Judaism
Point of origin
How did the religion or philosophy spread?
One way that Judaism has spread and will spread is that since there is a lot of Judaism around the world already all of their children will most likely become Jewish as well. Unless something very bad happens then the Judaism population will only become only bigger. The many powerful kings have also built many Jewish temples so the more people that see these temples may convert because the Jewish people are so faithful. Also many historical circumstances have made Judaism popular around the world converting more and more people to Judaism. People also believe that Jewish people traded and traveled so they had to have spread their culture while they were trading and traveling.
Where is this tradition most influential today?
How many followers are there worldwide?
Is there a monotheistic or polytheistic tradition
Monotheism characterizes the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and elements of the belief are discernible in numerous other religions.
Who is/are the main or major deity(ies)?
Other Jewish names of God include:
- Adonai Emet (Truth)
- Tzur Yisrael (The Rock of Israel)
- Elohei Avraham, Yitzchak v'Ya'acov (God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob)
- Ehiyeh sh'Ehiyeh (I Am That I Am)
- Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, our King)
- Ro'eh Yisrael (Shepherd of Israel)
- Ha-Kadosh, Baruch Hu (The Holy One, Praised be He)
- Melech ha-M'lachim (The King of Kings)
- Makom (literally, the Place; means "The Omnipresent")
- Magen Avraham (Shield of Abraham)
Who founded this faith? When?
What do the followers call their scriptures or holybook(s)?
How is the religious leadership organized?
What are the basic beliefs of Judaism?
God exists
God is one and unique
God is incorporeal
God is eternal
Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other
The words of the prophets are true
Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets
The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses
There will be no other Torah
God knows the thoughts and deeds of men
God will reward the good and punish the wicked
The Messiah will come
The dead will be resurrected
What sects of Judaism have developed over time?
- The first of the modern movements developed in Eastern Europe. This movement, known as Chasidism, was founded by Israel ben Eliezer, more commonly known as the Baal Shem Tov or the Besht. Before Chasidism, Judaism emphasized education as the way to get closer to God. Chasidism emphasized other, more personal experiences and mysticism as alternative routes to God. Chasidism was considered a radical movement at the time it was founded. There was strong opposition from those who held to the pre-existing view of Judaism. Those who opposed Chasidism became known as mitnagdim (opponents). Today, the Chasidim and the mitnagdim are relatively unified in their opposition to the liberal modern movements.
- There are three major movements in the U.S. today: Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox. Some people also include a fourth movement, the Reconstructionist movement, although that movement is substantially smaller than the other three. Orthodox and sometimes Conservative are described as "traditional" movements. Reform, Reconstructionist, and sometimes Conservative are described as "liberal" or "modern" movements.