Book 1 - History

Question 1

What is the Nature of God

Answer 1

• All powerful, Knowing, benevolent, present, uncreated
  2 Aspects
• Transcendence (awe, respect, fear)
• Immanence (Familiarity)

Question 2

Jews as the Chosen people

Answer 2

• God has shown his love to his people in history )Hesed
• This special relationship causes Jews to say they are the Chosen ones
• Gives them a responsibility

Question 3

The Shema’s usage

Answer 3

• Centre piece of morning and evening prayer
• Small boxes with the Shema on their forehead and left arm
  -Mezuzah (cylindrical containers) on their door posts with the shema
• Children recite the Shema before bed
• Shema as last words

Question 4

What is the Shema

Answer 4

Belief in one God, and the Jew’s special relationship with God
- Summarised in the Shema
- Shema Yisreal means “Hear O Israel”

Question 5

Describe Noah’s Covenant with God

Answer 5

Covenant established with descendents and every creature with Noah
- Never a flood to destroy the earth

Sign of Covenant
- The rainbow - between God and the Earth

Question 6

Noahide Code (7 laws)

Answer 6

1. No Idolatry
2. No Blasphemy
3. No murder
4. No stealing
5. No adultery
6. No flesh from a live animal
7. Setup a legal system, promote justice

Question 7

Describe Abraham’s Covenant with God

Answer 7

Part 1, Abraham promised
- A great nation
- Great name
- Bless his allies, curse his enemies and all families blessed

Part 2
- as many descendents as stars
- Animals sacrificed, cut in half (except the birds)
- Flaming torch between the sacrificed animals (dream)
- Breakers of the covenant split in two
- Descendents given land

Part 3
- Sign of covenant, Circumcision (cultural continuity)
- Every make when they are 8

Question 8

Describe Moses’ Covenant with God

Answer 8

On Mt Sinai
- Moses talks to God face to face
- Israelites formed into treasured people
- Priestly kingdom, holy nation
- Given 10 commandments, Mitzvot
- Ark of Covenant made - containing 10 Commandments
Sign of Covenant
- Sacrifices’ blood dashed on the alter and people

Question 9

Major Divisions of Judaism

Answer 9

Sephardic Jews
- South Europe
- Lived under Muslim rule, kicked out of Spain
- 17% of Jews
Ashkenazim
- Lived under Christian rule
- Hasidic Jews, Orthodox, Conservative and Reform

Question 10

Describe Hasidic Judaism

Answer 10

• More Happy Jewish worship
• Wear black wide brimmed hats
• Very Modest

Question 11

Describe and differentiate the Other Divsions of Ashkenazim Jews

Answer 11

• Orthodox - Literalists, Torah revealed to Moses are binding and unchanging
• Conservative - Torah is sacred, not dictated to Moses, upholds 613 and can be reinterpreted.
• Reform - Most gave up the faith, very secular and liberal