Judaism Response Paper

It is hard to define Judaism because people who define themselves as Jewish define Judaism differently. However, the different definitions of Judaism all have common features of basic religions and share the same fundamental religious beliefs; that there is one God who works in and through historical events and has chosen the Jews as an agent. They also follow the same “absolute law” provided by their God, the Ten Commandments, and myths in the Torah. Judaism can also be characterized as a religion by the many common features it shares with basic religions. These features include taboo, sacrifice, myths, rituals and rites of passage. Judaism also provides answers to the fundamental questions of human existence and the reoccurring misfortune in Jewish history.

Judaism is not necessarily an ethnicity because some who practice Judaism are not “ethnically Jewish,” and some who have Jewish parents do not practice Judaism. All those who practice Judaism identify themselves as Jewish, regardless of ethnicity, but those who don’t practice Judaism don’t necessarily identify themselves as Jewish. Because of this, it seems that Judaism is primarily a religion. Although there are arguments about it being an ethnicity, or culture, those ideas could have formed as a result of the stories of this religion and how the Jewish following developed.

Judaism Response Paper # 1

Judaism can be referred to all culture, race, and religion. It is hard to distinguish between all three categories because from different aspects “Judaism” can have a different definition. Judaism is a culture that developed the world oldest monotheistic religion, and in ancient time the religion traditions was practice more actively in one race only other than open up to all races in the world. The culture and religion of Judaism are closely relative just like other religions, but now in the modern world it is hard to call Judaism a race anymore.
The founder of Judaism Abraham covenant with God and Moses Ten commandments are the foundation of Judaism’s values and believes as a culture and a religion. Following the Ten Commandments, believe in YHWH as the god and go though circumcised, can have in exchange of powerful nation and protection. To say Judaism is also a culture and religion because a group of people shares the common understanding, values and practice same traditions. However, it is hard to define Judaism as a particular race because a person can be a Jew but not born in a Jewish family. In addition, a person how is born s a Jew can be secular, who doesn’t follow the Jewish traditions. Judaism is still some how related to race because the children who’s mother is a Jew than children will be a Jew also. Judaism is a great example to see the development of a religion change thought out the time.

Judaism Response Paper #1

A word can have several denotations and even more connotations depending on the way and the context within which it is used. Likewise, a comprehensive definition of Judaism has multiple facets, and to examine only one would be to deny the truth and existence of the others. One of the most popular definitions is that of Judaism as a religion, but even within that aspect of Judaism there are many branches with different beliefs. The different branches of belief vary in some practices and at times contradict or even fail to recognize other branches as Judaism. Solely defining Judaism as a religion is not viable as there are those who do not practice the religion or even believe that still identify themselves as Jewish. This indicates the possibility of a definition that corresponds to a cultural link and heritage. Using the nation to define Judaism is also unviable as it excludes populations world wide. It might be possible to define Judaism as a people, but only if that definition allows for members with almost completely disparate views, looks and lifestyles. “Race” is not feasible term for it, as race itself is entirely a social construct with its own varying connotations. It almost seems easier to define Judaism by what it is not, but that leaves just as many gaps and discrepancies. One of the most unifying themes out of these contrasting views of who is Jewish or what is Judaism is the sense of the history of the term. Judaism might have once been easier to define in a world that was smaller, but the term has changed over time as have the people who use it. Its history is one of the most important aspects of the religion, and the same might be true for those who apply the term to themselves as by doing so they are accepting at least some of the connotations conjured by the word. The most appropriate definition of Judaism would then be the facet out of the many that is most relevant to the context within which it is used. In this sense, perhaps Judaism could be best defined as an idea with historical connotations or as construct relative to the people claiming the title.