Glimpses Of World Religions

SR No.: 032397
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 228
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 26 MB

Page 156

Judaism
131
covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine. You shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation."
(16) God is certainly Just. He rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked, but neither the reward nor the punishment is always carried out in this world, but in the world after death. (17) TORAH = (teaching). The term itself originally meant teaching and was applied to any kind of instruction whether religious, moral or merely practical. TORAH = Law. Oral law is the second meaning. Torah is divine. Its value constantly rose higher and higher until it came to be considered a cosmic power. Such a conception is not paralleled in any other religion or in the culture of any other nation.
(18) The Jews are usually called the "People of the Book". Means the people who had a written book containing the principles of their religion. But the real title of the Jews should be "People of Study". The place of study in Jewish life during the last two thousand years can hardly be estimated.
(19) A distinct contribution of Judaism to civilized humanity is peace. Prophet after prophet emphasized the blessing of peace. Peace as an ideal state of social life. "Mercy and truth are meant together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other." The realization of peace among nations will come when men will undergo a complete change of heart. (20) There is hardly a religion which has placed so high a value on labour as Judaism. Labour is highly praised. "For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands, those shalt be happy and it shall be well with thee." A man should not rely on the prestige of his ancestors and go idle, but should rather engage in useful labour and consider it of high merit.