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The worship of One God. Tradition traces this back to Abraham:
Abraham (18th century BCE) came from ancestry that had been God-fearing a couple of centuries earlier but had afterwards slipped into idolatry (Joshua 24:2). Nimrod, the idolatrous tyrant, had brought Abraham's father (Terah) from the Semitic ancestral seat near the conjunction of the Balikh and the Euphrates, and instated him in a position of power in his army in the royal Babylonian city of Ur. Nimrod persecuted any who would question his idolatrous cult.
The Kuzari (Rabbi Judah HaLevi, 1075-1141) states that Abraham was gifted with high intelligence; and, as Maimonides (1135-1204) describes, Abraham didn't blindly accept the ubiquitous idolatry. The whole populace had been duped, but the young Abraham contemplated the matter relentlessly, finally arriving at the conclusion that there is One God and that this should be taught to others as well. This is what is meant by his "calling out in the name of the Lord" (Genesis ch.12). As a young man, he remonstrated with passersby in public, demonstrating to them the falsehood of their idols; and our tradition tells how he was threatened and endangered by Nimrod. Later in life, God said to Abraham in prophecy to move to the Holy Land, which is where Abraham raised his family.
He continued his contemplations, eventually arriving at the attitudes and forms of behavior which God later incorporated into the Torah given to Moses. Abraham taught disciples (Talmud, Yoma 28b), gave tithes (Genesis ch.14), strove to raise a family (Genesis ch.15, 17, and 24) which would serve God, made a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15 and 17), welcomed guests into his home (Genesis ch.18) unlike the inhospitable Sodomites (Genesis ch.19), prayed for people (Genesis ch.18), rebuked others when necessary (Genesis ch.20), eulogized and buried the deceased (Genesis ch.23), and fulfilled God's will unquestioningly (Genesis ch.22). He became renowned as a prince of God (Genesis 23:6).
It is therefore clear why God expresses His love for Abraham (Isaiah 41:8) and calls Himself the God of Abraham (Genesis 26:24), and says that Abraham obeyed Him fully (Genesis 26:5). And this is why, according to our tradition, Abraham is credited with having founded the religion which became known as Judaism.
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Why is the shema and why was it considered to be a radical statement?
Shema is the most basic statement in Judaism, it's considered to be a radical statement because it's very important and needs to recite twice a day.
Study of the religious texts is very important to Judaism. Which of these reasons best describes why?
Study is necessary to know and follow the laws.
What describes a basic belief or practice in Judaism?
If it's in the Torah, it's basic to Judaism.
What word in judaism describes food that is ritually pure?
Kosher
How were the teachings of the Torah important to judaism?
the teachings of the Torah are Judaism.
What reflects one of the central beliefs of Judaism?
The statement: That which is hateful to you, do not do to others.
Which two things describes the difference between charistianity and judaism?
w
What are judaism important symbols and numbers?
There are no particularly important symbols in Judaism, but the number ' 1 ' is quite significant.
What is one characteristic of Judaism that sets it apart from other ancient religions?
Belief in One God.
Which term best describes the spread of Judaism beyond southwest Asia?
the exodus
What is extremely important in judaism?
The Torah.
What is one characteristic of the followers of Islam Christianity and Judaism?
They all profess belief in a divine being as Creator.
