Jødedommen // Judaism
Judaism originated in the Middle East about 4,000 years ago. The word Jew refers to a person who belongs to the Jewish people, whether religiously, culturally, or ethnically.
There are approximately 15 million Jews in the world. Most live in Israel or the United States. Like Christianity and Islam, belief in one God is central to Judaism. Judaism is the oldest of the three monotheistic religions.
Judaism has several different branches that interpret and practice the religion differently. Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, and Reform Judaism are examples of different branches.
Faith
Jews believe in one God. God created the world and provides guidance to people through his laws. Judaism began with the covenant between God and Abraham, in which God made a special agreement with Abraham. God promised that Abraham would become the father of a great nation, and that Abraham’s people would inherit the land of Canaan. In return, Abraham and his descendants had to follow God and live according to his laws.
Important values in Judaism are love for others, forgiveness, and justice. The faith influences many aspects of everyday life. There are detailed laws and customs related to food, clothing, prayer, and holidays. By following these rules, Jews want to maintain a close relationship with God.
Holy figures
In Judaism, the patriarchs Abraham and his sons, Isaac and Jacob, are considered holy figures. They are regarded as the ancestors of the Jewish people and are central to the religious pact with God.
Moses is considered the greatest prophet. He received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. He helped the Jewish people to be set free from slavery in Egypt.
Judaism has no saints, but it does have several holy figures. These are role models of faith, leadership, and obedience to God.
Holy books
The Tanakh is a sacred book that forms the basis of the Jewish faith and tradition. The Tanakh is both a historical and a spiritual guide, conveying God’s laws and the history of Israel. The Tanakh consists of three parts. The most important part is the Torah. The Torah consists of the five books of Moses with laws, ethical guidelines and historical narratives.
The Talmud is a text that interprets the Tanakh. The Talmud tells how to live a religious life and explains the rules and duties of Jews. Those who interpret the Tanakh are experts in the laws and are called rabbis.
House of worship
Jewish houses of worship are called synagogues. The synagogue is the most important gathering place for religious and social activities. It is where Jews meet for prayer, study, and joint worship services. The synagogue is also used for teaching, celebrating holidays, and other community-building activities.
The most important part of a synagogue is the aron ha-kodesh, which is the Holy Ark. The Holy Ark houses the Torah scrolls. Synagogues can vary in size and design, but they are always oriented towards Jerusalem.
Holidays and rituals
Judaism has many holidays and rituals that mark important events in the history of the religion and in the lives of Jews. Among the most important holidays are Shabbat, Pesach, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah.
The Sabbath is celebrated each week, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. The Sabbath is a time of rest, prayer, and fellowship. Pesach is celebrated in memory of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt and their liberation from slavery.
Yom Kippur is known as a day of atonement. This is the holiest day of the year, used for reflection, repentance, and fasting. Hanukkah is a festival of light celebrated by lighting candles in a candlestick known as a menorah.
