Judaism - Beliefs Flashcards
What are the key beliefs of the Nature of God?
- God as One
- God as the Creator
- God as the Lawgiver and Judge
What is Shekhinah
This is the belief that God can ‘focus his presence’ on earth in certain places.
What is the TeNaKh?
The Jewish “Bible” which is considered to be the Word of God.
What do the each indvidual parts of the TeNaKh mean?
Te - Torah, the written law
Na - Nebi’im, the Prophets
Kh - Ketuim, the writings
What is the Talmund?
The ‘Oral Law’ - which is the explaination of the Torah written by rabbis over time
What are the two main categories of Jewish Belief?
Orthodox Jews - strictly follow laws and practices of the Torah
Reform Jews - they follow the spirit of the law rather than the specific law
Who is the Messiah in Jewish belief?
The Future leader of the Jews, he is expected to bring world peace. The Messiah has been repeatedly promised by God in the Jewish Bible.
What are the Orthodox Jewish beliefs of the Messiah?
1) In every generation of a King David descendant, there is potential Messiah
2) Messiah will bring world peace (the Messianic Age)
3) He will be the Ultimate teacher of the Torah
4) He will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
What are the Reform Jewish beliefs of the Messiah?
- The Messiah will not be a person but a time of world peace (Messianic Age)
- Jews have a duty to work together to achieve this
Jews believe God is….
Omnipotent
Omniscent
Omnipresent
What are the meanings of God as One?
1) God is a single indivisible being
2) God is eternal
3) All beliefs and values come from God
4) God created everything
What does the Shema tell us about God?
There is only one God - “the Lord alone”
Loving God requires loyalty from the soul - ‘You shall love the Lord….with all your heart and soul’
What do Orthdox Jews believe about God the Creator?
God literally made the world in six days - they reject the Big Bang and evolution
What do Reform Jews believe about God the Creator?
God created the world using the Big Bang and evolution
According to Jewish belief, who created evil?
As creator of everything, Jews believe that God must have created evil
What is a quote that suggests that God created Evil?
“I the Lord bring prosperity and create disaster”
What is the belief that God is the Sustainer?
God sustains the universe (provides everything needed for life)
- But humans have distributed resources (food, water etc.) unequally so some people have less than they need
What is Mitzvot?
The 613 Jewish Commandments given by God which they live by.
- mitzvah is singluar
What are the first ten Mitzvot?
The Ten commandments by Moses
What are the first four of the ten commandments about?
Relationship between man and God
What are the last six of the ten commandments about?
Relationship between man and man
When do Jews believe they are being judged?
- Once a year (at new year - Rosh Hashanah)
- When they die
What is Sheol?
If you don’t enter heaven you go to Sheol for your soul to be cleansed. No belief in eternal punishment
Do Jews believe in resurrection?
No
When is Shekhinah shown in the Bible?
While in the desert, ancient Jews were led by a ‘pillar of fire’ or a ‘cloud’ which is thought to be the Shekhinah.
How can Jews bring Shekhinah today?
By doing good work
What are the three moral principles of Jews?
Justice - help others to create a just society
Healing the World - charity work and contributing to social justice
Kindness to others - acts of kindness
Sanctity of Life
What is Pikuach Nefesh?
This is the Jewish duty to save a life even if it means breaking Jewish laws
- Jews are encouraged to donate blood and organs
What was God’s covenant to Abraham/Jews?
- To protect and favour the Israelites (Jews/Hebrews)
- To give Abraham and his descendants a special land in which to live - the promised land.
What is the Jew’s covenant to God?
To live a life dedicated to God
What was the Sinai Covenant?
Covenant made by God and Moses (representing all Jews) on Mount Sinai
