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According to Jewish tradition which came first - polytheism or monotheism?
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Archaeology has shown that no ancient society ever existed that did not believe in the supernatural, though some quickly reverted to idolatry.
Based upon a massive worldwide study of the most ancient inscriptions and the earliest levels of civilization, Dr. Wilhelm Schmidt (in his twelve-volume Der Ursprung Der Gottesidee) concluded that the original belief was monotheistic; a belief in One God. It was a simple belief in the Creator (Dyeus Pater; Sky-Father) with no imagery of any kind. It gave way relatively quickly to polytheism and idolatry, but its traces could still be seen by the careful researcher.
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe entire ancient world possessed the original traditions of the Creation, the existence of the human soul and the afterlife, the special status of the number seven, the dignity of the dead, etc.
One thing that researchers agree upon is that mankind has always believed in a Higher Power. Archaeology has shown that no ancient society ever existed that did not believe in the supernatural.
Based upon a massive worldwide study of the most ancient inscriptions and the earliest levels of civilization, Dr. Wilhelm Schmidt (in his twelve-volume Der Ursprung Der Gottesidee) concluded that the original belief was monotheistic; a belief in One God (see footnote 1, below). It was a simple belief in the Creator (Dyeus Pater; Sky-Father) with no imagery of any kind. It gave way relatively quickly to polytheism and idolatry, but its traces could still be seen by the careful researcher, just as (for example) Proto-Indo European has left indelible marks within the later languages. Other traditions also are traceable worldwide, such as the religious significance of the number seven, and the immortality of the soul.The process by which the awareness of One God gave way to a belief in many gods, has been described by Scandinavian researchers (see footnote 2) as splitting ("Gottespaltung"): the people gradually viewed God's attributes of truth, righteousness, fertility etc., as separate from Him, and afterwards personified and worshiped the attributes themselves, until God was largely forgotten.
According to Jewish tradition also, (Rashi commentary, Genesis 4:26), monotheism is more ancient than polytheism. Maimonides describes the process by which polytheism began: "A couple of centuries after the Creation, mankind made a great mistake. They said that since God had created the stars and spheres and placed them on high, accordingly it is fitting for people to praise and glorify them and to treat them with honor. They perceived this to be the will of God, that people should exalt and honor the stars. They began to praise and glorify them with words, and prostrate themselves before them, because by doing so, they would (according to their false conception) be indirectly honoring God too."
This descent into polytheism contributed to the gradual weakening of any sense of religious belief and was also used as justification for excessive and licentious behavior, since the caprices which were narrated concerning the idols were adopted as an excuse to imitate their putative actions.
The original belief is what Abraham reinstated through his teaching of ethical monotheism.
See also the other Related Link.
Footnotes
1) Albright, "From the Stone Age," p.170; and J.A. Wilson, "The Culture of ancient Egypt," p.129. Also Baron, "A Social and Religious History," vol. I, p.44 and 311. Also James Meek, "Hebrew Origins," p.188, quoting Langdon, Lagrange and John Ross. Also Martin Nilsson, Handbuch der Altertumswissenschaften, 2nd ed., p.61, 141, 220 and 394.
2) G. W. Anderson, in "The Old Testament and Modern Study," p.287. Also Friedrich Baethgen, in Beitraege zur Semitischen Religionsgeschichte, p.288. Also Pallotino, "The Etruscans," p. 158 and 167.
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What was Abraham's key achievement?
According to Jewish tradition, Abraham introduced monotheism to the world.
Why was judasim created?
According to Jewish tradition, it was created by Abraham in rejection of polytheism and in realizing and teaching the ways of God.
Who made the Jewish religion unique compared to all the others of their time?
According to our tradition, it was Abraham, who proclaimed monotheism.
Where did the idea of monotheism came from?
Nobody knows. In Jewish tradition, it started with Abraham, though he may have started monolatry, which evolved into monotheism.
What was Abraham most remembered for?
He helped end the Civil war and because he was president.
Was prophet abraham a jew?
According to Jewish tradition, yes.
What is a quorum in Jewish law?
According to tradition, it's a minyan (group) of ten Jewish men.
What event marks the beginning of the Jewish people?
Jewish tradition holds that Abraham's realization of monotheism around 2000 BCE is the beginning of Judaism. Others hold that Judaism began after the time of Moses, when the Jewish people lived by the laws in the Torah.
What happened on the Jewish fest of Rosh Hashana?
According to Jewish tradition, God judges the world on Rosh Hashanah.
Was the book of enoch ever a part of the jewish canon?
According to our tradition it was not. It is not even considered a part of the Jewish Apocrypha or Deuterocanon.
Who is the member of Judaism?
According to the Orthodox tradition, it is either someone who appropriately converted under the authority of an Orthodox Rabbi/Beis Din, or someone who's mother was Jewish. According to the Conservative tradition, it is is someone who is converted by the beit din of any Jewish authority (Orthodox, Conservative or Reform), or or someone who's mother was Jewish. According to the Reform tradition, it is is someone who is converted by the beit din of any Jewish authority (Orthodox, Conservative or Reform), or someone who has at least one Jewish parent and was raised Jewish.
How many commandments did the Torah have?
The Torah did have, and still has, 613 commandments, according to Jewish tradition.
