The statement "Do not make war" is NOT a key teaching of Judaism. While Judaism has teachings that promote peace and the importance of life, the notion of warfare is addressed in various contexts within Jewish texts and history, and it is not framed as a direct commandment like the other three options provided. The key teachings of Judaism, including loving one's neighbor, observing the Sabbath, and the belief in one God, are more foundational principles of the faith.
Which of the following is NOT a key teaching of Judaism?
Love your neighbor.
Observe the Sabbath.
There is only one God.
Do not make war.
7 answers
Many classic tales are taken from stories originating in the Talmud.
The Ten Commandments replaced Hammurabi's Code as the basis for criminal law.
Jewish ethical and moral traditions form a basis for many democratic societies.
Hebrew is one of the most common languages spoken in the world.
The statement "Jewish ethical and moral traditions form a basis for many democratic societies" is the most accurate in describing how the teachings of Judaism have influenced modern society.
Judaism has contributed significantly to the development of ethical and moral frameworks that underpin many democratic ideals, including concepts of justice, human rights, and the importance of community.
The other statements have varying degrees of truth:
-
"Many classic tales are taken from stories originating in the Talmud" - While the Talmud is an important text in Judaism, the stories from it have not directly influenced modern narratives in the same way that broader ethical teachings have.
-
"The Ten Commandments replaced Hammurabi's Code as the basis for criminal law" - This is misleading. The Ten Commandments and Hammurabi's Code both coexist in the history of legal thought, and the influence is not one of replacement but rather development over time from various legal traditions.
-
"Hebrew is one of the most common languages spoken in the world" - This is incorrect; while Hebrew is significant in religious contexts and is the official language of Israel, it is not one of the most widely spoken languages globally.
In conclusion, the influence of Jewish ethical and moral traditions on democratic societies is a key aspect of Judaism's impact on modern society.
The Jewish people were scattered across a wide area.
Israel was split into two kingdoms.
The Temple was destroyed.
The Israelites returned to their traditional homeland.
The result of the Diaspora was that "The Jewish people were scattered across a wide area." The Diaspora refers to the period in which Jews were dispersed from their ancestral homeland in Israel, especially after events such as the Babylonian Exile and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. This scattering led to the establishment of Jewish communities in various parts of the world, influencing the cultural and religious practices of Judaism as it adapted to different environments.
The other options provided pertain to different historical events:
- "Israel was split into two kingdoms" refers to a division that occurred after the reign of King Solomon, leading to the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.
- "The Temple was destroyed" does indeed relate to events surrounding the Diaspora, but it does not fully encapsulate the broader result of the Diaspora itself.
- "The Israelites returned to their traditional homeland" relates to events that followed the Diaspora, particularly the return of some Jews from Babylonian exile, but it doesn't represent the overall outcome of the Diaspora, which was scattering.
Talmud
Torah
Standard of Ur
Avesta
The origins of most Jewish beliefs come from the Torah. The Torah, which consists of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), is considered the foundational text of Judaism and contains many of the core laws, teachings, and narratives that shape Jewish beliefs and practices.
The other texts mentioned are significant in their own contexts:
- Talmud: A central text in Rabbinic Judaism that contains interpretations and discussions of the Torah, but it is not the foundational source of Jewish beliefs.
- Standard of Ur: An archaeological artifact from ancient Mesopotamia, not a religious text related to Judaism.
- Avesta: The holy texts of Zoroastrianism, which are unrelated to Jewish beliefs.
Thus, the correct answer is the Torah.