3.0 Judaism

Question 1

What are Maimonides’ Principles of Faith?

Answer 1

Thirteen principle beliefs in the Torah which are essential to most forms of Judaism.

Question 2

“Hashem brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm.”

Answer 2

This quote shows that God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent and justice.

Question 3

How is the belief “God as One” shown.

Answer 3

“The Lord our God, The Lord is One”, reverence for God, monotheism, “do not worship false idols”.

Question 4

How is the belief “God as Creator” shown.

Answer 4

Christian creation story, “Let there be light”, day of rest and spiritual renewal, reflection on heritage.

Question 5

How is the belief “God as law-giver” shown.

Answer 5

613 mitzvot, commandments split up into three groups 1. Between God + Man. 2. Between Man + Family. 3. Between Man + Man.

Question 6

How is the belief “God as Judge” shown.

Answer 6

Jews are judged annually between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, “You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness”, scales balance good and bad deeds.

Question 7

How is the belief “Shekinah” shown.

Answer 7

Divine presence, can be felt through prayer, study and worship, presence can be felt at the Western Wall, Ner Tamid, eternal light in synagogue.

Question 8

Why do Jews not accept Jesus as the Messiah?

Answer 8

No universal peace, Messiah is not supernatural, Jesus didn’t rebuild the temple nor unite people under one authority, etc.

Question 9

“I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.”

Answer 9

Jews will all come together and live among each other and no longer take each other for granted.

Question 10

“One king shall be king over them all”.

Answer 10

There will be only one ruler/authority figure. (David)

Question 11

“I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them”.

Answer 11

People will be washed of all sin and be allowed the change to start fresh.

Question 12

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.”

Answer 12

There will be universal peace.

Question 13

What is a covenant?

Answer 13

An agreement between two parties.

Question 14

“You will have as many sons as there are stars in the sky”.

Answer 14

All Jews consider themselves descendants of Abraham.

Question 15

What did God promise to do in the covenant with Abraham?

Answer 15

Make his descendants into a great nation, give Canaan to his descendants and give the ritual of circumcision.

Question 16

What did Abraham promise to do in the covenant with God?

Answer 16

Circumcise his son.

Question 17

How does this covenant influence Jews?

Answer 17

Influences them to: circumcise their sons, live in the Promised Land, feel connected to each other, unite as one nation, be faithful to God and preach monotheism.

Question 18

Describe the story of Moses. (6)

Answer 18

1. Moses is abandoned by his mother because the Egyptians are killing the first born son.
2. Moses becomes Prince of Egypt and rises up against the Pharaoh.
3. Moses finds a burning bush and speaks to God through it. God tells him to free his people and bring them to the Promised Land.
4. Moses inflicts plagues on the people of Egypt which convinces Pharaoh to free the Israelites.
5. Moses parts the Red Sea. However, Pharaoh sends an army after them. Moses makes the waters returns and kills the army.
6. Moses receives the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.

Question 19

“The blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God.”

Answer 19

Those who follow the 613 mitzvot will be blessed, those who don’t will be cursed.

Question 20

“That which is hateful unto you do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole of the Torah, The rest is commentary. Go forth and study.”

Answer 20

The only important belief is treating others as you would have them treat you. You should “study” this, in the form of being good to people. The rest of the Torah is irrelevant and just a story.

Question 21

Why is Pikauch Nefesh important to Jews?

Answer 21

“Sanctity of life”: life is given by god, it is holy and sacred, “live by the Torah, not die for it”, rules in the Torah shouldn’t dictate your life.

Question 22

“My God, the soul you placed within me is pure. You created it, you fashioned it, you breathed it into me.”

Answer 22

All life is made in His image and is to be used wisely. Influences Jews to worship God because of His sheer omnibenevolence towards humans.

Question 23

What is free will?

Answer 23

The ability to freely make good or bad decisions and lead your own life.

Question 24

“Without your consent you were born, and without your consent you live, and without consent you die”.

Answer 24

God is the creator of all life and he decides when people are born and when people die.

Question 25

“From his dwelling place he watches all who live on Earth”.

Answer 25

God watches over Earth and provides protection.

Question 26

What are some beliefs about free will?

Answer 26

No belief in the devil, inclination to do good (Yetzer ha tov) or bad (Yetzer ha ra) and evil is created when there is an imbalance, sin can be atoned through prayer, giving to charity and repentance and evil acts cannot be hidden from God.