Confusing Judaism 101: What Do They Believe?

The reason we reach out to the Jewish community with the message of Jesus is because we love them, and they need him. He wept over Jerusalem, and will return there to restore his Kingdom among them. Of course, all of us who are faithful believers in Jesus, Jew or Gentile, are heirs to the Kingdom, partakers of his covenants, and look forward to His return ushering in the consummation of all of his promises. The Jewish people play a significant role in God’s biblical/ historical plan.

A tremendous amount of confusion exists among Christians regarding the Jewish people. One would assume that if a Jewish person calls themselves Jewish that there must be some connection between their Jewish identity and the religion of Judaism. This is far from the truth. It is inaccurate to think that the Jewish people today, even the religious, follow the faith of the Bible. In fact, the vast majority of Jewish people have little to do with the religion of Judaism. I know that might come as a shock, but it’s true.

Before continuing, let me clarify the definition of a Jewish person, what the religion of Judaism was in the Bible, and how Judaism exists today. The following definitions are my own. Some might disagree with the nuances, however these will be the definitions I use to explain how the Jewish people and Judaism have separated. Judaism is sometimes referred to as an “ethno-religion,” having the components of both.

A Jewish person, as defined by the Scriptures, is one who could link their lineage in some capacity through the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was renamed “Israel” by God, and through Jacob’s son Judah, we derive the name “Jew” or Jewish person. Biblical terms for the same group of people or individuals are, Jew, Jewish, Israel, Israelite, and Hebrew or Hebrews. “Jewishness,” or being Jewish, includes ethnicity, culture, history, family, holidays, special events, and connection to the land of Israel. (However, not all Jewish people are “pro-Israel”).

Judaism essentially began as the religion of the Israelites when God established a covenantal relationship with them and, after the Exodus, gave them His commands (Torah). He set them apart for himself as a separate nation from all other nations (the gentiles). Please read Deuteronomy 7:7-11. Today, the religion of Judaism has veered far from the Judaism of the Scriptures. Additionally, most Jewish people do not even practice it according to the rabbi’s instructions.

Rabbinic Judaism today has been influenced by eastern and western mysticisms that have little biblical foundation. Over time, as rabbis wrote commentary, the Talmud, Kabbalah, and other writings, influence from other religions and philosophies crept in. In many ways Judaism of today can sound eerily similar to the ideas/philosophies of Buddhism and Hinduism.

The four main sects of Judaism are, from most religious to the least: Ultra-Orthodox (Hasidic), Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed. There are also sub-sects within Judaism, from most religious to the least: Haredi, Traditional, Reconstructionist, and Humanistic Judaism. “Humanistic Judaism celebrates Jewish life while foregoing appeals for divine intervention (God), instead putting our faith in human reason and human power as the best vehicles for improving the world.” (Definition taken directly from the Humanistic Judaism website).

However, it is important to remember that most Jewish people do not identify themselves as being Jewish by virtue of their adherence to the religion of Judaism. The statistics are clear: eighty percent of Jewish people around the world are secular and humanistic in their worldview. With that in mind, here’s a quick overview of what the Jewish people believe about a few important topics.

The Bible

Most Jewish people do not read the Bible and are essentially biblically illiterate. A vast majority of Jewish people do not believe that the Bible is “God’s word” nor do they believe in biblical inerrancy. The general Jewish consensus is that the Bible is “man’s book, written by men, for humanity.” Godly principles may be found in it, but it’s all up for interpretation.

The most religious Jewish people do believe that it is God’s word, however they believe it cannot be understood without the interpretation of other righteous rabbis. To them, one can- not understand the Bible without their guidance. Christians frequently ask us why Jewish people can’t see the Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures...This is one big reason.

God

Jewish people would generally say they believe in God or believe in some concept of God. Many Jewish people are actually agnostic (not sure about God) or even atheists (do not believe in God). I oftentimes refer to a friend of the family as a “traditional, Jewish, liberal, secular, humanist, socialist, atheist.” Yes, one can be Jewish and an atheist. Jewish by culture. Atheist by faith.

Religious Jews do believe in one God as revealed in the Jewish Scriptures (their Bible is the same as our Old Testament). The rabbis teach that everyone may know God in their own way and worship him according to their religion, as long as they are “good people.” For Jewish people, properly relating to God would be through the rabbi’s interpretation of Judaism.

The Messiah

Most Jewish people do not think about the Messiah or the coming of a Messiah. Some are hopeful for a “Messianic Age,” a time of peace on earth ushered in by humanity.

Religious Jewish people are waiting for Messiah to come. He will be a political leader, will usher in an era of prosperity, eradicate poverty, fill the world with abundance, end all hu- man pain, cease war and hostility, eliminate crime, rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and reestablish the Davidic Kingdom.

As far as Jesus is concerned, some may say Jesus was a “prophet” but not in the same context of a biblical understanding of prophet. He would be a “prophet” on the same order of Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, or Mohammed, being “prophets” of their religion. To them, he was a person who lived, a Jewish rabbi, but not the Messiah because he accomplished none of the above requirements (ending war and hatred, etc).

Prophecy/Rebuilding of the Temple

Jewish people generally do not think about “biblical prophecy.” Most Jewish people would not see the establishment of the State of Israel or anything that is happening in the world today as a part of biblical prophecy. The rebuilding of the Temple or anything connected to it is generally not discussed much by the rabbis or the general Jewish population.

Blood Atonement/Sin

The sacrificial system ended in 70AD with the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jewish people don’t typically think about sin or atonement. They generally “try to live a good life” and are hopeful God will forgive them based on their good deeds, through prayer, repentance, and giving charity.

Heaven/Hell/Afterlife

Heaven, Hell, and the afterlife are rarely discussed by Jew- ish people. Judaism, according to almost all Jewish people, is a “here and now” religion. The Jewish way is to make the world a better place in which to live. The afterlife will take care of itself. The most religious believe in an afterlife, a purgatory of sorts where sin is punished. Reincarnation is embraced, as is prayer for the deceased. They believe that Jewish souls will eventually be elevated to a place of eternal rest.

Perhaps everything you just read is confusing and provoked more questions. We realize most Christians know very little about the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Unfortunately, most Christian leaders and teachers do not teach or explain the nuances of the Jewish community, Judaism, and Israel. We’re available to help you and your church or small group learn more. Give us a call.

We are regularly sharing Jesus with Jewish people who have questions and helping others do the same. Thank you for supporting our ministry and outreach as we take the message of Jesus back to the Jewish community locally, to Israel, and around the world.