There are so many misconceptions about Judaism that it’s hard to know where to begin. These misconceptions are not confined to Christians and other non-Jews, but some of them are also believed by many Jews, and even certain Orthodox Jews, who should know better.
One misconception is the belief that Judaism is a legalistic religion which is based on the letter of the Mosaic Law (Torah) rather than the spirit of the Law. This is definitely not correct. In fact, simply following the letter of the Law with no spirit is unacceptable. For example, while fasting is mandatory on Yom Kippur (except if health reasons forbid it; for example, a pregnant woman must NOT fast), fasting alone without prayer and reflection is considered an empty fast; even more so if one has in the back of one’s mind some non-spiritual reason for fasting, such as shedding a few pounds. In fact, according to the Rabbinical Sages (including Jesus), the Law is really divided into two parts: loving G-d and loving one’s fellow Man (and non-human creatures), and all the rest is commentary. Further, there are instances in which the Law must NOT be followed to the letter, mainly those which involve the health and life of human beings. Thus, for example, it is forbidden to follow the commandment to rest on the Sabbath if that would mean that, by so doing, one does not help save a human life. In fact, to save a life, one may disobey many of the Torah commandments. Likewise, if one’s health is in serious jeopardy unless one eats food that happens to be non-kosher, then one MUST eat such food despite the Law that forbids eating non-kosher food.
Another misconception, also relating to the Law, is that if one does not follow it to the letter, one is doomed to Hell. Even the most Orthodox Jews must admit they do not follow the Law in all its details all the time. First of all, of the 613 commandments of Torah, only about 300 can be practiced in the modern age. Secondly, sometimes one may slip up. The fact of the matter is, no one is perfect and G-d in His mercy will forgive us. What is important is one’s effort, one’s intentions, and one’s attempt to do better the next time.
Still another misconception–again with respect to the Torah–is that it is somehow impossible to follow. Even though, as I noted previously, everyone slips up now and again, Moses told the Hebrews that it is not at all impossible to follow G-d’s Law. It just takes discipline like everything else.
Finally, another misconception about Judaism–especially held by many Christians–is that the religion is somehow an “unfulfilled” Christianity since many Jews did/do not accept the divinity of Jesus as the Messiah or the idea of a Triune G-d. The word “Messiah” is not even mentioned in the Torah except once and with a small “m.” Although belief in the coming of the Messiah is one of the thirteen principles of faith according to Maimonides, it is not a view held by all Jews now or even in ancient times (the Sadducees, for example, did not believe in the concept or that of the resurrection of the dead, for that matter). While most Jews today do believe in Heaven and the eventual resurrection of the dead, this belief is not contingent upon the advent of a Messiah. In fact, according to Judaism, the Messiah is not thought of as a supernatural of deified being, but rather a human messenger sent by G-d for the purpose of ushering in a world without war and suffering.
These are only some of the misconceptions about Judaism. There are many more.
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