Who is God in Judaism?

The God of Abraham

Jewish tradition describes Abraham as the person who recognised that the world has one Creator, and God as making a covenant with him and his descendants. The Torah calls God “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:15). The God of Judaism is the same God that Christianity and Islam later spoke of, understood in Judaism as strictly one.

What Jews say about God

Maimonides begins his code with the commandment to know that there is a First Being who brought everything into existence, and that everything depends on Him while He depends on nothing. God is one – not one of a group, and not divided into parts. God has no body, so expressions like “the hand of God” are metaphors. God knows what people do, hears prayer and responds to it.

Names of God

The Torah uses several names. The four-letter name (YHWH) expresses God’s eternity and compassion; it is not pronounced, and in prayer Jews say Adonai (“my Lord”), and in conversation HaShem (“the Name”). Elohim expresses God as judge and as the power behind nature. Out of respect, many Jews write “G-d” in English, so that the word is not erased or thrown away.

Relationship, not only idea

Jewish prayer addresses God directly as “You”. God is described as a father and a king, close to all who call on Him sincerely (Psalms 145:18). Worship is directed to God alone – not to angels, saints or images.