Judaism

Question 1

Outline of Abraham’s Life + Covenant

Answer 1

• Original known as Abram
• Born in the City of Ur in Southern Mesopotamia around 1800BCE
• Son of Terah, married to Sarah with no children
• First man to acknowledge monopolistic beliefs and practices
• God told Abram to leave his family for Canaan and promised protection and blessings and that his descendants would become a great nation
• Founding father of the Jewish faith

Question 2

Describe the Covenant with the Patriarchs; People and a Land

Answer 2

Covenant with Abraham: God promised Abraham numerous descendants and the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants → Sign of the covenant was circumcision.
Covenant with Isaac and Jacob: God reaffirmed the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob received similar promises of a great nation and land.

Question 3

What is a covenant?

Answer 3

A chosen relationship in which two parties make binding promises to each other.

Question 4

Outline the story of the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Sinai, including the Ten Commandments

Answer 4

Israelites were enslaved in Egypt.
God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt → burning bush
Ten Plagues were sent by God to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites → final straw was when God killed all the firstborn sons of Israel, Jews were told to mark their door with lambs’ blood and their kids would be spared.
The Israelites’ departure from Egypt, crossing the Red Sea.
Journey to Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the Law.
The Ten Commandments were given to Moses on stone tablets.
The Law included various civil, ceremonial, and moral regulation

Question 5

Unique Features of Streams of Judaism

Answer 5

Orthodox - Adheres faithfully to the principles, customs and practices of traditional Judaism

Conservative - Conserve essential elements of traditional Judaism but allow modernization of religious practices. Falls halfway between Orthodox and Reform Judaism

Progressive - Embraces tradition and works to make it meaningful in contemporary life. Practices suit needs in current society

Question 6

Examples of Beliefs part1 - Judaism

Answer 6

The Belief in ONE GOD
Monotheistic belief; there is a single creator God
Implications of this belief:
- Only one God
- God is indivisible
- God is unique
The centrality of this belief is reflected in the prayer, the Shema, “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One”.
Provides adherents with an immanent worldview

Question 7

Examples of Beliefs Part 2 - Judaism

Answer 7

Series of agreements found in the Hebrew Bible between God and the people of Israel.
The Covenant lies at the heart of the Jewish religion and is the cornerstone of Judaism.

Abrahamic Covenant
God’s Promise: Abraham’s people will be given the Promise land of Canaan
Obligation: Abraham must walk in God’s way, by living in a righteous and just way.
Sign of the covenant : Brit milah (circumcision)

Sinai Covenant
God’s Promise: Liberate the Hebrew’s from slavery in Egypt
Obligation: Hebrews were obliged to accept the Ten Commandments
Sign of the Covenant: Animal (lamb’s blood) sacrifices to God

Covenant with David
God’s promise: Shepherd David will become a powerful and victorious King
Obligation: David has to walk in God’s ay by being a fair ruler