who do jews believe in
Jews primarily believe in one God , known as Yahweh or Hashem, the eternal and indivisible creator who revealed Himself through the Torah to figures like Abraham and Moses.
Core Belief in God
Judaism centers on monotheism , emphasizing a single, incorporeal, and omnipotent God who is the source of all existence. This belief stems from the Shema prayer: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4), recited daily by observant Jews. Unlike Christianity's Trinity, Jews reject any division in God's nature, viewing Him as utterly unique and beyond human form.
Key principles, as outlined by Maimonides' Thirteen Articles of Faith, include:
- God exists and is one.
- God is eternal and incorporeal.
- Prayer is directed only to God, not intermediaries.
Torah and Covenant
Jews believe God made a covenant with Abraham and later with the Jewish people at Sinai, giving the Torah—containing 613 commandments (mitzvot)—as a guide for ethical living and holiness. The world is seen as imperfect, awaiting a future Messiah to usher in peace, but this figure is human, not divine.
Diversity in Practice
While Orthodox Jews adhere strictly to these tenets, Reform and Conservative branches interpret beliefs more flexibly, focusing on ethical monotheism over literalism. No creed is universally binding, as Judaism prioritizes actions (halakha) over dogmatic belief.
Branch| View on God| Messiah Expectation
---|---|---
Orthodox| Strict monotheism; literal Torah| Future human redeemer 4
Conservative| Traditional with adaptation| Symbolic or literal 2
Reform| Ethical monotheism| Universal peace era 2
No Belief in Jesus
Jews do not believe Jesus is the Messiah or divine, as he did not fulfill prophecies like rebuilding the Temple or world peace. This distinguishes Judaism from Christianity.
TL;DR : Jews believe in one God (not Jesus or multiple deities), guided by the Torah's covenant for righteous living.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.