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Beliefs of Judaism — Reading Comprehension

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This passage examines the core beliefs of Judaism, focusing on law, justice, and ethics in ancient Israel. Students will learn how the Hebrews developed a unique religious and legal tradition, including the significance of the Torah, the Ten Commandments, and the role of prophets. The passage is supported by primary and archaeological evidence and explores how these beliefs impacted daily life, social hierarchy, and later civilizations. Activities include a reading comprehension quiz, writing prompts, graphic organizers, a timeline, and a Spanish translation. This resource is ideal for exploring ancient civilizations and religious traditions and aligns with CA HSS 6.3.3 and CCSS RH.6-8.1. It is suitable for history and social studies classes, offering read aloud audio and accessible language for all learners.

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DeadSeaScrolls Amman Museum — Dead Sea scrolls shown in Amman Archoelogy Museum by Pufacz / Wikimedia Commons

Judaism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, originating in the ancient land of Israel around 2000 BCE. The core beliefs of Judaism center on the ideas of law, justice, and ethics. These principles influenced not only the Hebrew people but also later civilizations across the world.

Judaism’s most important legal and ethical teachings are found in the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. The Torah includes stories, laws, and commandments that were said to have been given to the prophet Moses on Mount Sinai around 1250 BCE. One of the most well-known examples is the Ten Commandments. According to tradition, these commandments provided rules for worshipping one God and for treating others with fairness and respect. Archaeological discoveries, such as ancient Hebrew inscriptions, support the presence of these beliefs in daily life. For instance, fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls found near Qumran show how these laws were copied and studied by Jewish communities over 2,000 years ago.

The belief in justice was central to ancient Israelite society. The Hebrew prophets, such as Isaiah and Amos (active around 750–700 BCE), called on people and rulers to act fairly and protect the weak. They warned against corruption and demanded that all people—including kings—were subject to God’s laws. This idea marked a major difference from other ancient civilizations, where kings often claimed to be above the law. In Israel, the concept of a covenant between God and the people meant that everyone shared responsibility for creating a just society. For example, the prophet Amos declared, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Ethical behavior was also a key part of Judaism. The laws in the Torah required people to care for strangers, widows, and orphans, reflecting a concern for those at the bottom of society’s social hierarchy. Jewish law included rules about honesty in business, kindness to animals, and respecting parents. These teachings shaped daily life in ancient Israel, influencing everything from court decisions to family celebrations. Over time, Jewish beliefs about law, justice, and ethics influenced other religions, such as Christianity and Islam, and became a foundation for many legal systems in the modern world.

Judaism’s commitment to law, justice, and ethics created a strong sense of community and responsibility. These beliefs helped the ancient Israelites survive hardships such as exile and conquest. They also provided a model for later societies seeking fairness and moral guidance. The legacy of ancient Jewish law still shapes ideas about justice and human rights today.

Studying Judaism’s core beliefs helps us understand how ancient peoples built societies based on shared values, and links to broader themes of religion, government, and social order in world history.

Interesting Fact: The oldest known complete Torah scroll, found in Bologna, Italy, dates back over 800 years and is still used today.

Where did Judaism originate?

Ancient IsraelAncient EgyptAncient GreeceAncient Rome

Who received the Torah on Mount Sinai?

MosesIsaiahAmosAbraham

What are the Ten Commandments?

Religious and moral lawsAncient storiesKings' rulesModern laws

How did prophets differ from kings in Israel?

Spoke for GodRuled citiesBuilt templesCollected taxes

Why was justice important in Judaism?

Fairness for allWealth for kingsWar and conquestBuilding pyramids

What did Jewish laws require about strangers?