Similarities Between Judaism And Islam

The study of religions is an important aspect of anthropology. It helps us to understand belief systems and how it incorporates into a culture’s way of life. Each religion has certain aspects that are common across them all, such as prayer, sacred texts and symbols. The anthropological definition of religions states as follows: “A social institution characterized by sacred stories, symbols and symbolism; the proposed existence of immeasurable beings, powers, states, places and qualities; rituals and means of addressing the supernatural; specific practitioners; and change.” In this essay we will examine two of the world’s major religions: Judaism and Islam. Both religions have many similarities to the other and one religion also spawned the

In Islam, God is known as Allah. In Judaism, God is known by many different names depending on what they are also attributing to God: Elohim, Yahweh, Jehovah, and Adonai, to name just a few. Elohim translates as “one true God,” Adonai translates as “lord,” and Yahweh translates as “I am.” Most Biblical scholars had trouble pronouncing most of the words that were attributed to God in the Torah because most of the sacred oral traditions were lost with the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. In Islam, Muhammed is also considered to be divine, and that is also the reason that no depictions of the Prophet or Allah exist. The Jews do not have depictions of God either, most unlike Hindus and Christians. In January of 2015, Charlie Hebdo, a French magazine published a cartoon of the prophet Muhammed that drew great criticism from the Muslim community. In 2010, South Park writers/producers Trey Parker and Matt Stone were censored after making fun of the prophet by depicting him in a bear suit. In Judaism, writing the name of God with vowels is frowned upon and considered to be “taking the Lord’s name in vain,” and so it will not be discarded on a piece of paper it is casually written

None are self-appointed and have little religious training. Teachers of the faith, called sheikhs, are given the title because they are admired for being pious. However, Judaism is a little more complicated. There is the rabbi, who is a teacher trained in “halakha” or Jewish law. He is there to teach, answer questions and sometimes resolve disputes. The Chazzan is someone who leads the congregation of the synagogue in prayer. Priests are divided into two groups, one called the Kohein and the Tribe of Levi. The Kohein are believed to be the descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses. They oversaw animal sacrifices and temple ritual. The Tribe of Levi performed other duties in the temple, but their importance has almost ceased to exist due to the destruction of the temple in 70