JUDAISM

Symbol:   David’s star   “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people, and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you. (Jeremiah 7:23).

Jews believe in one God who is the Creator and Lord of the universe. They believe that God has a special relationship – the Covenant – with the Jewish people. This relationship has been guiding and will continue to guide Jewish people.

The Law, written in the Jewish holy book, the Torah, was given to Moses on Mount Sinai and is the Jewish people’s guide to how to live in accordance with the Covenant. Jews look forward to the coming of the Messiah, a leader from God, who will bring a time of peace, fruitfulness and security to the whole world, but also a time when the dead will be bought back to life and judged by God.

The menorah, a seven-branched candlestick, stood in the Temple in Jerusalem in ancient times, and its design is described in the Torah. The central branch is said to represent the Sabbath, the day when God rested after creating the world.

Worldwide Numbers:  There are 12.8 million Jews living worldwide. Almost 47% live in North America. 34% in Israel, and 14% in Europe and Russia. The twentieth century has seen a dramatic shift in numbers away from Europe following the Holocaust.

Holy Places:  Israel is regarded as the historic 'Promised Land'. The Western Wall in Jerusalem, an important place of prayer, is all that is left of the last Jewish temple, destroyed in CE70.

Holy Writings:  The Hebrew Bible consists of the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Prophets and other writings including the Psalms. The Torah contains laws and guidance and tells the early history of the Jewish people. It is written in Hebrew.