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CONCEPT OF GOD IN JUDAISM


Judaism is one of the major Semitic religions. Its followers are known as Jews and they believe in the prophetic mission of Prophet Moses (pbuh). Judaism is a monotheistic religion ie, they believe in one God. Judaism traces its heritage to the covenant God made with Abraham and his lineage — that God would make them a sacred people and give them a holy land. The primary figures of Israelite culture include the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophet Moses(PBUT). According to information published by The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute, there were around 13.1 million Jewish people in the world in 2007, most residing in the USA and Israel. According to the 2013 census the population of Jews are 13,854,800 (around 0.2% of the world population).  [1] [2]

 

Table of Contents

 

Concept of God based on scriptures

(i) The following verse from Deuteronomy contains an exhortation from Moses (pbuh):
"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adna Ikhad" It is a Hebrew quotation which means
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" [The Bible, Deut 6:4]

(ii) Consider the following verses from the Book of Isaiah:

"I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour." [The Bible, Isaiah 43:11]

(iii)
"I am lord, and there is none else There is no God besides me." 
[The Bible, Isaiah 45 : 5]

(iv)
"I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." [The Bible, Isaiah 46:9]

 

Judaism condemns idol worship

(v) Judaism condemns idol worship in the following verses:
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor see them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…" [The Bible, Exodus 20:3-5]

(iv) A similar message is repeated in the book of Deutoronomy:
"Thou shalt have none other gods before me.Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that in the earth beneath, or that is in the water beneath the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…" [The Bible, Deut 5:7-9]

In Judaism too, we find the same thread of monotheism, that is seen in other religions.

 

See also

Muhammad ﷺProphets in IslamWhat Eminent Non Muslims say about Prophet Muhammad ; INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISMFestivals of JUDAISMProphecy of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Jewish scriptures

 

 

References

http://irf.net/judaism_concept_god.html

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