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Ethics and Values
Ethics:
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For Judaism, deed is
more important than creed: to do the will of God, to follow God’s
law, is primary (cf.: Christianity is a religion based on belief, it is not
belief that makes one Jewish. One is born Jewish and is either a
"good" or "bad" Jew depending upon whether one acts as
God desires Jews to act). The issue of deed vs. creed has often been debated (by the early
Christians) and just what constitutes "good" Jewish action is
debated amongst different groups of Jews to this day. Indeed, debating the
specifics of what God demands of Jews is the basis of development of the Talmud.
God’s "law" includes ethical as well as ritual laws.
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Torah is expanded to
mean the totality of all Jewish texts and all teachings of God and serves as
the basis for ethical behavior.
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The Ten Commandments
serve as an outline: first four [Ex.
20:1-11] have to do with our relationship with God
(religious/spiritual), remaining six [Ex.
20:12-14] refer to our relationship with other
people (ethical).
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Social responsibility :
a reverence for parents, respect for the aged, care for widows and orphans,
aid to the poor... all issues spoken to through laws in Torah, expanded upon
in Talmud and lived out to this day in society. Not based on some
philanthropic sensibility but on an innate sense of justice perceived as
demanded by God. Such actions are called "Mitzvot":
"commandments" (God commands that we do these things). In general
usage the term "Mitzvah" means "good deed".
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Justice and
Righteousness complement each other: One acts
justly out of an internal sense of righteousness. In Torah, God has set the
standards and example for humanity to follow. Tzaddakah = an act of
righteousness, of charity. A Tzaddik = a righteous soul/person, a
wise man in Hasidic circles (wisdom is linked to moral actions).
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Sanctity of Life :
embodied in celebration of life cycle events, even in the first commandment:
to "be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:28). "Thou shalt
not murder" - life is seen as a unique gift from God to be taken only
by God; "Thou shalt live by the Law [not die by it]" (Lev. 18:5)
- a Jewish doctor can break a religious law if it means saving a life.
Values:
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Importance of study/education:
that’s how we come to understand what God demands of us - through study
and analysis of scripture.
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Importance of family:
from the beginning, Judaism was a family affair and, as an ethnic religion,
remains such passed down from generation to generation. Family life,
marriage, children, the extended family are all innately important to Jews,
even if they are not especially religious Jews (a cultural as much as
religious value).
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Ethnic & Cultural
Identity : as an extension of family, a sense of
connectedness with all Jewish people everywhere, and down through the ages
(history), gives many Jews their sense of personal identity (again, even if
they are not especially religious). The history of the Jewish people is also
the personal ancestral history of every individual Jew.
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Liberation and Freedom :
embodied in the story/experience of exile and exodus: "Let my people
go." Judaism maintains a compassion and concern for freedom of all
peoples. Evident in the laws of Torah and in the history of a people who
have constantly fought for their own freedom and continued survival.
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