Basic Beliefs

  • The faith doesn’t have a set religious view— it’s more of a community or family instead.

  • Strict Monotheism:

    • There is one god who is all-powerful and all-knowing. He created the universe and continues to be involved in it’s governace.

  • Each person is created in the image of God, and therefore were all created equal and deserve respect

  • Moral Responsibility: Individuals are expected to uphold ethical standards and act justly towards others, reflecting the divine qualities of compassion and integrity.

  • Divine Revelation: Knowledge of God's will and teachings is revealed through sacred texts and religious traditions, guiding adherents in their faith and moral decisions.

  • The Covenant: The agreement between God and humanity establishes a framework for living in accordance with divine expectations, fostering a relationship built on trust and commitment.

  • The World to Come:

    • The idea that the Messiah will come to be a religious and political person (not a god) who will lead the world to peace

  • Death:

    • Although Jewish people believe in Heaven, Judaism focuses on this life rather than what happens after death. They believe that the time is now, and that we can handle death when it arrives, rather than spending our lives worrying about it.

  • The Land of Israel:

    • Judaism believes the Land of Israel was part of the covenant made between God and the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. Since the time of Abraham, there has been a continual Jewish presence in the land.

  • The Branches:

    • Orthodox:

      • Original and only form until the 1800s. Tvfcgbdxvfcgbdchey are the most religious/observant and strict in their adherence to traditional Jewish law and customs, often emphasizing the importance of daily prayer, keeping kosher, and maintaining the Sabbath.

    • Reform:

      • Founded by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise in 1873 in rebellion against the binding traditions of Orthodoxy, it’s the most flexible about observance and Jewish Laws. This is the largest group in North America.

    • Conservative:

      • Organized by Dr. Solomon Schechter in 1913 as a reaction to Reform Judaism’s liberalism. It’s the middleman.