A colossal question that has begun to emerge throughout our first four classes has been “Why is Judaism able to be so fluid while retaining continuity.” Judaism, over the course of ~3,000 years has managed to shift from polytheistic to monotheistic, from tribe- based to centered around one kingdom, and from orthoprax to orthodox, and back again. Despite these many transitions, some cataclysmic and devastating while others were more gradual, Judaism has remained. As Judaism grows into modernity, it falls in Bruce Lincoln’s definition of religion, which emphasis the physical practice of belief (orthopraxis), however at it’s origin this religion could be defined more simplistically through Getz’s definition. Getz has a more abstract definition that emphasizes belief above practice (orthodox).
A possible explanation for why continuity is preserved is that the purpose of the religion remains the same, despite fluidity in practice. Fluidity is essential in the foundation and preservation of Judaism, which is illustrated in the Talmud. The mitzvah’s set forth in this sacred text are left somewhat vague and open to various interpretations based on the method of practice that the followers are capable of performing at certain times. Performing physical acts to please their God became difficult during shifts in power (from tribal organization to Kingdom) and transitions between God’s pleasure and anger. Judaism explains exile as a parallel with losing God’s favor, and all of these transitions would have made it difficult to practice this religion, especially considering that fundamentally it is centered upon physical practices, such as sacrifice. This raises the question of omniscience from their God- is he capable of seeing proof of belief even when it is no longer tangible? Religion itself is an idea that is a meld between tangible practice and vague ideas such as unity and faith that have a wide spectrum of definition that is dependent on the individual. I was raised in the Episcopal church, which emphasis that as long as you are true to God in your heart, all of your acts may be forgiven. It seems to me that an omniscient God could be perceived as more powerful than one that may be mislead by physical acts that may not represent the true piety of a persons mind.
Another question that is confounding me is why Judaism did not transition away from an emphasis on practice over belief as polytheistic religions began to dissipate. Many of the religions that Judaism existed around in the beginning would have emphasized the necessity of physical practice to prove piety, but Islam and Christianity are a meld between practice and belief. A possible explanation for this retention could be a constant fear of a repeat of the many exiles that they had endured. An emphasis on physical practice makes it possible to allocate blame in the case of the loss of God’s favor.
