Sources of wisdom and authority

The foundational scripture is the Tenakh (the Hebrew Bible), whose first and most authoritative part is the Torah — the five books of Moses.

• Alongside the Written Torah, tradition holds an Oral Torah, later written down as the Mishnah and Gemara, together forming the Talmud.
• Jewish law and interpretation (halakhah) develops through rabbinic tradition.
• Movements include Orthodox, Reform and Conservative/Masorti Judaism, differing on how binding the law is.

God and the covenant

Judaism is strictly monotheist. The Shema declares that the Lord is one. God is creator, lawgiver, eternal and involved in history.

Central is the covenant (brit) — the special relationship between God and the Jewish people, made with Abraham and renewed with Moses at Sinai, where the Torah was given. With it comes the idea of being a "chosen people" with special responsibilities.

Maimonides summarised Jewish belief in his Thirteen Principles of Faith, including God's unity, incorporeality and the coming of a Messiah.

Which declaration?

Self, death and the afterlife

Judaism places strong emphasis on this life and how it is lived. Views of the afterlife are varied and often reticent: traditions speak of olam ha-ba ("the world to come"), and some of the resurrection of the dead, but there is no single fixed doctrine.

The stress falls on righteous living now, and on the sanctity of human life made in the image of God.

Good conduct and moral principles

Ethics centres on the mitzvot — the commandments (traditionally counted as 613), including the Ten Commandments. Living by halakhah sanctifies everyday life.

• Tzedakah — charity and justice.
• Tikkun olam — "repairing the world", a call to social responsibility.
• Study of Torah is itself a central religious duty.

What are the mitzvot?

Expression of religious identity

• Shabbat — the weekly day of rest, from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
• Worship and study in the synagogue; prayer and the reading of Torah.
• Festivals such as Pesach (Passover), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Rosh Hashanah.
• Kashrut — the kosher food laws — marks daily identity.

Science, gender, society, secularism

• Science: many Jews read Genesis non-literally and see no conflict with science; the tradition prizes learning and debate.
• Society: justice, tzedakah and tikkun olam drive strong social-action commitments.
• Gender: Reform and Conservative Judaism ordain women rabbis; Orthodox practice remains more traditional — a live debate.
• Secularism: Jewish identity can be religious, cultural or both, engaging modern secular society.

Which principle?

Weighing it up

• How binding should halakhah be today — the Orthodox, Conservative or Reform answer?
• What does being a "chosen people" mean, and how is it best understood?
• How should tradition respond to debates about gender and secular identity?
• Why does Judaism emphasise this life over speculation about the afterlife?

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The big ideas to hold together

You can now survey Judaism across the Component 2 themes and evaluate its key debates. Press Finish to see your score.