Judaism and the Basic Commandments

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview of Judaism

Judaism (Hebrew: יהודה, Yehudah, “Judah” in Latin and Greek) is an ancient monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the Torah (part of the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible), associated with the history of the Jewish people, as interpreted in the Talmud and other books or scriptures. Judaism encompasses the religion, philosophy, culture, and customs of the Jewish people. Judaism includes a large body of religious texts, practices, theological offices, and religious organizations. The Torah is part of this large body of religious texts, known as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible, and is supplemented by traditional oral commentaries, later recorded in texts such as the Midrash and Talmud. With an estimated 14.5 million to 17.5 million adherents worldwide, Judaism is the tenth largest religion in the world.

The formation of Judaism

Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world, originating about 4,000 years ago in the Middle East, specifically Canaan (which includes the present-day parts of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan). The history of Judaism is closely linked to Abraham, who is considered the father of the Jewish people. Abraham, according to legend, was chosen by God and promised that his descendants would be protected and developed. Later, the prophet Moses continued to develop this religion, with the event of God giving the 10 commandments on Mount Sinai and leading the Jews out of slavery in Egypt.

The Commandments (Mitzvot)

The commandments in Judaism (called Mitzvot) are the instructions and laws that God gave to the Jewish people through Moses. A very strict system of rules and laws that serve as the moral and religious foundation is called the Ten Commandments or Aseret ha-Dibrot in Hebrew. These are the instructions that God gave to the Jewish people through the prophet Moses on Mount Sinai. These commandments cover many areas such as manners, moral behavior, worship, and how to interact with the community. The commandments are divided into two main categories:

Positive commandments (mitzvot aseh): These require specific actions, such as worshiping or honoring God.
Negative commandments (mitzvot lo taaseh): These prohibit certain actions to protect the purity and spirituality of the followers.

They are viewed as the core of Jewish law and form a moral basis that also influences Christianity and Islam. Here are the Ten Commandments in Judaism:

Worship only one God – Do not worship any other gods.
Do not create graven images – Prohibits making and worshiping idols, as only God is worthy of worship.
Do not take God’s name in vain – Avoid using God’s name disrespectfully or improperly.
Keep the Sabbath day holy – The seventh day is a day of rest, without work, to honor God.
Honor your father and mother – Show love and respect to parents for a fulfilling and blessed life.
Do not kill – Prohibits the act of murder.
Do not commit adultery – Uphold purity and fidelity in marriage.
Do not steal – Prohibits taking others’ property.
Do not bear false witness – Do not fabricate, distort, or lie in court or to others.
Do not covet others’ possessions – Forbids envy toward anything that belongs to others, including wealth, spouses, or belongings.

In addition to the Ten Commandments, the Torah includes a broader system of 613 mitzvot (commandments) that cover moral principles, religious rituals, and daily life practices.

Core Beliefs and Faith

Judaism is monotheistic, worshiping a single God known as Yahweh. Faith in God and in the teachings He passed down to Moses and later prophets forms the core of Jewish belief. Jews believe that God is not only the creator of the world but also the one who oversees all events. Other fundamental Jewish beliefs include:

Belief in salvation: Jews believe that by living a good life and following God’s commandments, they will attain salvation and share in the world to come.
The Promise of the Holy Land (Israel): According to the Hebrew Bible, the land of Israel is the sacred land promised by God to the Jewish people, who regard it as holy.
The Coming of the Messiah: Jews believe that a Messiah will come to lead the Jewish people into an era of peace and justice.

Prohibitions

The prohibitions in Judaism extend beyond the Ten Commandments and affect various aspects of daily life. Some of the major prohibitions include:

Prohibition of work on the Sabbath (Shabbat): From Friday evening to Saturday evening, Jews strictly observe a day of rest.
Dietary restrictions: Judaism has strict dietary laws known as Kosher, prohibiting the consumption of pork, animals that do not chew cud or have split hooves, and seafood that lacks scales and fins.
Prohibitions on adultery, idolatry, and sexual immorality.