What are the major differences between Judaism and Islam?

I'm afraid you've been given some incorrect information, both here and in your theology class...

Firstly to correct an answer given here: Jesus doesn't feature in Judaism AT ALL. Never did. Whereas in Islam, he is a prophet.

There are many differences between the two faiths. Frankly, any similarities are purely because Mohammed began by preaching to the Jews - but when they refused to abandon Judaism to become Muslims, he turned on them, though that didn't stop him 'borrowing' certain aspects OF Judaism. For example: the ban on eating pork, praying several times a day and a few other things.

But these superficial things aside, they are TOTALLY different. Islam is a faith and a political system. The Quran orders all 'true' Muslims to work towards establishing Sharia Law in NON Muslim nations, the ultimate aim being to turn the world into one huge, global 'Caliphate'.

Islam also views ALL NON MUSLIMS as inferior, as 'infidels'. Non Muslims living in Muslim countries are 'dhimmis'. They have no legal rights.

Judaism is not like this at all. It does not claim to be the 'only' path to G-d, just ONE path to G-d. Nor do Jews EVER EVER EVER seek to impose Jewish religious laws onto NON Jews.

The one Jewish state, Israel, is a secular democracy.

The Muslim states are all theocracies and Turkey aside, they are NOT democratic.

Islam: says that anyone leaving Muslim should be punished by death.

Judaism: Jews can and do convert OUT of Judaism. If they choose to return, they are welcome but only if they give up the other faith and return properly to the Jewish religion.

The Islamic holy text, the Quran is FULL of hate towards non Muslims. It's all there in black and white.

The Jewish Tanakh does not express anything like this level of hatred for those outside the faith. It is more of a history book of the Jewish people.

For more info:

Islam: http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

Judaism: http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org/

Here's 2 books for you" "Children of Abraham : An Introduction to Islam for Jews" by Khalid Duran "Children of Abraham: An Introduction to Judaism for Muslims" by Reuven Firestone

Muslims believe that Mohammad was a prophet.

Plus the whole Jihad thing and the caliphs and so on.

Let me tell you the story behind Islam from what I have learned. Mohammad was a trader just like many of the other Arabs in the city of Mecca.

He one day had an encounter with that angel Gabriel and he was told that he was a prophet and founder of the new religion Islam.

So he spread his faith across Mecca and apparently the leaders of the city didn't like him, so he had to take his flight to Medina. He then assembles an army of his followers and takes over Mecca.

He continued his jihad all over the Arabian peninsula before he died. Then they needed a successor the someone called a caliph (I think it was Abu that succeeded Mohammad) and lead the Muslims to take over more of the known Earth.

They got as far as the frank kingdoms before they were halted back.

Islam is basically a rip off of Judaism. many ayahs in the Qur'an are word for word ripped of from the Gemara(commentary portion of the Talmud)

The only differences are the additional scripture and holy text appended to Islam centuries later. They, along with Christianity, are the Abrahamic faiths, who all believe in the same God but have vastly different dogma.

Unfortunately, some adherents of all three religions despise one another so much that they won't even admit that they worship the same deity.

Although, to be fair, it's incredibly hilarious in an ironic sense to call Allah a false God. Then again, it's kind of sad since they're technically blaspheming their own deity.

I JUST LET YOU KNOW,

He is the same God came to Moses and man before Mohammad or Jesus,and He prescribe to the need of mankind as it is needed ,due to their state of mind and development.

Jews follow the (LORD) YAHWEH, and Muslims follow Allah.

Edit: Dear questioner: Muslims do not follow my JESUS. He is the LORD CREATOR. Your Jesus (I am presuming you are Muslim) is a false Jesus.

Judaism isn't dogmatic in its practice.

they followed significantly different prophets for one. In both religions, Jesus is an important figure, but not the son of god. They are similar to each other, but not so much as you would think.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Judaism+vs.+Islam