An Introduction to Jewish Ethics (References, the End, and Characteristics)

The study of ethics in Abrahamic religions is among the undertakings that will greatly assist us in the understanding of the cultural commonalities of the religions. Meanwhile, studying the resources and characteristics of ethics in Judaism which is considered as the earliest Abrahamic religion is of great significance and importance. In the present research paper, first the principle end in Jewish ethics, i.e. theomorphy, has been reviewed. Moreover, the characteristics of Jewish Ethics have also been discussed as they can help us in conducting a comparative study of Jewish ethics and other ethical schools. The most important of these characteristics are broadness, pragmatism, ethnocentrism, and the absence of a coherent draft of the topics. Finally, the most important references of the Jewish ethical propositions will be revisited as they are the origin of the classification of different historical eras of Jewish ethics. Among these resources, the “Bible” and “Talmud” have been given more emphasis and attention.