Bible Test Flashcards
What are places of worship called
Synagogues
5 of 10 countries
Israel United Kingdom USA France Canada
What separates the Jewish understanding of the nature of God from other early religious
The Jews viewed God as intensely personal, with a single, supreme, native transcending will (monotheistic)
What 3 ways does Huston Smith say Judaism is a materialistic religion
1) that the material aspects of life are important
2) that matter can participate in the condition of salvation itself
3) the nature can host the divine
What does Judaism teach about Gods relationship with earth, humankinds relafkonsjip with earth and the evil/good of the earth
God created the world and both he and it are good. Origins give life meaning. Sin made creation not good. Man has dominion over the world.
What about humans does smith attribute to the fact they are created from dust
It says they will have physical weakness, pain, short lives.
What does smith mean when he says that humans are divine
A little lower than Angels
What is the most basic limitation of humankind according to Judaism
Moral weakness
How many laws are in the Old Testament
613
What are the central contents of the Old Testament
10 commandments
Two styles of law in the Old Testament
Apodictic: General laws
Casuistic: specific cases
3 types of content contained in the Old Testament laws
Ritual
Civil
Ethical
What does prophet mean
“Speak for” God
Three eras of prophecy and how do they differ
1) prophetic guilds
2) pre-written prophets: individual ethics
3) written prophets: societal issues
How do Jews believe history relates to God
History is the story of Gods work In the world. Gives Jews unity.
What are the two ideas behind the prophetic principle
Social injustice
Political instability
How do Jews traditionally interpret suffering and in what way do they find suffering meaningful?
Suffering is God’s punishment for disobedience. They see it as a means of purification
What are some of the ideas about the messiah that have remained constant
Hope
National resurgence
Spiritual improvement
What are three areas of messianic understanding they Jews don’t always after about
Arrival of messiah (king or priest)
Future of society (restoration/utopian)
End times
What two things did God reveal himself to the Jews
His nature
His will
What event is Gods central revelation to the Jews
Exodus
Who’s role replaced the priests
Rabbi
What important event for modern Judaism occurred in 70 AD
Temple was destroye
What does one rabbinic tradition suggest is the reason the Jews were Gods chosen people
God offered his revelation to everyone but no one wanted to take on the rules and regulations except the Jews, but they weren’t ready to take it on. Jews see this choosing as an obligation to serve and suffer. They suffer so others don’t have to.
