12 markers

Question 1

“Keeping the Mitzvot is the most important part of being a Jew.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* reach a justified conclusion.

Answer 1

AO2
Arguments for the statement:
 The mitzvot set the Jewish people apart, as the chosen ones of the
Almighty, remembering the covenant made with Moses
 Although some of the mitzvot may seem unnecessary in the
modern world, Orthodox Jews believe that one cannot understand
the mind of the Almighty, it is not to be questioned, ‘your
thoughts are not My thoughts’ (Isaiah 55:8)
 The Torah commands the Jewish people to keep the mitzvot;
’Behold, I have set before you the blessing and the curse
therefore, choose life!’ (Deuteronomy 11:26) showing that there
will be punishments if they are not followed.
Arguments against the statement:
 The Jewish belief of Pikuach Nefesh states that the preservation of
life is more important than keeping the mitzvot; therefore the food
laws do not have to be adhered to in times of extreme need, and
the Shabbat laws can be waived to save a life
 For Reform Judaism, the mitzvot are seen as inspired by the
Almighty but written by humans at a particular time in history,
and therefore they are open to be reinterpreted in light of modern
times
 Many of the mitzvot cannot be done outside of Israel, for example,
to bring the first harvest to the Temple, or do not apply to most
people, such as redeeming a firstling donkey with a sheep, so
while most Jewish people are not actively disobeying these
mitzvot, they cannot be said to find them important.

Question 2

“The characteristic which best describes the Almighty is that of Creator.” Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should: * refer to Jewish teachings * reach a justified conclusion. (15)

Question 3

“The Almighty should be the only judge needed in life.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* reach a justified conclusion.

Question 4

“Belief in life after death is important for Jews today.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* refer to different Jewish points of view
* reach a justified conclusion. (15)

Question 5

“Belief in the Messiah is important for Jews.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* refer to different Jewish points of view
* reach a justified conclusion. (15)

Question 6

“The most important Covenant for the Jews was the one at Sinai.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* reach a justified conclusion.

Question 7

“Private prayer is more important than public worship.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* reach a justified conclusion. (12)

Question 8

“Jewish food laws are as important today as when they were written.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* reach a justified conclusion. (12)

Question 9

“Jewish mourning rituals are still important today.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* refer to different Jewish points of view
* reach a justified conclusion. (12)

Question 10

“All Jews should worship in a synagogue.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* reach a justified conclusion. (12)

Question 11

“Marriage is the most important Jewish ritual.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* reach a justified conclusion. (12)

Question 12

“Jewish festivals have less religious importance now.”
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response you should:
* refer to Jewish teachings
* refer to different Jewish points of view
* reach a justified conclusion.