Core Beliefs

Being Jewish

The term “Jewish” can be used to describe a race and a culture rather than a religion, so some who identify themselves as Jewish may have little interest in the beliefs and practices associated with the religion of Judaism.

The Torah

The Jews believe in the teaching of the Jewish Bible, known as the Torah.

This is the First Testament of the Christian Bible.  There is no second testament or New Bible for Jews.

Why?

Because they do not believe in Jesus.

What are the first five books of the Torah?

1)       Bereishith (Genesis)

2)       Shemoth (Exodus)

3)       Vayiqra (Leviticus)

4)       Bamidbar (Numbers)

5)       Devarim (Deuteronomy)

Written Law and Oral Law

o   613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”)

o   Talmud (“Oral Law”) –commentary of Ancient Rabbis that elab

orates on how to apply God’s law in everyday life through:

-          Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher)

-          Dress and other symbols.

-          Prayer and devotion to the one God

-          The Temple and Tempe rites

-          Observance of Holy days

-          Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc.

Core Beliefs

Jews firmly believe that there is only one God, there are 13 main beliefs that Jews believe in, they include:

-God exists (Monotheistic)

-God is one and unique (monotheistic)

-God is external

-Prayer is to God only

- Moses was the greatest of the prophets

-There will be no other Torah

-God will reward the good and punish the wicked (judgement day)

-The dead will be resurrected

The Family

The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mizvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments)

Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be - Holy.