Essay Database

The word Judaism has two meanings. It can mean the civilization of the Jews, the culture of those who claim to be Jews or whom others call Jewish. And it can also mean the religion of the Jews. The two definitions are simple, but only on the surface. When we try to be precise, defining Judaism becomes a much more complex endeavor. How can we give a single definition of Jewish civilization? There are African …

…hotly debated. What, then, binds all people who claim to be Jewish into one people? Just what is Judaism and what does it mean to be Jewish? What follows is a short introduction to the meanings of Judaism, its beliefs, its customs, its practices, and the people who share them--the Jewish people. But keep in mind: behind every sentence much more remains unsaid. Just think of this concise introduction as a foreword to further study.