Judaism
Jewish prayer shawls
History
Around 4,000 years ago a nomadic tribe led by Abraham abandoned their old gods and became monotheists – worshippers of one god, known as Hebrews. Abraham and his followers left their home in the territory now called Iraq, and settled in Canaan, the area to the west of the River Jordan, which is now Israel and Palestine.
Escaping from famine the growing community moved to Egypt but the Pharaohs enslaved them. Many generations later, a new leader, Moses, led them to freedom in a new land – the same territory to the west of the River Jordan that is so bitterly fought over today.
In 586BC the Babylonians destroyed the Jews' temple and deported many of them to Babylon (now Iraq). They kept their traditions alive and, when their exile ended, some chose not to go home, creating the first Jewish diaspora.
The second temple was destroyed in 70AD. After this the Jews carried their traditions with them. Rabbis (teachers) became custodians of the faith, and Jewish communities developed in many parts of the world, from southern India to northern Europe.
There were good times, such as the Golden Age in Spain when the Jewish and Muslim intellectual worlds flourished together. But there were also bad times: Jews were driven out of England in 1290 and, more violently, out of Spain in 1492.
The Nazi genocide left many Jewish survivors stateless and homeless. This influenced the United Nations to support the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 in part of Palestine, as a home for the Jews. This has been an issue of conflict and contention with the Palestinian people ever since.
Today, there are some 15 million Jews around the world, with the largest community in the USA.
Beliefs
Jews believe in one God but do not worship prophets. Orthodox Jews believe that a Messianic age will come, bringing peace and justice through the co-operation of all people and the help of God.
The Jews regard their relationship with God as a binding agreement, or 'Covenant'. There are 613 mitzvoth (laws) covering every aspect of daily life. Collective worship is in a synagogue over the Sabbath (Saturday) but Jews also pray individually at home, three times a day. Each synagogue contains an Ark, a cupboard which houses The Torah, handwritten in Hebrew on a parchment scroll.
