Judaism

Question 1

What does Synagogue mean?

Answer 1

House of assembly: building for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly

Question 2

Shekinah

Answer 2

The place where God’s presence rests and can be felt

Question 3

Shabbat

Answer 3

Day of spiritual renewal and rest. Beginning at sunset on Friday and closing at nightfall Saturday

Question 4

Kosher

Answer 4

Means ‘fit’ and ‘proper’. Foods that are permitted to be eaten according to Leviticus 11. It is also used to refer to the purity of ritual objects such as Torah scrolls.

Question 5

Torah

Answer 5

The five books of Moses ( Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Regarded as the holiest books of the Tenakh

Question 6

Mitzvah

Answer 6

Has a mix of meanings. Often used to refer to the duties (such as the 613 in the Torah) and good deeds

Question 7

The Messiah definition

Answer 7

The anointed one who some Jews believe will bring in a new era or ages for humankind. This will include rebuilding the temple and bringing in an age of universal peace.

Question 8

A covenant definition

Answer 8

A promise or agreement between tow parties. Covenants were made between God and Noah, Abraham and Moses

Question 9

Differences - the reasons man diff views are held by People who follow the same religion

Answer 9

Situation- Some situations such as avoiding idolatry and the
importance of saving a life are important for all
practising Jews but for other situations there will
be different considerations, e.g. whether women
should be rabbis.

Teachings-The central teachings referred to by Jews would be
the Torah. The written Torah is the first five books
of Moses; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy. Believed to have been given by God to
Moses many Jews will consult the Torah as a source
of authority. One of the main differences between
Orthodox and Reform Jews is that Orthodox will
observe the teachings of the written and oral Torah.
Reform Jews will consider them in the light of
contemporary society

Authority-There are many other sources of authority which
Jews may consult such as The Talmud and Mishnah,
the teachings of historic rabbis such as Hillel and
Maimonides or the rabbi from a local synagogue.

Interpretation-Many Orthodox Jews will observe the Torah literally
with little or no interpretation. Many Reform Jews
believe the teachings from the Torah and other
sources of authority should be considered in
contemporary society and not always taken literally.

Reason-As Jews believe God gave them free will so
they believe it is up to them if they follow a right
inclination (Yetzer ha tov) or a bad inclination (Yetzer
ha rayl. Studying the Torah is believed to help make
a right decision.

Question 10

Jewish Beliefs about the Nature of God

Answer 10

Ultimately they believe that The nature of God as One, Creator,Law-giver and Judge

In Torah there are many teachings about the Nature of God which Jews express through their daily practice and worship

Examples of the Relationship between teachings from the Torah about the nature of God

Creator

Teaching -God created the world, day and night, the earth and animals. On the sixth day he created humans and gave them a special role to caretake all He has created Genesis 1:3-5; Genesis 1:26-28

Belief- God is creator
God alone created all life. Humans were given the responsibility to look after the environment.
On the 7th day God rested

Practice- God is creator is celebrated at festivals. E.g Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat
As God gave life only he take life so are opposed to euthanasia . Importance of Pikuach Nefesh and preserving life

God is one

Teaching-
Thou shalt no other Gods before me [Exodus 20}

Hear O Israel the Lord our God, The Lord is one
[Deuteronommy 6:4, part of the Shema]

Belief
God is one
Judaism is monotheistic religion with the worship of one God

Practice
No statues in Synagogues
Shema is the mezuzah and refilling.
Some use Ha Shem or won’t write the name of God

Anything with God’s name in it must be buried if no loner used
Don’t have studs as believe in one God

God is law-giver

Teaching
The 10 commandments
Exodus 20:1-15

Belief
God is lawgiver. He gave Moses the duties that Jews should keep. These form the framework of how a just society should live.

Practice
Orthodox Jews try to observe the duties in the Torah throughout their lives. Reform Jews amend them for the time they live in

God is Judge

Teaching
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-15

Belief
God is Jude of how Jews follow the duties of the Torah

Practice
At Rosh Hashanah God begins a judgement of good and bad deeds

Question 11

Nature and Significance of the Shekhinah

Answer 11

Although God is believed to be everywhere, there are particular times d places where it is beloved his presence is more strongly felt

•Derives from ‘Shakan’ which is used in the Torah to refer to God’s dwelling on Earth
•Some Jews believe the Shekhinah never left the temple and that is why Isreal has special spiritualty
•Some Jews consider the Shekhinah to be feminine characteristics of God
•It is believed that the Shekhinah creates a sense of calm and peace
•God’s presence is often referred to when the Shabbat candles are lit

Does not appear in scriptures but divine presence is often referred to

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.
2 Chronicles 7:1

Question 12

Shekhinah definition

Answer 12

The place where God’s presence rests and can be felt

Question 13

The Messiah definition

Answer 13

The Messiah is the anointed one who some Jews believe will bring in a new era or age for humankind. This will include rebuilding the temple and bringing in an age of universal peace.

Question 14

Different Views of the Messiah in Judaism

Answer 14

•Many Jews pray for a messianic age which they believe will be one of peace on earth, bring Jews back to Isreal and restore the Temple in Jerusalem.

•Messiah comes form the Hebrew Mashiach, meaning anointed. This refers to the placing of oil on the head of a king showing they are trusted by God.

•Maimonides in the twelfth century David a belief in the Messiah is central to Judaism. The traditional view is that he will be a great political leader who will bring the world to an end

•Many Reform Jews believe it is important to focus on the good actions of humans that bring abiotic an age of peace.

•Some Orthodox Jews believe that God has a date for the coming of the Messiah. Others believe the Messiah will come when most needed.

Question 15

What is a Covenant definition ?

Answer 15

A covenant is a promise or agreement between two parties. Covenants were made between God and Noah, Abraham and Moses

Question 16

Meaning and Significance of God’s Covenant with Abraham

Answer 16

IN the book of Genesis the three main parts of the covenant made between God and Abraham are described:

•God called Abraham and his family to a new land called Canaan (Genesis 12:1-3). This Land is now referred to as Isreal and is often called the promised land because God’s repeated promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham. Jews have loved here for more than 3,200 years.

•God promised Abraham he would make a great nation from him (Genesis 17:6-8)
God promised an infertile Abraham that he would give him “many descendants”
“I will increase your number and make you into nations- kings will be your descendants”(Genesis 17:6)

“To you and your offspring I will give you the land where you are now living as a foreigner”(Genesis 17:8)

.

God promised of blessing and redemption
God promised to bless him and his future descendants:
“I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make you great. Yous shall become a blessing”(Genesis 12:2)

“I will bless those who bless you, and he who curses you I will cause”(Genesis 13:3)

God then sealed the covenant with the rite of circumcision- this is a mark that their flesh of their blessed relationship with God

•God promised to bless Abraham and his family. As a part of the covenant God gave Abraham the rite of circumcision”You shall be circumcised through the flesh of your forests in. This shall be the mark of the covenant between me and you ( Genesis 17:11-14). Jewish male children are usually Circumcised the eight day after birth to reflect their relationship with God

Who was Abraham ?

Considered founding “Father” of the Jewish Religion- the first to believe there is only ONE GOD

He was Orignally called “Abram” but God changed it to “Abraham” meaning “Father of many nations”

Because of his faith, God called him to leave his home and establish a new life.

His father’s job was a “pagan idol maker”. Abraham would often smash the pagan idols!

Came from Ur(Mesopotamia) in modern day Iraq

Question 17

Covenant with Moses

Answer 17

Considered to be the other major covenant , made between God and Moses. Moses is considered to be the most important prophet in Judaism and Jews believe he is the only human to have seen God face to face for a variety of reasons :

•He was obedient to God’s will… as we all must be
•He was the receiver of miracles… God acted through him.
•He delivered God’s Word to the people
•He released the Jews from Slavey in Egypt

**Important quotes

“I will be with you” said God. “Proof that I have sent you will come when you get the people out of Egypt and you will then become God’s servants on this mountain”(Exodus 3:12)

“God said to Moses “You must say to the Israelites, Yahweh, the God of your Fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sent me to you”(Exodus 3:12)**

More on this some may be repeated

Moses had a special relationship with God and is considered the
greatest prophet.
Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt,
but Moses thought he was not capable. God, however, promised to be
with him (Exodus 3:11-15).
Moses is believed to be the only person who has seen God face to face.
• Moses was given the Torah by God on Mount Sinai. Orthodox Jews
believe he was also given the oral Torah, the commentary which
discusses the written Torah.
• Moses established a covenant with God. As God’s chosen people the
Israelites would keep the Commandments.

Question 18

Moses and the Mitzvot (The Law)

Answer 18

Moses was given the Law after he led the people out of Egypt. He went up mount Sinai to be with God and he disappeared behind the thick cloud covering. Here Moses received the Torah( Th Law contained in the books Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy). There are 613 Mitzvot in th Torah. Some of them are no longer relevant as they refer to Temple practices before the temple was destroyed in 70 AD and 10 of the Mitzvotare the 10 commandments

Some Jews believe that Moses also received the Oral Torah while up Mt. Sinai- this is the detailed explanation of the Law

E.g te written Torah says “Keep holy the Sabbath Day”

The oral Torah explains how and what can and an’t be done and whether they have to work etc

Question 19

Importance of the 10 commandments

Answer 19

Should be kept by all Jews
Central to Jewish belief and practice

The first 4 commands relate to Jew’s relationship with God

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt”- clear art in Passover

“Don not have nay other Gods before me”- Highlighted in Shema prayer

“Do not take the Lord’s name in vain”- written G-d

“Remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day” holiest day for all Jews with strict guidance on what can and can’t be done

The next 6 relate to Jews relationship with each other

“Honour your father and mother”- shown by respectful family relationships

“Do not commit adulatory” sex is important- “Fill the earth and multiply”. Cannot be broken to save a life

“Do not steal”- Honesty is a quality Jews treasure in society

“Do not commit murder”-Pikuach nefesh is so important other commandments in Mitzvot can be broken to fill it

“Do not bear false witness(lie)”- Justice is central quality in Judaism

“Do not be jealous of your neighbour’s wife/ husband or possessions”- The Talmud refers to envy as “the evil eye”

Question 20

Nature and importance of Pikuach nefesh

Answer 20

What is it?
The saving of a life

Why is Pikuach nefesh important?
God created life (Psalm 139:13-15) in hi image (Genesis 1:26-27). Therefore, life is seen as sacred. Therefore, I’ve is sacred. To save a life (Pikuach nefesh) takes priority over all but three of the Mitzvot (idolatry, incest and adulatory)

What impact ones Pikuach nefesh have today?
Many Jews will consider pikuach nefesh when making decision about life and death issues. However, they should be able to prove tat life will actually be able to be saved. Some Jews consider the teachings of Jeremiah 1:5 or teachings frost he Talmud (Yoma 84b) when making decisions about when life begins

More over
At celebrations Jews say “L’Chaim” meaning life and when someone dies In Judaism, the relatives are wished a “long life “

There is a Jewish Prayer
“My God,the soul you placed in me is pure. You created it, you breathed it into me”

“Before you I have placed life and death, the blessing and the curse. You must choose life, so that you and your descendants will survive”-Oprah

People should live not die by the Torah (Talmud B Yoma 84b) - preserving life is more important than observing the Torah

Question 21

Examples of Pikauch nefes being allowed to break Shabbat and mitzvot

Answer 21

A doctor can answer emergency calls on Shabbat, even though he should not be working

Food that is not Kosher could be eaten if a person was going to die otherwise- diabetic hypoglymeic)

Breaking fast on Yom Kippur (The day of atonement) is acceptable to save a life!

Question 22

Abortion and Pikauch Nefesh

Answer 22

Abortion is not forbidden in JUdaism but is reserved for serious circumstances as Jews were instructed to “Fill the world” in Genesis and life belongs to God

Some Jews will accept abortion only if the mother’s life is at risk
Some Jews will allow abortion on the grounds of the mother’s metal health or the disability of thr foetus

A small number of Jews will not permit abortions at all after the first 40 day of pregnancy (When Yahweh gives the soul to the body)

Question 23

The 613 Mitzvot

Answer 23

Complex idea meaning commandments(God’s Law) and doing of the good deed but also 613 mitzvot in Torah

Orthodox Jews: belove important to keep as many of the 613 mitzvot as possible (although some are impossible because they relate to the temple which no longer exists0
They believe they will be judged on how well they keep the mitzvot and keeping them brings us nearer to God.

Reform Jews: They see the Mitzvot as important but belive they must be viewed within a modern setting… therefore there are some Mitzvot that do not fit in with modern lifestyle 9e.g. Those restyling to mesnrutaiton or wearing certain fabrics) do not fit in with mode times

Teachings and SOWA

People should live not die by the Torah (Talmud B Yoma 84b) - preserving life is more important than observing the Torah

Question 24

Mitzvah Day

Answer 24

Started in Britain in 2008 - followed by Jews and Non-Jews and quickly y spread to be a globa celebration

It is a day set aside when people wok together to
•Reduce poverty
•Care for the environment
•Care for others
•Perfom good deeds

Three Jewish concepts gave particular importance on MItzvah day:

Tikkun Olam: “Healing” or protecting the world. This concentrates on looking after th environment and those in it . Two initiatives that Mitzvah Day has led to are Sunshine to Seniors- providing care to the elderly and Plant a Tree on Mitzvah day

Gemilut Hasiadim: The “giving of loving kindness” - expecting nothing in return! 37,000 precipitants every year perform random acts of Kindness on Mitzvah day!

Tzedakah: “Righteousness and Justice” shown through social actions and loving acts. These must not be done for any other reason than because than because the Jewish faith educates that it is the right thing to do.

Question 25

Freewilll

Answer 25

Teach people not born sinful but born with tendency to act:

Yetzer Ha Tov- Inclnation r urge to do good actions

Yetzer Ha Ra- the inclination of urge to do evil actions

A person is born with them in equal balance, but the more good or bad action we do the more balance shifts

No devil- it is the Yetzer ha rna within everyone that causes evil

Story of Adam and Eve in Genesis. Teaches Jews that God allowed them to choose how they live their lives

Eve disobeyed God and persuaded Adam to do the same , consequences were sever and affect humankind today. Humans fell out of God’s favour and were punished

Choosing to act in a way that pleases Go d should bring about a life of fulfilment and a guarantee that God will judge them well on the day of udgement

Jews believe that your should nt use free will as an excuse for doing wrong actions. It will not bring them closer to God

They belive it is impossible to hide acts of evil from God . Also believe one act of kindness can not make a person good. Each act, good or evil will be considered by God in the ten days of judgement between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipur. Bad acts can be forgiven if repetnece is shown and charity is carried out. But evil acts towards another must be forgiven by them befor God can forgive.

Question 26

The afterlife

Answer 26

Jews don’t spend much time considering afterlife

They belive that it is more important to live this life in a way that is pleasing to God to prepare for whatever is to or

It is not for humans to understand the ways of God?

Olam Ha Ba
The afterlife in Judaism is called Olam Ha Ba meaning the World to come
This is used in 2 diff ways

A persons after a life
The messianic age

More on afterlife
Jews beliv that this old hound be main focus the following quotes from the Talmud ( teachings of rabbis passed down through generations). Hightogights the focus on life rather than death

**”This world is like a lobby before the Olam Ha-Ba. Pepare yourself in the lobby so that you may enter the banquet hall

“This world is like he eve of Shabbat, and the Ola Ha- Ba is like the Shabbat. He who prepares o the eve of Shabbat will have food to eat on Shabbat”**

NO SPECIFIC TEACHINGS IN TORAH ABOUT AFTERLIFE

References to a physical place called SHOEL… a place to which one. “Goes down” following this life, but hat this place s like is unclear. Many Jews make their own interpretations based on sacred texts.

Question 27

Jewish Beliefs about resurrection

Answer 27

Over years some diff Jewish Rabbis have ade a variet of interpareations abut the resurection

NAHMANDIE(12TH century Rabbi)

Olam HA-BA would come after the resurection of the dead. Those who had lived a god life would be given an additional life

Maimonides
(12th C JEwish philosopher)’

Olam Ha-Ba is a time beyond the reservation of the world . The resurrected will die a second death and the sould of Good will enjoy a spiritual , bodiless existence with God.

Most orthodox Jewsbelive in resurection of some kind- this is highlighted in their prayers at funerals

Some otherdox Jews belive in Bdliy resurection and so forbid autopsies, cre,stion and organ donation as the body must be complete at resurection

Most reform Jews have rejected resurection and removed references form their prayers and worship

Some reform Jews belive the sould lives on after death in a spitiaul resurection but are divided on where

A small amount of Jews belive in reincarnation

Some rabbis: rare iron of the dead will occur during thr messianic age other rabbis say the resurection of the dead will one follow the messianic age

Some rabbis; only good will be respected other rabbis: everyone wil be resurrected and then a day of Judgement will follow

Some rabbis: thee will be no daisy of judgement- its not necessary as there is a judgement every year at Rosh Hashanah