How Does Judaism Differ From Other Religions?

If we see a person, no matter how simple, yet composed and planning a project, we have no doubt that he has a purpose in his action, even if we do not discern it. 

Certainly if this person is a well-known and respected figure, especially if he is the Prime Minister himself, then there is no shadow of a doubt that a hidden motive exists in his action. The more complex, wise, and detailed the project under construction appears, and the more esteemed, elevated, and exalted the person building it is, the more certain we are that there is a purpose to the action. And if this is true for creations, then all the more so for the Creator; it is evident and clear that there is a purpose to the creation of the crown of creation - man, in particular, and to the entire project - the whole of creation, in general. Even without the preamble mentioned above, it is natural for a person to ask himself, 'Who am I?... What am I actually doing here at all? Why was I created? For what reason do I live? Is it to eat to work and work to eat? To grow, to fatten, to mature, and then become fodder for worms?! Is this the purpose?! This is the goal?!' The answers to these probing questions, which the 'product' can and may respond to, can only be answered, and solely, by the 'manufacturer' himself. Because who would dare claim that his limited logic can definitely comprehend the true intention of the Creator in creation.

And to gamble here is not to be dared, since the question of questions: the role and purpose of man in the world, is the one lying before us on the scale. * And what is the truth, did the Creator ever reveal to His creations His purpose in creation? Is the purpose of the crown of creation, man, really just to eat, sleep, and die? Or does the Creator want me, His creation, to act in the world in a defined manner and according to specific rules, and is this the purpose of my creation? But if there are demands of me, why didn’t He inform me or my ancestors and guide them to pass it down from generation to generation until it reached me? And if He did, why not in a way that I can verify with certainty that the Creator of the world, Hashem Himself, gave those specific instructions? After all, I would not change my life patterns merely because someone imagines that Hashem's will is for me to follow that person's words?! * 'And Hashem said to Moses, Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and also believe you forever... Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai. And you shall set bounds for the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that you go not up to the mount, or touch the border of it... And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that were in the camp trembled... And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because Hashem descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder... And Hashem spoke all these words, saying: I am Hashem your God... and all the people saw the thunderings and the lightnings and the sound of the horn, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.' (Exodus 19:9-16). (*

Could such an event be 'inserted' into history if it did not take place? Let us consider. There is no other religion(!) that dares or dared to claim that its book of laws was given at a divine or even angelic revelation, - before a hundred people. Nor does anyone claim that their book of laws was given before fifty people, nor before ten. Not even before two. Judaism, apart from being known and recognized as preceding all religions, which starkly mimic it, is also the only(!) one in the world claiming: Hashem (the one and only) revealed Himself in a sublime gathering before the eyes of all my people, who then numbered six hundred thousand besides women and children (considering the marriage age of that period and high birth rates, a conservative estimate surpasses two million people, who according to Judaism attended that event), to present humanity with the proper operational manual of the world [the manufacturer's instructions!] when Judaism specifies the exact year (2448 from creation), the precise date (6th of Sivan), the exact day (Shabbat), the precise time (at sunrise), and the exact place (the Sinai desert, next to Mount Sinai) where that magnificent event unfolded.

This enormous difference between the Jewish religion and its counterfeit false religions derives from a simple reason: it is dangerous to lie with a partner. Every swindler founding a religion fears that one day a conflict with his partner in the founding of the religion will cause the partner to reveal the truth and declare: it is all a lie! There were no revelations and no prophecies. My colleague is simply a scammer! Judaism does not fear to proclaim that Hashem gave His Torah to the chosen people in front of the entire nation, as explicitly stated in the Torah. Moreover, it is implausible to 'insert' such a story into history and demand from an entire nation to observe Shabbat, lay tefillin, uphold family purity, etc., for immediately the listeners will ask the narrator: Why should we believe you, how is it possible that such an event - according to your words took place before all my ancestors, - was not known to my parents or their ancestors for generations until today. Why did they not observe and fulfill everything you are asking of me? Furthermore, if such a story were inserted into history with the claim that there was such an event and it was forgotten, etc., then: A. No one would accept such a claim, as it contradicts what is stated in the Torah itself, which never will be forgotten from the Jewish people (see Deuteronomy 31:21: 'For it shall not be forgotten out of the mouth of his seed'). B. If so, we should today know that there was such a story and it was forgotten, and some years ago someone somehow discovered it and published it. Yet, it is known to us that throughout all the years of the history of the Jewish people, the Torah has been passed down exactly as it is today, seamlessly from father to son, from the event at Mount Sinai to our present generation.