Is this a contribution made by Judaism?

Question

I'm not so familiar with civilizations or religions prior to Judaism, but I have to do a group on the contributions that Judaism made to the world or other religions. I was thinking about down that Judaism actually encouraged humans to read God's word through scriptures or writings and try their best to obey God by doing so. I ws wondering if that is true and appropriate to put down a contribution.

group project*

group project*

Answer 1

Not really. Judaism was extremely insular. It had no desire to spread its scriptures beyond the Hebrew tribe. Of course, people like the Apostles and Mohammed took a message influenced by Judaism and brought it to other people, but the Jews themselves did nothing of the kind. Judaism was a profound influence on Christianity and Islam, but had very little direct influence elsewhere.

Answer 2

Your idea is a good one.
Here are three others:
1.Judaism contributed monotheism, the idea that the future can be better than the present (i.e. the very concept of progress)
2. Judaism contributed the understanding that the Deity does not require human sacrifices.
3.Judaism is the parent-religion of Christianity and Islam. Together, those two religions' believers comprise the majority of the world's population. If not for Judaism, Christianity and Islam would not exist.

Answer 3

Judaism is the source of two different important international religions: christianity and Islam. What it teaches fathered those different faiths-and stimulated jews to stay to tell the tale because of the fact the oldest of all monotheistic religions. What may well be an better contribution than that?

Answer 4

What ideas came from the Jews? Let me see...

Monotheism (obviously)

Social responsibly

Universal potential and responsibility. That is to say. that everyone could and should have direct acess to God, and was important in their own right. Most other ancient religions a special priestly or ruling class, and everyone else was considered unimportant.

I believe the last chapter of Thomas Cahill's "The Gifts of the Jews" has a list of unique Jewish contributions. See also http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/jewishsociety/The_Revolutionary_Revelation_.asp

Answer 5

Judaism began with the tribe of Judah
http://www.milechai.com/judaism/twelve-tribes-of-israel/judah-twelve-tribes-of-israel.html

Answer 6

The most significant Jewish contribution is monotheism.
Judaism does reach out to non-Jews even though it does not seek out converts:
http://www.noahidenations.com/

Answer 7

the thing is, tho, that western civilization is based on ancient greece and rome, and the bible was twisted to fit into the established order. american culture would be vastly different if it had been influenced by the old testament. we wouldn't have good bbq, for a start.