Judaism Flashcards
Who do the Jewish people trace their history too?
Abraham
Define Patriarchs:
the title given to the early ‘father figures’ of the Israelites
Who are the three patriarchs?
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Define covenant:
a promise of agreement between two parties
-It is ongoing and begins the Jewish tradition
Outline Abrahams life:
- Abraham led a nomadic life
- He travelled to Canaan
- Ishmael with slave Hagar
- Son ISaac to Sarah
- He was to sacrifice Isaac but was stopped by an angel Genesis 22:17
- Isaac had two sons one named Jacob
- Jacob had 12 sons who were the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel
What begins the jewish religion?
The abrahamic covenant, which is still fulfilled today.
Abrahamic Covenant Quote:
Genesis 32 :27
“ I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation.”
How is the Abrahamic covenant lived out?
Through male circumcision
Male circumcision quote
Genesis 17 : 10 – 14
“You and your descendants must all agree to circumcise every male among you.”
What did the Abrahamic covenant involve?
Abraham would become the founder of many nations
His name became Abraham
Kinds would descend from Abraham
The land of Canaan would be given to his descendants
A holy nation
Kingdom of priests
Eternal protection
Israel gains the right to possess the land of Israel
What did God ask for return of the Abrahamic covenant?
Belief in one God= monotheism
How were the other patriarchs involved in the covenant?
It is lived out through Isaac and Jacob as made their own covenants with God and were the evidence of God fulfilling the covenant
Covenant with Isaac Quote
Genesis 27: 28 – 29
“May you rule over all your relatives, and may your mother’s descendants bow down before you.
Covenant with Jacob Quote:
Genesis 35: 9 – 15
“Nations will be descended from you, and you will be the ancestor of kings.”
Moses birth
Moses was born a Hebrew slave. However, at this time the pharaoh demanded that the firstborn son of Hebrews were to be killed. Moses’ mother placed him in a basket on the river Nile to escape death. He made his way to the palace where he was discovered by the Prince’s daughter and raised as a prince.
Burning bush quote
Exodus 3:12
12 God answered, “I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. That will be the proof that I have sent you.”
moses given power quote
Exodus 4: 5
Do this to prove to the Israelites that the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to you.”
the passover
Exodus 12:14
You must celebrate this day as a religious festival to remind you of what I, the Lord, have done. Celebrate it for all time to come.”
what was the tenth plague/ passover
the killing of the first born sonhe Israelites were told to mark a red x of lambs blood on their doors and God would pass over them. The event in which they were spared by God is known as the Passover.
Crossing the red sea quote
Exodus 14:30
On that day the Lord saved the people of Israel from the Egyptians, and the Israelites saw them lying dead on the seashore.
mount sinai quote
Exodus 19:5
5 Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people,
The Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20:1-21
The events on mount Sinai furthered the covenant. As if the Israelites followed them they would be provided with a great nation and the promised land.
orthodox:
They maintain that the written Torah has survived unchanged and is still authoritative today, although the oral torah continues to evolve
Men and women worship separately
Zionism is a central tenet
Worship in hebrew language
A strict adherence to jewish study and practice
conservative:
Agree that the torah is a human, rather than divine creation (p)
Firm belief in rituals and practices (o)
Men and women worship together (p)
Support Zionism (o)
Service have english prayers but mostly Hebrew
Use of organ
Talmud is accepted
progressive:
They attempted to modernise Judaism to make it more compatible with contemporary western European life
Worshipped in shorter services, local language, smaller synagogues
Organ music permitted
Men and women worship together
Reject beliefs such as: return to the holy land, resurrection of the dead and a personal messiah
Ordination of women rabbis
Modern jewish writing in traditional prayer book
what are the three strands of Judaism
progressive, conservative, orthodox
what did diaspora cause for Judaism?
The diaspora of the Jewish people resulted in many reforms where old ideas were challenged. Judaism in order to emerge in the modern world underwent changes.
What attributes are given to God?
Central idea of Judaism
- Creator and ruler of universe
- omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient
- God is eternal
- God has no gender
- God has no parents or children
- God is without form (incorporeal)
- Jesus is not the messiah
shema
“Hear, O Israel, the lord is our God, the Lord is one”. Deuteronomy 6:4
shows beliefs in One God
divinely inspired moral law
- The torah contains the divinely inspired moral law that binds Jews to their God
- There are 613 mitzvot
- 248 positive: rituals by which a jew can express faithfulness to covenant
- 365 negative: things Jews must restrain from
- The mitzvot cover all aspects of life and worship
divinely inspired moral law quote
Deuteronomy 30:16 If you obey the commands of the Lord your God.. you will prosper
halacha
The requirements of the covenant
what are the beliefs in Judaism
moral law, covenant and monotheism
Identify the importance of the Covenant for the Jewish people
- God and Abraham
- God and Jewish people at Mount Sinai
- Covenant is ongoing/everlasting
- follow the laws set out in the Torah
- Torah is an expression of the Covenant
- The requirements of the covenant are known as halachah
what are the principal ethical teachings?
commandments of the torah
prophetic vision
book of proverbs
commandaments of the torah
- the most important source of ethical guidance for Jews is the Torah which encompasses the Written and Oral Torah.
- Jewish ethics is derived from the covenantal relationship where they were protected and taught their responsibilities towards God and other people.
- The 613 mitzvot/commandments offer the broadest application of Jewish ethical principles. These mitzvot represent the foundational tenets of Jewish ethics.
- 10 commandments (Decalogue). It is regarded as the distillation of the 613 mitzvot.
- Oral Torah. The Oral Torah provides guidelines for the detailed application of the broad principles of the 613 mitzvot to the day to day life of Jews.
- Ongoing Rabbinic discussion ensures that the core tenets of Jewish ethics can be prudently applied to changing circumstances.
what do the 613 mitzvot do as an ethical teaching?
the 613 mitzvot/commandments offer the broadest application of Jewish ethical principles. These mitzvot represent the foundational tenets of Jewish ethics.
WHAT DOES THE oral torah do as an ethical teaching
The Oral Torah provides guidelines for the detailed application of the broad principles of the 613 mitzvot to the day to day life of Jews.
what is the prophetic tradition?
Prophetic tradition- The Prophets were individuals who were called by God to proclaim the message that people were straying from the path laid down by the Torah by perpetuating the status quo of society. They integrated rights for individual, personal service to the community and overall social justice
what is tikkun Olam?
- means to Repair/transformation of the world.
- The notion that if a person saves another human being it is as if that person had saved the whole world.
- The overarching principle of tikkun olam in Jewish ethics is intimately connected with the idea of social justice.
- All individuals have the dual responsibility of rectifying inequalities in society by helping the poor and needy, and acting as a steward by caring for the earth.
what is the aim of tikkun olam?
-The aim of tikkun olam is to achieve a perfected world, or “haMashiach”.
what is Gemilut Chasidim ?
Gemilut Chasidim- Acts of loving kindness such as visiting the sick, feeding the poor and comforting the mourner.
what is Tzedakah?
Tzedakah- charity. All Jews are required to give tzedakah within means which are reasonable for each individual as part of the process of seeking a just world.
what is Bal Tashkit?
Bal Tashkit- Do not destroy. This notion is intimately connected with modern ecological concerns in emphasizing the importance of human stewardship over the earth
what is the book of proverbs?
The Book of Proverbs - wisdom, righteousness, purity and generosity of spirit
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of short, pithy statements which offer practical and simple advice on how to lead a moral life and behave prudently.
widsom- book of proverbs
The major theme dealt with in the Book of Proverbs is that of wisdom. God is the source of wisdom.Wisdom is also the means by which a person comes to know God.Wisdom is a powerful force that will bring well being to those who seek it. (Proverbs 24:5)
righteousness- book of proverbs
Righteousness-A person who lives righteously and with integrity will live a happy life regardless of their situation (Proverbs 19:1). A person’s lack of integrity or faith will ultimately lead to their ruin (Proverbs 11:3)
purity- book of proverbs
which is linked to integrity is a virtue that has true value and hence should be praised (Proverbs 11:4).
generosity of spirit-book of proverbs
Generosity of spirit involves helping society’s poor and vulnerable (Proverbs 24:10).God will bless those who are generous to the poor and needy, while those who do not will suffer negative consequences as a result of their selfishness (Proverbs 28:27)
what is the importance of ethical teachings in the life of adherents ?
- Jews are expected to place considerable emphasis on the extensive ethical teachings of the tradition in making informed moral choices.
- Since Judaism is essentially a practical religion the halakhah assists Jews to apply the general principles contained in the Torah to daily ethical issues.
- Talmudic scholars and halakhic lawyers have a central role in providing the day to day guidance on ethical matters.
- The general ethical direction in the life of a Jewish person is determined by the Ten Commandments.
- The general themes of righteousness, purity and justice underpin the specific halakhic laws that guide Jewish ethical decision making.
orthodox Jews and Shabbat
Orthodox Jews apply this commandment very strictly and increase the significance of shabbat for them. They do not:
a) Cooking b) Writing c) Driving d) Turning lights on and off e) Handling money f) Doing business g) Other weekday activities
what is shabbat?
The Sabbath or Shabbat is the commandment given by God that the 7th day is for rest and worship
what are the two primary functions of shabbat?
Shamor: to keep or observe
Zakor: to remember:
remembrance of creation, Building an atmosphere of nourishing the faith, Lessons flow onto the rest of the week, Commonality with God, Spiritual nourishment, Building community ,No control of time and work: a reminder of slavery in Egypt and freedom from this (continual ties with the Exodus)
shabbat quote genesis
Genesis 2:3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
shabbate quote exodus
Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
example of the primary functions of shabbat
Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday evening. ▪ The table is set with two candles which represent the two commandments: a) Zachor (Remember) b) Shamor (Observe) ▪ Bread (challah) is baked in advance for the meal.
primary functions of shabbat extended
remembrance of creation, Building an atmosphere of nourishing the faith, Lessons flow onto the rest of the week, Commonality with God, Spiritual nourishment, Building community ,No control of time and work: a reminder of slavery in Egypt and freedom from this (continual ties with the Exodus)
