Question

Why is Judaism considered an ethnic religion instead of a universalizing religion? How is this reflected in their calendar?

Answer 1

Judaism is an ethnic religion because it is associated with the specific history, culture, and ethnicity of the Jewish people. The Jewish calendar reflects this, with holidays tied to historical events in Jewish history.

Step-by-step explanation:

Judaism is considered an ethnic religion rather than a universalizing religion because it is intricately linked to the Jewish people's history, culture, and ethnicity. One of the key features that make a religion ethnic is that its followers are born into it, and its practices and beliefs are closely tied to the history and culture of a particular people. In contrast, a universalizing religion seeks to convert individuals regardless of their ethnic background and often has a message believed to be applicable universally. One reflection of the ethnic nature of Judaism is its calendar, which is based on the historical and agricultural cycles of the ancient Jewish homeland. The Jewish calendar includes holidays such as Passover, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, and is specific to the history and experiences of the Jewish people.