Introduction to Judaism

Judaism is the parent faith of Christianity. There are approximately 12 million followers worldwide. It was founded around 3500 years ago in the Middle East.

There are about 1,213 Jewish people in Lambeth – 0.5% of the Lambeth population.

Main beliefs

• Judaism is Torah, or law, which was given to Moses by God at Mount Sinai and which contains 613 commandments.
• The Torah consists of the five books of Moses – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
• Jews believe that there is only one God and that he appointed them to be his chosen people.
• The Jewish holy day is the Sabbath which begins at sunset on Friday and lasts until sunset on Saturday. It reflects the seventh day of creation when God is said to have rested from his work.

About Judaism

As one of the world’s oldest faiths, Judaism has held fast to its beliefs and practices for some four thousand years, much of it throughout persecution and exile. Its belief in one God, proclaimed twice daily during morning and evening prayer, has influenced other religions, and was maintained even when polytheism was the norm. This of course affirms the brotherhood of mankind, since none can be designated "children of a lesser god".

The comment to "love your neighbourhood as yourself" appears in Leviticus chapter 19 and assumes an optimistic outlook on the world – everyone has good instincts which through discipline and self-control can outweigh the bad.

An outstanding belief of Judaism is the tolerance towards other peoples and faiths. "The righteous of all nations have a share in the world to come" - this was taught some two thousand years ago when enmity, hatred and intolerance largely ruled society. Everyone who keeps the basic laws of civilised society falls into this category, and is to be recognised and honoured as a son or daughter of Noah.

The Jewish people were chosen at Mount Sinai for duties over and above others. The commandments in the Pentateuch and its oral interpretation are numerous and demanding. Every Jew is thus in a sense an ambassador of their people, and needs to be aware of their responsibilities to set a good example of moral and ethical behaviour towards others. Each Jewish festival is celebrated by welcoming the poor and underprivileged of society into homes and places of worship.

Judaism believes in the ultimate Messianic Age when all will accept the unity of God and what that entails, and selfishness and hatred will disappear, as the prophetic vision of the Bible foretells. This is one of the main themes of Jewish prayer during its New Year in the autumn.

Holy days and festivals

The main Jewish holy days or ‘High Holidays’ take place in the Autumn and start during the month of Tishri (in the Jewish Calendar) which is between September and October.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. A day of introspection, abstinence and prayer.

Days of Awe or Repentance are the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur during which everyone gets a chance to repent.

Yom Kippur – The holiest day in the Jewish faith which is observed with strict fasting.

Yom Hashoh – Jewish Holocaust Day. This day was established to remember the 6 million Jews killed during World War II.

Passover – an 8 day celebration of the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.