Jewish ethics

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Questions of right and wrong considered within a Jewish context. In Judaism, guidance over moral issues and social conduct is given in the Torah, which is believed to come directly from God through Moses. The Torah contains 613 mitzvot (commandments), including the Ten Commandments, that Jews should follow in order to serve God, develop the self, and hasten the coming of the Messianic age, a time of world peace and holiness.

Jews believe that God showed Moses how to use and interpret the commandments, passed down in the oral tradition, so that the Torah could be applied to new situations. The priests, prophets, and biblical judges gave guidance over the interpretation of the Torah, and this was eventually written down in the Talmud, a compilation of Jewish law and tradition. Jewish laws can be condensed to three basic rules: follow the laws, worship God, and show kindness to all. Jews are bound by the Talmud to follow the secular law of the land that they live in, unless it violates human rights or prevents them from practising their religion.

Red and white are traditional colours, dating back to the flag of 19th-century Samoan king, Malietoa Laupepa. The Southern Cross constellation links Samoa to other countries in the southern hemisphere. Effective date: 4 July 1997. >>