JUDAISM-
The Concept of God in Judaism is entirely monotheistic. Judaism is a birthright religion, meaning you are born Jewish. In most denominations of Judaism it is believed that this made possible by the mother's Jewish identity, so that Judaism is of matrilineal descent, i.e., one is Jewish if one’s mother is Jewish, particularly in the Orthodox and Conservative movements. In Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism, either matrilineal or patrilineal descent is used to determine if a person is Jewish; otherwise, anyone wishing to become Jewish must consult with a rabbi and convert. A convert is regarded to be as Jewish as anyone else in the community. The Jewish people as a whole live under the Covenant that was formed between God and Abraham (this covenant is circumcision, performed by a ritually trained surgeon or mohel — Jews follow the world’s oldest monotheistic faith with traditions extending back to the earliest days of civilization. Not only do Jews regard their faith as a religion, but according to their religious outlook those born into the faith are born into the Jewish nation as well (it is a culture as well as a religion) - Judaism rejects any kind of plurality, including deism and the Trinity. The Torah, or “Five Books of Moses”, states in Deuteronomy that God is a unity unlike any other. God is omnipresent, unfailing, and has a personal relationship with His/Her followers. You will note in this example that God’s name and the word Lord is abbreviated because for observant Jews it is thought to be too holy to utter in Hebrew, and this abbreviation permits Jewish people to write His/Her name for practical purposes. God was revealed to the Jewish nation through the Covenant with Abraham and the prophecy of Moses. Abraham, originally named Abram, was promised that by accepting the one true God as his only god, the land of Canaan would be given to his descendants. Practicing Judaism means that an individual will be living in accordance with these precepts; it also demands a deep respect for the Prophet Moses and the laws that have been handed down unto the peoples of God. Those practicing Judaism within the boundaries of Ancient Egypt were persecuted and placed into bondage to build great cities for the Pharaohs. The story of the Exodus explains that Moses — thought to be an Egyptian prince but actually the son of Hebrew slaves himself — was the deliverer of these Hebrew slaves, and that G-d dictated the entire Torah to him, which Orthodox Jews still maintain. The Halakha, or Jewish law, and the Ten Commandments have also ensured the strict adherence to the moral path and ensured the sanctity of all peoples. According to the Talmud, there are 613 mitzvot, or holy commandments, in the Torah. These are requirements for all Jews, and the Orthodox make an especial effort to try and fulfill all 613. It is thought that by practicing as many as possible, the arrival of the Messiah will be hastened. These laws also encourage the regular attendance of services at the synagogue or temple. This is mandatory for men and optional for women as women have different obligations – with home and children, especially among the Orthodox. The onset of the Sabbath, or Shabbat, comes Friday night at dusk with the lighting of candles and ends at dusk Saturday night (or when there are three stars visible in the sky). It honors the creation of the world and sanctifies the day of rest commanded by God. It is also marked as a time of great prayer, and synagogue services are held in the evening, morning, and afternoon, marking the passage of time through the entire Shabbat cycle. Usually both the home and body are cleansed and groomed for the occasion, and it is a time spent in unity and love with one’s family, and for these reasons it is considered the holiest day in the Hebrew calendar. While Jews, particularly the Orthodox, are bound by the 613 commandments, it does not require the same of gentiles. The Noahide laws are those given by God to Noah in order to help man avoid His/Her wrath. The laws prohibit idolatry, murder, theft, sexual deviancy, blasphemy, eating the living flesh of an animal before it is slaughtered, and ensuring the just treatment of all under the civil law of the people. Yet while most non-Jews abide by these, Christians honor the Ten Commandments, and if anyone wishes to observe more commandments than that, it is entirely optional. Some years ago the Dalai Lama sought out Jewish rabbis to engage in a dialogue with them to find out how the Jewish people have survived in exile for so many years. Indeed, with the preservation of their beliefs and customs in the face of near-insurmountable enemies, the Jewish people serve as an excellent example of long-suffering endurance.