What is the difference between Jews and Christians?

Question

What is the difference between Jews and Christians? What does the Star of David represent?

Answer 1

Ok- as many people have stated- the starting point is that Jews believe in the Torah- given by God, to Moses, on Mount Sinai containing both an oral and a written part. the written part is known as the Chumash (Five Books of Moses) and the oral law is the Mishnah. The Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings) make up the Tanach- though laws are only learnt from the Torah- the other parts are available to explain and expound on the laws in the Torah and Mishnah. As such- the Jews totally disregard anything in the New testament and the Christian writings.

Jews do believe in anafterlife- but it is very different to the Christian version. What we believe in is euphemistically called "The World to Come". Not much is taught on it (at least not in open sources.) It is not a world as we know it, nor are there beautiful gardens and winged angels playing harps with golden halos arounf their heads. At the same time- their is no fire and brimstone or eternal damnation and burning in the fires of hell...

The world to come is a spiritual realm- souls try to cluster around the pure essence of God, to be close to the holy for the sake of being near it- because souls yearn to be as close to God as possible. but it is not as simple as that either. The world to come is not a simplistic realm of one level- in Masechta Chagigah it is said that the outer courtyards to God's abode has seven levels - each of ascending holiness, each soul wanting to be as high as possible. It briefly states that beyond these levels you have the inner courtyard and abode itself- but stops there with the statement "Beyond here we do not enquire". Maybe it elaborates further in the Kaballah- I have no idea on that.

Hell is completely absent from Judaism. There is no devil in Judaism as it is not possible for an angel to rebel (only humans have free will- angels can only perform specific tasks). What is generally misinterpreted as hell is the concept of Sheol or Gehinnom. This refers to the burning the soul feels at the heavenly trial after death. but the burning is not a literal one- it is the burning of shame that it feels at realising how it has transgressed, when it could have been so much more! Think of how, for us with physical bodies, the shame of being shouted at by a parent/teacher/ boss can feel like burning- how much worse for a soul which is a pure being and has no physical imperfections or mental imperfections to give it excuses! but though it states that this "burning" feels like an eternity- it truth, it never lasts for more than 12 months. God is mush too loving to give out eternal punishments, just as a loving parent would never punish a child for forever.

There are plenty of other differences as well- stemming mainly from Christian theological rejection of Judaism and what ot teaches, for it claims to have come from Judaism!

The "Star of David"- in hebrew this is "Magen David" and it actually has the meaning of "The Shield of David". It is known as this since it was apparently the shape of David's shield. It is taught that David was an exceptionally holy man, thus the meanings and lessons we can read from the may Psalms he wrote- he is also considered to be a prophet. It is stated in some of the more mystical sources that David fought not just physical battles with the enemies of Israel, but spiritual ones as well- and thus the shape of his shield. The mystical sources bring that the sape of the Magen David is one of protection against the occult and demons.

Answer 2

Yeah everyone is goign to say that the main difference between Jews and Christians is Jesus which isnt false but this fact has many far reaching consequences that hard to understand.

The concept of salvation is not that important in Judaism. In Judaism, one is taught that the Torah's laws are the correct way to live and following the laws will make you a more holy person and will reward you in this life time. The messiah in modern Judaism is really not very important at all most Jews rarely ever think about the messiah and typically do not feel that any messiah is coming.

The differences are really too difficult to name all here but just keep in mind that there is a lot more the Judaism than simply waiting for the Messiah.

Answer 3

The difference is that the Jewish people do not believe the baby born in a manger to the virgin Mary is the Messiah. The prophets said the Messiah would come as a warrior and be known to all the world. Christians believe Jesus is the son of God, sent to give his life on our behalf and die for our sins, only to rise again three days later to prove his Divinity.
The Star of David is the symbol given to the Jewish people, just as some Christians wear crosses.

Answer 4

Jesus is the main one, and the most important one. Christians believe he was the Messiah, the Son of God, God. Jewish people essentially either don't think he existed or was a preacher or maybe even a prophet. Orthodox Jews follow rules in the old Testament including the dietary laws regarding some foods, like not eating pork or shellfish. I have known a few Christians who follow these, but not most.

Answer 5

Christians believe Jesus Christ is the savior and he shall come again at the end of the world. Jews believe that Jesus was a great prophet but he is not the savior. The Jews are still waiting today for their savior to come for the first time. The difference is in the Jews believe in The Torah and Christians believe in the Holy Bible

Answer 6

Jews believe that the Messiah of God has not yet arrived on earth. Christians believe that Jesus was/is that Messiah.

David was one of the most renowned kings of the ancient Jews, a poor boy from a sheepherding family who became the ruler over all of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Answer 7

There's nothing to add to allonyoav's answer about the differences. The Star of David became a Jewish symbol when European Jews were confined to ghettos and were required to identify themselves at all times by wearing a huge yellow star on their clothing. We continue to wear with pride that symbol forced on us by the Christian community. I know, I know -- it wasn't "real" Christians who committed those atrocities, but the Christian culture was definitely responsible!
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Answer 8

christians believe in jesus. thats the difference. the star of david was a shield, it represented two arrows, one pointing up and the other down, showing relationship between man and god.

Answer 9

Christians believe Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah. Jews don't believe this.

Answer 10

Circumcision.
and
http://www.byzant.com/Mystical/Symbols/Hexagram.aspx