1. Monotheism: Monotheism is the belief in a single God. This is different from earlier religions that usually believed in a great variety of different gods. For Jews and Christians, there is a single God who created everything, and who rules over the whole world.
2. Sacred Scriptures: Both religions are based on scriptures that are believed to have been inspired by God. Both religions believe in the Old Testament of the Bible, while they both have additional texts exclusive to their own religion.