Judaism is one of the first modern religions, and anyone that practices this faith will have devoted a large portion of their life to understanding more about it. You can learn everything you need to know about the Jewish faith from the Torah or your rabbi; however, there have been some misconceptions about certain aspects of Judaism.
Whether you want to receive some clarity on some of these ideas or you are just looking to expand your knowledge, read on to find out some surprising facts that make Judaism truly unique.
Gambling
There is nothing in the Torah that strictly forbids you from taking part in the act of gambling. Therefore, you can still visit a site like https://www.onlinecasinos.co.uk/ and continue to practice your faith. However, many rabbis do not look upon the act of gambling fondly. Gambling isn’t banned as part of the Jewish faith, but perhaps you should only engage in this act sparingly.
This is the norm for most monotheistic religions. Other faiths, such as Hinduism and Sikhism, do not allow gambling at all.
Eating
Most people are aware of the fact that Jews are prohibited from eating foods such as shellfish or pork. This is because the Torah states that those who wish to follow the Jewish faith must not eat any animal that chews their cud. This information is all pretty standard; however, did you know that Jews are also forbidden from consuming insects?
The reason why is also stated in the Torah. The religious text labels insects as something that swarms upon the earth, and as detestable. Eating insects is not a huge part of western culture, but this information is certainly handy for anyone that is thinking of travelling abroad.
Smoking
Society’s attitude toward smoking has changed throughout the years. Tobacco was largely considered to be an accepted substance, and that shows in how it is not forbidden by any religious text. However, studies soon revealed that smoking increased your chances of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and other harmful maladies. As such, we are constantly reviewing our stance on smoking in an attempt to remove it from public consciousness completely.
The Vaad Halacha (Jewish Council) took this attitude one step further, however. As recently as 2006, they reversed any statements in sacred texts that allowed the smoking of Tobacco in the Jewish faith. The Rabbinical Council of America offered their full support and so smoking is now banned for those who wish to fully embrace Judaism.
Tattoos
Tattoos are also banned among those in the Jewish faith. This is because the Torah outrightly forbids the etching of ink onto the skin as it desecrates the body. However, there has been some confusion in the Jewish community about having tattoos and the permission to be buried in a Jewish cemetery.
As it stands, the simple act of having a tattoo is not enough to get you banned from having a traditional Jewish burial. Although, these cases can be brought to the Jewish burial council for review. They must decide upon whether a tattoo or any other evidence, is enough to disallow someone from being laid to rest in a burial plot.
Music
It may sound peculiar to us living in this decade, but there was a time when music was banned from Judaism altogether. Early rabbi authority dictated that the act of playing music, listening to music, or singing was prohibited by all who followed the Jewish faith. Nothing is said in the Torah about such matters, which is why we now live in a society where Jews are free to sing and play music as much as they want during a religious service. You may also be shocked to learn that there was no legal upheaval of this law in Jewish scripture. People have slowly begun to understand that this is a practice that should only be upheld when outside of a religious service. Therefore, you can now celebrate your faith by singing.
Flushing
The Sabbath is a sacred day in the Jewish faith. This is known in Judaism as Shabbat, and Jews treat it as a day of rest. Many Jews will use this day as a chance to reflect upon the story of creation as it is told in the Torah; however, different sections of the faith will celebrate this day differently.
The main rules of Shabbat include eating three meals a day, receiving blessings over wine, and abstaining from any work of any kind. However strict Jews will even forbid the flushing of a toilet during the Sabbath day. This is because it is considered an act of colouring substance, something that is strictly forbidden according to tzoveiah. What’s more, you can only wash if you are showering your entire body during Shabbat.
Afterlife
Most modern religions state that only their followers will receive passage into heaven. For example, it is believed that only a Christian will be embraced by the Christian God in the afterlife. Judaism is a little more relaxed when it comes to the afterlife, however. Only Jews are expected to follow the Torah’s teachings to get into heaven. Anyone else must simply obey the seven commandments for non-Jewish people.
The seven commandments for non-Jews include the ban on cursing God, worshipping false idols, theft, and failing to establish a court of justice. Anyone that meets this criterion during their lifetime will be granted access to heaven under the Jewish faith.
Conclusion
The Jewish Faith has been progressive in its attitudes toward certain behaviours, as you can see by the changes made to the rulings on smoking and music. This is remarkably more impressive when you consider how long the Jewish faith has existed. You may also be surprised to learn of some of these facts as they aren’t likely to come up in your everyday routine. Every faith is complicated when viewed over a span of time; however, Judaism seems to be willing to adapt to modern concepts when they arise.
