Judaism Flashcards
Reason for Jewish Impact
- Israel was never a world power nor was it ever a large country even at its peak.
- God is more like a person than a thing (ex. Brahmin)
- There is no evidence to disprove this
- Their view of God was Supremely exalted!
- Ancient Jews had a passion for meaning that surpassed their contemporaries
- Saw life in all of creation, but did not equate it as being God.
General Concepts of God (Judaism)
- Monotheistic: Just one God who is the master of all creation and not just a part (this was unique for its day)
- Unique characteristics
- —Moral (verses amoral gods of the day)
- —Loving toward humanity (verses the indifferent gods)
- Supremely powerful beyond understanding
Creation (Judaism)
Overwhelmingly positive view of creation
- Very positive view of Matter (vs. Spirit)
- Positive view of working with and manipulating matter/creation (unusual)
- This view would eventually lead to the development of modern Science
Impact (Judaism)
Their positive view of God as loving and gracious as well as their concept of a good universe, equipped them for dealing with the difficulties that would come their way and help them to overcome despair.
General View of Humans (Judaism)
- Fundamentally weak (physically and morally) yet magnificent
- A little lower than “God” (word Elohim, can mean angelic beings but most probably did mean God in this case (Wiersbe 104) meaning position as vassal king of earth and not in personal power)
- Have free will (not compatibilistic free will)
History (Judaism)
- Very important
- Gives life context, limiting and creating choices
- Collective action is needed to correct inequalities
- Opportunities do not come around again
- Showed that what “ought” and what “is” are not the same
- Social constructs can be changed and need not be merely weathered
- Progression in history
Suffering (Judaism)
- Jews found meaning in suffering
- At times it was simply punishment
- At other times it was more difficult to discern but they had the guidance of the prophets and at times it was to learn a lesson
- The exiles in particular had a major impact on the Jews and through them the world. They taught a passion for freedom and justice which today permeates the world.
Rabbinic Judaism
Emerged after destruction of temple, 70 AD
Decentralization (used to be centralized with the temple)
Synagogues as “minor sanctuaries”
New system of daily public prayer
Authority has shifted from the priests (lineage) to rabbis (learning, charisma)
Sacred Writings (Judaism)
Tanakh (Scripture; Christians adopt this as well)
–Torah: five books of Moses
–Nevi’im: prophets
–Kethuvim: writings
Talmud (like a commentary on the Scriptures)
–Mishnah: interpretation
–Gemara: narratives, illustration
Salvation (Judaism)
God’s people must live according to his will
–Halakhah = the path that one walks
–Every act of life has religious significance
–Obedience out of love, respect for God (not promise of reward or threat of punishment)
When people sin, atonement is necessary
–Destruction of the Temple, 70 AD, ended animal sacrifice as a means of atonement
–Teshuvah (repentance/return) only means left to effect atonement
Eternity (Judaism)
Resurrection of the dead Immortality of the soul Coming Messiah --Restorative --Utopian Much disagreement on details
Contemporary Forms (Judaism)
Orthodox Judaism: strict adherence to Torah, traditional Jewish customs
Reform Judaism: central role of ethical teaching, but traditional customs not binding; interpretation of Torah influenced by history and cultural changes
Conservative Judaism: a middle ground; maintain strong Jewish identify with accommodation
