beliefs and teachings - diversity of jewish belief Flashcards
when and where judaism was originated?
Middle East over 3500 years ago
who founded judaism?
Moses
who do jews trace their history back to who?
their patriarch, Abraham
what do jews believe that there is only one of?
god - monotheism
what do they believe that they have what with god
a covenant
what do jewish people do in exchange for all the good that god has done for them?
keep god’s laws
try to bring holiness into every aspect of their lives
what is their most important religious document?
the torah
what is Orthodox Judaism?
maintains the most traditional beliefs and practices of the religion
what do orthodox jews strictly observe? (2)
the dietary laws also known as kosher
practices of sabbath which are often marked by their ways of dress
what do orthodox men undergo at 8 days old?
circumcision
as adults what do men and women wear?
men - wear black suits and hats
women - hats, head covering, dress modestly
what are orthodox synagogues like?
gender segregated
what do orthodox male and females have within society?
clear and distinct roles
when did reform Judaism begun?
19th century
what do reform jews reject?
reject what they see as outdated practices of Orthodox Jews
what do reform jews focus less on?
instead, what do they focus on more?
focus less traditional rituals, commandments and practices
focus more on the ethical dimensions of the faith
some reform jews may moved sabbath from what day to?
from Saturday to Sunday
reform jews may read the torah in what language instead of what?
vernacular language instead of Hebrew
what does vernacular language mean?
everyday language, including slang, that’s used by the people
what do reform jews set aside?(2)
kosher dietary laws
distinctive ways of dressing
what do reform jews also have a different approach beliefs about?(2)
the jewish messiah
discard circumcision and replaced it with a ceremony called ‘brit shalom’
what is secular judaism?
identify as jewish culturally, but not religiously
passed down through maternal bloodlines
do not believe in god or practice the jewish faith
what is the Rabbi Moses Maimonides also known as?
the rambam
what is the Rabbi Moses Maimonides regarded as?
one of the most influential jewish scholars of the Middle Ages
what was the Rabbi’s work used by? why?
used by jewish, christian and muslims scholars
to help them gain a greater understanding of god
what did the rabbi produce for what he refers to as what?
the thirteen fundamental principles
what did the Rabbi refer his principles of faith as?
the fundamental truths of our religion and its very foundations
what are the 13 principles?
- god exists, perfect, eternal and the cause of all that exists
- god is one and monotheism
- god is spiritual - without a body
- god existed prior to all else + creation ex nihilo
- god should be the only object of worship and praise
prophets and prophecy exist - Moses was the greatest prophet who ever lived
- torah is from heaven.
- torah will never changed, nothing will be added or subtracted to it. god will never give another law
- god knows the actions of humans + not neglectful of them
- god rewards those obey the commands of the torah and punishes those who violate its prohibitions
- days of messiah will come - messianic age
- the dead will be resurrected
