3. Judaism- Beliefs Flashcards
The ‘Jewish Bible’ or Tenakh. Made up of:
- Torah - written law (first 5 books, e.g. Genesis) • -Nebi’im - Prophets e.g. Jeremiah
- Ketuim - Writings e.g. Psalms
Talmud
Explanation of the Torah by the rabbis Also called the ‘oral law’.
Three categories of Jewish belief:
Orthodox Jews
Ultra-Orthodox
Reform Jews
Reform Jews tend to …?
Follow the spirit of the law – not the specific laws
Beliefs about God
- God has no body (scripture speaks of God’s body, hand, wings, God walking… but these are figures of speech to make God more understandable
- God is neither male nor female - follows from the belief God has no physical form
- Jews refer to G-d using masculine terms (he) for convenience
- Jews are forbidden from representing God in a physical form – it is considered idolatry.
Jews Believe God is (4)
OMNIPOTENT: God is all powerful
OMNISCIENT: God is all knowing
OMNIPRESENT: God is everywhere at once
- Belief in one God is the most basic principle in Judaism.
- This makes Judaism a monotheistic religion.
Characteristics of G-d
Merciful (forgiving) One Creator Sustainer The divine presence Judge Lawgiver
God as one means….
- God is a single, whole, indivisible being
- Everything in the universe has been created and is sustained by God
- God is the only being who should be praised and worshipped
Teaching from Shema
‘The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.’
Confirms there is one God. God is single, whole, indivisible, eternal.
God is ever present, so….?
Every experience Jews have is considered to be a meeting with God.
Importance of the Shema (3)
• Expresses belief in the one God
• Instructs Jews on how they should respond to this
belief in daily life
• It is the word of God
God as Creator beliefs (Orthodox and Reform)
Jews believe God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis)
• Orthodox: God literally made the world in six days - they reject the Big Bang and evolution
• Reform: God created the world using the Big Bang and evolution
Bible evidence for God as Creator
I am the Lord … I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster.’ Isaiah 45:6-7
Beliefs about evil and free will
- As creator of everything, God created evil
- However, he gave humans free will – the ability to make their own choices (Adam & Eve)
- Having a choice makes a good act more significant
God the Sustainer? And helping those in need
- God sustains the universe – provides everything needed for life
- But humans have distributed resources (food, water etc.) unequally so some people have less than they need.
- Jews who choose to help those in need are therefore helping fulfil God’s plan for creation.
God as Lawgiver-The mitzvot?
• A mitzvah is a Jewish law (commandment)
• In the Torah, God gives Jews 613 mitzvot (plural) to
follow.
• These are the accepted code of conduct for Jewish life today.
• The first ten mitzvot are the ten commandments x the most important of all laws.
Ten Commandments formation (4 and 6)
- The first four commandments are between man and God
2. The other six are how to treat others - man and man
How the mitzvot aid free will?
- Following the mitzvot makes it impossible to disobey God
- The mitzvot guide Jews on how to use their free will correctly – to live in a way that pleases God
- There are consequences for bad actions (Adam & Eve)
God as Judge meaning?
• God judges Jews on how well they follow the laws
• God’s judgements are fair and merciful (forgiving)
• Good actions bring Jews closer to God and ensure
favourable judgement
• Bad actions lead people away from God
Jews believe they are judged:
- Once a year (at new year - Rosh Hashanah)
2. When they die
General beliefs about life after death
Many different beliefs - not much written about it. Most believe it is more important to please God in the present
Specific Beliefs about life after death
-Heaven
Most Jews believe in heaven (paradise or Gan Eden). A place where you are WITH GOD. Whether it is a physical or spiritual place is unknown.
-Sheol
If you don’t enter heaven you go to Sheol where you are cleansed. No belief in eternal punishment
Beliefs about resurrection
-Resurrection
Some believe in physical or spiritual resurrection but most do not.
What is the Shekhinah
Jews believe that G-d can ‘focus his presence’ on earth in certain places. This is the Shekhinah.
Origin desert story of shekhinah
- The Tabernacle was believed to house the Shekhinah
- While in the desert, Jews were led by a ‘pillar of fire’ or a ‘cloud’ – thought to be the Shekhinah
- When they reached the ‘promised land’, the Temple in Jerusalem became home to the Shekhinah
Quote supporting tabernacle shekinhah
‘I beheld my Lord seated on a high and lofty throne’ (Isaiah 6:1)
Some believe the Shekhinah is the….?
Feminine presence of God (because in Hebrew it is a feminine word).
How do Jews believe the Shekhinah is brought to a place?
By doing good work…eg. Justice, kindness, healing the world (supporting charities etc).
What are the 3 moral principals
- Justice: bringing about what is right and fair for a just society. Everyone must follow the Torah and help others
- Healing the world: charity work - also obeying the mitzvot and prayer
- Kindness to others: the Torah encourages acts of kindness to all (whether Jew or non Jew)
Who is the Messiah?
Future leader of the Jews, expected to live on earth and bring peace to the whole world.
Orthodox beliefs about the Messiah
- In every generation a descendent of King David is born with the potential to be the Messiah (a person).
- Will bring about world peace
- This is called the Messianic age
- He will be the ultimate teacher of the Torah (law).
- He will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
- These beliefs are outlined in the Torah
Reform beliefs about the Messiah
- The Messiah will not be a person….
- Instead, there will be a ‘messianic age’ - a time of global peace and harmony
- Everyone has a duty to work together to achieve this
Quote about messianic age
‘Nations shall never again go to war.’ Micah 4:3
What is The Sanctity of Life?
- Life is sacred and holy because it comes from God - God breathes life into Adam
- As God gives life, only God should end life
What does The Sanctity of Life mean for Jews?
- Jews have a duty to preserve life – particularly those of innocent, vulnerable people
- Jews should not do anything to quicken a person’s natural death
Because lf The Sanctity of Life, Jews are against…?
euthanasia, war, abortion, death penalty etc.
Meaning of Pikuach nefesh
saving a life
What is Pikuach nefesh
- The Jewish obligation (duty) to save a life even if it means breaking Jewish laws (e.g. Shabbat)…..
- This rule overrides all other rules/laws…it shows the importance of life
Because of pikuach nefesh, many Jews….?
Give blood and/or donate their organs on death.
What is a covenant?
Solemn promise or agreement between two people or groups of people
What was God’s covenant in his covenant with Abraham?
- To protect and favour the Israelites (Jews/Hebrews)
* To give Abraham and his descendants a special land (country) in which to live - the promised land.
What was The Jews’ covenant in his covenant with Abraham?
To live a life dedicated to God
Quote from God’s covenant with Abraham
‘I give this land to you and your offspring forever’ (Gen 13:15)
Background info of THE SINAI COVENANT A.K.A.THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
After this ‘exodus’ from Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years on their way to the ‘promised land’ of Canaan.
About three months in, they all camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. On the mountain, God appeared to Moses and made a covenant with him.
God declared that the Israelites were his special, chosen people and gave Moses his laws (the Ten Commandments) on two stone tablets. These set out the basic principles that would govern the Israelites’ lives.
God’s part of THE SINAI COVENANT
To protect and bless the Israelites always, as God’s special, chosen people.
The Jews’ part of THE SINAI COVENANT
To listen to God and obey his laws.
What does Moses represent?
ALL Jews - Jews today belive this covenant is STILL BINDING. It is a major reason Jews believe they are God’s unique ‘chosen people’.
Mishnah
Oral part of Torah
Gemara
The component of the Talmud comprising rabbinical analysis of and commentary on the Mishnah.
What is the Shema?
The Shema is regarded by many Jews as the most important prayer in Judaism. This is because it reminds them of the key principle of the faith - there is only one God.
