Judaism Beliefs Flashcards
Jewish Bible
Tenakh. Cosists of…
-Torah: written law, the first 5 books of old testament (genesis … ect)
-Nevi’im: prophets e.g. Jeremiah
-ketuvim: writings e.g. psalms
Monotheistic
Judaism is monotheistic meaning it has only one God
Shema
A Jewish prayer which affirms belief in the one God.
G-d as one means…
G-d is one, he created everything, he is eternal, he’s beyond understanding, only G-d can be worshipped, all beliefs come from him
Ultra-Orthadox
Very strictly follow laws and practices in the Torah
Orthadox
Strictly follow practices in the Torah
Reform Jews
Believe Jewish laws and practices should be reformed to suit modern life
Omnipotent
G-d is all powerful
Omniscient
G-d is all knowing
Omnipresent
G-d is everywhere
The creation story
Same as the christian one: G-d creates the world in 6 days and rests on the 7th. Reform Jews take it as myth and tend to accept science, while ultraorthadox and orthadox take it as fact.
Creation story day 1
G-d created day and night.
Creation story day 2
G-d created the sky
Creation story day 3
G-d created earth, sea and plants
Creation story day 4
G-d created the sun, moon and stars
Creation story day 5
G-d created fish and birds
Creation story day 6
G-d created animals and human beings
Creation story day 7
G-d rested
Did G-d create evil?
As G-d created everything, technically yes. However, G-d did just give us free will and we choose to misuse it, meaning evil comes from humans
G-d created everything including evil quote
“I am the Lord… I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster.” -Isaiah 45:6-7
G-d the sustainer
G-d sustains the universe and provides everything needed for life. Humans have interfered with the distribution of resources making it unequal. Jews who help those in need contribute to G-d’s plan.
The mitzvot
The 613 Jewish laws which strongly influence Jewish lives. The first ones are the ten commandments.
Ten commandments
- Worship no God but me
- Do not worship idols
- Do not use my name for evil purposes
- Keep the sabbath day holy
- Respect your father and mother
- Do not murder
- Do not commit adultery
- Do not steal
- Do not lie
- Do not be jealous
Mitzvot and free will
Following the mitzvot makes it impossible to disobey G-d. Freewill gives us the option to follow the mitzvot.
G-d as judge
Jews are judged on how well they follow the mitzvot once a year at Rosh Hashanah and after death. Good actions lead to favourable judgement and bad ones bring us further from G-d.
Shekhinah
Means ‘God’s divine presence’ coming from Hebrew word ‘shocken’ which means to dwell or settle. G-d focuses his presence in a certain place where, for example, people are praying. He’s not actually present but there is a strong connection.
Heaven
(Gan eden) The good who follow the mitzvot go here, some jews (Orthadox and Ultra) will consider it a real place while others could consider it a state of conciousness.
Sheol
A bit like purgatory where souls are cleansed of sin before going to heaven.
Resurrection
Isn’t supported by all Jews, but some believe that one day the dead will live again.
Messiah
“Annointed one” and people like kings. Priests and prophets were annointed in Jewish scriptures. In history annointing with oil was used to give divine tasks.
Messianic age
Earth filled with good, messiah sent by G-d
Characteristics of the messiah
Will be born with the autority of G-d, will be a peaceful ruler and introduce a time of peace that’ll last forever, will sit on a throne in Jerusalem, will rule justly over the world.
The temple
Centre of Jewish worship in Jerusalem where G-d “lives”. Was destroyed by the romans in 70CE and one wall remains.
King David
Philistines (enemies of Israelites)
One of them (Goliath) challenges an Israelite(David) to fight
David won and becomes king of the Jews, each of his decencants could’ve become messiah.
Reform beliefs about the messiah
Won’t be a person, there’ll be a time of peace and harmony, everyone must work together to do this.
Orthadox beliefs on messiah
Every generation has a decendant of king David and each one could become the messiah, when he comes he’ll rebuild the temple.
Abram’s covenant
God’s covenant to the Jews: the promised land (Canaan), to specially bless and favour the Jews (chosen people)
Jews covenant to God: to worship God alone, to follow the covenant and God’s commands/laws, circumcision
Quotes on the covenant with God
“The Lord chose you to be his treasured”
“I will make you the father of a great nation and I will bless you”
The Sinai covenant
Made between God and Moses (on behalf of the Jews). Jews believe it is still binding and is the reason they believe they’re God’s chosen.
God promised to protect the Jews and they promised to follow God’s laws
Negative interpretation of the Sinai Covenant
Some interpret it as Jews believing they’re superior; this isn’t the case. They focus on the idea of responsibility of being chosen by God
Key moral principles
Justice, Healing the World, Kindness to Others
Justice
The brining about of what is fair, according to the law. God wants us “to do justice and to love goodness”. This can be done by following the laws of the Torah and treating the poor as well as we treat the rich.
Healing the world
Drawing people closer to God through maybe charity work and creating social justice. Some believe it also includes everyone obeying the Mitzvot. This can be done through charity work, obeying the Mitzvot and prayer.
Kindness to others
Avoiding murder, adultery, theft ect and doing good instead, as is encouraged in the Torah. This can be done through following the Torah’s laws and we should “love your fellow as you love yourself”
Sanctity of life
Judeo-Christian teaching that life is holy and precious because it comes from God. Therefore, all life should be cared for and protected. Only God should end and create life; not humans.
Pikuach nefesh
Allows most Jewish laws to be broken in order to save a life.
Talmud
A Jewish book in which Rabbis give explanations of laws in the Torah. Should be read alongside the Torah to fully understand it’s meaning.
Shabbat
The sabbath, sunset on friday until sunset on saturday. Jews aren’t supposed to work on this day, however, Pikuach Nefesh allows them to do some things considered work if it would save a life.
Talmud teaching on preserving life
“He who saves one life… saves the world”
