Component 3 Route A: Study of a World Faith [judaism] Flashcards
What are the Ten Commandments?
Ten duties given by G-d to Moses which form the basis of Jewish belief.
E.g. Do not kill.
What is the Shekinhah?
The place where G-d’s presence rests and can be felt.
E.g. Psalm 74:2 on Mount Zion.
What is the Shema?
A prayer declaring Jewish faith that is said twice a day.
What is Pikuach Nefesh?
The obligation to save life whenever possible which may include breaking a mitzvah.
E.g. Giving medical treatment on Shabbat.
What is the Torah?
The holiest book in the Tenakh. It is the five books of Moses which are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
What is the Mitzvot?
The duties such as the 613 in the Torah and good deeds.
E.g. Keep the Sabbath holy by not cooking.
What is the Messiah?
The anointed one who Jews believe will bring in a new era or age for humankind.
E.g. Rebuilding the temple and bringing universal peace.
What is a covenant?
A promise or agreement between two parties.
E.g. Covenants made between God and Noah, Abraham and Moses.
What are the different types of Jews?
> orthodox Jews.
reform Jews.
conservative Jews.
What is meant by the term ‘G-d as one’?
> the Shema in the mezuzah and tefillin affirms that there is only one G-d.
Jews believe in monotheism.
synagogues will not have statues or human being representation in the design of their synagogues to show their belief in one G-d.
anything with G-d’s name in must be buried if no longer used.
[thou shalt have no other G-ds before me - exodus 20]
What is meant by the term ‘G-d as creator’?
> shown in the book of Genesis as G-d creates the world.
orthodox jews believe the creation story word to word including the 6 days creation.
reform jews don’t take it literally but do believe that he is responsible for creation.
celebrated at festivals such as Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat.
G-d gave life therefore only he can take life opposing to euthanasia.
importance of pikuash nefesh and preserving life.
What is meant by the term ‘G-d as law giver’?
> jews believe that G-d revealed to the prophet Moses the laws and duties of jews.
seen in the Torah, book of exodus as the 10 commandments.
by obeying the rules, they are not only following what G-d wants but forming a relationship with him.
they are 613 mitzvots.
orthodox jews will try to follow the duties throughout their lives.
reform jews will amend the duties to modernise them.
What is meant by the term ‘G-d as judge’?
> G-d is a G-d of justice and mercy and will judge every person.
G-d’s ways are just even when not understandable.
‘you are not a G-d that has pleasure in wickedness’.
G-d has no pleasure in judging humans wrong so all judgements made will be just.
rosh hashanah is where G-d begins a judgement of good and bad deeds.
source is the 10 commandments in exodus.
What is the messianic age?
A term used for a future time of peace on Earth when there will be no violence or hunger or crime.
What is the belief in what the Messiah will be like?
> orthodox Jews believe it will be a person descended from King David as this is supported by the Talmud, the writings of Maimonides and Neviim.
the Messiah will have to rebuild peace, rule Israel and write to people worldwide.
the Messiah will be entering Jerusalem through the East Gate and G-d will bless them/anoint them and the dead will rise.
there is a potential Messiah in each generation but there only will be actualised when the world is ready.
it would matter if there was never Messiah as it would mean that humans are judged as not ready for the messianic era limiting their chances of Gan Eden.
because of this, Jews will follow the 613 mitzvot, follow festivals such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to show their dedication to the faith and will keep Kosher.
What is meant by Kosher?
Proper or fit.
What is the belief in what the Messianic Age will be like?
> reform jews believe in the messianic age as they don’t believe it is a person.
it doesn’t matter to them if there is never a Messiah.
the world leaders need to work together to bring the messianic age/golden age so there will be world peace meaning no violence, wars, pollution, etc and argue that this is a gradual process and we all have a part to play.
because of this, reform Jews will be good stewards, pass on their faith and follow ethical mitzvot.
they believe that the Messiah is illogical as the numbers in the population is too large to write to everyone and the modern world now include many religions and is more diverse.
What are the beliefs of shekhinah?
> some jews believe the shekhinah never left the temple and that is why Israel has special spirituality.
some jews consider the shekhinah to be the feminine characteristics of G-d.
the shekhinah created a sense of calm and peace.
candles are lit on the Shabbat.
What are the three main parts of the covenant made between G-d and Abraham?
> G-d called Abraham and his family to a new land called Canaan which is now referred to as Israel or the promised land as G-d promised to give the land to the descendants of Abraham.
↳ genesis.
G-d promised Abraham he would make a great nation from him.
↳ genesis.
G-d promised to bless Abraham and his family as he gave him the rite circumcision.
↳ genesis.
What is the importance of Moses in Judaism?
> considered the greatest prophet.
chosen by G-d to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and when he thought he was not capable, G-d promised to be with him.
↳ exodus.
only person to have seen G-d face to face.
given the Torah on Mount Sinai.
↳ orthodox jews believe that he was also given an oral Torah, a commentary which discusses the written Torah.
fulfilled Abraham’s covenant.
What is the importance of the 10 commandments in judaism?
> given by G-d to Moses.
should be followed by all jews.
duties required of humans from their creator G-d.
duties required for relationships between humans.
form the beliefs and practices of judaism.
What are 5 commandments and their connections to judaism?
> "I am G-d Your Lord who has brought you out of Egypt from the place of slavery" ↳celebration of passover. > "do not have any G-ds before me" ↳ importance of the Shema prayer. ➞ no statues in synagogues. > "remember the Sabbath to keep it holy" ↳ preparing and celebrating Shabbat. > "do not commit adultery" ↳ jewish attitudes towards marriage and relationships. > "do not commit murder" ↳ importance of pikuach nefesh.
Why is pikuach nefesh important in judaism?
G-d created life in his image therefore life is sacred and saving a life takes priority over other mitzvot.
When do Shabbat services happen?
Services are usually held on Shabbat eve (Friday night) and late Shabbat Afternoon (Saturday afternoon).
What happens at Shabbat services?
❶ shabbat morning included important prayers such as the Shema and Amidah.
❷ the haftorah is read.
❸ the rabbis deliver a weekly sermon.
❹ Kiddush is held.
[reform may use less Hebrew and instruments]
Why are Shabbat services important?
> brings the jewish community together.
allows them to take part in communal prayers.
celebration for G-d’s creation.
What is the importance of prayer in judaism?
> communication with G-d, forming a bridge between humans and G-d.
prayer is a part of daily life for jews.
↳ prayer before performing mitzvot, going to bed at night and seeing unusual things such as rainbows.
understanding the prayer is important so some may recite them in English however others may say its important to recite in Hebrew as it is a holy language.
prayer may be performed individually or collectively.
praising G-d, requests of G-d and thanksgiving are the three different types of prayer.
What are the items that must be worn during worship?
> tefillin.
tallith.
kippah.
What is the tefillin?
Two leather boxes each containing part of the Shema prayer and is strapped to the head and upper arms.
