Judaism: Beliefs and Practices — CSEC Religious Education

Judaism is the oldest of the major monotheistic religions, based on a covenant between God and the Jewish people.

Core beliefs

• Belief in one God.
• A special covenant (agreement) between God and the Jewish people, traced to Abraham.
• Moses received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.
• The Torah (the first five books) is the most important sacred writing; the wider Hebrew scriptures are the Tanakh.

Worship and practices

• Jews worship in a synagogue.
• The Sabbath (Shabbat), from Friday evening to Saturday evening, is the day of rest and worship.
• Kosher food laws govern what may be eaten.
• The Bar Mitzvah (for a boy) and Bat Mitzvah (for a girl) mark coming of age.

Festivals

• Passover (Pesach) — remembers the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
• Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Hanukkah (festival of lights) are also observed.

Symbol

The Star of David (Magen David) is a widely recognised Jewish symbol.

Exam tips

• Sacred text = Torah; place of worship = synagogue.
• Shabbat = day of rest (Friday evening–Saturday evening).
• Passover remembers the Exodus from Egypt.
• Key figures: Abraham (covenant) and Moses (Ten Commandments).