Beliefs & Teachings - Nature Of God Flashcards
Omniscient
The Jewish belief that God is all-knowing.
Omnipotent
The Jewish belief that God is all-powerful, and has the ability to control everything in the world around us.
Omnipresent
The Jewish belief that God is everywhere.
Monotheism
The belief in One God. This is central in Judaism.
How is reverence (deep respect and awe) for God portrayed by some observant Jews?
Reverence is so important to some Jews that they write ‘G-d’ instead of ‘God’ to show their respect.
What central prayer of Judaism affirms their belief that there is only one God?
The Shema prayer. It is made up of three passages from the Torah, and is the most important prayer in Judaism.
How does the Torah begin?
The Torah begins by showing how God created the world.
“In the beginning God created heaven and earth” Genesis 1:1
How do Jewish beliefs about the creation story differ?
- Some Jews believe that every detail of the creation story in the Torah is true, God literally created the world in six days.
- Others believe that the details are examples, but are not meant to be taken literally.
What are the Jewish beliefs about creation?
For many Jews, the world is too wonderful and complex to have happened by chance. Therefore it must have had a creator.
How is God viewed as a law-giver in Judaism?
Jews believe that God revealed to Moses the laws that are expected of all Jews.
God judges how each Jew follows the laws of the Ten Commandments. By obeying the laws, Jews are forming a close relationship with God.
What do Jews believe about God as a judge?
Judaism teaches that God is a God of both justice and mercy, and that he will judge each person.
“You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness”
It is believed that God will judge every person at Rosh Hashanah.
What is the Shekhinah?
The shekhinah is the place where God’s presence rests and can be felt.
What are the different Jewish views on where the Shekhinah rested after the destruction of the temple?
- Some believe that it followed the Jews into exile.
- Some believe it never fully left the temple area, which is why Israel has a special spiritual quality.
- Some believe it is not limited to one place.
