Judaism

Question 1

Who is Abraham?

Answer 1

First patriarch of Judaism, started it, monotheistic belief, lived nomadic life

Question 2

How is the covenant carried on today?

Answer 2

Everlasting, Circumcision, People of the book, Still practicing religion.

Question 3

Importance of Isaac

Answer 3

test of sacrifice, patriarch

Question 4

Importance of Jacob

Answer 4

Continued on covenant by having 12 sons who were ancestors of the 12 tribes

Question 5

Importance of Moses

Answer 5

Led Hebrews out of slavery to promised land (covenant), in return they could occupy the Promised Land.

Question 6

Why is the Passover important today?

Answer 6

Celebrates the escape of the Israelites from slavery (eat unleavened bread and lamb)

Question 7

Name some other covenants

Answer 7

Noah, King David, Adam & Eve

Question 8

Characteristics of the Orthodox Church

Answer 8

• Men and women worship separately
• Written Torah has survived unchanged
• Support Zionism (return to promised land)
• Hebrew language in church
• Kosher (not allowed to mix dairy and meat)

Question 9

Characteristics of the Progressive Church

Answer 9

• Service conducted in local language
• More freedom (organ)
• Men and women sit together (women can be rabbi’s)
• Reject Zionism, resurrection of dead and Messiah

Question 10

Characteristics of the Conservative Church

Answer 10

• Stick to traditional practices whilst adapting to times
• Torah is human creation
• Most services in Hebrew
• More on traditional side
• Accepts authority of moral law.

Question 11

3 Principal beliefs

Answer 11

1. Belief in One God and the attributes
2. Concept of a divinely inspired moral law
3. Importance of the covenant

Question 12

Who is Moses Maimonides?

Answer 12

outlines 3 main principles in 13 articles of faith

Question 13

Jewish Sacred Text

Answer 13

Torah

Question 14

3 sections of the Torah

Answer 14

Torah, Neviim, Ketuvim

Question 15

What is the Torah?

Answer 15

• Basis of Jewish Law  613 mitzvot
• Provides an outline of their belief in relationship with God
• Guide for morality today
• Explains beliefs

Question 16

What is the Neviim?

Answer 16

• Consists of the writings or visions of prophets
• Used today to remind Jews of covenant and application of social justice
• Prophets speak on behalf of God
• Instructions on goals and warnings

Question 17

What is the Ketuvim?

Answer 17

• Collection of books loosely referred to as Wisdom Literature
• Psalms = hymns of praise
• Proverbs = short statements expressing wisdom

Question 18

What is the Talmud?

Answer 18

Oral Torah = explains written Torah and how to interpret it and apply the law

Question 19

Source of ethics

Answer 19

Commandments of Torah and Prophetic Vision

Question 20

What does Tikkun Olam mean?

Answer 20

Repair the world - commitment to social justice

Question 21

How is Tikkun Olam shown?

Answer 21

Gemilut Chasidim, Tzedakah and Bal Tashkit

Question 22

What is Gemilut Chasidim?

Answer 22

Acts of loving kindness such as visiting the sick, feeding the poor and comforting the mourner.

Question 23

What is Tzedakah?

Answer 23

Charity. Donors benefit from giving as much or more than the recipients. Contribution of time, effort and insight.

Question 24

What is Bal Tashkit?

Answer 24

Do not destroy the environment

Question 25

What is the Book of Proverbs?

Answer 25

• Ascribed to King Solomon = gives advice for upright living
• Key areas = wisdom, righteousness, purity + generosity
• Collection of short succinct statements

Question 26

What is the importance of ethics?

Answer 26

• Halakchah assists Jews to apply the general principles contained in Torah to daily ethical issues
• Mitzvot + 10 Commandments provide ethical direction

Question 27

What is Shabbat?

Answer 27

The Jewish rest day. Challah (special bread) is eaten, no cooking, driving, handling money

Question 28

What is the importance of Shabbat?

Answer 28

• Faithfulness to God
• Living covenant initiated by Moses
• Ritual + tradition
• Spiritual nourishment
• Building community