Understanding the Three Abrahamic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam The Dunedin Jewish, Christian and Muslim Community Liaison Group Our group was formed here in Dunedin in the aftermath of the events of September 11th 2001 out of spontaneous expressions of solidarity and goodwill between leaders of our three faiths, the police and the Dunedin City Council. We exist to express a common heritage and concern, as people of faith in Dunedin. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all Abrahamic faiths. All three can trace their faith back to Abraham. Ordinary people from all three faiths share a deep desire for peace and justice. We seek to encourage and model friendship and respect for each other. Our aims are three-fold: 1. To stand together should any of our communities suffer harassment or attack. 2. To respond together to events, local or global, which have an impact on the relationships between Jewish, Christian and Muslim people in Dunedin. 3. An ongoing educational role as together we seek to overcome some of the misrepresentation and lack of awareness in the wider community. With this aim in mind we arrange for inter-faith delegations to visit Dunedin schools, and host public forums. For further information please contact: Liaison Group Secretary (and Christian community contact): Greg Hughson, University Chaplain, Box 1436, Dunedin. E-mail: [email protected] Muslim Community contact: c/- Steve Ali Akbar Johnston. E-mail: [email protected] Jewish Community contact: David Bisman. E-mail: [email protected] Understanding Judaism and the Jews In the Name of God, Blessed be the Name What is Judaism? Judaism is an old religion. Unlike Islam or Christianity, Judaism is more about Right Action than Right Belief. As a non-missionising religion, Judaism cannot compete in terms of numbers but its influence is immeasurable. At its centre is the concept of Tikkun Olam — repairing the world. Jews seek to create a world worthy of God, to build the ‘Kingdom of God’ on earth. What do Jews believe? Jews believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God. The central declaration of Jewish belief is a passage of Scripture known as the Shema: 'Shema Yisrael, Adonai, Elohenu, Adonai Echad' (Hear, O Israel, the Lord is your God, the Lord is One). All other Jewish belief stems from this declaration. This singular, unique, unitary God gave the Jewish people the Torah (the Law) at Mt. Sinai and this Law defines the parameters of Jewish belief and practice. Contained in the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) are 613 commandments or ‘Mitzvot’ (singular: ‘Mitzvah’) divided into 248 positive commandments and 365 negative ones. How does someone become a Jew? Judaism does not seek converts so the easiest way to become a Jew is to be born Jewish! Conversion is possible but it is not an easy path and the process takes several years of study, commitment and examination. What does ‘Judaism’ mean? The word comes to us from the Roman Empire when the Holy Land was the Roman province of Judea (from the Hebrew: ‘Yehudah’) and all who lived there were referred to as Judeans. This became Jews over the course of time. Judah was one of the sons of Jacob. Do Islam and Christianity share origins with Judaism? The first Christians, including Jesus, were Jews and Christianity grew out of Judaism. Islam developed later and owes aspects of its character to both Judaism and Christianity. However, the theology of both Christianity and Islam, to a greater or lesser extent, embraces important figures whom Jews claim as their own. Abraham is acknowledged as the Father of all three religions. Who is Moses? Moses was born in Egypt about 3,500 years ago, at a time when the Hebrew people were enslaved and oppressed. Although he grew up in a privileged position he became known for his compassion. Eventually, he led the Children of Israel out of Egypt and slavery (the Exodus, an event still commemorated each year at Passover) and became their leader, teacher and greatest prophet. After the Exodus he ascended Mt. Sinai and God gave him the Torah to deliver to the Children of Israel. He led them for forty years and died just before they passed over the River Jordan from the ‘wilderness’ to the ‘promised land.’ The account of his life and works is found in the Biblical Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Jews, Christians and Muslims all revere him as a prophet. What is the Torah? The Torah is the Law that was revealed by God at Mt. Sinai. The term usually refers to what Christians call the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). In Jewish literature and worship the word is sometimes used to denote certain other things but one cannot go wrong in applying it solely to these books. The Torah, written in Hebrew and on a single Scroll, is read in Jewish synagogues and is central to Jewish faith and practice. The Torah contains history, law, legend, poetry and song. It recounts the story of the Jewish people from the creation of the world until their arrival in the land promised them by God. Along the way it delineates the rules that God has ordained for the Hebrew people and for all the peoples of the world. Are there any other sacred sources? Yes, the Nevi’im or Prophets and the Ketubim or Writings, along with the Torah make up the Written Law, known by the acronym: TaNaKh. In addition, the Oral Law — which is often referred to as the Talmud, was committed to writing over a period of about 500 years starting nearly 2,000 years ago. It contains stories, legal rulings and explanations of the Torah. Belief in the Talmud is part of the Jewish faith. Examples of the Talmud’s writings: ‘Whoever destroys a single life is as guilty as though he had destroyed the entire world; and whoever rescues a single life earns as much merit as though he had rescued the entire world.’ ‘Who can protest and does not, is an accomplice in the act.’ ‘Live well. It is the greatest revenge.’ ‘Anyone who shames his fellow in public, it is as if he shed blood.’ ‘Deeds of kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments.’ ‘Teach your tongue to say “I do not know”, lest you be led to lie.’ ‘In a city where both non-Jews and Jews live, the tzedakah (charity) collectors collect from Jews and non- Jews and support Jewish and non-Jewish poor; we visit Jewish and non-Jewish sick and bury Jewish and non-Jewish dead, and comfort Jewish and non-Jewish mourners, and return lost goods of non-Jews and Jews, to promote the ways of peace.’ Does Judaism tolerate other beliefs? The Jewish religion does not teach that Jews have a monopoly on the truth. Rather, it teaches that all peoples are ‘chosen’ by God for different missions and that each people must fulfil its own mission. For the Jew, Judaism is the path to God but others must follow their own paths. Throughout Jewish Scripture and post-Scriptural writings there exists a thread of concern for the ‘stranger’ and the ‘oppressed’. Jewish law protects and honours all human beings, regardless of whether or not they are Jewish. It forbids Jews to deal unjustly with non-Jews. What do Jews think about Jesus and Mohammed? Judaism teaches respect for the faith of others. So, such religious figures as Jesus or Mohammed are respected but not worshipped. Although they play no part in the Jewish religion it is forbidden to disrespect them. Jews do not accept the Virgin Birth or atoning death of Jesus but recognise the Christian position on these. Likewise, Judaism does not accept that Mohammed was a prophet but recognises and respects Muslim convictions. What about Jewish women? Judaism sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage contract is drawn up and signed by the groom to the bride which identifies and guarantees her rights. The Hebrew Scriptures include women prophets (such as Miriam), judges and generals (such as Deborah), war heroes (such as Jael), great women of faith (such as Ruth and Abigail), and others. Traditional Judaism exempts women from many of the commandments incumbent upon men for historical and theological reasons, but they play pivotal roles in the life of Judaism: ushering in the Sabbath, fulfilling the role of first teachers of Jewish children, maintaining the everyday laws of kashrut (fitness) and perpetuating Judaism itself through childbirth. Why is family so important to Jews? The family unit is designed and ordained by God: ’Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24). The family is also the means of perpetuating Judaism, through propagation and education. What does Judaism say about war? Sometimes war is necessary. Although Judaism teaches the supreme value of life, Jews are not pacifists. Wiping out evil is also part of justice. As Rashi (a great Bible commentator who lived 1,000 years ago in France) explains, dangerous disputes must be resolved because if evil is left alone it will eventually attack you. Before a war, the other side must be given the chance to accept peace terms (Deut. 20.10). The hope is that they will change and accept the Seven Universal Laws of humanity. These ‘Noachide Laws’ are basic to any functioning society and embody fundamental respect for human rights and civilized values: • Do not murder.