Beliefs And teachings (Judaism) Flashcards
Jews- key facts
Don't believe in Jesus Have Torah(similar to Bible) Eat Kosher food Worship at Synangogue Holocaust. Millions killed WW2 Torah. 613 Commandments Abraham & Moses were Jews 81% live in Israel and US(also France, UK & Canada) In U.K. West Yorkshire has largest groups Jewish population 13,580,000
Link Judaism/Christianity
Jesus was a Jew
Abraham 2000 years before Jesus( before that people worshipped lots of Gods). He was 1st person the 1 true God revealed himself to and the 1st Jew.
Through whole of Jewish history always the promise of a Messiah = Jesus. Some Jews don’t believe this and are still waiting
Jews also known as Israelites and Hebrews
Sacred scripture used is Torah- same as Old Testament to Christians
Monotheist
Believe in 1 God
Mono= 1 Thesit = to believe in God
The Jewish Bible/Jewish/Hebrew Scriptures/Tanakh( acronym of Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim)
Consists of
- The Law
- The prophets e.g. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Isiah, Jeremiah
- The Writings e.g. Psalms, proverbs, wisdom
It consists of same books as Old Testament but in a different order
Torah
5 books of the Jewish Bible - the written law.
Given to Moses over 3000 years ago on Mount Sinai. Today entire Torah is written by hand. People who write it (scribes) have to study to be able to do it.
Commandment says ‘ you will write them and not paint or type them’
Shema
A Jewish prayer found in the Torah. It states belief in 1 God
1st verse
“Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone”
Most important prayer for Jews ( like ‘Our Father’ for Christians)
They tie it in a box to forehead and arms
Diverse Jewish beliefs
An ultra Orthodox Jew - very strict, follows laws and practices in Torah
Orthodox Jew - strict
Reformed Jew - believes traditional laws should be re interpreted to suit modern life
Nature of God
- Omnipotent - all powerful
- Omniscient - all knowing
- Omnipresent - all present. Being everywhere at all times
God as lawgiver
To help people use their free will in the right way, God gave the Jews many laws that expects them to obey.
10 Commandments - given to Moses by God 3000 years ago
The Torah contains 613 Mitzvot ( Commandments)
God as judge
They believe God judges people on their ‘actions’ and ‘beliefs’. His judgements are always fair, just and merciful
All actions have consequences
During Rosh Hashannah ( Jewish New Year) it is a time to think, repent and pray for happiness.
Life after death
Most believe the good will enter heaven ‘Gan Eden’ and others will go to ‘Sheol’ (the Underworld) .
Some Jews believe that in the future they will be resurrected
Generally they prefer to think about the present and live a life that pleases God
The Devine Presence (Shekhinah)
Temple:the centre of Jewish worship at the time of Jesus where God was thought to reside.
Messiah:the future leader of the Jews who is expected to live on earth in the future. A descendant of King David.
Messianic age:a future time of global peace.
King David:famous King of ancient Israel chosen by God. A great warrior who defeated many of the Israelite’s enemies.
Orthodox Jews believe……
In every generation there is a descendant of King David who has the potential to be the Messiah.
The Messiah will rule over all humans with kindness and justice.
He will be the ultimate teacher of the Torah.
Reform Jews believe…
There will not be a Messiah.
There will be a future Messianic age.
Everyone will live in peace and harmony.
Abraham and the Covenant
Covenant:solemn promise or agreement between the Jews and God.
The Promised Land:Canaan (modern day Israel).
“I give all the land to you and your offspring forever”.
I will make the father of a great nation and I will bless you.
Jews believe God never has and never will break his side of the Covenant.
Jews focus on responsibilities of being chosen by God with no thought of superiority.
Circumcision:the removal of the foreskin from the penis as a side of sealing the Covenant.
Key moral principles in Judaism
Justice:a sacred duty that can only be achieved when accompanied by truth and peace. It can be defined as bringing about what is right and fair which is according to the law.
Healing the world:concept of repairing the world is very important in Judaism as many people see it as an action that draws people closer to God. Also volunteering for a charity that helps the poor and protects the environment.
Kindness:many of the laws of the Torah spell out how to be kind to others. They not only forbid murder and other negative actions but also provide positive laws to encourage acts of kindness.
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow as yourself”.
Help tackle Jewish poverty and provide assistance to people of all faiths and ethnicities.
“The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens, you shall love him as yourself for you were strangers in the land of Egypt”.
Jewish beliefs about the sanctity of life:
Life is incredible special and precious as it is a gift from God.
Under Jewish law Jews must preserve life particularly the innocent and vulnerable.
Human life should not be abused.
Only God should create and end life.
Abortion:the deliberate termination of a pregnancy.
Euthanasia (assisted suicide)
“Show respect for the elderly and revere God”. Leviticus 19.32.
God has a plan for us all. “Before you were formed I knew you”. Jeremiah.
Voluntary euthanasia:when a patient asks someone to help them die.
Terminal illness:an illness that cannot be cured and likely to result in death shortly.
Shabbat (Sabbath) Day of rest
From sunset Friday night until sunset Saturday evening.
Shabbat time to rest with family and worship God. No work.
Pikuach Nefesh
Obligation to save a life even if doing so breaks the law.
Jews believe that Pikuach Nefesh helps Jews respect the sanctity of life because humans have a responsibility in taking part in preserving life. Transplant surgery is a way of preserving life in cases of diseases or failure in certain organs.
The rule to save a life comes above all other rules.
Jews can break the law to save a life.
The Ten Commandments
Us and God: Worship no other God but me. Do not worship false idols. Do not use God's name for evil purposes. Keep the sabbath day holy.
Relationship with each other: Respect your father and mother. Do not commit murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not accuse anyone falsely (lie). Do not be jealous of other people's belongings.
A Second Covenant (Abraham)
Free will:
God allows Jews to make choices on how they live their lives. This came from Adam & Eve’s disobedience.
Acting in a way that pleases God brings fulfilment.
Using free will in the wrong way e.g. Murder, lying, stealing, cheating will not bring Jews to God and not leave to fulfilment.
At judgement day the consequences are severe.
Mitzvot (commandment or good deed):
There are 613 Mitzvot in the Torah.
Obeying them helps Jews bond with God. It makes it impossible to disobey God if you follow them.
The Mitzvot helps Jews to use their free will correctly and make responsible choices.
Star of David
A six pointed figure used as a Jewish and Israel symbol.
Ner Tamid
Lamp that burns perpetually in synagogues.
The Ark
Cupboard that houses the Torah.
Bimah
Altar in ancient and Orthodox Church.
Minyan
A meeting of Jews for public worship.
Menorah
Seven branched candelabra.
Rabbi’s seat/pulpit
Where the rabbi would sit in a service at the synagogue.
Daily services and prayer
Tallit- A prayer shawl. It is white with blue or black stripes. Reminds Jews that they are obeying God’s word when they wear it.
Tefillin- a pair of black leather boxes containing passages of scripture inc some of the words of the Shema. One fastened with leather straps to centre of forehead, the other is wound around the upper arm in line with the heart. Reminds Jews that during prayers that total concentration should be on God. Prayers should be completely from the heart
What is prayer?
Communicate, focus and become closer to God. Sense of community. Time for reflection
Jews expected to pray 3 times a day
The synagogue
Place of prayer, study, charitable work and a social centre.
Orthodox synagogue services
Person leading service has back to congregation facing Jerusalem.
Conducted in Hebrew
Men and woman separate
Can arrive at diff times
Men cover heads with a Kippah
Reform synagogue services
Do not hold daily services.
Person faces congregation
Musical instruments and choir
Men and women together
Services shorter and everyone arrives at same time
Men can choose whether to wear Kippah and women also some women do
The Passover (Pesach)
Jewish festival that celebrates the escape of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt,
‘When I see the blood I will passover you’
The Seder meal
Families celebrate the Passover by holding a Seder service and special meal
2 things from Seder meal
- Roasted egg
- Salt water
Importance of Passover
It shows that Jews really are God’s special people.
The retelling of the story ensures that younger children carry on the tradition.
It helps Jews feel empathy for people living in slavery today
