Questions about Judaism?

Question

I'm working on a project to compare Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. I tried looking some of these up myself, but it was just very very confusing to me.

Who are Judaism's religious leaders?
What does Judaism think about the worship or use of idols and images?
What would their house of worship be?
What are their beliefs about the "Good Life" and life after death?

It's okay if you can't answer all of them. Thanks.

Answer 1

Some of these questions would take a while to answer but I will try to keep this as simple and short as I can,

Who are Judaism's religious leaders? Most religious Jews study the writtings of their Sages and Rabbis that have lived throughout the ages. A Rabbi is basically someone who teaches Jews about Judaism. Anciently, there was a court called the Sanhedrin that interpreted the laws and how to live by them.

What does Judaism think about the worship or use of idols and images? Strictly forbidden to worship or have images of God.

What would their house of worship be? Anciently it was the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) in Jerusalem. Today its mostly done in a Synagogue.

What are their beliefs about the "Good Life" and life after death.
This one would take a lifetime to answer and there really are no clear answers. I believe that the majority opinion is that you are simply dead and know nothing until the resurrection.

Answer 2

Jewish religious leaders are called Rabbis.

Use of any idol or image in forbidden. Example: The painting of Creation by Michelangelo, depicting G-d.

There are different names for the places of worship. Reform Jews feel that they should be called Temples, as there in no longer a Temple in Jerusalem, so they will take the Temples to the people.

Sephardim and Mizrahim (Jews of the Mediterranean and the Mid-east) call theirs either Synagogue or Kahal.

The rest all call them Synagogues.

There are Jews who do not believe in any afterlife. Many feel that when the Messiah comes with the end of time, all will rise from the grave and join G-d.

The Jewish Messiah is not a G-d like person, as Christians say Jesus is G-d. He will be a person, a good human being who will have the ability to lead and make a perfect world.

Answer 3

the religious teachers are called rabbis.
the worship and use of idols and images is ABSOLUTELY forbidden.
ideally the temple, but since thats been destroyed for a couple thousand years, we now use the synagogue (a.k.a shul)
the "good life" is being moral moral and following G-ds commandments. the afterlife is different depending on who you ask. for a concise explanation on all the different ideas of the afterlife in judaism go here http://www.jewfaq.org/olamhaba.htm

Answer 4

Judaism leaders - religious leaders are called Rabbi (one) Rabbies (many).
Judaism does not permit idols and images.
Synagogue is answer to your third question.
There is no life after death in Judaism.

Answer 5

What most people don't know or understand is that all three have their basis in the Old Testament. The basics for all of them can be found there. All three stem from the tree/seed of Abraham who was named by God as the father of many nations. Two of his sons were responsible for the beginings of all three. Judiasm was the fore front for Christianity and while not directly related in beliefs Islam is a by product of the decendents of Jews (by way of Abraham and his hand maiden).