Judaism and the Roots of Western Religion - Essay Example

Judaism Judaism is one of the largest groups in religion in the world along with Christianity and Islam. While each has their inherent differences, they were developed around the same time with the same historical characters. The big differences in these religions are they ways in which they look at the revered God and other important historical characters as well as the way in which the religion approaches life. Judaism believes in one God and that Abraham, the prophet in Judaism, would lead the Jews into a new age of prosperity and procreation.

The book from which they read is called the Torah. It contains the 10 commandments, as well as 613 other commandments (mitztov). Like Christianity, they hold the same tenant that God created everyone in his own image and that everyone always has free will to shape their lives as they see it. In addition, Judaism, like Christianity, believes that you can connect and communicate to God through prayer, song, scripture, etc., therefore everyone’s experience with God is unique. There are many sects and groups within Judaism, each with their own emphasis on an aspect in life, but the main unifying theme is that the Jewish people must try and provide for the well being of humanity.

Christians have churches; Muslims have mosques, and Jewish people have synagogues. This is the house of worship in which Jewish people come together to pray, worship, and study the Torah. Synagogues were first created back in ancient times as far back as the Babylonian captivity to the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt. Synagogues, unlike temples, became standardized in that all synagogues have the same architectural features and design behind the purpose of the building. As stated previously, there are many different sects of Judaism, however they are divided into three primary groups: conservative, orthodox, and reformation Jews.

Orthodox Judaism is the oldest of the branches. The oral tradition plays a significant role and is passed down from generation to generation. In reformation Judaism, it was highly influenced by Christianity, resulting in some converting and attempt to join the Christian church all together. The conservative sect of Judaism started in the reformation sect and splintered off, holding some of the qualities, which were similar. The Holocaust was the largest genocide in history. Hitler, the leader of the Nazi regime in Germany during World War I and World War II, blamed the Jewish people for the decrepit state of Germany.

During the Holocaust, Jews were put into concentration camps, where they suffered the brutality of the Nazis. They were starved and beaten. The Nazis were also interested in eugenics in trying to breed the perfect race of Aryans. They conducted scientific testing on the Jews in order to meet this end. The website that the United States promotes in order to explain the importance of the Holocaust in human history explains everything behind it. The biggest most important part is that it talks about the genocide currently happening in Rwanda.

Even though humanity in the United States and Europe learned that genocide is inhumane and the epitome of evil, some countries still continue to do this. This site serves as a remembrance not only for those that died in the Holocaust, but also for those who continue to loose their lives just because there is still racism and prejudice in the world. The torah is the scripture book in which the Jews recorded the holy writings in. They were assembled from ancient scrolls as the Jewish tradition became systemized in the writings of the Hebrew language.

As the tradition of word of mouth transitioned into writings, the book was organized. The parts regarding the Ten Commandments are the most important because it helps show the connection between Christianity and Judaism. In addition, the portions of the book regarding the movement of the Jews from slavery are important in showing how the formation of Israel began, considering it’s a big power player in the world today. Works Cited "Mary "Fifi" Mukangoga." Preventing Genocide. Web. 15 Apr 2011.. Matthews, Warren.

World Religions. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2010. 220-232, 238-262, 266-275. Print.