| Place of worship | Synagogues and temples, home, Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem |
Vodou temples |
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| Use of statues and pictures | Ancient times: Not allowed as it is considered Idolatry. Today, great artwork is encouraged. Statues of people are fine, but not as religious icons. |
Yes. Several. |
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| Clergy | Ancient times: Hereditary privileged priest class--Kohen and Levi. Present day: Religious functionaries like Rabbis, Cantors, Scribes, Mohels. |
Priests & priestesses |
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| Belief of God | One God (monotheism), often called HaShem—Hebrew for 'The Name', or Adonai— 'The Lord'. God is the one True Creator. God has always existed, none existed before him and will exist forever. He transcends life and death. |
Goddess |
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| Founder | Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses |
N/A. |
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| Literal Meaning | Grateful person (named for Judah, who was named "gratitude" by his mother, Leah) |
"Mommy Water." |
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| View of the Buddha | N/A. |
N/A. |
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| Followers | Jews, Jewish people |
Voodooists |
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| Place of origin | The Levant |
West Africa |
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| Second coming of Jesus | Denied. (not part of liturgy) |
N/A. |
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| Symbols | Star of David, Menorah. |
A snake. |
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| Branches | Religious: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Renewel, Reconstruction. Traditions: Sephard, (Spain, Arab countries, Turkey). Ashkenazi: (Europe, Russia). MIzrachi: (Iraq, Persia, India). |
Benin Vodou; Haitian Vodou; Louisiana Vodou. |
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| Status of Muhammad | N/A. |
N/A. |
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| Authority of Pope | N/A |
N/A. |
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| No. of Gods and Godesses | 1 God |
One of many deities. |
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| Use of statues, images | Forbidden |
Plenty. |
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| On Race | Jews believe they are the "chosen people" i.e. descendants of the ancient Israelites are chosen to be in a covenant with God. However, all human beings are God's people, descended from Adam and Eve who were created in the image of God. |
African. |
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| View of Animistic religions | The earliest Jewish holidays correspond to agricultural seasons. Jews uniquely developed monotheism as a God of All. They were surrounded by pagen tribes who believed in gods based on their location, or nature. |
Mami Wata is a Vodou goddess; possibly even worshipped in other animistic religions too, such as Yoruba, etc. |
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| Belief of deities | One God. |
Goddess. One of several deities. |
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| Concept of God | One God |
Water goddess. |
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Comments: Judaism vs Mami Wata