CONCEPT OF GOD IN JUDAISM

Judaism is one of the major Semitic religions. Its followers are known as Jews and they believe in the prophetic mission of Prophet Moses (pbuh).

(i) The following verse from Deuteronomy contains an exhortation from Moses: (pbuh)

"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adna Ikhad" It is a Hebrew quotation which means "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" [The Bible, Deut 6:4]

(ii) Consider the following verses from the Book of Isaiah:

"I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour." [The Bible, Isaiah 43:11]

(iii) "I am lord, and there is none else There is no God besides me."

(iv) "I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." [The Bible, Isaiah 46:9]

(v) Judaism condemns idol worship in the following verses:

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor see them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…" [The Bible, Exodus 20:3-5]

(iv) A similar message is repeated in the book of Deutoronomy:

"Thou shalt have none other gods before me.Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that in the earth beneath, or that is in the water beneath the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…" [The Bible, Deut 5:7-9]