Modern Judaism And Its Influence Of Culture And Society

Judaism developed among the Hebrews about 4000 years ago. As a religion, Judaism is characterized by the belief of the three Abrahamic faiths. Also, it encompassed the belief that one transcendent God dawned on Moses, Abraham, and Hebrew prophets through a pious context per rabbinic traditions and scriptures (Weber 159). Judaism is a complex phenomenon incorporating law, theology, and several cultural traditions in its practice. Even though its practice has declined over time, its history provides a profound understanding of the monotheistic religion. Modern practices of Judaism reflect the early historical narratives that affirm its teachings and beliefs. The Bible stories, events, and activities aid religious reasoning and perspectives, and these encounters are primarily based on history. God’s manifestation in the world is experienced within nature, but more evident on human actions towards each other, nature, and God. Even when the majority of religions and cultural beliefs reference their divine being in history, the fundamentals of ancient Israelites became more influential thus lasted for long. The meaning of existence among ancient Israelites affected their belief all through as they had a different relationship with the divine. Israelites believed that their acknowledgment of the divine presence was important for them and all humankind as well. Dating back to its inception, Jewish people believe that a sole God made a covenant with them and communicates through prophets. He also rewards those who do good to themselves and others and punishes bad deeds and evil. Currently, there are about 15 million Jews in the world, with most of the residing in Israel and the United States. Torah, the first five books of Tanakh, explains the origin of the Jewish faith. From Biblical texts, God revealed himself to Abraham, a Hebrew man known to be the father of Judaism. God made an agreement with Abraham that he and his progeny would build a great nation. From the believes and practices of Judaism in history, its practices in the modern world has shaped and influenced the way cultures and societies perceive the world.

Branches of Modern Judaism

Since Judaism has been active over three millennia, it surprisingly has only four sects. First, the Reform movement started in Germany in the 19th century. It developed as a people retaliated against political and legal barriers to Jews residing in the European countries. They were against the discrimination and wanted to the incorporated into the mainstream society. Second, the Orthodox Jews embraced their culture and wished to retain their traditional practices, in both custom and law context. Thirdly, conservative Judaism, initially called ‘Historical Judaism,’ also started in the 19th century was in response to advancements of the Reform movement. Conservative Jews embraced western influence on their culture in terms of cultural practices and education. However, this branch maintained honoring the sabbath, observing dietary practices, and using Hebrews in worship. Lastly, Reconstructionist Judaism was founded by Rabbi Mordecai in 1922 in the United States. Rabbi Mordecai had in mind to incorporate classical Judaism with modern concepts of art, science, and reasoning. Therefore, reconstructionist Judaism is more of a civilization than a religion. All being under Judaism, they have similar underlying values to their practices and belief.

Role of Judaism in Western Culture and Civilization

In the modern world, almost all “modern” perspectives and thoughts in politics, sciences, justice, and philosophy are founded on Judaism practices. Just as in history, Judaism promoted a one God believe concept which required people to view the world as a complicated phenomenon, but by have a divine being manifested in both spiritual, emotional, physical, and philosophical nature. With the four major divisions, Judaism played a critical role in the growth of the western culture. This was for the exclusive association of Christianity. The development of its ideas and school of thoughts profoundly influenced and received moral dynamism that continuously surpassed inclined admiration to its world view distinctiveness. A diverse population understood Their liberation from chains of inequality, segregation, and discrimination at the inception of the modern Judaism era to the backbone of human liberty. Even with the significant increase in the influence Jews had in the fabrics of most cultures, the effect of Judaism itself as a whole was declining. The reason for its diminishing popularity was due to the Gentile Leader’s efforts to grant social and political equality while contending on the application of Judaism social reforms. While several contributors to different aspects of western civilization and culture are from a diverse cultural background, their activities are tied to a number, though not many, of instances derived from Judaism.

Judaism on Social protests

These phenomena and manifestations have taught and influenced revolutionary ideas and practices of the society and their reforms. For example, people have the ability to advocate for justice and acknowledge their responsibility in stopping injustice around the globe. Judaism was amongst the first religions to promote equal rights through embracing diversity arraying from gender, race, age, and cultural backgrounds. This concept revolutionized social reforms and incepted it to the benefit of human beings and how they positively influence interaction. The philosophies laid by Judaism continue to influence humans for decades and are relevant in today’s world. On social protest before Judaism, ideologies emphasized the existence of external forces beyond human comprehension. Although several things were subject to change, it was believed that humans were resigned against the natural order. Dr. Huston Smith in The World’s Religion explains that “The consequence of keeping God and nature distinct is momentous, for it means that the ‘ought’ cannot be assimilated to the ‘is’– God’s will transcends (and can differ from) immanent actuality,” (Smith 285). In full glare of the injustice prevailing in the world, Jews recognized that it was never God’s will, and it was their responsibility to initiate change on the same. History was now non-existent in unrelated events but was a lesson to derive and critique. Ancients religions focused on the present, not to disturb the status quo while fearing God would respond undesirably. People accepted things as they were with the perception that it had always been that way. They lacked the motivation to improve the societal settings with the ideas that are rooted in the nature of things, hence could not be altered by human beings.

However, the return to Israel from Pharaoh’s regime marked the inception of the Jews people. It was to their understanding that God chose them, not in the belief they were any better. Also, they recognized that they were not to receive any favors, and were to make others suffering their own. This practice was viewed as arrogant by other religions, but it remained that Jews were intrinsically considerate of other people from the beginning, particularly the less fortunate. “When things are not as they should be, change in some form is in order” (Smith 286-287). Although this concept can be traced centuries back, during the early stages of Judaism, it can still be reflected in its modern practice. “As a small minority of the American population, Jews have historically supported laws, policies, and programs that guarantee the rights of individuals and minorities against those of the majority” (Dorff 57). This arises from the profound idea that the less fortunate and the oppressed minority should be considered and protected.

The Jews took no point in seeing themselves as favored to others; instead, they recognized that they were God’s chosen through a free right of election. Their escape from Pharaoh’s authority, which they saw as an impossibility, was attributed to the great doings of God. They derived meaning from the Exodus, and instead of normalizing it as a routine event, they understood it as a calling for vicarious suffering, for themselves and that of others. Judaism prioritizes the role people have played and will play in the future. It focuses on sole individuals, or individuals within groups to look into history, learn from it, and not to make similar mistakes. Humans can influence the present, and the future thus should engage in whatever within their capabilities to improve the world for their progenies. The early prophets instigated the concept of individualism as a way to influence society and social reforms.

Judaism prophets set the pace to influence the societal, cultural, and political landscape over recent centuries. Prophet Elijah, someone outside the political hierarchy, sided with an innocent person and denounced the authority for the first time in the story of King Ahab and Naboth. The King accepted the opinions of the prophet Elijah since he believed he was under the authority of God, who was revealing himself through him. This was radical because a ‘nobody’ advocated for justice, and even the King hind his decision as it was the will of God. Therefore, regardless of the perception that normal people cannot steer change, Judaism teaches justice on all levels and by everyone. Also, in instances that the political class promotes injustice, people should stand against the unjust actions and demand for justice. The common ground in prophets calling out their kings for on acts of unfairness and injustice was that “every human being, simply by his or her humanity, is a child of God and therefore in possession of rights that even kings must respect” (Smith 292). In a historical context, prophets spoke on behalf of God in defense of the common human beings to corrects the wrongs against them in society. On a bigger responsibility, other than challenging kings, prophets challenged the nation’s moral values as the disadvantaged people were treated like cattle, and the rich class continued to flourish. During those times, Israel was sandwiched between Syria, Egypt, Babylonia, and Assyria, and the tension between them was viewed as “God’s warning to clean up their national life: establish justice throughout the land, or be destroyed” (Smith 291). The Jews interpreted this as they desired to find the ultimate meaning of life and its aspects as well. The foundations of Judaism root in the quest for justice and gives individuals the power to call out injustice whenever and wherever in their societal setting. This notion referenced from Judaism shapes and influences modern social practices.

Judaism influence on Social Justice in The Modern World

Social reforms have advanced since the establishment of Judaism 4,000 years ago. Famous social activists such as Gandhi, Thich Nhat Hahn, and Martin Luther King Jr. combated injustice through non-violent processes. King quoted Gandhi “As I delved deeper into the philosophy of Gandhi, my skepticism concerning the power of love gradually diminished, and I came to see for the first time its potency in the area of social reform’ (Patel 274). King, as a Civil Rights Movement, relied on his faith to harmonize the people in a common course of achieving equality for the African American community. In this context, King’s commitment to using non-violent ways and love in uniting people was in accordance with Judaism. Just as ancient Israelites experienced injustice against the poor, people in America of the sixties saw injustice against the black community and ganged to initiate reforms for its purpose. As Patel views it, “love and nonviolence were fundamentally Christian values for King, but he learned to see them in new ways under the light of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Buddhism and Gandhi’s Hinduism” (Patel 275). Even if King’s activism was inspired by the two men, Judaism is credited for its rebellious acts countering social injustice and which founded principles of King’s engagement. The Civil Rights Movement may not have existed, were it not the Jewish initiatives of extinguishing discrimination and equality.

The effect of modern Judaism on Christianity lay bare on its practice and influence, especially in the social justice context. “These texts of the prophets are not distant voices that we read with reverence in our liturgy,” Archbishop Oscar Romero wrote, “They are daily realities, whose cruelty and vehemence we live each day” (Romero 189-190). Archbishop Romero advised churchgoers to be aware of their environment and arrive at a decision on what other individuals need. “A church that does not join the poor, in order to speak out from the side of the poor against the injustices committed against them, is not the true church of Jesus Christ” (Romero 189). On being poor people-oriented, it is clear that Judaism’s beliefs lasted long enough to be practiced in today’s world. Poverty has been a persistent issue in today’s world; thus, the necessary social reforms combating the situation are aimed at lifting the oppressed minority.

Aside from poverty, other matters that such ecological issues are being addressed according to Jewish practices. Pope Francis, in Laudato Si’, engaged in a pollution and climate change caused by humans discussion. He said, “The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life” (Bergoglio 3). Discussions on environmental degradation refers to the Jewish idea of looking back to decide on the future, as seen in the Pope’s advocacy in reducing the negative impact people have had on the environment. “Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded” (Bergoglio 12). Principles of Judeo-Christian tradition place to great importance the protection of the environment. Ultimately, the initiatives to protect the Earth and its atmosphere are as per the guidelines of Judaism.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Judaism’s gradual ideological development continues to animate both moral, ritual, and ethical way of life. When individuals are given the responsibility to instigate change in society, social reforms take the course in pursuit of eliminating any form of discrimination, injustice, inequality, and environmental degradation as well. It began with prophets who had no political position in speaking out on injustice against the less fortunate, even in instances when they had to be against the authority. Today, Jewish people, as well as others from different cultures, used their individual powers, use Judaism frameworks in activism and advocacy against injustice as they try to reform the world.

Works Cited

1. Bergoglio, Pope Francis. Laudato Si’. Vatican City: Libreria Vaticana, 2015
2. Dorff, Elliot N. ‘To fix the world: Jewish convictions affecting social issues.’ Journal of Ecumenical Studies 44.1 (2009): 57.
3. Patel, Eboo. ‘Martin Luther King Jr. and the light of other faiths: first speech in the Union Theological Seminary Interfaith Cycle, delivered September 10, 2012.’ CrossCurrents 63.3 (2013): 270-275.
4. Romero, Oscar Arnulfo, and James R. Brockman. The Violence of Love: The Pastoral Wisdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Harper San Francisco, 1988.
5. Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions, Revised and Updated: A Concise Introduction. Harper Collins, 2009.
6. Stefon, Matt, ed. Judaism: History, Belief, and Practice. Britannica Educational Publishing, 2011.
7. Weber, Max. Ancient Judaism. Simon and Schuster, 2010.