The history of the Jewish people is found in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, which together comprise what Christians call the Old Testament. A second great body of writings, the Talmud, begun as an exegetical commentary on Scripture, and including other religious wisdom, was written over the period of a millennium following the time of exile.
Jewish beliefs center on the Exodus.
Beliefs and morals, ritual and custom, all are derived from the covenant made at Sinai. On a number of occasions attempts to summarize Jewish belief have been made. Many of these began with the twelfth century creed authored by Moses Maimonides, the most acceptable traditional summary of Jewish belief. In 13 statements, Maimonides affirmed belief in one God who is incorporeal and eternal, the only object of true prayer. The biblical Moses is cited as the greatest prophet due to his reception of God's law which will never be changed or outmoded.