in Hebrew) with Abraham, from whom the Jewish people descended. The covenant provided that the Jews would be blessed with God’s love and protection if they remained true to God’s law and faithfully worshipped Him, and be accountable for sins and transgression against God and His laws. The Jewish People have often been referred to throughout history as the “Chosen People” because of the belief that the Jews were singled out among all of the ancient peoples to receive God’s laws and His blessings. According to Judaism, the Jews were chosen to be His servants although God is the universal Creator of all humanity.
Jews traditionally do not encourage converts, although converts are accepted after they demonstrate knowledge about the faith and their sincerity in accepting its laws.
The tenets of Judaism include a belief in a coming Messiah (derived from the Hebrew, meaning, “the anointed one”) who will unite the Jewish people and lead them under a Kingdom of God on earth and bring peace and justice to all mankind.
While Judaism recognizes an “afterlife,” it is principally a “this world” religion. The Creator in Judaistic theology is all-knowing and does not have a corporal form.
Judaism is traditionally decentralized. There is no equivalent to a Pope or other central, international decision-making authority who determines religious dogma or practice. Each Jewish congregation is responsible for its own affairs and is usually, but not always, led by a spiritual leader called a rabbi. Many rabbis are trained in a seminary or university established for the purpose of furthering religious scholarship and teaching. Each of the major groups of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist) has its own institution in