Judaism

Judaism was the first monotheistic major religion. It came about in the Middle East and the Jews settled in the Mediterranean around 1200 B.C. The Jews believe in only one god, Yahweh. The sacred text is the Torah, or the Old Testament.. The Jews have a moral code, and they believe that they were God's chosen people. Because they are the chosen people, there is no pressure to try and convert other peoples to Judaism. God is more abstract than in previous polytheistic religions, and the God is just and has a moral code. Religion is the way that the Jews live their lives: it means something. Because the Jews do not convert many people, they are always in the minority in the Middle East, and many times they were ruled by others. Judaism had much significance on the world though. It was the first monotheistic religion, and it has lasted until modern times. It also inspired and influenced other monotheistic religions. Christianity and Islam have been greatly influenced by Judaism. Christianity uses the Old Testament, the Jewish sacred text, as the first half of their sacred book, the Bible. Judaism has had a lasting effect on the modern world.

Created by: Charlie Baker Sept. 3, 2008 Edited by Allie Pinosky: September 7, 2008

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