Judaism
Judaism was founded by Abram, born in the city of Ur, Babylonia, circa 1948 BC.
He was the son of an idol merchant but had doubts about idol worship and came to believe that the entire universe was the work of a single Creator. Abram taught this belief to others. Eventually God called Abram and told him that if he would leave his home and family, then God would bless him. Abram accepted this offer and the b'rit, or covenant, between God and the Jewish people was established. As a descendant of Abram, Moses, the greatest of the prophets, led his race out from under the rule of the Pharaoh of Egypt, receiving the oral and written Torah, the main text of laws for Jews.
Population:
World - 13 million
United States - 6 million
Texas - 131,000
Tenets:
- There is one God. He is eternal and incorporeal.
- Prayer is directed to God alone and to no other.
- The words of the prophets, such as Moses, are true. Moses was the greatest of the prophets.
- The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses.
- God knows the thoughts and deeds of men and will reward the good and punish the wicked.
- The Messiah, a man who will be chosen by God to put an end to all evil in the world, will usher in the world to come.
- The dead will be resurrected.
Links
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston
Interfaith Ministries has compiled this information from various resources. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .