There are a number of religions throughout the world. It is interesting to explore Judaism and determine its general belief system, the types of Judaism and the meanings of its four cornerstones.

             General Beliefs.

             Jewish followers believe "actions are more important than beliefs; however they do employ a belief system in their religion. The general belief system of Judaism can be understood through Rambam's thirteen principle of faith. He felt the minimum requirements of Jewish belief are:.

             1.God exists.

             2.God is one and unique.

             3.God in incorporeal.

             4.God is eternal.

             5.Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other.

             6.The words of the prophets are true.

             7.Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets.

             8.The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses.

             9.There will be no other Torah.

             10.God knows the thoughts and deeds of men.

             11.God will reward the good and punish the wicked.

             12.The Messiah will come.

             13.The dead will be resurrected (http://www.jewfaq.org/beliefs.htm).".

             Types of Judaism.

             There are three types of Judaism which are practiced in the world today- Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox are described by the Reformist as "those who refuse to adapt their interpretation. The Reform and Conservative movements are relatively recent interpretations of Jewish tradition (http://www.askmoses.com/qa_detail.html?h=175&o=329)." .

             Orthodox Jews are the traditionalists who are "united in their upholding of the Law, and observe most of the traditional dietary and ceremonial laws of Judaism. Conservative Jews are a happy medium between Orthodox and Reform Jews who believe the ideal of the Jew is not the establishment of a Jewish state, but rather the upholding of their historic religious role as a people witnessing of God to the world. Reformed Judaism is the liberal wing of Judaism which feels belief and doctrine are interchangeable and dispensable, and the importance of the Jews focus is to keep the ethical traditions of the Torah (http://www.