Judaism: the Tree of Life Essay Example
Judaism: the Tree of Life Essay Example

Judaism: the Tree of Life Essay Example

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  • Pages: 13 (3494 words)
  • Published: December 22, 2016
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Judaism, being one of the oldest religions still practiced today, is a monotheistic and patriarchal religion that embraces both earthly and mystical elements. Despite having a male priesthood, there are notable influential women in both Jewish history and the Torah. The religion is governed by numerous laws and commandments, yet it maintains an ongoing discussion about God and the essence of being Jewish. The Jewish people can be identified as either a religious group or an ethnic group.

To be Jewish or an Israelite means to respond to God's call and be willing to follow the one God through the Torah and prophetic teachings (Fisher, 2005). The Jewish tradition, which forms the basis of Christianity and Islam, is often fascinating for many Christians. It all began with Abraham, who obeyed God's call a

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nd journeyed to a new land, introducing a new way of life for his future generations. The tree of life holds significance in both the Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah and traditional Judaism.

This paragraph highlights the significance of a symbol that represents a religion with various offshoots (Tracey, 2008). The story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden serves as a familiar tale for many. According to Hebrew scripture, there are two parallel stories of creation. In the initial version, God forms the heavens and the earth, establishes day and night, separates water from land, and ultimately creates man and woman in God's likeness. In the subsequent account, God creates man first and then fashions Eve as a companion for Adam using one of his ribs.

Adam and Eve were placed in a garden of

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paradise where Eve disobeyed God's command and ate from the tree of knowledge after being tempted by a serpent, who promised her wisdom. Eve then gave the fruit to Adam, which marked the end of their innocence and the loss of immortality. As a consequence, they were expelled from paradise. This expulsion was the first in a series of exiles suffered by God's chosen people. It is important to note that Judaism does not believe in the concept of original sin and does not hold Eve responsible for the loss of paradise. In Judaism, this story is seen from a different perspective (Tracey, 2008). It marks the beginning of the journey with Abraham.

The Jewish religion is founded on a unique reciprocal bond with God. The initial covenant was established with Noah and all living beings on earth. Following the widespread wickedness of the people, God decided to annihilate the earth with a flood. However, after this cataclysmic event, God promised that the earth would never be destroyed again and selected the rainbow as a symbol of this agreement. Subsequently, God formed a covenant with Abraham, a descendant of Noah. Judaism originated roughly between 1900-1700 BCE when a man named Abram answered God's call and willingly abandoned his homeland, religion, and even underwent circumcision.

God changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah as a part of the covenant. This covenant included all of their descendants, who would be circumcised on the eighth day. God promised that Abraham would become the father of many nations and Sarah would become the mother of nations and kings. In addition, God stated that he

would establish a covenant with Isaac, who would be born to Sarah in the future, and his offspring. Isaac later became the father of Jacob, who was renamed Israel. The 12 sons of Israel went on to become the 12 tribes of Israel. Thus, Abraham is considered to be the progenitor of the Jewish people (Tracey, 2008).

According to Jewish tradition, Abram was the son of Terach, an idol merchant. Despite his father's beliefs, Abram had always questioned them and concluded that there was one creator responsible for the entire universe. He shared this belief with his father and others. One day, he destroyed all the idols in his father's shop except for the largest one. He then placed the hammer he used in the hands of this idol. When his father returned and asked Abram about the situation, Abram explained that the idols had gotten into a fight and the largest one had smashed all the others. Unconvinced, his father replied, "Don't be ridiculous. These idols have no life or power."

"They can't do anything", Abram asks why they are worshiped. One day, God calls to Abram and promises to make him a great nation and bless him if he leaves his home and family. Abram accepts the offer, beginning the covenant between God and the Jewish people. It is believed that Abram endured 10 tests of faith, with leaving home as the first test and being willing to sacrifice Isaac as the final one. Not all of Judaism agrees with Abram's actions; some believe he failed the test by not refusing to sacrifice his son (Tracey, 2008).

Isaac married

Rebecca and they had twin boys, Jacob and Esau. Even before they were born, Jacob and Esau were in conflict with each other. Isaac favored Esau because he was skilled as a hunter, while Rebecca favored Jacob because of his spiritual and thoughtful nature. Despite being the firstborn, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a bowl of lentil stew. As Isaac grew old and near death, Rebecca deceived him into giving Jacob the blessing that was intended for Esau. Fearing Esau's anger, Jacob fled to his uncle's house, where he met his beloved Rachel.

Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah, Rachel's older sister. However, he was also allowed to marry Rachel. Later, both sisters gave Jacob their maidservants Bilhah and Zilphah to be his wives as well. Jacob had a total of 12 sons and one daughter (Tracey, 2008). After serving his father-in-law for many years, Jacob eventually returned to his homeland. He prayed to God and brought gifts for his brother. On the night before meeting Esau, Jacob sent his entire family and camp ahead across the river. That night, Jacob wrestled with a man who was believed to be an angel.

Jacob was blessed by this angel and was given a new name, Israel (Yisrael), which means "one who wrestles with God" or "the Champion of God." The term Israelite referred to the children of Israel or the Jewish people. The following day, Esau welcomed Jacob or Israel (Tracey, 2008). Jacob became the father of 12 sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin. These sons are the ancestors of the tribes

of Israel (Tracey, 2008). Joseph, the son of Israel, was his favorite, which caused his brothers to become jealous. Joseph had visions of ruling over his brothers.

Joseph's brothers were so angry with him that they sold him into slavery and lied to their father, saying that Joseph was dead. However, Joseph's ability to interpret visions caught the attention of pharaoh, who then gave him a special position. This allowed Joseph to bring his family to Egypt and save them from the famine. Over time, the descendants of Israel became slaves under the rule of pharaohs, resulting in great suffering. In desperation, the children of Israel prayed and called upon God for deliverance. God answered their prayers by sending Moses, who is revered as the greatest prophet and teacher in Judaism, to lead them out of slavery and give them the law.

This passage describes one of the fundamental principles of Faith in Judaism, specifically focusing on the birth and upbringing of Moses. Born to Jewish parents in Egypt, Moses faced the threat of being killed as part of a decree against male children of Jewish slaves. To protect him, his mother concealed him for three months before placing him in a basket on the river. Coincidentally, the basket was discovered by the daughter of the pharaoh, who then raised Moses as her own and even employed his mother as a wet nurse upon the suggestion of Moses' sister, Miriam.

Moses may have been raised as an Egyptian, but his mother managed to teach him about his heritage and instill in him a love for his people. Many years later, Moses had

to flee from Egypt for killing an Egyptian who was mistreating a Hebrew slave. He spent the following 40 years as the husband of Zipporah and herding sheep for his father-in-law. According to Jewish writing, Moses was chosen to lead the children of Israel because of his compassion towards animals. The majority of Christians are familiar with the rest of the story; Moses communicates with God through a burning bush and is selected to guide his people out of Egypt and towards the promised land, with the assistance of his brother Aaron.

The Ten Plagues and the parting of the Red Sea led Moses and his people to Mount Sinai, where God gave him the Torah. The Torah consists of the first five books of the Bible and was directly dictated to Moses by God. Judaism teaches that the Torah contains historical events and prophecies that Moses later recorded. Moses dedicated the remainder of his life to writing these first five books (Tracey, 2008). My interest in Judaism was sparked by a book called "Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy" written by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.

In the past, I believed that the book was titled as a joke and aimed at promoting a greater sense of sacredness within the marital relationship. I greatly appreciated the practical and religious advice provided. In addition, I also read the subsequent book called the Ten Commandments of dating, which surprised and intrigued me with its in-depth discussions on each commandment. This experience led me to develop a newfound respect for Jewish traditions and their understanding of the Old Testament. It presented me with an opportunity

to delve deeper into a religion that serves as the foundation of my own. Last year, I had the chance to teach a yoga class to the Congregation Beth Shalom and became acquainted with a few women from this congregation.

After expressing my interest and presenting my project, I received an invitation to attend the next Shabbat at the Beth Shalom congregation located at 315 First ST. Maryville, California. Additionally, I scheduled an interview with a couple of the women from the congregation. The Sabbath celebration takes place on Friday evening at approximately six p.m. The congregation initiates their Shabbat with a potluck gathering in an upstairs communal area. The atmosphere was welcoming both among members and any guests. Due to its size, the congregation has a part-time Rabbi and they hold monthly Shabbat gatherings along with all the holiday celebrations.

Before the meal began, Rabi Greenbaum sang the blessings for the challah (special braided bread) and grape juice, possibly serving as a reminder of the Jewish origins of the Christian tradition of communion. The shared meal was enjoyable, featuring plenty of delicious food and engaging conversation. The room was adorned with bookshelves filled with books, which members and visitors were encouraged to borrow. Following the meal, everyone gathered in the worship room downstairs, where a small podium was positioned at the front and a cabinet known as the ark, containing the Torah, stood at the back. Numerous chairs were available for seating.

This is a reform church where men and women can sit together. The prayer/song book is written in Hebrew with English transitions, reading from right to left. Most of

the prayers are sung in Hebrew, praising the wonders of God. The rabbi has a pleasant voice and reads the Torah in Hebrew before translating it into English. He shared his thoughts on the subject of celebrating the death of a murderer, Osama, presenting both sides of the issue. He referenced passages that depict Israel singing and dancing after their enemy's defeat, as well as instances where God scolded his angels for rejoicing over a similar event.

The text discusses a discussion where examples were presented from both sides of an issue. The participants were encouraged to reach their own conclusions while taking the higher path. During the discussion, everyone touched the Torah and sang songs of blessing as well as songs for the passing of a family member. The service was simple and emotional, resembling an evening spent with God and his family. Additionally, it is mentioned that the Torah study class takes place on Saturday mornings. In my interview, I spoke with Kitty Gold, a woman who converted over 26 years ago and later married a Jewish man whose parents followed the orthodox tradition.

Regarding the influence of the Jewish religion on her life, she explained that despite being raised by a strict Methodist father who required her attendance at church, she never felt comfortable with the concept of the trinity. It did not make sense to her that three Gods could be considered as one. However, upon converting to Judaism, she found a faith that resonated with her. She now prays directly to God and is able to read scripture in Hebrew. Even the dietary rules she follows serve as

a reminder of her connection with God. Additionally, she takes pride in being part of a religion that has stood for over 4000 years (Gold, 2011). I then asked if she had faced any challenges as a Jewish individual.

According to Gold (2011), she mentioned that Christian was shocked by her rejection of Jesus and the ongoing presence of anti-Jewish sentiments. I inquired about her acceptance as a convert by the rest of the congregation, to which she confidently replied that she was fully accepted. However, this acceptance was predicated on her willingness to study and grasp Hebrew, as well as adhere to the laws and rituals associated with being Jewish. While both the reform and conservative movements considered her a Jew, the orthodox movement did not share this perspective. Additionally, her orthodox mother-in-law never recognized her as her husband's wife, frequently asserting that their marriage was not genuine.

According to Gold (2011), Kitty's mother-in-law did not recognize her as Jewish, causing their marriage to not be acknowledged. Despite this, Kitty has shown a strong commitment to her synagogue and has held leadership roles in the past. When asked about her most significant holidays or high days, Kitty specifically mentioned Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and is followed by the Ten Days of Awe, a period of introspection leading up to Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement. Unlike a celebratory occasion, the Jewish New Year is designated as a day of remembrance. Additionally, during this time, a ram's horn is blown like a trumpet, possibly as a symbol of repentance.

During our

conversation, she emphasized the significance of this period as a time for self-reflection on our actions throughout the year. The Ten Days of awe ultimately lead to Yom Kippur, which is known as the Day of Atonement. This day involves fasting from sundown to sundown, abstaining from food and water. Additionally, she mentioned the practice of including the names of those who have passed away as part of the remembrance. It is important to note that during these holidays, work and sexual relations are not allowed (Gold, 2011). Our discussion also touched upon the topic of heaven and hell. Personally, she held the belief that neither heaven nor hell existed, and she expected to cease existing after her death.

According to Gold (2011), this belief is not considered to be a part of Jewish doctrine, and it is not emphasized or taught in Jewish traditions. In my research, Tracey (2008) found some belief in a heaven and a soul among Jews, but not in the existence of Hell. When discussing the nature of God, Gold (2011) states that God is seen as an essence without form, neither male nor female. I also inquired about the perspective of reform members towards orthodox members. Gold (2011) shared that most reform members view orthodox individuals as extremists, but recognizing her husband's orthodox background, she acknowledges that the orthodox tradition is what has preserved Jewish traditions till today.

When I asked her about her role as a woman in a spiritual sense, she mentioned that both the reform and conservative movements in Judaism accept women as rabbis. She feels that being a woman gives her a unique

position in the Jewish congregation and that she is treated with more respect compared to her experiences at her father's church. Additionally, she highlighted that Jewish traditions grant certain rights to wives (Gold, 2011). Despite not studying the Kabalah, she knew that it pertains to Jewish mysticism and that one should not delve into it until reaching the age of 30. However, she did take part in a Kabalah meditation before, centered around the first Hebrew letter's sound.

Both the woman and her friend practiced meditation, but only her friend received special insight from it (Gold, 2011). When asked about the absence of sacrifices in the Jewish tradition, she explained that sacrifices have not been part of the tradition for over 2000 years (Gold, 2011). However, research suggests that once the temple is rebuilt, traditional sacrifices will resume. Rebuilding the temple presents numerous challenges, with the location being just one of them. Another obstacle is that entering the temple site without being ritually pure is forbidden, which would require the ashes of a red cow.

The administration of this task is entrusted to a Cohen priest who possesses a verifiable genealogy. In addition to this, the altar must be reconstructed in a precise location, which can only be determined by the appearance of a prophet such as Elijah, who will guide them in this matter. There are various other challenges associated with this endeavor, although they cannot be fully addressed within the confines of this paper. Currently, accomplishing this task is considered to be impossible. As per tradition, it is believed that Elijah the prophet will return and manifest himself prior to the

arrival of the Messiah. He will possess the necessary knowledge and capability to reinstate the High priest (Housman, n. d). Nevertheless, despite the common origins of Christianity and Judaism, there exist notable distinctions between them.

The Jewish tradition is centered on a covenant with God, which necessitates compliance with laws and making sacrifices (Housman, n. d). However, since the temple's destruction, the act of prayer and performing good deeds has become the sacrifice. The Jewish people are anticipating the arrival of a human messiah, who will usher in an era of peace and establish a government that serves as the world's focal point (Housman, n. d).

In contrast, Christians regard Jesus as their messiah and follow a faith characterized by grace and cultivating relationships, particularly an intimate bond with God and Christ. Christians are encouraged to merge with Christ, often likened to the church acting as the bride of Christ.

Both Christians and those who believe in Judaism look forward to the coming of the Messiah. Christians believe that their Messiah will bring peace and establish God's kingdom, while Jews have a focus on eternal life with God rather than world peace. While both faiths are monotheistic and believe in one God, the Christian understanding of God includes Jesus and the Holy Spirit as part of the divine Trinity.

The Jewish people consider this concept to be unacceptable. In the absence of a temple and the traditional Jewish sacrifices, the two religions appear to have many similarities. Both groups believe in the God of Abraham, anticipate the arrival of the messiah, adhere to the Ten Commandments, and strive to follow God's moral teachings. Additionally, both

groups pray for forgiveness. However, once the temple is reconstructed, animals will once again be sacrificed for sins and transgressions, in contrast to the Christian belief that Christ sacrificed himself for all sins (Housman, n. d).

It is simple for a Christian to wonder why a group of people who have such knowledge of God and the Old Testament could overlook Jesus as the messiah; however, it is crucial to grasp that in Judaism, there is only one God. The messiah is not God, but rather a man who will be anointed as King. In fact, the term "mashiach" translates to "the anointed one" in Hebrew. In Jewish tradition, "mashiach" does not mean savior; that concept is conveyed by a different word, "Moshiah". The notion of an innocent divine being sacrificing himself to save people from sin is exclusively seen as a Christian concept, but there are scriptures that Jews would cite to counter this Christian belief.

According to Housman (n.d), the concept of having a mediator goes against Jewish principles. Despite the divergences between Judaism and Christianity, it is crucial to embrace tolerance and respect for one another. Judaism has devoted countless years to comprehending the Torah, known as the Old Testament. Another shared belief between Jewish and Christian faiths is that God has designated the Jewish people with a unique mission.

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