Jewish Ethics Moral Imperative from "summary" of The Origins of Judaism by Robert Goldenberg
Jewish ethics are a set of moral principles that guide the behaviour and decisions of people of the Jewish faith. They serve as a code of conduct and are based on a belief in the divine origin of the Torah and its commandments.- Judaism is a religion which places a major emphasis on morality and ethical behavior; the concepts of justice, compassion, truthfulness and duty have been firmly established within this faith for centuries upon centuries.
- According to Jewish thought, the world was created with an accompanying moral imperative – people are expected to live up to higher standards and do good unto others in order to achieve peace and harmony.
- It is essential for all members of Jewish society who consider themselves religious to uphold this purposeful calling or direction by embodying the highest ethics in their lives.
- Overarching expectations in the Jewish community include treating everyone around you respectfully regardless of your differences, being honest, protecting those who cannot protect themselves and upholding the law of the land.
- A key idea behind these religious ethics is that every individual has a responsibility to be a moral actor in the world, using his or her unique gifts, talents, intellect and creativity to do their part in making it a better place.
- True holiness can only come from living out the teachings of Jewish texts in our everyday life; that is the ultimate goal for every Jew according to religious doctrine.
- Additionally, it is also important to bear in mind that our actions and words will have an effect on those around us, so it is wise to use wisdom and discernment when taking any course of action.
