Introduction
Understanding Judaism
Judaism is a religious, cultural and historical tradition centred on the covenant between God and the people of Israel, the Torah and a life rhythmic by study, commandments, prayer and feasts.
It includes a wide variety of practices and identities. Judaism can be lived as a religion, people, culture, family heritage or a combination of these dimensions.
To be retained
Four essential principles
- The Torah is at the heart of tradition.
- Study and interpretation are of major importance.
- The calendar links historical memory, family life and religious practice.
- Orthodox, conservative, reformed and other currents are not interchangeable.
Small timeline
A tradition shaped by history
Formation of Israel's traditions
Texts, kingdoms, exiles and returns structure biblical memory.
Destruction of the Second Temple
Major transformation of religious life.
Rabbinic Judaism
Development of Mishnah, Talmud and Community institutions.
Emancipations, migration and new trends
Diversification of communities and identities.
History and memory
The history of Judaism articulates biblical narratives, archaeological data, exiles, diasporas and institutional transformations. The historian distinguishes the affirmations of faith from documentary reconstructions.
After the destruction of the Second Temple, study, synagogue, prayer and observance became a renewed importance in rabbinic Judaism.
Faith and covenant
God's uniqueness, covenant, Torah and moral responsibility are central. The conceptions of revelation, Messiah and beyond vary according to the times and currents.
- One God
- Alliance
- Torah and mitzvot
- Justice and reparation of the world
- Memory and hope
Diversity of Judaism
Orthodoxy, Massorti/Conservative, Reformed/liberal Judaism, Reconstructionism and Sefarate traditions, Ashkenazi, Mizrahies or Ethiopians testify to the plurality of Judaism.
What research can and cannot say
Historical sciences, archaeology and text studies examine the evolution of communities and texts. The effects of social support, rituals and prayer are studied in the humanities and health sciences, but theological affirmations about God, the covenant or revelation are not scientifically testable.
References