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Judaism is a religious culture Halacha, or Way, and religious beliefs based primarily on The Torah (The Hebrew Bible), which is comprised of 613 commandments (Mitzvot) that cover all aspects of life from birth to death (G-d's revealed instructions to the Jewish people). The beliefs and customs of Judaism originated among a nomadic and pastoral people who later developed into the agricultural Hebrews. There is an extensive body of lore and teachings gathered over the centuries that clarifies and explains the ancient Biblical texts: The Talmud, the teaching or rabbinical text; and, The Aggadah, the philosophical texts, stories, and poetry.
There is also a mystical
branch of Judaism which illuminates the nature of the G-dhead emanate in the
world and in communion with him through the transcendent self that is embodied
in the texts of The Kabbalah, the received tradition; and, The Zohar, the book
of Splendor or Illumination.
During their 4,000 year history, the Jewish people have - been conquered and been the conquerors; been occupiers and been occupied; been self-governing and been enslaved; and been nationalists and been exiles. They have also been influenced by the cultures of ancient Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Persia. A Hebrew Bible passage from Deuteronomy offers a thought provoking perspective on the often intense struggles of the Jewish people with different cultures and peoples over the millenium. Deuteronomy 11:22-25..."If you will diligently observe this entire commandment that I am commanding you, love the Lord your G-d, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and mightier than yourselves.
Every place on which you
have set foot shall be yours; your territory shall extend from the wilderness to
the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the Western Sea. No one
shall be able to stand against you; the Lord your G-d will put the fear and
dread of you on all the land on which you set foot, as he promised you"...
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