What is Judaism, and what do Jews believe?
Many people ask what Judaism is and what Jews believe, especially because Judaism stands at the foundation of both biblical revelation and the cultural world in which Christianity emerged. Judaism is a monotheistic faith rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, shaped by God’s covenant with Israel, and centered on devotion to the one true God. Jewish belief is grounded in the Shema—“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4)—which affirms uncompromising monotheism and calls Israel to exclusive loyalty to Yahweh. While Jewish beliefs grew and developed over centuries, especially in times of exile and foreign rule, Judaism has consistently maintained faith in God’s promises, covenant identity, and the hope of future restoration.
1. Judaism is defined by belief in one God, expressed in the Shema
Judaism begins with the confession of the Shema, the central declaration of Israel’s faith: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This verse affirms that:
God is uniquely and solely God (Isaiah 45:5).
Israel must worship Him alone (Exodus 20:3).
God’s unity sets Him apart from the many gods of surrounding nations.
Jewish theology emphasizes God’s spiritual and transcendent nature: He is the Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1), eternal and sovereign (Psalm 90:2), and the final Judge of all humanity (Ecclesiastes 12:14). These truths come directly from the Hebrew Bible, forming the foundation of Jewish faith.
Rabbinic writings that developed later continued to stress the absolute unity of God. In the centuries after the destruction of the temple, Jewish teachers worked to safeguard monotheism with precision, especially in contrast to pagan polytheism. Judaism’s unwavering commitment to one God is the defining feature of what Jews believe.
2. Judaism is rooted in the Hebrew Bible and shaped by covenant identity
Jewish belief centers on the Hebrew Scriptures—called the Tanakh—which recount Israel’s relationship with God through covenant. From God’s promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3), to the giving of the law at Sinai (Exodus 19–20), to the prophetic promises of restoration (Jeremiah 31:31–34), Judaism is structured around God’s covenant dealings with His chosen people.
This covenant identity includes several key elements:
Israel belongs to God as His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5).
They are called to holiness and obedience (Leviticus 19:2).
They are commanded to remember God’s acts and keep His law (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).
They trust that God will never forget His promises (Isaiah 49:15–16).
The Jewish understanding of identity is therefore inseparable from God’s revelation and covenant. Even in times of exile or dispersion, Jewish communities retained a strong sense of being the people chosen to receive God’s instruction and mission in the world.
3. Jewish beliefs developed in response to exile, suffering, and foreign rule
While the core of Judaism is rooted in the Old Testament, Jewish beliefs did not remain static. The period between the Old and New Testaments was marked by foreign domination—Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman. These centuries forced Jews to wrestle with how to remain faithful to God while living among pagan nations.
This context led to:
renewed emphasis on Scripture, prayer, and synagogue life,
strong national identity focused on the name “Israel,”
intensified hope for God’s promised restoration (Daniel 7:13–14),
the conviction that God would gather His dispersed people (Isaiah 11:12).
Judaism grew more textually centered, especially during and after the exile, as God’s people sought to preserve their identity without a temple. Books like Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the prophets reflect this deepening of theological reflection.
By the time of Jesus, Judaism included a variety of sects—Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots—each interpreting Scripture differently. But all shared the conviction that God is faithful, Israel is His people, and the Scriptures reveal His will.
4. Jewish religious thought became more unified in the rabbinic age
After the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, Judaism underwent a major transition. Temple sacrifices ceased, the priesthood lost its central role, and the synagogue and Torah study became the heart of Jewish life. Rabbinic Judaism emerged as the primary form of Jewish religious expression.
During this period:
Jewish teachers created oral traditions to interpret the law.
The Mishnah and later the Talmud codified religious practice.
Jewish monotheism was articulated with even greater rigor.
The identity of Israel as God’s covenant people was reinforced.
The diversity of Jewish belief seen in the first century became more uniform under the leadership of rabbis. While Jewish communities existed across many cultures, their faith coalesced around Scripture, monotheism, and shared practices of prayer, Sabbath, and adherence to the law.
5. Judaism is grounded in hope that God will fulfill His promises
A central element of what Jews believe is hope in God’s future restoration. The Hebrew Bible repeatedly promises that God will gather His scattered people (Deuteronomy 30:3–4), redeem them from suffering (Isaiah 43:1–2), and fulfill the covenant blessings once promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 17:7–8).
Jewish hope includes:
trust that God is faithful to His covenant (Psalm 105:8),
expectation of God’s justice and final judgment (Daniel 12:2),
belief in God’s unwavering commitment to His people (Malachi 3:6),
anticipation of a future restoration and gathering (Ezekiel 37:21–22).
This hope sustained Israel through exile, oppression, and dispersion. It remains a defining feature of Jewish belief today.
Conclusion
Judaism is a monotheistic faith rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, centered on the worship of the one true God and grounded in covenant identity. Jewish belief affirms God as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer; values obedience to His law; and maintains hope in His promises even amid suffering or dispersion. While Jewish beliefs developed over centuries—especially in exile and in the rabbinic age—Judaism remains defined by its confession of God’s oneness, its covenant faithfulness, and its enduring hope that God will gather and restore His people. Understanding what Judaism is and what Jews believe offers insight into the theological world of the Old Testament and the historical context out of which Christianity emerged.
Bible Verses Related to Judaism and Jewish Belief
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)
“You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples.” (Exodus 19:5)
“I will gather the remnant of my flock.” (Jeremiah 23:3)
“I will bring my people Israel back from exile.” (Amos 9:14)
“I will take you from the nations and gather you.” (Ezekiel 36:24)
“The Lord will not forsake his people.” (Psalm 94:14)
“I am the Lord; I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
“He has remembered his covenant forever.” (Psalm 105:8)
