Interfaith
1. What it means to belong to a faith tradition.
2. Diversity within a faith tradition.
3. Diversity within a community.
4. The impact of diversity on cultural and community groups.
5. The impact of pluralism and the modern world on faith communities.
6. The relationship between citizenship to religious practice.
Judaism teaches that anyone born to a Jewish mother is necessarily Jewish. This means that for most Jews no conscious decision is involved in being a Jew. In other faiths it may be necessary to take certain steps of initiation in order to be accepted as a member of the community but this is not the case with Judaism.
The only physical requirement of Jews is for all males to be circumcised at a Brit MilahThe circumcision ceremony of Jewish boys – literally 'covenant of cutting' (CovenantA relationship or bond between God and his people of cutting), usually done when the baby is eight days old (dependant on health). However, not being circumcised does not mean that the male is not a Jew. Similarly, although a large majority of Jewish boys have a Bar MitzvahA major rite of passage in Judaism; literally 'son of the Commandment', and a rite of passage for Jewish boys at puberty ceremony, this is a tradition but not a requirement. Even if a Jew is completely non-practising and a non-believer it does not stop them being a Jew.
To be a Jew is part of a community and a tradition as well as a religion.
Within Judaism there are many different groups: HasidicA term in Judaism referring to a pious sect, Orthodox, Conservative (MasortiA word referring to the scroll editors who introduced vowels into the Hebrew text. Also a group within Judaism.), Reform, Progressive, Liberal. (It is important to remember that some of these names have different meanings in the USA than in the UK.)
Differences between the groups derive from both belief and practice. There may be differences over the status of the TorahIn Judaism, the Law or the first five books of the Bible and also of the TalmudOral Torah - the traditions or Jewish explanations of the Written Torah.
There are differences over responses to the State of IsraelThe chosen land of the Jews, and pilgrimage country for Christians.
There are also divisions over the extent to which kashrutThe Jewish dietary laws; that which is lawful (lawful in terms of food, clothes, money and objects) must be observed; over whether women can sit with men; whether women can read from the Torah in public; whether women can be rabbis; whether children with a Jewish father and gentile mother should be regarded as Jewish; whether a divorced woman can remarry if her husband does not grant her a 'get', a religious divorce document; over whether women can become rabbis; whether women must continue to visit a mikvehIn Judaism a word for the ritual bath, once found in the synagogue (ritual bath) after menstruation, and whether it is permissible to drive to the synagogueA Jewish place of worship and study on the SabbathReferring to a holy day in Judaism and Christianity. These and many other issues continue to divide the world Jewish community
In some respects Jews may find it easier to relate to other faith groups than to other Jewish groups.
According to the Talmud, after the flood, G-d made an agreement with NoahOne of the major patriarchal figures of the Bible and his sons. This is called the Noachide Code and is based on the text of GenesisFirst book of the Bible.
Judaism teaches that any religion which keeps the laws of the Noachide Code is an acceptable way for non-Jews to serve G-d:
1 Do not worshipThe offering of praise and reverence to God via a religious service images or idols
2 Do not commit blasphemy or curse G-d
3 Do not commit murder
4 Do not steal
5 Do not commit adultery
6 Do not eat a limb of a live animal
7 Set up a legal system and promote justice.
The Rabbis taught: seven precepts were the sons of Noah commanded: social laws; to refrain from blasphemy, idolatry; adultery; bloodshed; robbery; and eating flesh cut from a living animal. (Sanhedrin 56a)
Therefore, Judaism discourages converts because this teaching is that non-Jews who follow the code are already serving G-d as G-d wants.
Many Jews are, however, concerned about the number of young people who are 'marrying out' - that is marrying non-Jews who themselves are not converting to Judaism. They fear that this will mean more people leaving the practice of the faith and so weaken the community.
Websites
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/
http://www.interfaithalliance.org.uk/
http://www.jewfaq.org/index.htm
http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/index.htm
http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/
Bibliography
Cohn-Sherbok, D., 1999. Judaism: A Short Introduction. Oxford: Oneworld.
Cohn-Sherbok, D., 2003. Judaism: History, Belief and Practice. London: Routledge.
Gaster, T.H., n.d. Festivals of the Jewish Year. s.l.: Morrow Quill
Greenberg, B., 1990. How to run a traditional Jewish household. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Greenberg, B., 1992. On Women and Judaism: A View from Tradition. s.l.: JPS.
Harris, L., n.d. Holy Days, the World of a Hasidic Family. s.l.: Collier Books.
Koltun, E., (ed.), 1989. The Jewish Woman. New York: Schocken, New York.
Kraemer, D., (ed.), 1989. The Jewish Family. Oxford: OUP.
Mayled, J., 2007. ‘Judaism’. In Tyler, S. & Reid, G., AS Religious Studies. London: Pearson.
Mayled, J., 2007. ‘Judaism’. In Tyler, S. & Reid, G., A2 Religious Studies. London: Pearson.
Pilkington, C. M., 1995. Teach Yourself Judaism. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
Schauss, H., n.d. Jewish Festivals: History and Observance. s.l.: Schocken.
Unterman, A., 1996. The Jews: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. s.l.: Sussex Academic Press.
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