Religion and Theology

Judaism is a religious group that is believed to have originated out of the covenant that was made between God and the children of Israel. It is among the oldest religious groups to have existed. This paper is going to look into the origin, believes, practices and also the various Judaism movements that exist.

Judaism are believes and practices that originated from the Hebrew bible. This believes are also known as Tanakh. It is considered by Jews as a manifestation of the relationship that was developed between God and the children of Israel. The children of Israel were a group of people that comprised of twelve tribes who were the descendants of Jacob in the bible who later came to be known as Jewish people (Lederhendler, 2001). Judaism is thought to have existed for more than 3000 years becoming one of the oldest religions that have existed to the present period. Through its texts, values together with traditions many Abrahamic religions have come to be inspired. They include religions such as Islam, BahaI faith and also Christianity (Avery-Peck, Harrington  Neusner, 2004)

Jews consist of different groups including people that are born Jews but later become converted to Judaism. The Jewish population in the year 2007 was estimated to be 13 million people. 40  of the population lived in Israel at the time while another 40  lived in the US (Raphael, 2003).  Orthodox Judaism, conservative and also Reform Judaism groups form some of the biggest Jewish religious movements. The differences among the groups emerge in the interpretation of the Jewish law. Orthodox together with Conservative Judaism insists that the original Jewish law should be used the way it is while Conservative Judaism advocates for a more modern interpretation.   
  
Reform Judaism is more moderate in the way they interpret the law. They feel that the law should be used as a guiding principle rather than restrictions that need to be followed to the letter by all Jews. Historically, Jewish law used to be enforced by special courts but in recent times, although the same courts exist, they do not enforce it but instead Judaism has been left to be a voluntary choice for individuals. The power to handle theological together with legal affairs has been entrusted to sacred texts and not individuals or organization. Rabbis and also scholars are the ones entrusted with the responsibility to interpret the texts (Lederhendler, 2001).

Doctrines and principles of faith
Judaism generally believes in one God although it has rarely been ideologically monolithic. This is clear from the recordings in the Jewish bible where by worship of gods was repeatedly condemned in the ancient Israel. During the Greco-Roman era, there existed different understandings about monotheism which brought about Christianity. In the present times, other liberal Jewish movements still dont believe in a personified deity that has been active through history because of the fact that the bible was written by human beings. Scholars have come up with suggestions aimed at changing some of the core believes of Judaism but they have all been met with numerous disapprovals (Frommer, 2003).

Some of the formulation include the Maimonides principles of faith that were thirteen in number. These principles were introduced in the 12th century. Any Jew who could go against the principles could be termed as a traitor although neither the Maimonides nor their contemporaries considered the principles as encompassing but rather a core representation of theological underpinnings of Judaism. Other Jewish scholars had slightly different views from the Maimonides principles. During the time of Maimonides, Hasdai Crescas together with Joseph Albo criticized the list of tenets on the basis that the list had so many items that although they were true, they were not the basis of their faith. They argued that Maimonides classified many Jews who were heretics. Other scholars opposed simplification of the Judaisms core tenets on the basis that reduction of Judaisms believes could limit Torah acceptance. (Lange, 2000)

According to Kaplan (2003), some of the ancient historians like Josephus put more emphasis on practices with observances more than religious believe in which they could associate apostasy to failure in observing the Jewish law. They insisted that for people to transform to Judaism they had to undergo circumcision and keep customs and traditions of Judaism. There was introduction of two poetic restatements after a period of time which was largely ignored for a few centuries after which they were integrated in Jewish Liturgies and eventually they became accepted universally (Szpek, 2006).

 In modern Judaism, there are no centralized authorities that can dictate a religious dogma. This has led to differences in the basic believes within the different Jewish religious movements although all of their basic principles originate from the Hebrew bible and different commentaries like Talmud and Kabbalah. Although there are slight differences among the various Judaism movements, the bible covenant between God and Abraham as well as other aspects that Moses was given are universally acceptable. Like in the Mishnah where acceptance of the Divine origin of the covenant forms an important aspect of Judaism with those rejecting it being considered to have rejected their share in the coming Kingdom (Lange, 2000).

Principles of faith
They believe with perfect faith in the creator as the sole creator and guider of each and every thing that exists and that he made, makes and will always make all things.

They believe that the creator is one and that there exists no any other unity that can be compared to him, he is their God who existed, exists and forever will exist. According to them, the creator has no physical body, is free of properties of matter and there can be no other physical comparison to him. The creator is the alpha and omega. They should only pray to the creator and no any other thing or being should be prayed to. (Rosen, 2003)

All the words spoken to them through the prophets are believed to be true. They believe that prophesy of Moses was true and that he was the chief of prophets both those who came before and after him. The Torah that they currently use is believed to be the same that was granted to Moses their teacher by the creator. They also believe that the Torah shall never be exchanged and that there will be no any other Torah that will be given to them by their creator. (Wyschogrod, 2004)

 They believe that the creator knows every deed of them all together with their thoughts because he is the one who created their hearts and understands their actions. Those people that remain faithful to the creator are rewarded while those that go against are punished. They believe that one day the creator will come back and that even if it will take time, they will wait for his coming each day of their lives and that he will revive the dead when he comes. (Neusner  Avery-Peck, 2003).

Jewish religious movements
According to Neusner,  Avery-Peck, 2003 during the Middle Ages when there was division in Europe and Asia based on religion Christian and Islamic countries, Jewish people also got divided into 2 main groups. The groups were Ashkenazi who were Jews from Germany and Poland and Sephardic Jews whose origin was the Mediterranean countries that were under Muslim rule. Over the past centuries Ashkenazi Jews have subdivided to different Jewish religious movements based believes and principles that a Jew should hold to. Although there have been subdivisions, there are common principles that apply to them all such as attending of either an orthodox or reform synagogue by a conservative Jew. Some of these movements include Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, Reconstructionist Judaism, Jewish Renewal and Humanistic Judaism.
Jewish observance.

Religious clothing
Kippah this is a rounded brimless skullcap that is worn by Jewish men during prayers, studying religious Texts, reciting blessings, eating and at all times.

Tzitzit this is a special knotted fringestassels located at the four corners of the tallit.  Tallit is worn during prayers by both men and women.

Tefillin they are 2 square boxes with bible verses which are usually attached to the forehead and wound using leather straps.

Kittel this is worn by prayer leaders together with vigilant traditional Jews during high Holidays. It is an over-garment that is white in color and extends to knee length.

Prayers
Traditionally they recite prayers three times in a day but a forth prayer is added to during special occasions like Sabbath and holidays. In traditional services, most prayers are recited in private but at times communal prayers are given priority. When communal prayers are conducted, the company of 10 adult Jews is a necessity. (Rosen, 2003)

Jewish holidays.
These are particular times in their calendar that celebrate times in the history of Jews together with central themes that signify their relationship with God like creation, redemption and also revelation.
Sabbath.

Its a day that they rest on a weekly basis. According to them, the day begins shortly before the sun disappears on Friday to Saturday Night after sundown. They also celebrate pilgrimage festivals that signify important events in their history like the exodus from Egypt, when the Torah was given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai and the commemoration of the 40 years that they were traveling through the desert to the Promised Land.

Holy days include Rosh Hashanah meaning a day for remembrance and Yom Kippur which is a day for Atonement (Neusner, 2002).

Although there are different movements in Judaism which have resulted in from the way each group interprets the Jewish law, Judaism still remain one of the oldest religion with a lot of followers. Majority of believes among the different movements still remain the same, uniting them.