Judaism

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Pronunciations

Judaism (JOO-dee-izm) listen

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Definitions

  • n. An Abrahamic, monotheistic ethnic religion that is more than 5,000 years old.

Example Sentences

  • "Judaism is a religion of action and obligations, which is primarily concerned with how to live a good life in this world. If you truly focus your life on improving yourself and fixing the world, then you will simply be so immersed in the meaningfulness this world offers you that nihilistic thought patterns will lose all meaning to you." (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew
  • English

Etymology

  • ultimately from יְהוּדָה 'Judah'

      • Who Uses This

      • Jews: Jews of diverse religious backgrounds and organizational involvements
      • Non-Jews: (words that have spread outside of Jewish networks)

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).
      • Dictionary of Jewish Usage: A Popular Guide to the Use of Jewish Terms, by Sol Steinmetz (Lanham, MD, 2005).

Notes

  • "Followers of Judaism, called Jews, base their beliefs on the body of writings and doctrines contained in the Torah and Talmud. All movements of Judaism share certain principles, among them a belief in one God, who is incorporeal (without a shape or body); a belief in the Ten Commandments and the Torah; observance of the Sabbath; celebration of Jewish festivals and holidays; and male circumcision. Different movements in Judaism vary in their interpretations of halakhah (Jewish law), levels of observance of those laws, and reevaluations of the laws and rituals throughout history." (JPS)

    See also yahadut.

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