Sharing Some Information on The Major Religions of the World: The Jews and Judaism

Article Title: Sharing Some Information on The Major Religions of the World: The Jews and Judaism

Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): religion, religions, Jews, Judaism, Tracey R Rich, religious tolerance, faith, beliefs, spirituality, religious unity, building “spiritual” bridgesr
Web site: http://www.jewfaq.org/beliefs.htm

The submitter's blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) is at http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22 and http://craiglock.wordpress.com

Other Articles are available at:
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981rn(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)

Publishing Guidelines: These writings may be published (with acknowledgment to the source, thanks). (Copyright Transworld publishers)

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."

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SHARING SOME INFORMATION ON SOME OF THE MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD: THE JEWS AND JUDAISM (PART ONE)
INTRODUCTION:
Craig is studying the teachings of different religions, as he researches and writes his latest novel, titled 'A New Dawn, set in the Middle East. In exploring these 'ete
al truths', to better understand, as well as attempting to find 'common ground'/principles between different religions and cultures. Often the cause of on-going world-wide conflicts; but for every seemingly impossible problem there IS a SOLUTION. I truly believe that!

And as he learns from his research, Craig is sharing these notes (in an attempt to 'enlighten' himself (and perhaps others) about different religious faiths. We hope the following piece with information sourced from http://www.jewfaq.org/beliefs.htm may be of interest to you too.

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WHAT DO JEWS BELIEVE?

© Copyright 5756-5761 (1995-2001), Tracey R Rich

This is a far more difficult question than you might expect. Judaism has no dogma, no formal set of beliefs that one must hold to be a Jew. In Judaism, ACTIONS are far more important than beliefs, although there is certainly a place for belief within Judaism. The closest that anyone has ever come to creating a widely-accepted list of Jewish beliefs is Rambam's thirteen principles of faith. Rambam's thirteen principles of faith, which he thought were the minimum requirements of Jewish belief, are:
1. G-d exists
2. G-d is one and unique
3. G-d is incorporeal
4. G-d is ete
al
5. Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other
6. The words of the prophets are true
7. Moses's prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets
8. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses
9. There will be no other Torah
10. G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men
11. G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked
12. The Messiah will come
13. The dead will be resurrected

As you can see, these are very basic and general principles. Consequently, there is substantial room for personal opinion, Judaism focuses on relationships: the relationship between G-d and mankind, between G-d and the Jewish people, between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, and between human beings. because Judaism is more conce
ed about actions than beliefs... and books about Judaism tend to do the same. Most books emphasize holidays, practices and observances. As with other religions, Jews probably have more in common than many of them realize.

© Copyright 5756-5761 (1995-2001), Tracey R Rich

^ Sourced from the web site
http://re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk/gcsere/revision/judaism/jud1/page1.html

May the Grace of our loving Creator care for and watch over you allrn... always

I hope that this information may be of interest (and perhaps even "enlightening") to you... and that's my reason for sharing.

"Those of us who long for moderation will continue to hope for understanding of complex issues with reasoned dialogue and a spirit of understanding between different faiths."

With UNDERSTANDING comes TOLERANCE
andrnwith TOLERANCE comes UNDERSTANDING.

"Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility... and together let's look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher."

Craig Lock

"Until there is peace among the religions, there will be no peace in the world."

• the Dali Lama

"There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female,
Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity."

"Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision - to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become." - craig

"What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other... and how we live. Only when we can say, 'I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi'ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu ,or a Sikh...' will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, both east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are. "

• craig

“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” - author unknown

"Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let's plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.

"God is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the ete
al light."

May you ALL see God's bright light on the road up ahead