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| Core Jewish Beliefs |
| Introduction |
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Judaism
originated in Israel around 4000 years ago. Both Christianity and, to a
lesser extent, Islam, draw on Judaism.
Judaism does not have set doctrines or creeds, but is a religion that
follows Torah, guidance from God found especially in Scripture. Jews
live in a Covenant with God, not for their own sake but for the sake of
the whole world.
The great Jewish scholar Hillel (70 BCE-CE 10) was asked to summarize
the essence of Judaism. He put it like this:
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your
neighbor: this is the whole of Jewish Law; the rest is mere commentary"
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God and the Messiah
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Jews believe there is only one God. God
created the universe, and continues to keep it going. God has always
existed, and always will. God cannot be seen or touched.
God can however, be known through worship, and one can get closer to
God through study and through mystical practices. God chose the Jewish
people as his own special people, to be an example to all human beings.
God gave Torah to the Jews as a guide to the obedient and holy life he
wanted them to live.
"The Messiah", who is a person specially
anointed by God (i.e. specially commissioned), will one day come to the
world. The arrival of the Messiah will bring an era of peace
 Listen here: Questions of Faith
Find out What Jews
believe about the nature of God, human suffering, redemption, and God's
purpose for non-Jews. This program was first broadcast in 1991.
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