1.7:Moral Principles and the Mitzvot Flashcards
How is the Mitzvot explained from the Torah?
- According to Jewish tradition, God gave the Mitzvot to Moses in the form of the ‘Oral Torah’ which was passed on by priests, judges and later rabbis.
- The Oral and Written Torah formed the halakhah.
- The great rabbi Judah the Prince decided that the Oral Torah should be written down to prevent different forms of the halakhah developing. So, he compiled the Mishneh.
- The rabbi’s discussions on the Mishneh were written down in the Talmud.
What does Judaism teach about the Mitzvot and free-will?
- Although the Mitzvot are commandments, Jews must choose whether or not to follow them of their own free-will.
- Judaism understands humans being made in God’s image to mean that just as God is free to whatever he wants, humans have been created with free-will: everyone is free to choose wheter to do good or evil.
- In particular, Jews can choose wheher to obey the Mitzvot, or to ignore them, which means it is something on which they can be judged.
What does Deuteronomy 11:26 say about the Mitzvot?
“I present before you a blessing and a curse”
Why is the Mitzvot important in understanding the relationship between humans and the Almighty?
- The Mitzvot are acts in which show Jews how to live thier lives, and so observing them strengthens their relationship with the Almighty.
- Observing the Mitzvot is one way in which Jews can show God gratitude for rescuing them from slavery in Egypt.
- Jews believe they should observe the Mitzvot as it gives religious significance to their everyday lives.
- Some Jews believe that the Mitzvot has too many rules and so removes spirituality from their lives.
- The Mitzvot reflects Judaism’s understanding of what it means to live a Jewish life.
- Some commentators believ that law was a kindly gift from God and not a set of rules to help the Jewish people govern.
What is the importance of the Mitzvot in understanding relationships between humans?
- Acts of loving kindness can be performed by anyone.
- Acts of loving kindness include visiting the sick, comforting mourners, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor.
- Mitzvah can also mean ‘good dead’
- The list of Jewish commandments show that Jews must behave well towards others.
Why is the Mitzvot important for Jews today?
- The Talmud is the starting point for modern day questions such as the permisssbility of organ donation or abortion.
- The Mitzvot makes Judaism a living religion, which considers modern day issues in light of tradition.
- Each rabbi looks for guidance in ancient texts for modern day challenges.
- The Mitzvot continues to guide Jewish life.
- Some laws are not practiced today e.g sacrificing animals.
- Jews belive the study of the Torah and Talmud is a public act of worship.
- Some Mitzvot come with no given, e.g keeping kosher food laws, and so it is important to understand that God gave these as a test of faith.
Why are the Mitzvot important to Orthodox Jews?
- The Mitzvot are extremely important to Orthodox Jews as they believe they are God’s direct words to Moses and they cover the whole of life.
- For Orthdox, there is a right way and a wrong wya of doing everything, cleaning the kitchen, growing crops etc.
Why are the Mitzvot not as important to Liberal Jews?
- They dont believe the Mitzvot came directly from God, and so observing them is a matter of personal choice.
What do Jews do if they keep the Mitzvot?
- They communicate with God, and in a true way, become ‘The People of God’
What does Deuteronomy say will happen to people who obey the Mitzvot?
If people keep to God’s commands and laws, they will live and increase, and the Lord God will bless them.
What does Deuteronomy say about choosing to obey the Mitzvot?
- That choosing to obey the Mitzvot is a life or death choice.
- “I set before you life and death “ (Deuteronomy 30:19)
What does the Talmud say about the purpose of the Mitzvot?
“The Mitzvot were given for the purpose of refining people”
What does Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah say about the Mitzvot?
“Doing mitzvahs with joy and loving God, who gave them to us, is a great form of divine service”
