Aside from its staunch monotheism, Judaism has few essential beliefs.
Jewish identity arises primarily from belonging to an ancient people and upholding its traditions. Dogma, while important, is secondary.
Although the medieval thinker Rabbi Maimonides once enumerated "13 Articles of Faith," many Jews do not accept all these, and Jewish beliefs vary widely on theological matters such as human nature and the afterlife.
13 Articles of the Jewish Faith
Judaism has no official creed, but the great 12th-century rabbi Maimonides put together "13 Articles of Faith" that he believed every Jew ought to adhere to, and this is often used as a summary of core Jewish beliefs.
God in Judaism
In Judaism, ultimate reality is a single, all-powerful God. It is this belief that made the Jews unique among other ancient Semitic peoples and that became the legacy Judaism has passed on to the entire Western world.
Jewish Beliefs about the Messiah
Many of the world's religions have hope in a future heroic figure who will rescue the righteous, judge the wicked, and restore peace to the world. In Judaism, this figure is the Messiah.
Jewish views of human nature
Fundamental to Jewish beliefs about human beings is that they are created in the image of God. This does not mean that people look like God, for God is incorporeal...
The Afterlife in Judaism
Jewish sacred texts and literature have little to say about what happens after death and Jewish views on the afterlife vary. However, there are Jewish concepts of the resurrection of the dead, punishment after death, and the "world to come."