Let's talk about what Judaism really is; what it says, what it means, and what are the basic rules.

There is a famous story about Rabbi Hillel (he lived about 1900 years ago), and his response to a man who came to mock him.  The man said, "Rabbi, I want you to teach me everything there is to know about Judaism while stand here on one leg."  Hillel was not fazed; he responded, "Don't do to others what would be hateful to you.  The rest is commentary.  Now go and study."  It's said that the man was impressed, and became a convert to Judaism within a few months.

Every religion has it's basic tenets, and Judaism is no exception.  Hillel's formulation is a Jewish version of Christianity's Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would want them to treat you.  I find the Jewish version to be more subtle; it recognizes that other might not want to be treated the way we want to be treated, but that what's hateful is frequently universal, and should be avoided.

There are some other basics, too.  The Torah (five books of Moses) is full of them.  Here is my favorite:

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your children.  Deut. 30:19

Judaism is a life-affirming religion.  It's no surprise that, while we read about all the violence in the Middle East, we never hear about Jewish suicide bombers.  The concept is just antithetical to us.  We are given the choice of life or death, with free will to choose as we will, but we are also told, Choose life, and live.

I'll get to more of the basics in future posts.