Judaism : Beliefs and teachings Flashcards
What is the Abrahamic covenant
God promised Abraham people and land while Abraham had to circumcise future generations
Believe that Israel should belong to the Jews
Jews believe that the covenant between God and Abraham extends to all Jews. It was the start of the relationship between God and the Jewish people
The covenant marks the origins of the Jewish practice of circumcision. Today, this ritual is known as Brit Milah
What is scripture for the Abrahamic covenant
“The whole of the land of Canaan … I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants” (Torah) - God promised land
“You’ll have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky” (Torah) - he will have many descendants
What is the sanctity of life
life is special and belongs to God
Jews believe they should do all they can to preserve life
“God said, let us make man in our image and likeness” (Torah)
What is the concept of Pikuach Nefesh
Saving a human life should take priority over everything, even if this means breaking some of the laws set out in the Torah
Murder, idolatry, incest and adultery are forbidden under any circumstances
“Don’t stand idly by when your neighbours life is at stake” (Torah)
“Live by the Torah…but don’t die by it” (Rabbi)
Why do Jews follow the mitzvot
The laws are seen as a gift from God
Keeping the mitzvot improves their relationship with God
Obeying the commandments shows gratitude to God for all that he has done
What do Jews believe about life after death
Olam ha ba - the world to come or where souls go after death
Gan Eden is a place of paradise for the righteous where they can experience closeness with God
Gehenna is a place of torment and punishment. However, other Jews see it as a place of purification where people are shown their wrongdoings so they can learn from them
What do Jews believe about resurrection
Most Jews believe in it
Maimonides talked about the revival of the dead
Some Jews believe it will occur during the Messianic age, whereas others believe it will only happen after this period. Some believe that everyone will experience resurrection, whereas others believe that only the righteous will be resurrected
What are the different views about resurrection
Orthodox - there will be a physical resurrection of the body. Therefore, many procedures that they consider to cause damage or destruction of the body after death are forbidden. Orthodox Jews will bury their dead rather than cremate
Reform - the resurrection will be a spiritual one. Therefore, the body will not be needed as it is simply a vessel of the soul
What do Jews believe about judgement
God’s judgement will determine their fate in the afterlife and that they will be either rewarded or punished accordingly
“God will bring every deed into judgement” (Torah) - God judges how good or evil people have been throughout their life
