A Biblical Look at Judaism

"For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers."
--Galatians 1:13-14

As previously pointed out, most references to "the Jews" in the New Testament, particulary in the four Gospels, seem to connote more than simply those of Hebrew descent. It becomes obvious that "the Jews" were those deeply involved in 'Judaism', or as the King James Version translated it--"the Jew's religion". The apostle Paul, being formerly a Pharisee, was the only writer of the New Testament to have been educated in, and notably experienced in, formal Judaism.
The former 'Saul of Tarsus' was so seriously involved in 'Judaism', he did what any good Jew who did not believe Messiah had truly come, would have done... He persecuted Christians. He had them arrested, beat up, and even killed. He was not a 'radical', he was "advanced" in Judaism and more zealous than anyone else concerning the "traditions" of his fathers. And in those last few words, there is clarification as to the meaning of 'Judaism'--both then, and now.
The 'traditions of the fathers' is the basic definition of Judaism. With that, the rabbis of today would agree. The 'Talmud'--not the 'Torah' (OT Scriptures)--is the basis of Judaism. The Talmud comprises primarily the 'Mishnah', which is a collection of rabbinical traditions, and the 'Gemara', which is rabbinical commentary on the Mishnah.
According to Jewish tradition, not only the written law (Old Testament Scripture) was given through Moses, but also the 'oral laws'. The oral laws were not to be written, but passed on verbally from generation to generation. Thus, the oral laws, the Jews say, were to remain more 'fluid' and conform to varying situations throughout the process of time. After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD, and then more completely in 130 AD, going so far as to literally plow it under and totally depopulate the former land of 'Judea'; certain rabbis decided to write the 'oral traditions' down. This written compilation of rabbinical traditions was called the "Mishnah".
Though it is claimed that these laws and traditions were passed down orally from Moses, there is no evidence of it. The earliest appearance of the rabbinical traditions as evidenced in history was around 200 BC. The oldest actual quotations, recorded in the Mishnah, according to Jewish historians, date to around 100 BC. The Gemara commentary was added from about 200 AD to around 500 AD. These writings, which form what is called the "Talmud", have replaced the Old Testament Scriptures and have become the standard for modern Judaism. This is why there are no blood sacrifices nor priestly ministries.
Many of these rabbinical traditions were in place in Jesus' time and even then, formed the foundation of the Judaism of His day. But neither Jesus, nor any of the apostles ever based any of their teaching on oral traditions--only Scripture. As a matter of fact, the only time Jesus referred to them at all, was to soundly denounce them, telling the Pharisees that through these 'traditions' they were "making the Word of God of no effect" (Mark 7:13). Obviously, Jesus did not consider the rabbinical 'oral traditions' to be the Word of God. And thus, the primary foundation of 'Judaism' in the time of Christ, and the ONLY basis of modern Judaism was condemned by Jesus.
Many contemporary pastors, evangelists, and church leaders have jumped on the bandwagon of incorporating Talmudic tradition into Christian worship. One example of those now popular traditions, is the practice of wearing the prayer shawl (tallit). It has also become a good selling item in Christian book and novelty stores--and even in churches.
How do you get people to spend lots of money on a nice towel?.. You tell them that Jesus wore a prayer shawl; that the apostles wore prayer shawls. Even more effective, is to explain that when Jesus said "go into your [prayer] closet", He was not referring to a little room. He was referring to covering your head with the 'prayer shawl'. You also count on the fact that most people will not be well read enough, in the Bible, to know that none of that is true.
Neither Jesus nor the apostles covered their heads when they prayed. How do I know?.. The former Pharisee--Paul the apostle--made it clear...
"Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head... For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God"
(1 Corinthians 11:4,7)
From the time of Christ, to modern times, well-mannered men would always remove their hats when someone was offering a public prayer--keeping with true Biblical tradition. It was common knowledge all over the world, that to keep your head covered during such a time was a sign of dishonor to your head, who is Christ (1 Cor. 11:3). Now, even many in the church seem to be willing to trade a Bible based, Christ-honoring tradition, for such a vain, unscriptural, modern Jewish tradition.
It has become a matter of deep concern and prayer for me, that so many in the church have become caught up in novelty and vain traditions--and have become seriously distracted from the great commission. Some, I fear, are bordering on idolatry; worshipping a dead and invalid religion, the foundation of which, Jesus Himself condemned.
Contrary to what many are preaching, the roots of Christianity are not found in Judaism. Christianity is based on the gospel of Jesus Christ--the good news of a righteousness that comes only through faith in Christ, apart from the works of the law. This gospel was first declared to Abraham, hundreds of years before it would be put in effect...
"And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached 'the gospel' to Abraham beforehand, saying, in you all the nations shall be blessed."
(Galatians 3:8)
This promise did not apply specifically to the Jews, it applied to all who would be justified (made righteous) by faith. According to Paul, it was the first proclamation of 'the gospel'.
Abraham knew nothing of Judaism. The system of obedience to God's law, as a means of righteousness (Judaism), would not come into effect until hundreds of years later. Even then, it would serve only as a TEMPORARY system, to preserve righteous lineage, through whom, the Savior would come, and fulfill those original promises made to Abraham and his seed...
"Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds', as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect."
(Galatians 3:16,17)
So the law, which gave birth to Judaism and established the Jewish nation was not 'replaced' by Christianity, really--it was preceded by it. Abraham's right standing with God was based upon his faith in a promise that would be fulfilled only in Christ. And the 'system of law as a means of righteousness', to which Christ would put an end (Romans 10:4), was to be added later and serve as a "schoolmaster" (or 'tutor') to bring Israel to Christ...
"What purpose then does the law serve? It was 'added' because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made... Therefore the law 'was' our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
(Galatians 3:19,24)
The only true 'Judaism' had a very important, though TEMPORARY, purpose. When the New Covenant was established in the shed blood of the perfect Lamb of God, the Old Covenant (the Mosaic Covenant) became obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). This is why Paul went on to write, in summary...
"There is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
(Galatians 3:28-29)