Judaism is one of the most advanced religions of ancient times, greatly influencing religious development in Orient and Occident. [1] The Hebrew religion is one of the great international, interracial faiths alongside Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. [2]
Apocalyptists taught Jews’ sufferings were penalties for the nation’s sins, with the apocalyptists proclaiming that the end of Roman rule heralded the end of the world and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. [3]
Authority was the watchword for all in Jewry, especially when it came to teaching and performing extraordinary acts like Jesus did in clearing the temple. [4]
The rabbis taught that sin could cause blindness in children, whether it was hereditary, prenatal, or influenced by the mother's actions during pregnancy. [5] Consorting with a deceased brother's widow was a common Jewish custom to ensure progeny and maintain family lineage in ancient times. [6]
The Jewish creation account, presented by Moses to the Israelites, aimed to enhance worship of the Lord God of Israel, incorporating stories of Adam and pre-Adamic civilization, influenced by Babylonian and Mesopotamian traditions. [7] Eating with unwashed hands was considered as serious as a crime punishable by excommunication in Judaism. [8] Early teachings of Lut's guardians of health persisted among tribes of earth, becoming greatly garbled by the time of Moses. [9]
Judaism merged all the heavenly rulers into one composite Deity. But one educator realized that the Most Highs were not the Supreme Rulers, and the Almighty and the Most High were not the same person. [10] The trinitarian concept of Elohim became part of Hebrew theology after Babylon's political influence. [11]
The prophets proclaimed God as the Father of Israel, fostering a high moral standard and creating a law-respecting people, but leaving the individual believer in insecurity; Jesus revealed God as the Father of each human being, transcendentally illuminating the mortal concept of God. [12] The redemption of first-born sons in Judaism required a payment of five shekels to a priest to avoid sacrifice. [13]
The Jews' inability to break tradition prevented them from fulfilling their destiny as messengers of religious freedom and spiritual liberty, as their religion of good works and slavery to law stagnated. [14]
In Palestine, religious dogma became so crystallized as to jeopardize further growth, while in Greece, human thought resolved itself into a misty vapor of pantheistic speculation. [15] The purpose of Judaism is centered on knowing God, determining one's attitude in life and the depth of worship. [16]
The Jewish teachings were uncertain regarding life after death, but Jesus' followers were greatly cheered by his definite and positive words on the eternal survival of true believers. [17]
The Hebrews believed in the necessity of shedding blood for the remission of sin, a practice inherited from old pagan beliefs but evolved by Moses through ceremonial animal sacrifice. [18]
Judaism's recognition of the Father surpasses that of any other religion. [19] Judaism portrays a clearer recognition of the Father than any other religion. [20]
The Jewish religion, deficient in philosophy and aesthetics but conserved moral values, continues to live in the hearts of scattered exiles and played a vital role in the development of Christianity and Islam. [21] Judaism's deficiency in science limits its ability to see the holistic truth of the world, leading to a narrow and confused perspective on reality. [22] The Hebrew religion serves as an evolutionary link between polytheistic beliefs and monotheistic revelations. [23] Judaism could benefit from associating the goodness of God with science and art to avoid the mistake of overemphasizing isolated morality. [24] Micah's message challenged the sacrificial system, advocating for justice, mercy, and humility in worship. [25] The Hebrews' monotheistic zeal eclipsed teachings of the Trinity, eradicating the Elohim doctrine from Jewish theology. [26] The Jewish religion's persistence is attributed to its institutions, which Ezekiel sought to reform rather than destroy. [27] Judaism, evolving from diverse cultural influences, is fundamentally grounded in the covenant between Abraham and Melchizedek. [28] Judaism promises salvation from difficulties, prosperity predicated on righteousness. [29] The rapidly spreading influence of Jewish religious and moral teachings. [30] The renaissance of Judaism began with the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, shaping the course of culture and theology. [31]
Jews worldwide remained steadfast in their connection to Jerusalem's temple, their theology surviving thanks to the intervention of Babylonian teachers. [32] The centralization of temple worship at Jerusalem ensured the survival of Jewish monotheism and paved the way for a universal concept of God. [33] The tolerant fringe of gentile believers within Jewish synagogues facilitated Paul's early conversions to Christianity. [34]
The evolution of Jewish theology included various Deity titles defined, showing the Hebrews' progression from polytheism to monotheism with fluctuating ideas of God among different Semite believers. [35]
Despite eastern/western differences in theologic and philosophic beliefs, the dispersed Jews agreed on Jerusalem as the center of their worship and the coming of the Messiah. [36] Joseph held to the Eastern views, while Mary embraced the Western interpretation of Judaism. [37] The Levant adopted the western Jewish viewpoint with Greek cultural and philosophical influences. [38] Mary leaned toward the Western interpretation while Joseph held to the Eastern views of Judaism. [39]
The educational program in Galilee provided a thorough and systematic approach to rearing and educating children, resulting in a well-rounded individual like Jesus. [40]
Jesus showed keen interest in the meaning of the Sabbath rites, synagogue sermons, and recurring feasts like the Feast of Tabernacles. [41]
The day of atonement was the most solemn feast in Judaism, observed as part of a series of celebrations and observances that Jesus learned about from his father. [42] Jesus found the ceremonies of the day of atonement in Judaism pitiful and misrepresentative of his Father in heaven, while John was impressed by them. [43]
Jesus attended the feast of dedication to give Jewish leaders another chance to see the light before his final hour. [44]
Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven and the importance of faith, love, and obedience during Passover in Jerusalem. [45] Over 1.5 million Jews attended the Passover week in Jerusalem to learn and carry news of Jesus' resurrection. [46] Jesus celebrated the solemn Passover in Jerusalem when possible, immersed in the rich history and traditions of Judaism. [47] The commandment in Judaism is not to leave sacrifice until morning. [48]
The new remembrance supper symbolizes the enslaved individual's emergence from racial slavery into spiritual freedom and fellowship as faith sons of the living God. [49] The Jewish custom of ceremonial hand washing was disregarded by Jesus, who instead humbly washed his disciples' feet. [50] The Hebrew ritual of Passover influenced the later Christian sacrament of bread and wine. [51]
Lambs sacrificed at traditional Passover feasts were no longer deemed necessary by Jesus, who celebrated the feast with unleavened bread and wine instead. [52] Moses established an institution that antedated the temple rites witnessed by Jesus. [53]
The preparation day for the Passover celebration began at noon on Thursday before the evening meal on Friday. No secular work was done or gentile buildings were entered on that day. [54] At Passover the Roman procurator used to offer pardon for a prisoner. [55] Religion reveres tradition and the sacredness of ancient customs, with sacraments requiring the most primitive of offerings. [56] The custom of smearing blood on house doorposts for protection of the first-born was derived from ancient practices of child sacrifice. [57] The temple head tax payable at Jerusalem was just one way the courts of the temple were profaned. [58]
Women rarely attended. Jesus encouraged more women to attend the Passover feast in Jerusalem by insisting on his mother's presence, leading to the largest female attendance from Nazareth ever recorded. [59]
The death of Jesus on the cross, coinciding with the Jewish Passover, was a natural and man-managed event, unrelated to the sacrificial system of Judaism. [60]
Jesus was determined to establish a bloodless Passover, celebrating with unleavened bread and wine instead of the slaughtered lamb, in defiance of traditional sacrificial offerings. [61] At his first Passover in Jerusalem, young man Jesus was spiritually enlightened and called to begin his Father's work. [62]
The Jews did not want Jesus' body exposed on the Sabbath and Passover, so they asked Pilate to have his legs broken and to be taken down before sundown. [63]
The feast of Pentecost, established by Moses, occurs seven weeks after Passover. [64] Pentecost was the festival of baptism where both Jews and gentiles could submit to baptism without disconnecting from the Jewish faith. [65]
Jesus developed a keen interest in the history and traditions of Israel, including the Sabbath rites, synagogue sermons, and the feast of Esther and Israel’s deliverance. [66]
The annual holiday of all Palestine, established by Moses, was the feast of tabernacles Jesus spent in Magadan Park after attending the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem. [67]
Jesus evinced an unusual interest in the history of Israel, particularly in the meaning of the feast of harvest ingathering and other important Jewish rites. [68]
The Andonic peoples preserved the ancient practice of animal sacrifice, which became an integral part of Judaism's rituals. [69] Moses elevated the fetish hut of the Hebrews to harbor the law of God, embodying a potent symbol of sacred belief. [70]
Jesus, disturbed by the inconsistencies and absurdities of Judaism's ceremonial system, found the rituals to be pathetic and misrepresentative of his Father's character. [71] Following the Mosaic ordinance, Joseph and Mary went to the temple for purification after childbirth and to present Jesus for redemption. [72]
Jesus delivered a powerful discourse during the Sabbath service, fulfilling the Scriptures and speaking on 'The Sons and Daughters of God' to a crowd marveled by his wisdom and graciousness. [73] The congregation recited the Shema, Judaism's creed of faith, before taking on the yoke of heaven and the commandments. [74] Only Jerusalemites were permitted to witness the daily sacrifices in the temple, a fact Joseph imparted to Jesus during their visit. [75]
Judaism influenced Christianity and Mohammedanism, emphasizing justice, wisdom, truth, and righteousness. [76]
The contribution of Judaism to intellectual comprehension and spiritual understanding of divine qualities like justice, wisdom, truth, and righteousness was significant, despite playing a lesser role in the development of Islam. [77]
Ganid's abstract of Judaism reveals the teaching of Melchizedek, as preserved and modified by the Jews, which Jesus and Ganid selected. [78] The influence on Judaism by Egyptian, Babylonian, and Iranian religions shaped its moral and theological teachings. [79]
Amenemope helped shape the ethics of evolution and morals of revelation for both Hebrews and Greeks, influencing the growth of Occidental civilization. [80] During the Babylonian captivity, Jews realized they must convert gentiles to survive and evolve their religion. [81] The Jews in Egypt struggled with their beliefs, leading to a unsuccessful attempt at rewriting their history. [82]
Ikhnaton, the young teacher-king, led his associates in the disguised worship of the One God, creator of Aton, inspiring a generation of amazing personal piety and ethical expansion. [83] Philo harmonized Greek philosophy and Hebrew theology, paving the way for Paul's Christian teachings. [84]
Hellenized Jewish beliefs were materially influenced by the philosophy of Plato and the self-abnegation doctrines of the Stoics, exemplified in the Fourth Book of the Maccabees and Wisdom of Solomon. [85] The teachings of Zoroaster left a lasting influence on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, shaping their theologies and philosophies. [86]
Jesus' positive antagonism towards Jewish traditions emphasized the importance of living in accordance with divine truth. [87] The apostles understood that Jesus did not partake in sacrificial services of the Jewish system, even celebrating Passover without the lamb. [88]
Jesus, an original thinker and skillful teacher, was constantly in collision with oral law, yet sought to adapt himself to his family's practices and led a group promoting manhood acquirements. [89] Jesus resented ceremonial practices misrepresentative of his Father in heaven. [90]
The apostles' attempt to impose Jewish requirements on converts contradicted the universal nature of Jesus' religion, which transcended cultural and racial boundaries. [91]
Levites officiated in Jerusalem temple, but feared calling Jesus before them; instead, they sent for Josiah, who saw Jesus as a prophet despite Pharisees' doubts and division. [92] Jesus revealed and exemplified a religion of love, security in the Father's love, with joy and satisfaction in service to the human brotherhood. [93]
Minute regulations invaded every domain of life, holding the Jews in a terrible bondage of ritualism and legalism far more oppressive than Roman rule. [94] Misinterpretation of sacred writings by tradition-enslaved scribes hinders the revelation of truth. [95]
The Sanhedrists deserted the commandments of God for the oral law, while Jesus criticized the Jerusalem spies for prioritizing tradition over God's commandments. [96]
The sacred traditions ordained by Abraham held the Jews in a bondage far more real than that of Roman political rule, dominating every aspect of personal and social life. [97]
See also: UB 97:10; UB 121:6; UB 123:3.5; UB 125:1.5.