Judaism
Summary
The religious doctrines and rites of the Jewish people, originating with Abraham's monotheistic faith, formalized through Moses at Sinai, and developed through the prophets and rabbinical tradition.
☩Origins in Monotheism
Judaism is preeminently a monotheistic faith, originating with the patriarch Abraham when, in an era of polytheism and flagrant vice, he became the founder of monotheism by prompt recognition and worship of the one living and true God. From that remote day to this, all the Jewish people pride themselves in being 'children of Abraham.' Unlike other Shemitic religions (Assyrian, Babylonian, Phoenician) which believed in secondary deities as emanations from a supreme being, the Hebrew God stood alone, unaccompanied by secondary deities—a Spirit above the world, not simply within it.
☩The Mosaic Dispensation
This abstract faith was transformed at Mount Sinai through Moses, when the Abrahamic idea was clothed in ceremonial forms rendered necessary by the character of the age and the frailty of men. From this 'Mosaic Revelation' dates both the establishment of the Judaic principle and the Theocracy—the ultimate union of Jewish Church and State. The Mosaic dispensation consisted of three parts: religious faith and worship, civil polity of divine institution, and precepts regulating moral conduct. Their laws—religious, moral, civil, political, and ritual—form the complete system of Judaism contained in the books of the Old Testament.
☩The Prophetic Era
Surrounded by idolaters and gradually disobeying the commandments, the Hebrews fell into apostasy until holy men were inspired by the Lord to make known the penalty of idolatry and immorality. Through trials and afflictions, God declared the perpetuity of the Jewish faith: a Messiah would eventually gather the people, and to the Lord alone would service be rendered. Throughout the captivity among Assyrians and Babylonians, even after the Temple's destruction, the seed of faith continued to live.
☩Post-Exilic Development
After the Babylonian captivity, from which the Jew returned with reverential attachment to the Mosaic law, the synagogue was instituted along with constant interpretation of the law and prophets. Learning in the law became the great distinction; every duty of life was regulated by appeal to the book of the law. Thus arose the office of the rabbis—learned interpreters to whom spiritual authority was transferred from the priesthood. The principal sects that emerged were the Pharisees, who placed religion in external ceremony, the Sadducees, known for skepticism regarding angels, resurrection, and tradition, and the Essenes, distinguished for austere sanctity.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Judaism," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Richard Watson, "Judaism," in A Biblical and Theological Dictionary (John Mason, 1831).
- 3.Charles Buck, "Judaism," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).
- 4.Charles G. Herbermann et al. (ed.), "Judaism," in The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. VIII (Robert Appleton Company, 1907–1912).