John Shaqi
ReligionAncient (2nd millennium BCE)~15 million adherents

Judaism

Founder
Abraham & Moses
Origin
Canaan / Land of Israel

The covenantal faith of the Jewish people, rooted in the Torah and the worship of one God.

Judaism

Overview

Judaism

Judaism is the ancient monotheistic religion of the Jewish people, tracing its covenant with God to the patriarch Abraham and the giving of the Torah to Moses at Sinai. It originated in the land of Canaan in the 2nd millennium BCE.

Its scripture, the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), is anchored by the five books of the Torah, supplemented by centuries of rabbinic interpretation gathered in the Talmud. Central commitments include the oneness of God, the covenant, and a life ordered by mitzvot (commandments).

Through exile and return, Judaism gave rise to the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements of today.

Sacred Scriptures

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Torah (English)

Pentateuch — Douay-Rheims

The Five Books of Moses (Genesis–Deuteronomy), the foundational text of Judaism.

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The Talmud — Selections

Selections — Polano

Selections from the Talmud, the central text of Rabbinic Judaism.

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Critics, Defenders & Scholars

Critics

Baruch Spinoza

Rationalist Philosopher · 1632–1677 · Dutch

A rationalist philosopher excommunicated from his community for his radical critique of scripture and theology.

Theologico-Political Treatise; Ethics

Defenders

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Theologian · 1907–1972 · Polish-American

A leading Jewish theologian and philosopher who articulated a deeply spiritual modern Judaism.

The Sabbath; God in Search of Man

Scholars

Maimonides

Philosopher & Jurist · 1138–1204 · Sephardic Jewish

Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Rambam), the pre-eminent medieval Jewish philosopher and codifier of law.

Guide for the Perplexed; Mishneh Torah

Sacred & Scholarly Books

Well-known works on Judaism — readable in full, right here in the Library.

A History of Mediaeval Jewish PhilosophyHusik, Isaac
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy

A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy

Husik, Isaac

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Nina BalatkaTrollope, Anthony
Nina Balatka

Nina Balatka

Trollope, Anthony

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Tancred; Or, The New CrusadeDisraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield
Tancred; Or, The New Crusade

Tancred; Or, The New Crusade

Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield

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The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: The InfernoDante Alighieri
The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: The Inferno

The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: The Inferno

Dante Alighieri

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The guide for the perplexedMaimonides, Moses
The guide for the perplexed

The guide for the perplexed

Maimonides, Moses

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The Project Gutenberg Works of Flavius Josephus: An IndexJosephus, Flavius
The Project Gutenberg Works of Flavius Josephus: An Index

The Project Gutenberg Works of Flavius Josephus: An Index

Josephus, Flavius

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"Bethink Yourselves!"Tolstoy, Leo, graf
"Bethink Yourselves!"

"Bethink Yourselves!"

Tolstoy, Leo, graf

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"Everyman," with other interludes, including eight miracle plays

"Everyman," with other interludes, including eight miracle plays

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"The Kingdom of God Is Within You": Christianity Not as a Mystic Religion but as a New Theory of LifeTolstoy, Leo, graf
"The Kingdom of God Is Within You": Christianity Not as a Mystic Religion but as a New Theory of Life

"The Kingdom of God Is Within You": Christianity Not as a Mystic Religion but as a New Theory of Life

Tolstoy, Leo, graf

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A Biblical and Theological Dictionary: explanatory of the history, manners, and customs of the Jews, and neighbouring nationsWatson, Richard
A Biblical and Theological Dictionary: explanatory of the history, manners, and customs of the Jews, and neighbouring nations

A Biblical and Theological Dictionary: explanatory of the history, manners, and customs of the Jews, and neighbouring nations

Watson, Richard

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A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and NationsWheeler, J. M. (Joseph Mazzini)
A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and Nations

A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and Nations

Wheeler, J. M. (Joseph Mazzini)

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A Biography of Rev. Henry Ward BeecherScoville, Samuel
A Biography of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher

A Biography of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher

Scoville, Samuel

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A Book of ExpositionNugent, Homer Heath
A Book of Exposition

A Book of Exposition

Nugent, Homer Heath

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A Brief Commentary on the ApocalypseBliss, Sylvester
A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse

A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse

Bliss, Sylvester

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A Christian Directory, Part 1: Christian EthicsBaxter, Richard

A Christian Directory, Part 1: Christian Ethics

Baxter, Richard

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A Christmas Carol in Prose; Being a Ghost Story of ChristmasDickens, Charles
A Christmas Carol in Prose; Being a Ghost Story of Christmas

A Christmas Carol in Prose; Being a Ghost Story of Christmas

Dickens, Charles

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A Collection of College Words and CustomsHall, Benjamin Homer
A Collection of College Words and Customs

A Collection of College Words and Customs

Hall, Benjamin Homer

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A Compendium on the SoulAvicenna

A Compendium on the Soul

Avicenna

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A Discourse of a Method for the Well Guiding of Reason: and the Discovery of Truth in the SciencesDescartes, René

A Discourse of a Method for the Well Guiding of Reason: and the Discovery of Truth in the Sciences

Descartes, René

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A Discourse of Life and Death, by Mornay; and Antonius by GarnierMornay, Philippe de, seigneur du Plessis-Marly
A Discourse of Life and Death, by Mornay; and Antonius by Garnier

A Discourse of Life and Death, by Mornay; and Antonius by Garnier

Mornay, Philippe de, seigneur du Plessis-Marly

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A Greek-English Lexicon to the New TestamentGreenfield, William
A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament

A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament

Greenfield, William

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A Handful of Stars: Texts That Have Moved Great MindsBoreham, Frank
A Handful of Stars: Texts That Have Moved Great Minds

A Handful of Stars: Texts That Have Moved Great Minds

Boreham, Frank

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A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ: Based on the Broadus Harmony in the Revised VersionRobertson, A. T.

A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ: Based on the Broadus Harmony in the Revised Version

Robertson, A. T.

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A History of Magic and Experimental Science, Volume 1 (of 2): During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our EraThorndike, Lynn

A History of Magic and Experimental Science, Volume 1 (of 2): During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our Era

Thorndike, Lynn

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