History

Judaism is 3500 years old, and was founded in the Middle East by Abraham and Moses.  It is the original faith from which Christianity later developed, and there are approximately 12 million Jews in the world today. It is a culture and a way of life, not just a faith.  Anyone who is the child of a Jewish mother and who has not taken up another faith is considered Jewish.  people who are not born Jewish can convert to the faith, but the process is long and complex.

Jewish places of worship are called synagogues, and their religious leaders are called rabbis.  The Jewish holy book is the Hebrew Bible, which is also called the called the Tanakh in Hebrew - it is the same book that Christians call the Old Testament.  The most important parts of this text are the first five books, and they are called the Torah. The Talmud is a book of guidelines for everyday living within the Jewish culture.

The Jewish holy day is Saturday - the Sabbath - and there are several religious festivals throughout the year.

Jews have had a checkered history in the world - the original Jewish State was suppressed during the Roman invasions and many Jews fled to Europe or other parts of the Middle East. In exile, Jews have been both persecuted and celebrated, making large contributions to science and culture over the centuries. The most notorious period of Jewish persecution was at the hands of Hitler's government in Germany.  It is estimated that up to 6 million Jews were killed during that decade.  It is referred to as The Holocaust.

There are two main branches of Judaism - Orthodox and Reform. Orthodox Judaism sticks firmly to established traditions and interpretations of the Holy Books and the covenant with God, whereas Reform Judaism has changed and adapted its ideas over the years in response to both internal reform and a changing society. It should be noted that Judaism is also considered a culture as well as a religion.  It is possible to be Jewish by birth but not to hold religious beliefs.

Judaism should not be confused with Zionism, which is the desire to create a Jewish state in Israel.

Beliefs

Jews believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship without the need for the intervention of a saviour.

Judaism teaches that the relationship with God is a covenant relationshuip - this means that in return for the good deeds that God has done, Jews will, in return, keep His laws and seek to live a holy life.

Judaism is focused around the home and family life.

The Sabbath is an important part of Jewish life - it is considered a day of rest to be spent with the family and in worship or contemplation of God.

Jews do not have physical images of God ("graven images") and most Jews are careful about when and how the pronounce or write the name of God.  This is why some Jewish websites will write His name as "G_d".

Judaism affirms the inherent goodness of the world and its people as creations of God - they do not believe in the concept of Original Sin.

Links

Find out more about Judaism at http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk

Locally

Bury Hebrew Congregation (United), Sunnybank Road, Bury. Telephone 0161 796 5062
Sha'arei Shalom Congregation (Reform), Elms Street, Whitefield, Manchester. Telephone 0161 796 6736