J2 - beliefs and sacred writings Flashcards
2 parts of Jewish law
-written law
-oral law
define Tenakh
written law
what does the Tenakh consist of
-Torah
-Nevi’ im
-Ketuvim
how many mitzvots does the Torah contain
613
define Torah
-5 books of Moses which form the basis of Jewish law
-includes Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Exodus
define Nevi’ im
-8 prophetic books that continue to trace Jewish history and expand the laws on the Torah
-2 parts:
-former prophets: Joshua, Judge, Samuel 1 & 2, Kings 1 & 2
-Latter prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, book containing 1 prophetic texts
-Prophetic texts- eg, Hosea, Amos, Micah
define Ketuvim
-11 books that contain poetry, stories, advise and historical accounts
-contains: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Daniel, The five scrolls
-The five scrolls, Songs of Songs, Ruth, Esther, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes
define Talmud
-the Oral Law contains teachings on how to interpret Torah and how to apply it which were passed down from generations
-main parts from Palestine and Babylonia 1200 & 500 CE
define Mishnah
-doc containing text from the Oral Law from late 4th century to early 5th century CE
-has 6 sections
define Seder
name of each of the 6 sections in the Mishnah
why was the Mishnah written
-danger that the Talmud would be altered or misinterpret
define Gemare
-discussions on the Mishnah written down after 500 CE
why was the Gemare written
-the Mishnah caused a lot of debate
5 importance of Torah
-text are words of God- must follow
-texts are key source of wisdom and authority
-key part of Jewish identity and practice
-613 mitzvots binds them to God through the covenant
-refers to totality of Jewish law
what is the difference in following the Torah for Orthodox and Reformed
orthodox- follow mitzvots strictly
reformed- interpret guidance to fit into modern world- could be less strict
4 importance of Tenakh
-contains Torah
-forms basis of Jewish covenant and relationship with God
-Considered God’s words- Torah, writings, charting Jewish history
-root of all beliefs, practices and customs
4 importance of Talmud
-central text of Judaism
-provides community and helps understand Rabbinic interpretations
-considered duty for Jewish men to follow
-inspired by God
what does God’s oneness mean
he’s root of the universe
what does God being he creator and sustainer of all mean
-he makes laws according to his will and judges people based on them
Judaism is monotheistic so…
only God should be worshiped and praised
God is…
-omniscient
-omnipresent
-omnipotent
-eternal
3 roles of God
-creator
-judge
-lawmaker
what does God as a creator mean
-universe existed because of his will
-universe took 6 days to make:
-4 to make it support life
-2 to create all living things
-7ths day God rested and it is holy
-all Jews believe God sustains the universe- providing resources needed for life on earth to survive
what is the difference between reformed and orthodox when believing God as a creator
orthodox- believes god is creator and refuse scientific theories
reformed- believe god is creator but accept that the universe is older
what does God as a lawmaker mean
-God gave 613 mitzvots on how to behave to follow
-Decalogue is first of the 613
what does God as a judge mean
-God judges based on how well the mitzvots are followed
-his judgement is fair- merciful
-2 time he judges: Rosh Hashanah, after death
2 times where god judges
-Rosh Hashanah- judges people for their actions over the past year
-after death- decided how they spend their afterlife
define Shekinah
Divine presence of God on earth
define Tabernacle
portable temple with the Shekinah that Jews carried around
when was the tabernacle replaced and by what
-after Canaan was conquered, it was replaced with Solomon’s temple
how were the Jews led to Canaan
by a piler of fire or cloud
define promised land
land of Canaan God promised to Abraham and his descendents
define covenant
solemn promise/ agreement btw 2 people/ groups that requires commitment from both sides
what is Abraham’s title
-father of many nations
-founder of Judaism
what age did Abraham die
175
Abraham life timeline
-Born in Ur in 19/20th century BC
-people worshiped false idols at that time
-Abraham was convinced there was only 1 God- tried to stop others from worshiping false idols
-Abraham and his wife left Ur to Canaan as God told them
-settled midway at Haran in Northen Mesopotamia
-continued to Canaan
when and where was Abraham born
-Ur
-19/20th century BC
what did Abraham try to do and why
-Abraham was convinced there was only 1 God- tried to stop others from worshiping false idols
God’s promises to Abraham
-Give him land
-give him and his fam all they needed
-protect and reward Abraham
-free his descendants
-make his descendants a powerful nation
Abraham’s promises to God
-move to Canaan with his fam
-love and obey God
-worship only God
-Sacrifice his son, Isaac
-change name
did God and Abraham keep their promises
-yes
-Abraham was faithful to God
-God’s promises were later fulfilled
how was the Covenant sealed
-Abraham accepted the covenant by circumcising himself and all males in his household (Genesis 17:11)
verse to show covenant was sealed
Genesis 17:11
what is importance of circumcision
-physical mark of covenant
-binds and units Jewish people
-Abraham accepting the covenant
why is circumcision still done
-continuing sign of covenant
Abraham’s influence to Judaism today
-he started the traditions
-role model to obey God (shows that obeying God is vital)
-shows that Jews have to trust God to make miracles happen
how did Abraham show trust to God
-circumcising himself
-was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac
what test did God put on Abraham and did he pass
-God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac
-Abraham was willing
-God stopped him right before sacrificing
-Showed that Abraham was faithful
define Mount Sinai
where Moses received the 10 commandments
define Decalogue
-first 10 commandments which is the foundations of all mitzvots
what does the decalogue show
renewal of covenant with Abraham through Moses
what are the first 4 commandments in the Decalogue in order
-You shall have no other Gods before Me
-You shall make no idols
-You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
-Kept Shabbat day holy
what are the later 6 commandments in the Decalogue in order
-Honor your father and mother
-You shall not murder
-You shall not commit adultery
-You shall not steal
-You shall not bear false witness against you neighbor
-You shall not convert
what does the Decalogue do
-provide guidance on how to live in a society where people can liver peacefully while being faithful to God
what does the 4 commandments in Decalogue focus on
-relationship with God
-set foundation on how Jews are expected to honor and worship God
what does the 6 commandments in Decalogue focus on
-ethical behavior and conduct with others
importance of commandment 1
-commits to monotheism
-Jews can only worship God
importance of commandment 2
-extends monotheistic belief in commandment 1
-no false idols worshiped
importance of commandment 3
-forbit misuse of God’s name
-ensures He is show respect and honor
How is God’s name referred to and why
-Hashem (the name)
-Adonai (Lord)
-careful to follow commandment 3
importance of commandment 4
-God is honored through Observing Shabbat
-rest and devote to God
-seen as gift to Jews after being rescued from slavery
importance of commandment 5- 10
-seen as heart of Jewish morality
Decalogue’s impact on the covenant
-shows commitment to covenant by being faithful and following Decalogue
-beginning of 613 mitzvots
how many years after covenant formed were Hebrews slaves
400
Moses life timeline
-400 year after covenant - Israelites became slaves
-raised by Pharaoh’s wife after found in basket in River Nile
-didn’t like Hebrews being slaves
-killed an Egyptian soldier and eft Royal Palace
-told Pharoah to free Hebrews on behalf of God but was rejected
-God sent out 10 plagues and Pharaoh’s son died- he finally let them go
-about 3 mil Jews escaped when God parted the Sea of Reeds (red sea)
-Moses led them to Canaan
-he got the Decalogue
-died in Moab before reaching Canaan
-Joshua was chosen to lead through Jordan River to Canaan
-Jews settle there after many battle, including one in Jericho
how was Moses found
Pharaohs wife found him after his mother had left him in a basket in River Nile after Pharoah said all Jewish baby boys will be killed
