JUDAISM

Question 1

What are Jews described as?

Answer 1

‘people of the book’

Question 2

What is the Jewish Canon?

Answer 2

Cannon of scripture is the title given to the official list of authoritative writings which constitute the sacred texts of a tradition. The Jewish cannon contains 39 books. Torah, Nev’im and Ketuvin.

Question 3

What language are the scriptures written in?

Answer 3

They are written mainly in Hebrew, with a few in Aramaic (ancient language of the time)

Question 4

What is the difference in meaning of the TaNaK for Orthodox Jews and Reform Jews?

Answer 4

Orthodox: the TaNaK is the revealed truth (direct expression from God) and dictated by G-d to Moses at Sinai.
Reform: the Tanak is written by people but divinely inspired.

Question 5

Why is the TaNaK sacred?

Answer 5

The TaNaK allows G-d to speak with and instruct his people therefore it is sacred or divine and must be accepted or followed. More than a covenant – mutual commitments and responsibilities. G-d promised that the people would be blessed with many descendants and have a Promised Land. Jews, in response teach their children the ways of righteousness and to obey G-d’s commandments. The ways of righteousness and the laws are in the Torah.

Question 6

What is the basic belief of Judaism?

Answer 6

The Shema:
‘Hear, Israel, the Lord id our God, the Lord is One.’
Starts with the oneness of God.

Question 7

List some details of the Torah

Answer 7

 Cornerstone of Judaism
 Moses wrote down all G-d taught him in the Five books of Moses (Genesis-Deuteronomy) – the holiest part of the Tenakh
 Torah stories including the patriarch’s matriarchs, Egyptian slavery and the trek to the Promised land tell Jews who they are; its laws and moral teachings tell Jews how to live and fulfil G-d’s will
 Also includes the whole of the TaNak or the written Torah
 Includes the 613 commandments (mitzvoth)
 Importance evident in the regular reading of the Torah and the rest of the TaNak in the synagogue as part of worship services
 To be chanted and sung
 Synagogue scrolls – written in unpointed Hebrew

Question 8

What are some components of the Nev’im?

Answer 8

 Also known as the 8 prophetic book, book of the Prophets
 Presents God’s call to Israel to be obedient and follow the Torah or Law, to redevelop spiritual fidelity and repent from unfaithfulness and idolatry
 Includes the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial and others
 Early books continue the History of God’s people and the struggle for the tribes to be united under a king
 Later books discuss the promise of a Messiah and use apocalyptic images to describe the consequences or neglecting the covenant/commandments

Question 9

What are some components of the Ketuvin?

Answer 9

 Books of the writings
 14 books of proverbs, psalms, love poetry and historical writing
 Used in a synagogue liturgy for special holidays
 Psalms often used in the prayer book or siddur
 Includes the books of psalms, Job, Ruth, Esther etc.
 Artistic appreciation of many facets of God
 An insight into Jewish belief and practice of the time
 Most human response to God, expands on how individuals express their love and endure hardships for God
 Multitude of situations that they are referred to at, e.g. funerals

Question 10

What is the Talmud?

Answer 10

 Also known as the ‘Oral Torah’
 Authorative record of rabbinic discussions on all aspects of Jewish life
 Basis for all religious law as it outlines the Torah and guides Jewish behaviour
 Guidance on human activites such as prayer and blessings, behaviour around the Shabbat and festivals, law etc.

Question 11

What is Halacha?

Answer 11

The totality of laws and ordinances that have evolved since biblical times to regulate religious observances and the daily life and conduct of the Jewish people. Halacha is ‘the way’ a Jew is directed to behave in every aspect of life, encompassing civil, criminal and religious law.

Question 12

What occurs in Genesis of the Torah?

Answer 12

How G-d created the world, people wicked and G-d sends flood, Noah and his family restart the human race. Life stories of Jewish ancestors (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob)

Question 13

What occurs in Exodus of the Torah?

Answer 13

Egyptians enslave Jacob’s descendants, Moses leads Israelites to freedom, cross Reed Sea and sin by worshipping golden calf, are forgiven, receive Torah at Mt Sinai

Question 14

What occurs in Leviticus of the Torah?

Answer 14

How sacrifices were offered in the sanctuary (portable temple), foods able to eat, time of festivals and special mitzvot to be observed during them

Question 15

What occurs in Numbers of the Torah?

Answer 15

Moses counts the Israelites, there is a rebellion, hostile nations try to defeat Israelites, Israelites conquests east of River Jordan, outline route from Egypt to Promised Land

Question 16

What occurs in Deuteronomy of the Torah?

Answer 16

Also called Mishnah Torah, repetition of Torah, speeches said by Moses on border of Promised land, many laws and ethics teachings, ends with Moses’ death

Question 17

How are ethics guided by Judaism?

Answer 17

• Ethics within the Torah are based on the revelation of G-d to His people, the Jews.
• Judaism teaches that G-d chose them to be the nation through whom all humankind was to be given the chance to come back to G-d.
• He chose Israel, not because they had been especially good or perceptive. G-d just wanted to.
• He made a covenant (agreement) with them.

There is an unbreakable connection between religion and ethics.

The 613 commandments guides the Jews ethics, relationships and rituals