Jewish Beliefs Flashcards
What is Jewish belief about the nature of God and what prayer is this expressed in?
Jews believe that God is one. This means he is one single indivisible being who created our world and should be the only one we worship. He is the source of all Jewish morals, values and laws and the belief of God as one is expressed in the Shema
What are Jewish beliefs of God as a creator and of free will?
Jews believe that God created everything. Strict Orthodox Jews believe he did it in 6 days and took one day of rest, but less strict Jews such as reform Jews accept that the universe was created over a long period of time. Jews believe God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. They also believe evil exists as a consequence of free will, because there needs to be a bad choice for us to choose between good and bad.
What is Jewish belief about God as lawgiver and judge?
God made all 613 mitzvoth, the most important of which being the 10 commandments he gave Moses on top of Mt Sinai. Jews follow these laws to be approved by God. God judges Jews at two main times:Rosh Hashanah every year and after death
What is Shekhinah?
Shekhinah is God’s divine presence, or the presence of God on earth. In early Judaism, the tabernacle was considered to contain God’s presence while they were travelling across the desert. Once they reached Canaan, the tabernacle was replaced by Solomon’s temple as the centre of worship and the place where many prophets felt God’s presence. On their journey to Canaan, God was also said to appear as a pillar of fire and cloud.
What do Jews believe about life after death?
Jews believe that if they follow their faith, they will go to Gan Eden (paradise). Some believe that if they don’t immediately make it to Gan Eden, they go to Sheol, which is a place of waiting and cleansing. Overall, Jews aren’t as fussed about life after death, as they focus on being a good Jew and following God’s laws in life. Some Jews believe God judges them once they die, but some believe in a Day of Judgment when the Messiah comes. Some Jews also believe in resurrection, but not all do.
What do Jews believe about the Messiah?
Orthodox Jews believe the Messiah will be a descendant of David. When God decides the Jews of that generation are worthy of redemption, he will appoint a descendant of David in that generation to be the Messiah. The Messiah will rebuild the temple, gather the Jews back to Israel and unite all of mankind together in peace. Reform Jews don’t believe that the Messiah will be a person, but believe in a Messianic age, where all of mankind will join together to create world peace.
What happened when God made his covenant with Abraham?
God promised to make Abraham the “father of many nations”. In return Abraham had to lead the Jews to the promised land. Abraham sealed the covenant by circumcising himself and all the males in his family and God allowed his wife Sarah to become pregnant and give birth to a son called Isaac so Abraham could become the father of many nations.
What was God’s covenant with Moses at Mt Sinai?
God gave Moses the 10 commandments, which are the basis for all Jewish law. God said he will protect all Jews but in return they have to follow the commandments. This covenant is one of the reasons the Jews believe they are the chosen people of God
What are the main moral principles in Judaism?
Justice means Jews have to bring about what is right according to law. The Torah helps Jews get justice in a merciful way.
Healing the world means Jews have to help God sustain earth. This could be by helping the environment, giving to charity, or just following the mitzvoth and obeying God.
Kindness to others means exactly that. Jews must be caring to all other living being. The Torah teaches that Jews should love others as much as they love themselves.
What is the Sanctity of Life and Pikuach Nefesh?
The Sanctity of Life means all life is sacred and Jews shouldn’t do anything to quicken a person’s natural death. Life is God’s to take away only.
Pikuach Nefesh means that Jews are obligated to save a person’s life at all costs, even if it means breaking Jewish laws. This shows God values our life above everything, even his own laws, which also strengthens the Sanctity of Life
What is Jewish belief on free will and the mitzvoth?
God gave humans free will so when we choose good it means more. Jews believe that doing good will bring them closer to God, and bad actions will not bring them closer to God. The mitzvoth are guides on how Jews should use their free will correctly.
