Judaism Flashcards
1
Q
what are the principal beliefs of Judaism?
A
- monotheism, belief in one god
- moral law was divinely inspired by god
- the importance of the covenant
2
Q
why is the covenant important for Jewish adherents?
A
- understanding the importance of the covenant reveals the Torah as the teacher and guide for life
- the covenant affirms a unique relationship with god and the Jewish people
3
Q
what are the variants of Judaism?
A
Orthodox jews
progressive jews
conservative jews
4
Q
what distinguishes an Orthodox jew from all other variants?
A
- traditional forms of worship in hebrew
- rejects modernistic adjustments
- described as Jewish traditionalists who accept the the authority of the code of jewish law
5
Q
what distinguishes a progressive jew from all other variants?
A
- synagogues are known as temples
- religious services in local language
- men and women sit together during worship
- women rabbis
- lessening of the importance of traditional Jewish laws
6
Q
what distinguishes a conservative Jew from all other variants?
A
in between othodox and progressive jews
- service includes prayers in English, but most of the service is in Hebrew
- accepts the authority of the oral torah unlike progressive jews
7
Q
what do progressive jews reject in terms of belief?
A
- a personal Messiah
- Resurrection of the dead
- return to the holy land
8
Q
what is shabbat?
A
“god blessed the seventh day and made it holy”
seventh day of the week, commemorates the creation of the world and also gods rest on the seventh day
9
Q
why is shabbat important for Jewish adherents?
A
- elevates mundane activities to levels of great spiritual significance, it stresses what is valued
- stresses the freedom Jewish adherents have now and the freedom they didn’t have when they were slaves
- apart of the covenant and renews a deep connection with god
- it sets priorities in a busy life, guidelines and a plan
- ties in a long line of tradition, community and culture providing roles in a liturgical celebration
- its a celebration, thus it brings people together and establishes strong bonds between adherents and with god
10
Q
what is the most important Jewish sacred text?
A
The Torah
11
Q
what is the Jewish idea of God?
A
- god is transcendent, immanent, and creator and there is only one of him
- god is without form, gender, he has no daughters or sons
- images of God are never shown in Jewish worship
- although he is separate from the world, he still manages to be apart of the world and its people
