Are Jews a people or religion?

Answer 1

It's a very old religion; it predates Christianity. The word "cult" is often used pejoratively but the word is synonymous with the word religion. One definition of "cult" means "spurious" or "unorthodox"--from Merriam-Webster's online. I personally do not see why Judaism is any less legitimate than Christianity.

Answer 2

Judaism is a religion, while being a Jew is an ethnicity. Being a Jew should never be categorized as a race, seeing as one can convert to Judaism ad be treated just like a native-born Jew. Jews do constitute their own ethnic group, which includes Jewish identity and a very rich heritage.

Answer 3

Nominally, Judaism is a religion. However the existence of many who regard themselves as "secular Jews" (non-believing Jews) is evidence that Judaism is also very much a culture.
Answer 2
Judaism is a religion. However, it is not a religion in the sense that some other belief systems are religions. Judaism is more a way of life. According to the teachings of Judaism it is an individual's actions that matter and faith without action is meaningless.
This is reinforced through the mitzvot (commands found in the Torah) and halacha (Jewish law which is based on the mitzvot). Both the mitzvot and halachot (pl), form the basis on how Jews live their daily lives, especially such things as:

• The Jewish view on the meaning of life - that man was created to help God complete creation by bringing good into the world.
• Approach to lashon horah and tovah - speaking evil and speaking good - "gossip". How we treat other people.
  
• Tzdakkah - literally meaning 'justice' but used to refer to charity in modern Judaism.

It is from these two sets of guides that the Jewish culture has evolved.
Answer 3
Though it may have an associated culture and one or more associated languages, the traditional definition of Judaism is the observance of the Torah, which is why dictionaries define Judaism as "the religion of Moses." In this sense, the word "Torah" is meant in its wider meaning, which includes the Tanakh, the Talmud, and other classical Jewish texts.
The philosophy of Judaism is that this world is a purposeful creation by God, in which all people are tested concerning their use of free-will. We possess a soul which lives on after the body dies and is held responsible for the person's actions. Anyone who is worthy, Jewish or not, can merit reward in the afterlife.
Some examples of the commands:
Belief in God
Putting on Tefillin (phylacteries) in the morning
The sukkah-booth during Sukkot
Avoiding leavened products in Passover
Keeping kosher
Not eating on Yom Kippur
Not working on the Shabbat
Paying workers on time
Marital rights for one's wife
The Ten Commandments
Helping someone who is in danger
Counting the days of the Omer
Returning lost objects when feasible
Wearing the tzitzith-garment
Affixing a mezuzah to the door
Learning Torah
Marrying and having children
Educating one's children in Judaism
Giving tzedakah (charity)
Honoring one's parents
And many more.
The laws have various reasons. Some (such as the Passover) serve to reenact or remember events of our history.
Some (such as saying the Shema-prayer) serve to reiterate our belief in God.
Some of the laws (such as those of ritual purity and kosher food) serve to sanctify us.
Some (such as the laws of torts) serve to maintain an orderly and just society.
Some (such as the law against breaking a vow) serve to prevent bad character traits.
Some (such as the command to offer help) serve to engender good character traits.
And all of the commands serve to subjugate us to God's will (especially those commands for which no explanation is easily apparent).
Note that the Torah "as is" isn't exactly what Judaism observes. Rather, It's the Torah together with the details provided in the Talmud, which is the Oral Law that was handed down together with the laws of Moses. Otherwise, the verses of the Torah often lack enough detail to be fulfilled as is.

Answer 4

Judaism is now a religion with various adherents, but at one point the Jews were a single people with their own language and culture (much of which survives in certain groups today).

a Jew is a person not a religion. Judaism is a religion. Jews are a group of people that belong to the Judaism religion

Answer 5

No, it it one of the recognized major religions of the world.

Answer 2

No they are not. The Jews are the chosen people whom the Lord chose as His treasure.

Answer 3

They are not a cult and were God's chosen people because they accepted his commandments. All others did not want the Torah.

Christian answer

They were chosen because they were the only people on earth who would have crucified Jesus. All other nations, when hearing his teachings would have accepted him as the Christ.

Answer 6

Though it may have an associated culture and one or more associated languages, the traditional definition of Judaism is the observance of the Torah, which is why dictionaries define Judaism as "the religion of Moses." In this sense, the word "Torah" is meant in its wider meaning, which includes the Tanakh, the Talmud, and other classical Jewish texts.
The philosophy of Judaism is that this world is a purposeful creation by God, in which all people are tested concerning their use of free-will. We possess a soul which lives on after the body dies and is held responsible for the person's actions. Anyone who is worthy, Jewish or not, can merit reward in the afterlife.
For fuller detail, see the Related Links.Link: The basic beliefs of Judaism

Link: The practices of Judaism

Link: The principles of Judaism

Link: The ethics of Judaism

Link: How Judaism began

Link: The texts of Judaism

Answer 7

Both. The culture acquires its characteristics from the way of life that results from the commandments

taught by the religion.

Answer 8

No, it it one of the recognized major religions of the world.

Answer 9

Religion

Answer 10

It is a religion. Note that Orthodoxy, like other branches of Judaism, is not homogeneous. Broadly speaking, Orthodox Judaism is divided into the Modern Orthodox, Jews who observe Jewish law but do not separate themselves from the secular world or modernity, and the Hassidic community. There are many different Hassidic groups, all the product of a pietist movement that was born in the 18th century in Ukrane. Hassidism has strong connections to Kabbala, and Hassidic Jews reject many aspects of modernity. Some Hassidic groups do have strong cult-like aspects, including focus on a single charismatic leader.