Analyze and compare the fundamental similarities and differences that exist between Judaism and Christianity.

Analyze and compare the fundamental similarities and differences that exist between Judaism and Christianity.

Unit VI Essay: Judaism and Christianity

While both Judaism and Christianity originated from Abrahamic roots, they are distinct religious traditions with unique beliefs, practices, and historical backgrounds. Judaism reveres the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), showcasing its firm commitment to preserving Covenant traditions and Jewish mystical elements. In contrast, Christianity centers around the New Testament, with Jesus as its figurehead and a new Covenant belief that emphasizes love and sacrifice. Despite these differences, the two religions share essentials, including the shared value of divine narrative devotion, ethics, and Abraham's foundations. This paper discusses the similarities and differences between Judaism and Christianity.

Judaism and Christianity, while distinct, have commonalities. Both religions appreciate God's direct intervention in human affairs. Judaism appreciates God's presence through the Shekinah, and Christians believe it manifests through the Holy Spirit. The two advent believers and their religious callings attribute the miracles they precipitated to divine intervention. The two religions also emphasize divine narrative devotion and ethics. God's laws, integral to Judaism, guide its followers toward moral and just living. Similarly, Christianity espouses ethical conduct influenced by Jesus' teachings, promoting love, compassion, and charitable actions. Both belief systems prioritize righteousness and justice, albeit differently. Asceticism and active ministry are essential in Christianity; Judaism has an extensive mystical literature encompassing ascetic practices. Christianity integrates the concept of a Messiah characterized by Jesus, their redeemer, and the promise of his return. In Judaism, the Messiah is a future figure who calls the Jewish people to Israel. The ideal returns like a prophet and is not reincarnated. Both religions descent from Abraham and acknowledge this shared ancestor as their father. Last, Abraham himself had had a son named Ishmael, whom the Islamic community recognizes as their prophet. This solid foundation of Abraham tell share with Islam.

Judaism and Christianity have notable differences. Judaism relies on the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), primarily emphasizing the Mosaic books, demonstrating its commitment to Covenant tradition. Protestants venerate the Old Testament, with most books of the Tanakh, while the Catholics include the deuterocanonical texts. The New Testament reveals Christ's birth, teachings, death, and resurrection. According to Wright (2019), Christians are convinced that it fulfills Jewish prophecies and marks the new Covenant. Moses, David, and the Prophets top Judaism's revered figures, while Jesus' execution and resurrection between the Dead and in his disciples instances marked the emergence of Christianity (Molloy, 2020, p. 276). Moses' Torah is Judaism's most memorable and yearly read text. Jesus was considered a rabbi despite Pharisees' pressure on Judaism standards. Despite sharing classic prophets like John, the apostles had differing views. Moreover, Judaism does not emphasize Jesus' living in the flesh, resurrection, or indeed his existence. The Jews celebrate Passover but with no relevance attached to the Last Supper.

Judaism's primary tenets hinge on enduring religious practices and laws, historic foundational stories, maintaining close relationships with God, and addressing crucial life cycle events. The Covenant Abraham observed in the Torah guides modern Judaism regardless of sect and is interpreted from Moses. Everyday Jewish life revolves around abiding by these commandments, which govern all religious practices and cultural engagements. Christians believe in the Trinity, the three divine entities in one: God the father, God the son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. While Jehovah's Witnesses portray God as an individual, Christianity considers Him a part of the Trinity. This doctrine is crucial for emotional genealogy reasons, reducing legalism influence blurs the religion's devotion to God (Molloy, 2020, p. 166). The central Christian doctrine hinges on Jesus Christ, God incarnated, given to redeem humanity, conquer sin, and enable believers to enter Heaven. God also makes room for anyone to come to Christ, regardless of background or past sins. Christianity introduces Jesus as the perfect Messiah who dethroned Satan and took back authority handed to him by the first fallen man on Earth, Adam.

Christianity's key liturgical occasions commemorate milestones in Jesus Christ's life and salvation, including Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. For Jews, the most critical lifecycle events include Brit Milah (circumcision), Bar/Bat Mitzvah (ages twelve and thirteen), marriage, and death. Jewish political and spiritual leadership without Holy Ghost influence. In addition to that, Jews dwell on two politica