Does Judaism Have an Essence?

From Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's book, Jewish Wisdom:

God's First Questions

In the hour when an individual is brought before the heavenly court for judgment, the person is asked:

Did you conduct your [business] affairs honestly?

Did you set aside regular time for Torah study?

Did you work at having children? [hahahahahahah - oops - sorry - that just slipped out - my laughter is evidence that I am choosing to read this incorrectly]

Did you look forward to the world's redemption?

              - - Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a

Note that the first question asked in heaven is not "did you believe in God?" or "Did you observe all the rituals?" but "Were you honest in business?" 

...The above passage unequivocally asserts that ethics is at Judaism's core;  God's first concern is with a person's decency.

The second question concerns Torah study, for Judaism teaches that through studying Torah, a person learns how to be fully moral, and how to be a part of the Jewish people.

Third comes having children (those who are childless can adopt).  Rabbi Irving Greenberg notes that raising a family fulfills the "convenental obligation to pass on the dream and work of perfecting the world for another generation."

Fourth is hoping for and working toward this very perfection.  The first three questions address "micro issues," matters that would be sufficient were Judaism exclusively addressed to the individual.  But Jews are also a part of a people and a broader world, and Judaism imposes upon the Jewish people the obligation to help bring about tikkun olam, the repair (or perfection) of the world.  In a frequently quoted passage in the Ethics of the Fathers (2:21), Rabbi Tarfon teaches, "It is not your obligation to complete the task [of perfecting the world], but neither are you free to desist [from doing all you can]."