1.1 - ethical monotheism

Question 1

what is ethical monotheism?

Answer 1

the belief in one god, who is the creator and sustainer of all, who guides morality through his principles and demands ethical behaviour from his followers

Question 2

god’s nature in ethical monotheism

Answer 2

god is one, no physical form, is beyond human comprehension, alone worthy of judgement and the ultimate judge of who rewards and punishes

Question 3

shema prayer - most important expression of god

Answer 3

“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One’ (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Question 4

importance of shema prayer

Answer 4

• it introduces the central belief of judaism and the basis of the faith
• it is the creed (formal statement of faith) that is recited over a newborn baby
• it is taken literally and a tiny parchment containing Shema is found in a mezuzah (container) of the doorsteps of jewish homes

Question 5

what did Dan Cohn Sherbok say about ethical monotheism?

Answer 5

he highlights judaism as a form of moral responsibility, where belief in god is inseparable from ethical living

Question 6

what did George Robinson contribute to ethical monotheism?

Answer 6

he discusses the communal aspect, emphasising that Jewish identity is built around faith in one God and the ethical responsibilities towords others

Question 8

why are jews seen as chosen people?

Answer 8

• god selected the jewish nation from all other peoples due to an act of divine love
• isreal was thus given a mission to bear divine truth to humanity
• rabbis argued they were chosen because of their acceptance of the torah

Question 9

how are obligations of jews seen as an example of living in accodance with god’s will?

Answer 9

• god’s choice of isreal as the holy nation and the jews as the chosen people came with responsibilities
• jews are obligated to keep god’s statutes and observe his laws to keep in accordance with one universal god
• these obligations of god will bring them salvation

Question 10

ethical monotheism vs secular ethics

Answer 10

• ethical monotheism roots morality in divine will
• secular ethics bases it on human reason and social contracts

Question 11

how does ethical monotheism link to divine justice?

Answer 11

god rewards righteousness and punishes wrongs, reinforcing a link between faith and moral action

Question 12

what are the two key categories of ethical obligations in judaism?

Answer 12

mitzvot bein adam le-chavero (obligations between people)
mitzvot bein adam le-makom (obligations between humans and god)