for purposes of certain anti-discrimination laws. Their reasoning: at the time these laws were passed, people routinely spoke of the "Jewish race" or the "Italian race" as well as the "Negro race," so that is what the legislators intended to protect.
But many Jews were deeply offended by that decision, offended by any hint that Jews could be considered a race. The idea of Jews as a race brings to mind nightmarish visions of Nazi Germany, where Jews were declared to be not just a race, but an inferior race that had to be rounded up into ghettos and exterminated like vermin.
But setting aside the emotional issues, Jews are clearly not a race"
-http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm
Sources:
http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm
Fun Facts!
Famous Jewish people:
Adam Sandler
Carrie Fischer (Princess Leia)
Daniel Radcliff
Ben Stiller
Jerry Seinfeld
Albert Einstein
James Franco
Jack Black
Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller)
The 3 Stooges
JESUS
Judd Nelson
Marilyn Monroe
So pretty much every awesome person ever has been Jewish.
Adam Sandler
Carrie Fischer (Princess Leia)
Daniel Radcliff
Ben Stiller
Jerry Seinfeld
Albert Einstein
James Franco
Jack Black
Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller)
The 3 Stooges
JESUS
Judd Nelson
Marilyn Monroe
So pretty much every awesome person ever has been Jewish.