Judaism: Beliefs And Teachings Flashcards
What is the concept and nature of judaism?
Judaism, a monotheistic religion developed among ancient Hebrews. Judaism is characterized by a belief in one transcendent God who revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions
Do Jews say ‘God’ or ‘G-D’ and why?
In writing Jews refer to God as either G-D or adonai (Lord) to show respect. Jews believe the name of God is holy and special. To misuse the name is a sign of disrespect.
What type of religion is Judaism?
Judaism is a monothiestic religion - meaning Jews believe there is only one God
What does God as one mean?
God as one means:
• Everything in the universe has been created and sustained by God
• All morality-beliefs and values come from God
• God is a single,whole indivisible being
• God is infinite,eternal
• God is the only being who should be praised and worshipped
What is the Shema?
The Shema is a Jewish prayer which affirms the belief in one God
Where does the Shema come from and what does it say?
The Shema says from deuteronomy 6:4-5 - ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.You shall love the God your Lord with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might.’
Why is the Shema important to Jews?
The Shema is important as it expresses the belief in one God, it instructs Jews on how they should respond to this belief in their daily life and it is the word of God
How do Jews see God as a lawgiver?
Jews believe that God has given many religious laws to help them live in a way that pleases him. These laws are called mitzvot, and there are 613 mitzvot in the Torah that give Jewish people detailed instructions about many aspects of daily life.
How do Jews see God as a judge?
While there is no one Jewish view of what happens to a person after death, many Jews believe that after they die, God will judge each person on how well they have kept his laws. Those who have followed God’s laws will be rewarded but those who have not will be punished.
What is the Shekhinah?
Shekhinah is the belief that God can focus his presense in a certain place, on earth. This means humans can more readily experience God - not that God is more present
Where does the word Shekhinah come from?
The word Shekhinah comes from the Hebrew word ‘ shocken’ meaning to dwell or to settle
What do Jews believe God does not have?
Jews believe that God has no physical form - so shekniah does NOT mean that God is physically present nor that God is split into certain parts
State the quote from Isiah 6:1-2
“I beheld my Lord seated on a high and lofty throne”
What are the three main ‘categories’ of Jewish belief
Orthodox Jews,Ultra-Orthodox Jews and Reform(Liberal) Jews
What do Orthodox Jews do?
Orthodox Jews strictly follow laws and practices in the Torah
What do Ultra-Orthodox Jews do?
Ultra-Orthodox Jews very strictly follow the laws and practices in the Torah
What do Reform Jews do?
Reform Jews believe Jewish laws and practices should be re-interpreted to suit modern life
What do Jews believe God is?
- Omnipotent ( God is all powerful )
- Omniscient ( God is all knowing )
- Omnipresent ( God is everywhere at once )
- Omnibenevolant ( God is all loving )
What do most Orthodox Jews believe about creation?
Most Orthodox Jews believe God literally made the world in six days - they reject the Big Bang and evolution
What do most Reform Jews believe about creation?
Most Reform Jews believe God created the world using the Big Bang and humans through evolution - they embrace science
Why do Jews believe God as a ‘sustainer’?
God sustains the universe - everything needed for life. But, humans have distributed resources (food,water etc) unequally so some people have less than they need. Jews who choose to help those in need are therefore helping fufill God’s plan for creation.
Fact: There is enough food available for everyone in the world to have 3,000 calories per day.But food is not distributed equally