7 myths of judaism
...s is a perfect quote, as the idea of God has been challenged by many Jewish figures through time. The generic idea of God has been in constant conflict with the traditional Jewish belief. One argues that God is a higher, supernatural, creator of life, while the other asserts that God’s presence can be felt through specific beliefs and actions. Other approaches have been discussed throughout time by different sects of Judaism and many Jewish philosophers and thinkers. From Moses Maimonides in the 12th century, who said that God does exist, but we cannot know anything about him, especially his characteristics and emotions. To the Kabbalists of the 13th century, who saw God as “infinite,” unlike anything we know. In the later centuries Spinoza’s approach was similar to the Hasidic approach, saying that God is the source of all reality and can be identified with through prayer and transcendence of the material world. Even the modern view is different depending on which denomination of Judaism one asks. The myth of God is important because while many Jews see God in a different light, nonetheless they understand that someone is watching over them and is ready to respond with either rewards or punishments. The creation of the world is another myth. Many have tried to argue between the ideas of the world being created in six days or millions of years, especially with the advance in science. Even so, this myth is important, especially to Orthodox Jews, who follow this myth by working six days and resting on the seventh. The myth of Exodus is important in Judaism, because this is the only time in the history of the world where an entire nation experienced a miraculous event. It also showed God as the father and protector of its people, by allowing the Israelites to escape the Egyptians through the red sea. It further led to the next myth of Revelation. This is when God revealed the Torah and the Ten Commandments to Moses at Mount Sinai. It has also forced many to argue whether God revealed Himself to Moses or not. The importance of the myth about Exodus, whether one believes it or not, is the fact that God watches over his people. The revelation of the Torah and the Ten Commandments is important because these are the laws by which the Jewish people abide to this day. They are an example of how one should live their lives. The myth of covenant states that Jews will represent God in the world and in return they will always be the “chosen people” and Israel will be their homeland. “Now then, if you will ...