10 Key Points in Jewish Religious Teachings


  • Belief in One God (Monotheism):
    Judaism teaches that there is only one, indivisible God — eternal, all-powerful, and compassionate — the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

  • The Covenant (Brit):
    God made a sacred covenant with the Jewish people, beginning with Abraham, reaffirmed through Moses at Mount Sinai, giving them a special responsibility to live by His laws.

  • The Torah:
    The Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) contains God’s commandments and serves as the foundation of Jewish law, ethics, and worship.

  • The Ten Commandments:
    These are central moral laws given to Moses — covering duties to God (like worship and Sabbath) and to people (like honesty and respect).

  • Ethical Living (Tikkun Olam):
    Judaism emphasizes justice, kindness, and social responsibility — the duty to “repair the world” through good deeds and fairness.

  • Prayer and Worship:
    Daily prayer, observance of the Sabbath, and festivals (like Passover, Yom Kippur) are ways to honor God and strengthen faith.

  • The Value of Life:
    Human life is sacred because every person is made in the image of God (B’tzelem Elohim). Preserving life overrides almost all other laws.

  • Study and Learning:
    Studying the Torah and Jewish texts is a lifelong duty — a way to grow spiritually and understand God’s will.

  • Justice and Compassion:
    Prophets and sages taught that true religion means practicing righteousness, helping the poor, and treating all people with dignity.

  • Hope for the Messiah and Redemption:
    Judaism holds faith in a future era of peace and justice — the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate redemption of the world.

    • Comments

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    Six ways to make your life easier and more peaceful – by using stoic principles

    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/22/stoicism-book-news-brigid-delaney?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-intl The control test The control test is a simple but incredibly effective strategy I use whenever I start worrying about something. It can be applied not just to the news cycle but absolutely everything in life, from not getting a pay raise to facing death. The formula, or test, is found in Handbook, or Enchiridion, a book of lectures by the Roman stoic Epictetus. Epictetus – whose handbook was published in 125AD – wrote: Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing. Essentially, our realm of control consists of our own actions and reactions, our desires, our character and how we treat others. The rest – including our bodies, the actions of others, our reputations and our fortunes ...
    Read more

    12 Types of Yajnas Mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 4

    http://atmajyothisavita.blogspot.com/2009/07/12-types-of-yagna-mentioned-in.html   Devamevapare  yagnam yoginah paryupasate| Brahmaagnavapare yagnam yagnenaiva upajuvhati || 4. 25|| "  Some  YOGIS  perform sacrifice to  DEVAS  alone  (DEVA-YAJNA) ;  while others offer "sacrifice" as sacrifice by the Self, in the Fire of  BRAHMAN (BRAHMA-YAJNA) ." Shotradeen indriayanyanye samyamaagnishu juvhathi | Shabdadeen vishayaananya indriyagnishu juvhathi || 4. 26 || "  Some again offer hearing and other senses as sacrifice in the fires-of-restraint; others offer sound and other objects of sense as sacrifice in the fires-of-the-senses." Sarvendriya karmaani pranikarmani chapare| Atma samyamayogagnou juvhathi jnana deepite || 4. 27 || "  Others again sacrifice all the functions of the senses and the functions of the breath (vital energy) in the fire of the  YOGA  of self-restraint, kindled by knowledge. " Dravya yagnaah tapoyagna...
    Read more

    Bhagavad Gita ---- Chapter 3 Summary

      Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita is titled Karma Yoga , or the "Yoga of Action." In this chapter, Krishna explains to Arjuna the importance and nature of selfless action as a means to spiritual progress and liberation. Here’s a breakdown of the key teachings in this chapter: 1. The Nature of Duty (Swadharma) Arjuna is initially confused and asks why Krishna is encouraging him to fight if knowledge (Jnana) is superior to action. In response, Krishna explains that action is necessary for everyone, especially those in worldly life. He emphasizes Swadharma , or one’s personal duty, which each person is called to fulfill in alignment with their role in life, whether as a warrior, teacher, or household caretaker. Abandoning duty can lead to societal chaos and personal stagnation. 2. Karma Yoga – Path of Selfless Action Krishna introduces the concept of Karma Yoga, the yoga of action performed without attachment to results. Performing duties selflessly, with dedication to a higher ...
    Read more