Judaism

Question 1

Beliefs about God
List the beliefs about God
Can Someone Give Jim Rice Snacks

Answer 1

• God the creator (created everything)
• God the sustainer (provides food and natural resources for the world)
• God the giver of law
• God the judge
• God the redeemer
• God the sanctifier

Question 2

Beliefs about God
Jews believe God is judging…

Answer 2

humans every moment of everyday and he cares how people treat one another.

Question 3

Beliefs about God
With this knowledge, Jews strive to…

Answer 3

act in a good, kind way to one another and carry out good deeds and obey the Mitzvot.

Question 4

Beliefs about God
One of the major festivals (Rosh Hashanah) provides Jews…

Answer 4

with an opportunity to repent and reflect on their behaviour, and to pray for goodness and happiness for themselves and their families.

Question 5

Beliefs about God
Redeemer
Explain how Jews believe God is a redeemer.

Answer 5

Many Jews believe God to be a redeemer. This is one who saves them even though they have sinned and protects them from the consequences of their actions.

This is a fundamental belief that God will always save or redeem his people, especially at times of crisis.

Question 6

Beliefs about God
Redeemer
Jews believe that gratitude…

Answer 6

is a vital part of their worship, and one that will strengthen their loyalty to them.

Question 7

Beliefs about God
Sanctifier
Jews believe that the act of sanctification - becoming holy - …

Answer 7

is achieved by fulfilling the mitzvot, the commandments, that God gave to them which is underlined by a famous quote in the Torah.

Question 8

Beliefs about God
“Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am Holy”
Describe how Jews can become holy and follow this quote.

Answer 8

One of the most important ways a Jew can become holy is by helping another person who is in need. This could be by giving to charity, or helping in any ways that is benefitting a person.

Question 9

Beliefs about God
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One” - Deuteronomy 6:4
Explain this quote.
(monotheistic God)

Answer 9

This is the opening line of the Shema - a Jewish prayer affirming belief in one God. It is recited twice a day as part of the morning and evening service.

It declares the most important and basic principle in Judaism - the belief in one God.

Question 10

Beliefs about God
Explain how God is the Creator and his 4 main characteristics.

Answer 10

By understanding the whole act of creation as coming from nothing, Jews accepted that God created the world exactly as he wanted it to be.

God is not a person and has no physical attributes but there are 4 important characteristics:
- Omnipotent= all strong
- Omniscient= all knowing
- Omnibenevolent= all loving
- Omnipresent= he is everywhere

Question 11

Beliefs about God
Why does God allow free will?

Answer 11

God holds back his power and allows humans the freedom to choose the way they wish to live on Earth.

It is believed that God through miracles, does occasionally intervene in earthly affairs. He allows humans to develop spiritually and to grow according to his divine plan.

Question 12

Beliefs about God
“We don’t have free choice; God controls all our lives”

Explain how people may agree and disagree

Answer 12

Some people may agree as they may see that God has decided their life for them and they have no control (free will)

However, some people may disagree as they know they have free will and that they can make their own decisions.

Question 13

Beliefs about God
“For He is God who feeds and sustains all, does good to all, and prepares food for all creatures He has created. Blessed are You, Lord who feeds all”

Explain this quote and the problems that arise with God being the sustainer.

Answer 13

God is fairly successful in preparing “food for all creatures” as he allowed for humans to have food but some people are in food poverty.

This idea can be problematic to understand, especially when people think of famine and world poverty.

Question 14

Beliefs about God
Explain what Jews believe about God the Sustainer.

Answer 14

Jews believe that God does provide enough good to sustain the entire world, but it reminds the basic responsibility of humanity to ensure that this food is distributed fairly across the world.

By exercising free will and reaching out and helping those in need, Jews believe they are fulfilling God’s plan for the world.

Question 15

Suffering
Most Jews believe that everything God does…

Answer 15

is for good. From a human perspective, some actions might seem evil, but they trust that whatever happens on Earth is ultimately according to God’s plan which is good.

Question 16

Suffering
The Tanakh teaches…

Answer 16

that suffering can be a punishment for sins. It also could teach that suffering can be part of a test from God of a person’s faith and to see if they will freely follow God’s commandment.

Question 17

Suffering
Jews believe suffering can bring people…

Answer 17

closer to God in times of trouble many people turn to religion for comfort and support. Also, it can help people to empathise with others and to assist them when necessary.

Question 18

Suffering
Suffering cannot be understand by humans…

Answer 18

this particularly relates to the suffering Jewish people endured during the Holocaust. However, Jews believe they must do all they can to overcome and relieve suffering i.e practice tzedakah.

Question 19

Suffering
The Holocaust was a true example of how many innocent people…

Answer 19

face suffering, even though they feel that they don’t deserve it, it needs to be recognised that there are times in life that suffering happens and this needs to be accepted

Question 20

Suffering
Describe how the Story of Job links to suffering.

Answer 20

The story of Job found in the Old Testament depicts how a man’s life was ruined by God yet he failed to question or turn away from God, rather he accepted it as part of life.

Question 21

What is Yetzer Tov?

Answer 21

Inclination to do good.

Question 22

What is Yetzer Hara?

Answer 22

Inclination to be selfish.

Question 23

Describe the Yetzer Tov and Yetzer Hara.

Answer 23

The Yetzer Tov and Yetzer Hara are the ways in which Jewish people use their free will either to act in a moral way or to act in a way that could be regarded as selfish to fulfil one’s own desire without regard for the moral consequences of fulfilling those desires.

Question 24

Free Will
Describe the main points about Genesis 2.

Answer 24

• cursed
• pains in child bearing
• painful labour
• desire will be for your husband
• he will rule over you
• cursed is the ground
• for dust you are and to dust you will return

Question 25

Free Will
Describe Genesis 2

Answer 25

God had warned Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge however they went against God and committed a sin by being convinced by a serpent to eat the fruit. God then punished them by introducing suffering to the world, pain in childbirth and had introduced death.

Question 26

Free Will
Describe how the Story of Eden causes problems for mankind.

Answer 26

Mankind’s suffering is a result of Adam and Eve succumbing to temptation and breaking God’s law.

The Story of Eden indicates the moral dilemma for people - they seek further knowledge and wisdom but they must not disobey God’s instructions in order to gain these things.

Question 27

Living According to the Commandments
List 5 out of the 10 Commandments.

Answer 27

• “You shall remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy.”
• “I am the Lord your God who has taken you out of the land of Egypt.”
• “You shall not murder”
• “You shall not steal”
• “Honor your mother and father”

Question 28

Living According to the Commandments
What is the purpose of living according to the commandments?

Answer 28

• It will bring about the Messiah inscribed in the book of life
• It instils morals into people
• It promotes ethical living for all Jews
• It builds relationships with the Jewish community and God.

Question 29

Living According to the Commandments “You shall remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy.”

How can Jews practice this and what is the consequences of following this commandment?

Answer 29

By having a day of rest from sunset on Friday evening to sunset on Saturday evening.

The impact of this would be is that it allows Jews to thank God for the gift of creation. It also allows Jews to develop a deeper connection with God.

Question 30

Living According to the Commandments
“I am the Lord your God who has taken you out of the land of Egypt.”

How can Jews practice this and what is the consequences of following this commandment?

Answer 30

They can celebrate passover and read the Torah.

The impact of this would be to remember the story for future generations. A consequence of this being the first commandment is that it will allow Jews to show thanks to God.

Question 31

Living According to the Commandments
“You shall not murder.”

How can Jews practice this and what is the consequences of following this commandment?

Answer 31

They just don’t murder.

It allows to teach Jews to save the life of others regardless of the situation. However what happens if you have to kill through self protection?

Question 32

Living According to the Commandments
“You shall not steal”

How can Jews practice this and what is the consequences of following this commandment?

Answer 32

Do not steal anything from anyone.

The impact of this is that it is a crime against God and it would be direct disrespect of the third commandment.

Question 33

Living According to the Commandments
“Honor your mother and father”

How can Jews practice this and what is the consequences of following this commandment?

Answer 33

Respect your parents, showing love towards your parents.

It might be controversial as should you still respect your parents if they aren’t respectful towards the Jewish culture?