Chapter VI, Judaism, Israel, Summary and Analysis

After the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem, the rabbi and the synagogue became the focal points that held the religion together. Judaism is the faith of a people and holds to a tradition of faith in people that calls for a preservation of the people's identity. At times in their history, the Jews have been forced to be separate, possibly because of their distinctiveness. The Jewish people look upon the four sectors of Judaism—faith, observance, culture, and nation—in different ways. The Torah and the Talmud are replete with the lore of the Jewish people and perpetuate the language of the people as well. As a nation today, there are four compelling motifs connected with its existence: (1) security as an escape from terrorism; (2) psychology of having a place where they are...