ANCIENT JUDAISM

Ancient Judaism

Ancient Judaism

The soonest pattern of Judaism was distinuished by explicit monotheism (there is no god but Yahweh), devotion to Jerusalem as the holy city, and a conviction in the future advent of a saviour number or messiah, descended from King David, who would set up a kingdom of fairness and calm on earth. Pilgrimages to the Temple at Jerusalem and male participation in the sacrificial cult, sustained by a hereditary priesthood, were encouraged. A set of highly characteristic devout practices, encompassing male circumcision, a ostracise on idol-worship, the sabbath and dietary regulations (especially avoidance of pig's beef and ...