Comparison of Hinduism and Judaism

Divine Connections: A Comparative Study of Prayer and Worship in Hinduism and Judaism

Comparison of Hinduism and Judaism
It is of great importance when comparing religions to take careful consideration of the fundamental beliefs and rituals each religion engages in. Understanding these elements provides a clearer picture of the cultural and spiritual frameworks that define each faith. This gives and aids in understanding each religion quite clearly. A comparison enables analysis of disparity among different aspects of a religion as it relates to another religion. In this paper, a comparison of Hinduism and Judaism will be analyzed, where a comparison of the beliefs of life after death and prayer/worship will be looked at. Such comparative studies often reveal not only differences but also surprising similarities that highlight shared human concerns about divinity, morality, and the afterlife.

Judaism
Judaism is a monotheistic religion and one of the first religions. Its origins trace back to the ancient Near East, where it emerged as a distinct faith centered on the covenant between God and the Israelites. The faith sorely believes in the reality of one God, who made a covenant, an agreement between Him and the Jews. They were promised to be given provision so long as they obeyed the rules and did not deviate from the rules. The rules were originally written in two stone tablets and are known as The Ten Commandments; these rules and regulations are supposed to govern the interactions between man and man, and man with God. Jews do not try to convert other members of other religions, as they regard themselves as specially and purposely chosen by God. This sense of chosenness is deeply embedded in Jewish identity and is reflected in their rituals, prayers, and communal practices.

Hinduism
Unlike Judaism, it is extremely difficult to categorize Hinduism as either polytheistic or monotheistic because of the fundamental faith in the Universal Spirit. This complexity arises from the religion’s vast array of deities, each representing different aspects of the divine. Hindus believe in several gods and goddesses, but they are all reflections and dimensions of one Supreme Being – Brahman or the Universal Spirit. Hinduism holds true that all in the universe is cyclic. The world has been created, sustained, and destroyed many times. The god presents himself in three forms: Brahma, who created the world, Vishnu, who sustains it, and Shiva, who destroys the universe and begins the cycle again. Hindu people generally worship Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu is said to have a kindly nature and is thought to try to protect the wellbeing of humanity. The god descends from heavens to earth in a physical form on every occasion a cataclysm faces the cosmos or if humankind needs consolation and guidance (Linda, 189). On the other hand, Vishnu is exceptionally drawn in with humanity, while Shiva is detached from people. He is sometimes reflected meditating alone. He has immense supremacy and is further than the parameters of good and evil. He saves man by removing man’s sins. Judaism, as well as Hinduism, has faith that God is omnipresent and omnipotent; He is the creator, the protector, and the destroyer. The sustenance of humanity on the earth simply relies heavily on the will of God, and nothing ever moves without His doing.

Prayer and Worship in Hinduism and Judaism
Prayer/worship is intertwined in the Hinduism and Judaism lifestyle. It serves as a bridge between the human and the divine, offering a means for individuals to express devotion, seek guidance, and cultivate spiritual growth. Prayer is the way of communication and worship (devotion) with God. Prayer is seen as an essential and innate act of relating with the gods. Judaism and Hinduism prayers are usually said in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Prayers are basically used to call upon gods or diverse supernatural powers for the interests of the people as individuals and as a community. Hindus use prayer books. Perhaps the most powerful Hindu prayer books are the Vedic hymns. During the utterance and recitation of the prayers, the sounds and content of the prayer must be observed, and great stress is laid on the mode and process in which they are recited. It’s believed that when a prayer is not properly chanted or the syllables aren’t pronounced correctly, it could bring harm and may not lead to the intended purpose. Provided the Vedic mantras are chanted in the appropriate way and in accordance with a specific rhythm, it’s believed they contain alluring mystical command to summon supernatural beings. The prayers praise the virtues and potencies of various gods and goddesses in order to seek favors from them. During public ceremonies, the mantras are chanted loudly, whereas there are some mantras, principally the private mantras, which are meant to be kept undisclosed. The rules of Hinduism also stipulate that mantras should not be disclosed to those that are religiously lame and therefore unqualified. Deep devotional songs and dances accompany the prayers. In the spiritual realm of a Hindu worshipper, a prayer has a greater implication. Incessant recitation of god’s name is believed to lead to the cleansing of the mind and internal transformation. It is seen as the most effective way of developing a close association with God and realizing the inner self. Puja is a daily ritual done in a sacred corner in a worship room of the home; it keeps the Hindus aware of their family gods and mindful of their duties as individuals. Puja involves three steps: The first is seeing the family deity (darshana). A small statue or picture of the god is placed in the sacred spot. The second step is the worship of the god, or puja. The worshiper offers the god flowers, fruits, and cooked food (bhog). The third step is retrieving the blessed food (prasada) and consuming it (Van, 11).

Prayer in Judaism
Prayer in Judaism consists of: Shacharit in the morning, Minchah and Maariv in the late afternoon and evening. On the Sabbath, there is an additional service, Mussaf, added on to the morning. One prayer is essential to each devotion service, morning and night, weekday, Shabbat, and holiday: the Amidah, the “Standing” Prayer, which is also known as the Shmoneh Esrai, the “Eighteen” blessings, or the Silent Devotion. It’s a key prayer in many services, and it is the declaration of faith, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God! The Lord is One!” (Van, 21). It’s generally accepted that prayers should be recited privately and in solitude, but sometimes Judaism encourages prayer in the company of others, and for this basis, Jews often try to come together to pray in public. Prayer is just like a second part of a person’s life, a daily diet. In that way, one comes to be on peaceful speaking terms with God, who, in turn, becomes accessible, almost a dialogue partner. It is the peak experience of the prayer service, emphasized by taking three steps backward to withdraw symbolically from your surroundings and three steps forward to symbolically enter the presence of Almighty God. It is recited silently, standing, and occasionally bowing (Linda, 190). Unlike Hinduism, where prayers are directed to gods, supernatural spirits, and goddesses, Judaism prayers are directed to God alone. Worship in both religions involves a strong observance of rules and guidelines in dressing, diet, and general lifestyle as a way of maintaining external purity. The outer purity is perceived to be important in inculcating purity.

Afterlife in Hinduism and Judaism
Afterlife entails those beliefs held about life after an individual has died (Fisher, 156). Both Judaism and Hinduism believe in life after death, though their conceptions of it differ significantly. Jews have the suggestion of Heaven as their afterlife; they hold that if they have done right in the life they lived on Earth, then they shall spend eternity in Heaven with their God. The Hindus accept as true that you are reincarnated until you reach the Brahma. Hindus believe in Karma, which is the belief that if you do good things, then good things shall happen to you and vice versa (Selwyn, 19). When you die your final death in Hinduism, you reach the Brahma, where the excruciating sequence of regeneration is finally ruined. Hinduism assumes the eternal reality of a universal spirit that guides all life on earth. A piece of the spirit called the atman is trapped inside humans and other living creatures. The most important desire of the atman is to be reunited with the universal spirit, and every aspect of an individual’s life is governed by it. When someone dies, their atman may be reunited, but most usually is reborn in a new body. A person’s caste membership is a clear indication of how close he or she is to the desired reunion.

Similarities in Afterlife Beliefs
While many differences are found among the doctrine and beliefs of life after death between these two religions, some similarities also do exist, like how they have certain rules that their followers must obey to make it to heaven for Judaism and Nirvana for Hinduism (Selwyn, 26). Each of the religions has guidelines and regulations that tell you what you should do to be a good person and appease their God or gods. They teach people how to live a correct life and how to be kind to others while they are living on Earth. Both religions believe in a final quiescent position for the spirit, and both faiths hold high moral demeanor for their members, such as benevolence to the underprivileged and an altruistic sense of duty. Both religions also have sacred texts that are fundamental to their religions and provide instructions pertaining to the relationship between people and God, and amongst people themselves. Also, instructions pertaining to lifestyle, worship, and performance of rituals are found in the sacred books. The religions have sacred locations where pilgrimages are undertaken by the faithful.

Additional Paragraph on Sacred Texts
Sacred texts play a pivotal role in both Hinduism and Judaism, serving as the foundation for religious practices, moral guidelines, and spiritual understanding. In Hinduism, the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita are central texts that provide insights into the nature of the divine, the universe, and the self. Similarly, Judaism relies on the Torah, Talmud, and other rabbinic literature to guide its followers in their daily lives and spiritual pursuits. These texts are not only religious manuals but also cultural treasures that have shaped the identities of their respective communities over millennia.

Additional Paragraph on Rituals and Festivals
Rituals and festivals are integral to both Hinduism and Judaism, serving as occasions for communal worship, reflection, and celebration. In Hinduism, festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Navaratri are marked by elaborate rituals, prayers, and feasts that honor various deities and celebrate cosmic events. Judaism, on the other hand, observes festivals such as Passover, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah, which commemorate historical events and reinforce the covenant between God and the Jewish people. These rituals and festivals not only strengthen communal bonds but also provide individuals with opportunities for spiritual renewal and connection with the divine.

 References

1. Eck, Diana L. India: A Sacred Geography. New York: Harmony Books, 2012.
2. Sacks, Jonathan. The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning. New York: Schocken Books, 2011.
3. Flood, Gavin. An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.