What do Jews believe?

Great Debates
1

In the thread about religion and children, Spoiler Virgin said this:

Got me thinkin…what DO Jews believe? What is the point of being a Jew? What is the endgoal of being an observant Jew?

I can’t ask any of my Jewish friends, because even though I have many of them, not a single one is a believer. It’s completely cultural and they really have no clue about the theology.

So I turn, as ever, to the SDMB.

Thanks in advance.

stoid

2

You do what’s right because it’s the right thing to do and because it glorifies G-d and makes Him happy.

3

The endgoal of any Jew is to care for his or her fellow Jews, and for the Jewish People as a whole.

4

Captain Amazing - You really are amazing – a modern Hillel. You’ve pretty much summed it up. The rest is commentary. :smiley:

But in case anyone wants more information, I recommend religioustolerance.org. Scroll down their page on Judaism to read about traditional Jewish beliefs and practices.

There have of course been numerous SD threads discussing Jewish beliefs, most recently this one, which gets into Jewish concepts of sin and repentance.

On preview: Alessan - I don’t believe Judaism is that narrowly defined. Righteous Jews are a light to the nations, not just to the Jewish people.

5

You’re absolutely right, Virgin.

I think I might have actually been answering another thread.

6

Well in the case of this Jew, it’s that Spoiler Virgin is 100% wrong. Getting to heaven is not as lofty a motivation as doing God’s will for it’s own sake (as aptly put by Captain Amazing), but it’s mighty important.

7

I don’t think that it’s 100% wrong, IzzyR. Yes, it’s important, but did your education focus on it? That of any other Jewish-school educated person that you know? I know that mine didn’t; when a non-Jewish friend asked me about the Jewish concept of hell, I wasn’t sure what to tell her. (This was towards the beginning of high school - I hadn’t finished my education by any means, but I wasn’t ignorant either. And I’ve gone to Orthodox schools from the age of two (until I got to college).) This is pretty consistent when I talk to friends who went to other schools. Perhaps this is a bias of the modern Orthodox, and more haredi schools put a greater stress on it.

My characterization of the attitude towards the afterlife that I got in my education was that it’s there, it’s important, let’s focus on this world. So as far as the OP goes, it’s not unimportant, but it’s also not a focus of (my) religious instruction.

What (IMHO) is the point? Do what God says, because He said so. End of discussion.

8

As an observant Jew I understand the endgoal to be to serve G-d as best I can as defined in the Torah.

Traditional Judaism DOES believe in an afterlife with reward and punishment. In this sense, it depends on your motivation. You can serve G-d for the reward or because it is right.

The Mishna says to choose the latter.

9

Focus on it? No. But a “significant part of religious instruction”? Yes.

Well I don’t know what they teach in MO schools, but I do know that in the classic works of Jewish tradition “getting to heaven” ranks right up there.

10

Maybe a clarification is in order here. I am a Reform Jew. Obviously my beliefs and education are therefore different from those of Orthodox Jews. But I have done a considerable amount of reading and studying of the history of Judaism before the Reform movement, and it has always been my understanding that Jews focus on this life, and not what may come after. In the discussion of Jewish beliefs at religioustolerance.org, there is no mention whatsoever of heaven or hell. It has always been my understanding that heaven does not play a major role in the beliefs of any segment of Judaism.

If I have misrepresented your views, Izzy, I am sorry. I do know that I have accurately represented the views of Reform Jews, who believe that it is what happens in this world that is important, and that you do what is right because it is right and because it is what God wants, without regard to any future reward.

11

Personally, I think that the whole “Heaven and Hell” dichtomy is a bit of Zoroastinism that leaked into Jewish tradition by way of Christianity. From what I’ve seen, it’s mainly religious Askenazic Jews who care about the subject.

If Hell exists, how come there’s no overt mention of it in the Bible?

12

I’m sure the Jewish members of the board will correct me if I’m wrong, but…

Don’t many Synagogues offer classes about the basics of Judeism. I mention this 'cause my partner is currently attending one such class at one of the local Reform Temples here in Austin, TX.

If you want to know, go ask your local Rabbi ;j

13

**SpoilerVirgin **, I know very little about Reform, and make no claims about it. But I can confidently assure you that in traditional Judaism before Reform (& Orthodox Judaism since) getting to Heaven is considered quite important indeed, and is featured prominently in many religious works. Though again, it is true that worshipping God without thought of reward is considered a higher form of worship, as mentioned. But this level of worship can be harder to attain and is sometimes not as useful to focus on. Also the statement by Alessan that:

may be true about irreligious Jews, as one might expect. But the implied distinction between Ashkenazic Jews and Sefardic ones is false.

14

Two sights I have found helpful:

1.) Judaism 101 which describes in good detail not only beliefs but also differences in Judaic Movements.

2.) Ask the Rabbi which answers all kinds of questions on a variety of topics and has new questions answered every week. Keep in mind these are usually short answers to complicated questions. This is the Rabbi’s answer to the afterlife if you want a more specific link.

I was under the impression that Jews believe that the focus should be on this life, and with good reason. Go with what you have the most control of. After you are born, things are up to you. After you die, things are up to God.

15

Stoid:

For Orthodox Jews, at least, there are a number of different beliefs that are central to Judaism. The most popular listing was compiled by Maimonides, as follows:

  1. That a being (hereafter referred to as G-d) exists who created everything and manages everything.
  2. That G-d is one - one being, one unit, completely unique.
  3. That G-d has no physical component and no visual likeness.
  4. That G-d is the first being who ever existed and will be the last to ever exist.
  5. That there is no benefit in praying to any being other than G-d.
  6. That all the words of the prophets are true
  7. That the prophecy of Moses is true, and that he was the greatest of all prophets, both those who preceded him and those who succeeded him.
  8. That the entire Torah that we have in our hands today was dictated by G-d to Moses.
  9. That the Torah will never be exchanged, revised, or superseded by G-d.
  10. That G-d knows all our actions and thoughts; nothing is hidden from him.
  11. That there will be reward for those who do good, and punishment for those who do evil.
  12. That the Messiah will come.
  13. That there will be a resurrection of the dead.

To achieve an understanding of, and thereby, a closeness to G-d by emulating his ways - in the manner described in the Torah.

The endgoal is to imbue this world with holiness, by spreading the understanding of G-d throughout the world - by example (i.e., performance of the Torah’s commandments), though, not by evangelism.

16

I feel much enlightened. Kinda makes Jews look exceptionally devout and…hmm, don’t know the word.

Anyway, very interesting.

stoid