How Do Jewish Traditions Maintain Jewish Identity? Essays Example

Our world is very diverse. It is home to a wide variety of nations, each of which is interesting in its own unique way. In the history of mankind there were many cases when peoples under the influence of certain historical circumstances were gradually losing their traditions and therefore identity. However, there is still a nation that, to a great extent, maintains its own unique traditions. These people even in the conditions of contemporary processes of globalization do not lose their identity and had not become involved completely in the popular global trends, at the same time remaining faithful to their national and cultural ideology. These people are the Jews, who are difficult to confuse with any other nation. It is worth noting that a huge role in maintaining the Jewish identity plays Judaism – a religious, national and moral ideology of the Jewish people. Furthermore, Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions. So, let's make an attempt to analyze the role of Judaism and Jewish traditions in the preservation of Jewish identity.
First of all, we should turn to the history. Jews have a long time endured persecutions and repressions – for example, beginning from the Roman Empire and ending with the Third Reich (though because of these state formations have suffered many other nations too). So, in severe conditions, exactly Judaism, Jewish belief in their god, strength of their people helped them to survive all the obstacles and only strengthen their identity.
It is understood that religion is closely related to the entire history of the Jewish people. Religious Jewish schools formed a strong national identity because they were closely associated with Jewish traditions. That total devoutness ensured the spiritual unity of dispersed all over the world the Jewish people. Moreover, in the contemporary world can be easily traced how Judaism and Jewish traditions maintain Jewish identity.
For example, during the year Jews celebrate four New Years, but none of them is celebrated on the 1th of January. Furthermore, another distinctive feature of Jewish holidays, since ancient times, is their mass character, involvement in a holiday of all people, regardless of sex, age and social status. Also, the Jews have the Shabbat. In accordance with it every Saturday Jews cannot work. Moreover, it is not allowed to carry out even the most basic daily activities. Also, it is worth recalling such a Jewish tradition as circumcision (it’s not necessary to describe it in details). Jews have not only preserved this tradition, but also taught other nations to it because nowadays circumcision may be done by many men, even not Jews.
Moreover, time changes the appearance of many nations, but there are a huge number of Jews, clothes of who have remained conservative in many details. For example, we can see a long black caftan, wide-brimmed black hat (usually rabbis wear it), bushy beard, etc. Also, Jews often wear kippah, which means unity with the traditions of Jewish people. These specific details of appearance are the way of Jews to remain loyal to their traditions, consequently, identity. Moreover, some Jews even at the current stage of development of civilization do not recognize marriage between a Jew and a Gentile, considering it invalid.
In conclusion may be said that Jewish perception of the world is strikingly different from the rest of world nations. And it is evident not only from the Jewish calendar, but also from a daily life of Jews, their clothes, holidays and attitude toward marriage with representatives of other nations. However, everything is not as adamantly as it may seem. In the contemporary world there are many Jews, who respect the cultures and religions of other nations. However, cognition comes through comparison. Consequently, in comparison with other nations, Jews are probably more than anyone else preserved their identity. And the reason for this is faithfulness and a deep respect for their traditions and beliefs.