Judaism Essay

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Judaism is made up of various branches that share the same principal beliefs but are interpreted differently. Orthodox and Reform Jewish movement are two different streams of Judaism as they practise the religion of Judaism differently. As each variant understands the sacred texts and writings differently, this influences the way their adherents everyday lifestyle occurs. The principal beliefs incorporated within the Jewish sacred texts are Monotheism, Divinely inspired moral law and the Covenant. The way in which these beliefs are practised is what determines their differences and shapes their everyday life through their beliefs, ethics, traditions and promise with God.

One of the principal beliefs of Judaism is the belief in one God. This belief stems from the great statement of Jewish monotheism in Deuteronomy 6:4 in the Torah, “here o Israel, the lord is our god, the lord is one”. This is a portrayal of one God, which is included as the beginning of three passages within the Shema. The Shema is a declaration of faith that Jews proclaim twice a day. A part of the implication is that God is omnipotent, omniscient and righteous. Furthermore, the
Torah gives evidence towards the Judaism belief in one God and exemplifies the characteristics of God through Exodus 20:1-17 in the Torah stating “Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me…”.This exemplifies the belief of one God and demonstrates
Jewish Law of Covenant and saving the Hebrews from Egypt. Although all Jewish adherents believe in one God, they interpret his teachings and divine presence differently. Orthodox Jews are strict adherents to traditio...

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...ohel as a sacrifice to Gods wishes, whereas the Reforms don’t require a Brit Milah, but if chosen have modernised to either a male or female Mohel. As the first half of the stimulus suggests, “for every two Jews, there are at least three opinions”, it is accurate to say that this is true through the variants different interpretations of playing out the Covenant in the adherents lives. Thus, no matter how the adherents portray their reminder of the promise through Brit Milah, the covenant is a sacred trust established by God and Abraham which gives Jewish adherents direction and identity within their everyday lives.

Overall, it is evident through the Jewish religion branches of Orthodox and the Reform Jewish movement that their adherent’s everyday lives are influenced by how they interpret the three principal beliefs expressed through sacred texts and writings.

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