What Jewish People Believe

Four Main Divisions of Judaism:

1. Orthodox

   Orthodox Judaism believes in a personal Messiah, who though not divine, is superhuman. They also embrace the authority of the Scriptures in conjunction with tradition.

2. Conservative

   Conservative Judaism is, philosophically, the middle of the road Judaism. They believe that tradition is not fixed, but rather is changeable. Conservative Jews are not strict in the traditions and expectations as are the Orthodox.

3. Reform

   Reform Judaism is the liberal branch of Judaism and is diametrically opposite to the tradition and trappings of Orthodox Judaism. They embrace an all-inclusive stance to religion and tradition.

4. Reconstructionism

   Reconstructionism is a branch that was founded in the early 1900s by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan. Reconstructionists believe that Judaism is not just a religion, but a civilization, a totality of lifestyle. This includes language, art, philosophy, folklore, tradition and science.

   *(There are also other sub-groups that fall within the construct of these four main divisions, such as Humanistic Judaism and Chasidic Judaism).

L’Chaim - To Life

L’chaim is a Hebrew word used in the celebration of Jewish life extensively. From birth to the grave there is a celebration of existence cherishing children, mom, dad, and grandparents. These celebrations have a great range from teenagers experiencing Bar/Bat 2Mitzvah, a rite of passage into adulthood and becoming a member of the religious community, to the marriage ceremony that remind Jewish families that the temple in Jerusalem is destroyed and anticipates redemption through the Messiah or the messianic age to come. Lighting candles to remember loved ones who have passed on is another of the many ways a Jew celebrates life. Jews also encourage the freedom to mourn without restraint or fear of embarrassment. One main key to understanding Judaism is the understanding of how they celebrate life.

Theological Beliefs

The Bible

The Orthodox Jew believes that the Old Testament (Tenach) is inspired by God and is absolutely trustworthy. That God spoke to the prophets and writers of the Old Testament by divine inspiration as they were moved to write the exact words of God.

In contrast, the Reform (liberal) Jew believes that the Scriptures were not inspired by God alone. That the prophets and other writers were inspired like any other writer of literature is inspired, and that the authors embellished the story and used parables rather than exact words from God.

God

I believe with a perfect faith that the Creator (blessed be His name) is one God, and that there is no unity whatever like unto Him; and that He alone is our God, who was, is and will be eternally. Maimonidies, Thirteen Articles of Faith, Number 2

All Jews believe in this statement to one degree or another. Maimonidies (Jewish philosopher/physician, 1135-1204 A.D.) wrote what would be an equivalent to the Christian’s Apostle’s Creed

The Hebrew word translated “one” is usually the Hebrew word yachid which coveys the idea of “an absolute one”. God instructed Abraham to take his “only” (yachid) son (Genesis 322:2). Whereas, in Deuteronomy 6:4 we find another word translated “one”, the Hebrew word, Echod. Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one (echod) Lord. In Genesis 2:24 we read, And they (Adam and Eve) shall be Aone flesh (basar echod). The idea of echod is diversity within unity, or that of a composite unity. Simply stated, a plurality within a single entity, such as a triune being, the Trinity.

Judaism does not embrace the Christian belief of the Trinity of the God-head (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), rather they believe that God is a single entity, God only. When a Jew, who embraces Judaism, states that he, believes in God, it is not the same as the Christian view.

Man

When it comes to the definition of man Judaism and Christianity are in agreement in some areas and poles apart in other. Christians believe that man, though created in the image of God, has fallen into sin because of Adam and therefore needs salvation by the grace of God through the shed blood of Jesus, our Passover lamb (Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 5:7) .Judaism teaches that man, created in the image of God, is intrinsically good, and given the right surroundings and circumstances will make the right decisions. Also, that man can overcome evil through good and can retrace their steps and correct any wrongs that have been done. Judaism does not embrace the Christian doctrine of original sin. Judaism believes that man has a spark of divine light within and can be all that God wants him/her to be by their own works or merit. However Christianity teaches that all have sinned and need redemption (Romans 3:10, 23).

Sin

Judaism teaches that evil or sin is something that is contrary to principles taught within the Scripture. Sin is emphasized between man and God and that man can overcome sin through the study of Torah, good works and blessing others. Simply, by shear will power. Judaism does not believe in original sin or the sinful nature of man, therefore cannot explain why there is sin and evil in the world.

Salvation

When looking at the view of salvation held by the teaching of Judaism, one finds that it is quite different from that of Christianity. The Old Testament refers to salvation in terms of atonement. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the time when the High Priest offered a sacrifice for his sins and the sins of the nation Israel. Atonement was accomplished in this way. Atonement (Hebrew Kippur) means to cover. In the Old Testament sins were temporarily covered through sacrificial offerings, in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed (Romans 3:25) NASB.

In the Old Testament, God was acting in a just and holy fashion in temporality covering or passing over sins in anticipation of the coming of His Son as a sacrificed Lamb who would “take away” the sin, and not simply cover, or pass over sin. (John 1:29)

The only place these sacrifices could take place was in the Temple located in Jerusalem. Since the Temple is no longer standing a problem arose regarding what to do about the sacrifices and atonement for sin. The rabbinical leaders, subsequently, developed a new concept since the Temple was gone, and therefore, impossible to have blood sacrifice. They concluded that atonement may be accomplished by good deeds, prayer and repentance. That fulfilling these commandments was equivalent to the blood sacrifice of biblical times. Thus, Judaism developed an atonement or salvation through good works.

The Afterlife

The afterlife is an ambiguous concept for Judaism. They emphasize that Individuals live on through progeny, memory, personal influence in the world and, yes, the immortality of 5the soul. However, the location where the soul continues is not very clear. At best it is a fuller experience with God or divine bliss or eternal nothingness. The rabbis have very little to say in this area and can bring little comfort.

This is an area in which Christians can bring hope to their Jewish friends. In the Lord Jesus (Yeshua - Jewish way to say Jesus) Christians have the assurance in spending eternity with God in Heaven.

Heaven/Hell

The concept of heaven and hell according to Judaism is a way to reward the good and to equalize the evil in the universe. Heaven is the place where the soul enters an experience with God and the Heavenly host. It is like the Garden of Eden full of bliss and peace. It is a place where one can study Torah without restraint and with total freedom.

Hell is a place of burning and torment for the wicked. It is complete separation from God and the eternal bliss of Eden. Liberal Judaism rejects a literal place of heaven or hell. They would completely dismiss the reality of eternal existence in a geographical locale. Rather, they say it is metaphor and yet does not attempt to explain where the soul goes after death.

Messiah

Orthodox and Conservative Jews believe in a personal messiah, a super-human messiah, however, not a God-Man messiah. Judaism finds it difficult to justify a messiah being fully God and fully man at the same time. They believe this super-human, though not divine, messiah will bring about world peace and prosperity. Prayer is offered up each day for messianic redemption and restoration.

Liberal or reform Jews do not believe in a personal messiah, rather they look for a messianic age of peace, where the world will be one. They believe that man will bring about world peace and harmony.

Jesus

Most Jewish people believe that Jesus was a historical person, and a good Jew. However, they believe he was human like any other man and the son of God only in the context that all people are children, or sons of God. They believe that Jesus was great because of his teachings, lifestyle and impact on the world. But, they do not believe that He was God.