Jewdaism: Beliefs - Jewish Teachings Flashcards
The nature of G-d: God is One. and The Shema
There is one God.
God is one: single, whole and indivisible.
God created and sustains everything in the universe.
God is the source of all Jewish beliefs and morality.
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the lord, your God, with all your hear and with all your soul and with all your might.”
The nature of G-d: Creator
God spent 4 days making the universe sustainable, spent 2 days creating all living creatures, them rested (Shabbat).
He is creator and sustainer.
God gave free will for us to choose good, therfore there must be evil.
To have this ability God is
Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent
Nature of God: Lawgiver, Judge, Shekinah
Lawgiver - To use free will well, God gave the Mitzvot
Judge - God judges you and rewards or punishes as a result
Shekhinah - Gods focused, divine presence on Earth
The Israelites were lead by a “pillar of fire or cloud” on their journey to Canaan
Life after death
There is disagreement in beliefs as not much is written.
One is that God will judges upon death (or judgement day) and some will go to heaven and others to Sheol (a place of cleansing)
Another is resurrection
Most Jews are not concerned with the afterlife and focus in oleasing God.
The Messiah
The Messiah will…
Rule over humanity with kindness and justice
Rebuild the temple
Unite humanity and bring world peace
Be a descendant of David
Reform Jews may beleive there will not be a person but a ‘messianic age’ acheived by everyone to have world peace
Covenant with Abraham
Abraham travelled to Canaan and made a covenant with God, to live a life dedicated to God and he would be father of many nations.
The covenant was sealed through circumcision.
“I will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you..” Genesis
Covenant at Sinai and 10 commandments
Covenant between God and Moses, requiring Jews to follow the 10 commandments in return fir protection and blessing.
Exodus:
You shall have no other God
Do not worship idols
Do not use the Lords name in vain
Remember the Sabbath
Honkur your father and mother
Do not murder
Do not commit adultery
Do nit steal
Do not lie
Do not be envious
The Moral Principles
“Justice” Bringing about what is right and fair
“Healing the world” Taking actions to help sustain the world with God like volunteering and charitable actions
“Kindess to others” show kindness and care to others and all livng things
The Sanctity of Life
All life is sacred and holy because it has been created by God.
He gave it and only he can take it away
It is our duty to preserve it above all other laws, saving a life even if it means breaking a law (pikuach nefesh)
The Mitzvot
There are 613 Mitzvot, given to instruct how to use our free will best.
Mitzvot between man and man improve our relationships and communities
Mitzvot between Man and God say how to improve our relationship with God and how to worship properly
The Tenakh
The Jewish Holy Book
Consists of the…
Torah - Furst five books of written law
The Nebi’im - Books on prophets through who God spoke
Ketium - Writings, poetry, psalms, stories, advice
