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Judaism Jewish Judaic Talmud
Background Beliefs Overview Traditions
There are Jews in Iran, Israel, India, Britain, Russia, Africa, France, the United States, and many other countries, who practice diverse variations of Jewish customs and rituals. A Jew who was born and raised in New York city might feel like a stranger if he visited a community of Bombay Jews; yet, both communities follow Judaism.
The number of Jews is currently estimated to be almost six million in the United States and nearly thirteen million worldwide. The beliefs and practices shared by most Jews were gathered together gradually over a long period of time, from the earlier days recorded in the Bible, the Talmud, and the Midrash through the dispersing years of the Diaspora after the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans to the founding of the state of Israel.
Besides study, faith and
continual prayer to G-d (whose commandments they adhere to strictly), lead Jews
to salvation. A story from the Talmud illustrates a compassionate aspect of
Judaism.
Torah Scroll
When a non-Jew asked Rabbi Hillel to teach him the Torah while standing on one foot he said, "What is hateful to you, don't do to your neighbor. The rest is commentary. Now, go and study."
The Jewish patriarch Abraham made a covenant with the G-d of the Israelites in return for the promise of a good life for the Jewish people if they followed the commandments and the teachings G-d revealed to them. A less compassionate aspect of Judaism can be seen in the words of a Hebrew Bible passage from Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 13:6-9..."If
anyone secretly entices you, even if its your brother, your father's son or your
mother's son, or your daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your most intimate
friend - saying 'Let us go worship other gods', whom neither you nor your
ancestors have known, any of the gods of the peoples that are around you,
whether near you or far way from you, from one end of the earth to the other,
you must not yield to or heed any such persons. Show them no pity or compassion
and do not shield them. But you shall surely kill them; your own hand shall be
first against them to execute them, and afterwards the hand of all the people."...
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Read Judaism Talmud Articles
Glossary Terminology,
Haggadah Shabbat and Seder,
Halacha and the Ten Commandments,
Jewish Holidays Begin at Sundown,
Judaic Lifecycle Events,
Judaism Spiritual Beliefs,
Menorahs Tallits and Yarmulkes,
Prayers and Jewish Principles of Faith,
Symbology of the Jewish Star of David,
Tefillin Mezuzah Hebrew Bible Verses,
Torah Talmud Tenakh Mishna Gemara
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Jewish Judaic Talmud Copyright © 2002-2008 Maureen Grace Burns, Blessings Cornucopia. All Rights Reserved.
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