Many of the concepts espoused in the Torah and Jewish tradition seem quintessentially modern, yet go back thousands of years. Here’s a roundup of some ideas that we take for granted today that are an integral part of ancient Jewish wisdom.
1. Monotheism
Judaism introduced the powerful notion that one God created and rules the universe. This was a profound break with the idolatrous models that came before, in which an angry or capricious god was seen to govern events at random, and had to be appeased – often in horrible ways, like child sacrifice.
The Torah, in contrast, provided a radically different model of the universe, which uplifts, instead of degrades. It taught that nothing was random; the world was created for a purpose, and so were we. We each have a divinely-mandated goal in our lives and are charged to reach our potential.
This was a revolutionary idea. Ordinary people were seen as holy, important beings. The Torah describes every individual as being created betzelem Elokim, in the image of God. No matter what our circumstances or abilities, each life is holy and special. All of the elements that make up a civilized society flow from this realization.
2. The Weekend
“Six days shall you work and accomplish all your work, but the seventh day is Shabbat to the Lord Your God; you shall not do any work“ (Exodus 20:8). There is nothing inherently logical about breaking up the long monotony of human days: the seven-day week is found nowhere in the natural world. Yet, today, four thousand years after Judaism introduced the concept of Shabbat, the concept of a seven-day week is universal.
The Jewish concept of Shabbat – of ceasing from work for one day out of seven – helped develop the idea of the week, and set society on the path to delineating a specific work-week – and periodic times for leisure.
3. Census
England’s Domesday Book of 1086 is often referred to as the first national census, but 2,400 years earlier the Torah records a census of the Jewish people (Exodus 30). After leaving Egypt, Moses organized a poll of the Jewish people. It must have been a massive undertaking: he counted 603,550 adult men.
4. Asylum
In ancient Israel, Jews were instructed to build “six refuge cities” on either side of the Jordan River, to which people accused of manslaughter could flee before receiving their sentences (Exodus 35:6). In these cities, they were guaranteed protection from relatives of those they were accused of killing and were safe from vigilante justice.
5. Equality Under the Law
Alone in the ancient world, the Jewish people proclaimed the dignity of every person: men and women, rich and poor. Ancient codes of justice routinely contained different laws for people of varying social statuses. Even in the present day, when human rights abuses around the world make a mockery of impartial justice, the Torah remains a beacon of light, insisting that all people – regardless of station – are to be judged the same: “You shall not commit a perversion of justice; you shall not favor the poor and you shall not honor the great; with righteousness shall you judge your fellow” (Leviticus 19:15).
6. Court System
The Torah contains one of the earliest systems of upper and lower courts. As the Jewish nation grew after the Exodus from Egypt, their leader Moses found it increasingly difficult to adjudicate all their disputes. Moses’ father-in-law Yitro presented him with a unique solution: establish the world’s first comprehensive legal system. Under his guidance, Moses established four levels of courts, from local precincts where people could go to petty disputes, all the way up to high courts that oversaw the lower courts and decided the most difficult cases (Deuteronomy 1:11-15).
7. Animal Rights
The movement for animal rights might seem very modern – current animal welfare laws began to be proposed in Western nations in the mid-19th Century – but they have their antecedents in Jewish thought. The Torah and Talmud are full of detailed instructions on treating animals with kindness: we are forbidden from muzzling an ox during harvests (this ancient practice was meant to prevent beasts from eating the crops) or yoking a strong animal together with a weak one (because it might cause undue strain on the smaller animal) (Deuteronomy 25:4). When we collect eggs, the Torah instructs that we first shoo away the mother bird (Deuteronomy 22:7). The Talmud even commands us to feed our animals before we ourselves eat.
8. Crop Rotation
Nowadays, farmers know that to maintain nutrients in soil, it’s effective to rotate crops and to leave fields fallow periodically. In Israel, this practice has a powerful spiritual dimension, as well. “Six years shall you sow your land and gather in its produce. And in the seventh, you shall leave it untended and unharvested, and the destitute of your people shall eat, and the wildlife of the field shall eat what is left of them; so shall you do to your vineyard and your olive grove” (Exodus 23:10-11). This practice – which is still followed by many Israeli farmers today – reminds us that it is God who ultimately controls the land and our lives.
9. Monetary Damages
When the Torah introduced the idea of paying for damages with money instead of one’s life, it was a revolutionary thought. The Code of the Babylonian ruler Hammurabi (1795-1750 BCE) mandated the death penalty for most serious crimes; the 7th Century BCE Draconian Code of Athens made the death penalty the punishment for every crime. Even in the present day, some countries impose harsh physical punishments; in Saudi Arabia, people have been sentenced to have their eyes gouged out; Iran has also used blinding as punishment, sentencing a man accused of stalking a woman to have acid dripped in each eye. Both nations, as well as some other Muslim countries, have used amputation of hands and feet as punishment for crimes.
Jewish law, in contrast, codified various categories of monetary damages for a range of crimes, allowing those convicted of theft or negligence to pay off their debt and resume ordinary life.
10. Public School
In 64 CE, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Gamla ruled that every Jewish child aged six and up should attend school, whether their parents could afford to send them or not. He even mandated a maximum class size – no more than 25 children per teacher. Jewish communities raced to put Rabbi Yehoshua’s ideas into action, establishing subsidized or free schools in Jewish communities the world over. As Chicago educational philanthropist George Hanus has noted: “it is the first instance in recorded history of a people instituting compulsory universal education funded by the larger community…. Many scholars believe Gamla’s model was the inspiration for free public education systems in the contemporary West, including the United States.”
(28) David L Paul, November 12, 2020 2:08 AM
Just great
I am so proud
(27) Anonymous, May 31, 2020 11:50 PM
Regarding #7 - Animal rights
Regarding what the writer wrote that the Talmud requires feeding animals before eating, I'd like to note that the Talmud did not make it up on their own, they derive it from the Torah.
(26) Anonymous, May 20, 2020 12:00 AM
that was very amazing and I learned more things about it. and this thing help me on my projet. thank you
(25) Anonymous, October 21, 2019 3:38 PM
I enjoy your informative and thought provoking articles.
(24) Dvirah, October 20, 2019 11:52 AM
Courts of Law
Establishing a legal system is one of the 7 Noahide laws, which is probably why Itro, a "righteous gentile", was familiar with the idea.
(23) Judy R., October 20, 2019 3:12 AM
10 Ideas Gave The World
Judaism gave the world 10 important concepts, that are used today by many people. So why then is the world anti-semitic and anti Israel? Instead the world should thank the Jews and their religion, for giving the world such innovative ideas and are now part of everyday life now. The Jewish people had these important concepts, and ideas before anyone thought about it, our G-d Hashem gave us a Torah and all these ides were written in it, which was a long time ago. Now, our ideas and concepts were stolen from us in a way, and others want the credit for it. People forget all these concepts and ideas, originally came from the Jews and Judaism. The world now is not acting right to G-d's chosen people, the world must remember who gave them these 10 important ideas and concepts. The Jews should be loved instead of hated by the world, look what we gave the world a treasure trove of ideas and concepts, that are used in our everyday lives. I am happy that I am Jewish, and am one of the people that know how Judaism, changed the world for the better without conquering, anyone like others did and want to take over the world. The Jewish people and Judaism, did not conquer vast lands but these ideas and concepts, changed the world for the better. These 10 things are used till this day, so the credit should go to us,(Jews and Judaism)and I hope anti semitism and anti Zionism should cease to exist, because we bring peace and harmony to the world, plus lots of gifts to help the world. I am honored to be part of the tribe being Jewish!
(22) Chanit Roston, October 20, 2019 1:21 AM
I am blessed to be Yehudia.
If only we werent' hated so much. I believe it is envy rather than hate. However, even the concept or the holidays, Yom Kippur and now Sukkot. The great divine Ideas.
(21) Sheila Finley, October 20, 2019 1:15 AM
25 students in a classroom.
My wish is that current public schools would follow the Jewish tradition of a class size of 25 students. It is a crime against young people and the teachers who want to teach to have a classroom of 30 to35 students. It is a set-up for failure for many, and encourages teachers to break their Sworn Oath taken when credentialed by their State government.
Sheldon, October 20, 2019 2:21 PM
25 students in a classroom
When I attended elementary school in the 1950's, class size was between 35 and 40. We all learned. There is no reason for a teacher to break his or her own oath other than that teachers are the only ones for whom responsibility for job performance is optional.
(20) Dany Hadary, October 20, 2019 1:09 AM
Women Equality
What about women equality (The #Me Too movement?)? Note Zelophehad's five daughters who were the first females to inherit a father's property after his passing (Numbers 27).
(19) ashton, February 15, 2019 7:29 PM
its cool
(18) eitan, November 5, 2018 9:59 PM
thanks
this helped me so much for my project
(17) Adam Gorny, October 23, 2018 2:14 PM
Shabbat is for Jews only.
A Shabbat is a gift from HaShem for Jews. ONLY. The gentiles, governed by Noachite laws CAN NOT take it off. Or rather, thy are prohibited to do so.
Anonymous, October 21, 2019 2:38 AM
Torah is Universal, not just for Jews.
B"H! Many have come to realise that Torah is Universal, for ALL humanity, HaShem's creation.
IF Shabbat is only for the Jews, would that mean all the other Moedim, Sukkot, e.g., a joyous time under the Sukkah, and enjoying/Simchat Torah, are not to be kept by the Non-Jews? We invite them to enjoy the Shabbat and the Sukkah with us, to experience that special joy on special days.
Why would 'Gentiles' wish to keep Shabbat?
Spreading the spark/light into all humanity is our desire, not keeping that confined to ourselves.
Shabbat is for ALL, when folks know that Shabbat is having a Covenant with HaShem..
With such unity will come Moshiach! Amein!
(16) John, October 19, 2017 2:49 PM
I like this
(15) Cat, September 28, 2017 4:51 AM
Thank you for the info
(14) Meyer Rafael, August 29, 2016 4:49 AM
Rights
2 thoughts. "Animal rights" should be in inverted commas because the reality is the Torah does not grant *rights* ; Torah imposes obligations. Humans are commanded to shun cruelty to animals. Secondly, it would be better to work up to monotheism. It's a big and lofty concept that many people think they understand. We really need to do a little mental exercise to contemplate what it means for that the creator of the universe wants the created being to do things...
Dvirah, September 8, 2016 8:33 PM
Turn It Around
You are correct that monotheism is a "big and lofty concept", but it rightfully comes first because it is the motivator for all the other concepts. The reason, ultimately, for behaving with compassion, care & justice is to "be Holy, as I am Holy".
(13) Shoshana - Jerusalem, August 26, 2016 10:07 AM
Shmita- nothing to do with land rotation
You got it all wrong about Shmita, the Sabbatical year for the Land.
of Israel. It has nothing to do with land rotation. It is to teach us that the .Land belongs to G-d, and that He is taking care of us and all blessing comes from Him. It is to teach us emuna, faith and trust, in G-d, that the entire Land of Israel can rest at the same time and we will have what to eat and need not fear.
In Israel today, ALL the Chereidi farmers, not some, keep Shmita.
There are also chiloni farmers keeping Shmita and they have seen great blessing.
(12) Herschel Bonchek, August 23, 2016 11:39 PM
The decompressing why " I am proud" to be a Jew is another possible title for this article....
We must appreciate our background to understand our frontground...
(11) Frank Adam, August 23, 2016 1:36 PM
No monotheism , no science
Several ancient peoples - Romans, Chinese, Assyrians, North Indians, Incas were excellent engineers ie practical bridging, sails, drainage, watermills etc However none create, discover nor pursue theoretical science principles that interchange equally with other cultures to create novel engineering and more principles. This is because pagans always defer to local spirits and d(a)emons who being capricious may bless your building at will or not, and that skill is not necessarily transferable to the domain of next doors' spirits, gods and demons. In a monotheistic cultural climate there is only one God and Master so if you unpick the laws and rules in one place and time then they will be true in any other space and time ceteris paribus - everything else being equal in the experiment or project. That too is why one proof of a discovery or invention is peer review as to whether it can be repeated elsewhere by others and obtain the same result.
(10) William Lewis Wexler,Esq., August 10, 2014 8:32 PM
And you shall appoint judges over you
Hashem gave us democracy and we ignored and chose kings. Thank G-d Israel follows the Torah as a democratic state.
(9) Shlomo, August 8, 2014 3:05 PM
We must be careful
We must be careful not to take credit for what G-d has given the world through our people. If we fail to give credit to G-d and try to take the credit ourselves, we become guilty of ethnic self-worship which is a form of idolatry. Our great teachings did not come from man, but from G-d. If it were just us, the world would not hate us so.
Shoshana-Jerusalem, August 26, 2016 9:55 AM
through us
You re right that we did not originate any of this, it was commanded in the Torah. Except public school. But the Torah was given to us, and we have been faithful and kept it , and taught it to the world. This is what we were chosen to do, and we have done it. See "World Perfect" and you will learn a lot more of what we have done.
We should be humble and not proud, just thankful, that we, a small nation, was chosen to be this light unto the nations.
(8) Beverly Margolis, August 8, 2014 6:49 AM
Ten, plus
Yes, we have given much more to the world than ten things. It is so much more than the world might think. The value of life as compared. To Islam that honors death as a means to get to their concept of their god. We live to honor our God. Life is the most important part of being a Jew. Without life we cannot praise him or thank him for his wonderful things he does for us. Hashem answers EVER SINGLE PRAYER but sometimes the answer is no. Why? Because what we pray for would be to our detriment. In either case, say thanks then find out what he wants and start all over again.. KOL YISROEL CHAI!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cindy, August 8, 2014 1:43 PM
Disagree
Just so you know Allah and Hashem mean the same thing: one God, and it is only radical Islam that promotes killing oneself in the name of God. Moderate Islam opposes killing (yourself and anyone else).
(7) Gary Samuel Besner, August 7, 2014 11:20 PM
Thank you
I am not educated in Torah, so I thank you for sharing these wonderful facts. My own life has gone through trials and tribulations and my belief in one g-d, a loving and just g-d, has protected me from the cruelty and hate that exist in the world.
(6) Anonymous, August 7, 2014 4:18 PM
Great!
This is excellent! Thank you so much for posting it!
(5) Edoardo Recanati, August 7, 2014 3:40 PM
That's all? NO!
To bi added:
11. the concept that God created the Universe from a primordial stone , the Fundamental Stone... discovered very recently by the scientists and called "the Big Bang".
12. the respect due to the parents,on the same Tablets of God and before murder! with the consequence of the solidity and importance of the family.
13 and more. the remission of debts in the Jubilee, the respect for the slave, not retaining the payment of a debt overnight, and salaries...
The list is infinite and I am tired!
(4) leah bleiberg, August 7, 2014 3:28 PM
and Women's Rights!
Yvette: another job WELL done. You're such an asset to Aish.com. This was great, just wanted to mention treating women as 1st class citizens and protecting them under the law was a major gift to humanity from the Torah.
(3) Anonymous, August 3, 2014 10:24 PM
MORE THAN ENOUGH....
The introduction to Hashem
was more than enough....
(2) Shoshana-Jerusalem, July 22, 2014 7:47 PM
#8 crop rotation
Sorry, but Shimta is absolutely NOT about crop rotation. Crop rotation is planting different crops and leaving certain fields to lay fallow.
The purpose of Shmita is only to make us realize that the entire world belongs to H-shem, as you said, and also so that the farmers have free time to study Torah.
The fact that it is also good for the soil is a side benefit, as
with all the Mitzvos. If H-shem had wanted crop rotation He would have commanded it, and without all complicated laws of Shmita, which, by the way, starts on Rosh Hashana this year.
The Shmita year, which is the seventh year, is the Shabbos of the Land, and we can feel a special kedusha in the air, just as we can feel a kedusha on the seventh day, which is Shabbos. It's also very exciting and even the little children are learning the halachas (laws) of Shmita, And we can hardly wait. The farmers, while also getting fields ready are also looking forward to havng extra time to learn Torah. It's a time of great kedusha. It's not about crop rotation at all.
Also, noone who has a field and wants to rotate, would allow his entire farm to lay fallow for the whole year, as is done during the holy year of Shmita.
(1) Yehudith Shraga, July 20, 2014 11:30 PM
Lessons on Judaism
Thank you for the interesting explanation, it is very sound to tell the world the facts about Judaism, the more we speak about our values, the more we are going to respect them ourselves, the more the world is going to respect us. People are afraid of unknown, and Judaism, with its complex teaching on the world, may seem to some people as a threat, while letting people know what we are standing for and what we are believing in helps very much to grow the trust and mutual respect.
Anonymous, October 21, 2019 2:54 AM
I agree!
B"H!! Beautifully expressed, every line that you wrote, thank you.
May more of us, having received emet feel that way.