Judaism Beliefs Flashcards
What does God as one mean?
- God is a single, whole, indivisible being.
- God is the only being who should be worshipped and praised.
- Everything in the universe is created and sustained by God.
- God is the source of all Jewish morality, beliefs and values.
What quote shows how Jews should respond to belief in God as one?
“The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart”.
Shows how Jews should respind with total love, loyalty and dedication towards God.
What do Jews believe about the creation?
Orthodox Jews interpret literally that God created the universe and everything in it. Jews celebrate the Shabbat to be reminded of God’s importance and role as creator. They believe God sustains the world by providing the necessary resources for life.
What qualities to Jews believe God has?
He is: Omnipotent = All powerful, Omniscient = All Knowing, Omnipresent = Everywhere always.
God has these qualities to create everything in the universe.
What do Jews believe about free will?
God gave people free will as he wants people to be able to choose to do good, however it means evil must exist. Jews that use free will correctly are helping fulfil God’s plan for creation.
‘I form light and create darkness’
What do Jews believe about God as lawgiver?
There are 613 laws in the Torah called mitzvot.
First 10 mitzvot are the 10 commandments given by God to Moses that form the foundation for all Jews as most important laws to follow.
What do Jews believe about God as judge?
God judges Jews based on how well they follow laws based on actions, behaviours and beliefs.
Judgements are considered fair and you are judged during Rosh Hashanah and after death.
What is Shekhinah and what are some examples of it?
Shekhinah is the divine presence of God on earth.
- Tabernacle used to be considered as housing the divine presence so Jews carried them.
- Several prophets experienced it in the temple.
- Tenakh describes how Jews were led at times by cloud/fire on journey to Canaan.
What are Jewish beliefs about life after death?
• Many Jews believe it is not important to know and they should be more concerned on the present and living in a way that pleases God.
• Some believe they go to heaven/Gan Eden however there is no clear teaching.
• Sheol is a place of waiting where souls are cleansed - some Jews don’t believe in eternal punishment.
What do Jews believe the Messiah is?
They believe the Messiah is a future leader of the Jews who will rule over humanity with kindness and justice in a Messianic age. He is expected to be a descendant from king David and a future king of Israel.
What are the different beliefs about the messiah?
Orthodox Jews believe there is a descendant from king David in every generation who has potentiak to become the Messiah if Jews are worthy of redemption. They believe the future messiah will:
- Rule over humanity with kindness and justice.
- Uphold law in the Torah and be ultimate teacher.
- Rebuild temple in Jerusalem.
- Bring world peace and unite humanity.
Reform Jews believe a Messianic age can only be achieved by everyone working together to create world peace.
What happened in the Abrahamic covenant?
God promised Abraham that he would be a father of many nations if he lived a life dedicated to God.
Abraham believed there was only one God and to seal covenant was through the action of circumcision.
God made it possible Abraham’s wife to conceive despite very old age. The many nations are the Jews today.
What happened in the covenant at Sinai?
Between God and Moses, who represented the Jewish people.
It required Jews to follow 10 commandments in return for God’s protection and blessing.
It happened after Moses led Jews from slavery after the plagues.
The 10 commandments give Jews guidance on how to have good relationships with God and others for a peaceful society.
God would protect Jews from harm and be their God.
What are the 3 key moral principles?
Justice, Healing the World, Kindness to Others
What are the Jewish beliefs about justice?
• It is bringing about what is right and fair according to the law or making up for a wrong that has been committed.
• Sacred duty for Jews - says in Torah that God requires people to ‘do justice and love goodness’.
• Laws in Torah give guidance on how to treat poor and vulnerable to achieve justice.
• Torah and prophets sent by God help to understand how to mercifully bring about justice.
What are Jewish beliefs about Healing the World?
• Involves taking actions to help God’s work in sustaining the world.
• Can be achieved by protecting environment or helping charities.
• Also achieved by obeying the mitzvot to become closer to God.
What are Jewish beliefs about Kindness to Others?
• Showing positive, caring actions to all living things.
• Many laws in Torah give guidance and teach Jews to love others as themselves.
• ‘You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge’ , ‘Love your fellow as yourself’.
What is sanctity of life and the Jewish beliefs about it?
Sanctity of life refers to idea that all life is sacred and holy because it is created by God.
Only God has the right to take life away so Jews have duty to preserve life and should not do anything to quicken a person’s natural death.
What is pikuach nefesh?
The obligation that Jews have to save a person’s life, even if it involves breaking Jewish laws. Emphasises how valuable human life is.
What do the first 4 commandments show?
They are mitzvots between man and God. Tells Jews how to improve relationship with God such as worship, sacrifice.
What do the last 6 of the 10 commandments show?
They are mitzvots between man and man. Tells Jews how to improve relationship with other people and helps Jews live as members of faith. Torah teaches that by showing love to others, you are showing love to God and lead to a life of fulfilment.
