Judaism

 

 Judaism is the oldest of the Abrahamic faiths, which also include Christianity and Islam. It is also one of the oldest monotheistic religions of the world. It was founded in the Middle East, around 3,500 years ago, by a prophet called Moses, to whom, it is believed that God revealed his laws and commandments. The Tanakh or the Hebrew Bible is the Jewish canonical text through which most of the religion has been studied and understood. In Judaism, the concept of God, and His relationship with humankind has been brought out in a very interesting manner. The Jews believe that there is only one God, and that they have a set agreement, a covenant with Him. In return for all the good things which the God endows people with, they have to abide by His laws, and live a sacred life spreading peace and harmony in the world. It is this 'give and take relationship' with God that gives Him human characteristics, and thus makes Him all the more approachable. But, on the other hand, owing to this one to one relationship with God, every single act that a Jew performs may be considered as the act of worship. In lieu of this, the Jews have the Halakha, a collection of their religious laws, the basis of which, is the Torah, the five books dictated to Moses by the Almighty.

The places of worship of the Jews are the Synagogues, and their spiritual leaders are known as Rabbis. Traditionally, the Jews are supposed to pray three times a day. However, a fourth prayer is added to the routine on the day of the Sabbath, and on Jewish holidays. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, on which a person is supposed to rest, remember what he/she did during the last six days, and plan his future course of action. On the other hand, the Jewish holidays are special days according to the Jewish calendar, marking certain remarkable events in Jewish history. Added to these, there are a number of festivals in Judaism, including the three pilgrimage festivals, and their festival of lights, the Hanukkah.

Any individual born to a Jewish mother is a Jew. Conversion from other faith is possible, though it is a complicated process. Male babies have to undergo the brit milah (circumcision ceremony), as a part of the initiation rites. A child is named at his/her first public gathering at the Synagogue. Similarly, Jewish weddings also call for large-scale celebrations that involve music, dancing, and other merrymaking activities.

During the Holocaust, about 600 million Jews were killed, as attempts were being made to completely eradicate the community from the face of the earth. However, Judaism still remains one of the major religious traditions in the world. Most of the Jewish population of the world resides in Israel (42%), and the United States (42%).