9.3 God As Lawgiver, Judge And Divine Presence

Question 1

Explain God as lawgiver?

Answer 1

God has given Jews many laws that he expects them to obey so that they can exercise their free will in the way he would like them to. The foundations for these laws are the Ten Commandments given to Moses. Although there are 613 laws in the Torah that govern how people should behave. These are called mitzvot and they form the basis of Halakhah, the accepted code of conduct for Jewish life. By obeying these laws Jews believe they are doing what God requires of them and fulfilling his will.

Question 2

How does God judge people?

Answer 2

Jews believe God judges them on how well they follow his laws whether they are Jew or not. There are two main times when this judgement happens: the festival of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year), and after death.

Question 3

Shekhinah

Answer 3

Gods manifested glory or divine presence referring to his presence on earth.

Question 4

The tabernacle

Answer 4

Many writings refer to a tabernacle being carried by the Jews across Egypt containing the divine presence of God.
After Canaan was conquered it was replaced with Solomons temple