Basic beliefs
Judaism is a truly ancient religion which has been practised
for five and a half thousand years. It is based on the belief in the one true
and universal God with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal
relationship. Jews believe in the Torah (Divine Law) which was revealed to
Moses and which is unchanging. They also believe in one God who is omniscient
and who will reward the righteous and punish the wicked at the end of time when
there will be a resurrection of all the dead. Jews are still awaiting the
Messiah who they believe has still to come.
There are several basic tenets by which Jews must live their
lives – to carry out the Ten Commandments and to live according to Jewish
values that are based on love of neighbour and tolerance of one’s fellow
human beings. Jewish people worship in a synagogue,
which is often a centre for the many aspects of communal life; while solitary
prayer is valid, attending the Synagogue to pray with a minyan (quorum of ten
adult males) is considered ideal. All males and married females are required to
cover their heads inside the synagogue. There are three main forms of Judaism:
Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. In an orthodox synagogue, men and women sit
separately whereas in liberal or reformed synagogues, they sit
together.
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