Foundational Aspects of Judaism

Foundational Aspects of Judaism Name Institution Course and Code Professor Date Foundational Aspects of Judaism Primary Distinguishing Ethical Principles or Rules Observed in Judaism The Ten Commandments The Torah's Ten Commandments—ten divine precepts delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai—are Judaism's central ethical code. These rules underpin morality and community behavior. The first four commandments emphasize God's exclusive worship, idolatry's prohibition, God's name's holiness, and the Sabbath (Rosensweig & Mermelstein, 2021). The following six commandments include interpersonal ethics, including respecting parents, murder, adultery, stealing, giving false testimony, and coveting. Jewish religious and moral life is based on these everlasting rules. Tzedakah (Charity and Justice) Charity and justice are central to Judaism's tzedakah. Unlike charity, tzedakah is a moral obligation, expressing the conviction that helping people in need is essential to a good society. It involves helping the poor financially and addressing social inequality (Rosensweig & Mermelstein, 2021). Jewish tradition holds that tzedakah is fundamental to ethical behavior and community harmony. The Religion Origin The Hebrew people and God made a series of covenants that led to the founding of Judaism, with prominent patriarchal leaders contributing. Abraham is credited with founding Judaism by pledging to follow God's instructions in exchange for becoming the father of a mighty nation (Lebens, 2020). After Moses moved the people Israel from Egypt and was given the Torah, consisting of the Ten Commandments, at Mount Sinai, this covenant was renewed and ex...