Judaism - Beliefs and Teachings Flashcards
in progress
1
Q
What is the Tenakh?
A
The Jewish Scriptures.
2
Q
What are the 3 divisions of the Tenakh?
A
- Torah
- Nevi’im
- Ketuvim
3
Q
What is the most important part of Tenakh?
A
The Torah. It is the holiest because Jews believe it came directly from God to Moses.
4
Q
What are the four Jewish characteristics of God?
A
- Oneness
- Creator
- Law-giver
- Judge
5
Q
Give one piece of evidence that God is one.
A
“The Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other.”
6
Q
Give one piece of evidence that God is creator.
A
“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth”
7
Q
Give one piece of evidence that God is law-giver.
A
“… Obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you - they are your life.”
8
Q
Give one piece of evidence that God is judge.
A
“For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us.”
9
Q
Why is it important God is one?
A
- It shows that people, plants, animals, rock formations and so on are unified because they are the creation of the one God.
- Judaism teaches the unity of creation and the need for people to try to bring unity to society
10
Q
Why is important God is the creator?
A
- Creation is a gift from God and Jews must therefore look after the earth in the way in which God intended
- God’s creation is good and so should be respected, which is why Jewish people care for the environment
11
Q
Why is it important God is the law-giver?
A
- God’s laws form the halakhah, which is the basis of how Jews live their lives today.
- Following God’s laws gives meaning and purpose to Jewish people’s lives today.
12
Q
Why is it important God is the judge?
A
- The good are rewarded and the evil punished
- The world is protected from the chaos that would come if there was no way of making sure that people keep God’s laws
13
Q
What is the Shema?
A
The statement of God’s oneness.
14
Q
Define Mezuzah.
A
A container for the shema scroll put on doorposts.
15
Q
What is tefillin?
A
A container for the shema scroll to put on the arms and head.
16
Q
What are the thirteen principles of faith?
A
A summary of Jewish beliefs written by Maimonides.
17
Q
Who’s Maimonides?
A
Medieval rabbi and philosopher who wrote the thirteen principles.
18
Q
What is a covenant?
A
A binding agreement between two parties; usually refers to God and Israel.
19
Q
Define Mitzvot.
A
They’re commandments/laws.
20
Q
What is shekhinah?
A
The Almighty’s presence in the world. It also refers to any form of contact humans may have with God.
21
Q
How is shekhinah shown in the Torah?
A
- When shekhinah guides Moses through the wilderness to the promised land; “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
- It’s associated with smoke and fire, too; “Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire.”
22
Q
What is a rabbi?
A
An ordained Jewish religious leader or teacher.
23
Q
Define tabernacle.
A
The holy place containing the Ark of the Covenant.
24
Q
What is sanctuary?
A
The most holy part of a religious building.
25
Define tabernacle.
The temple, the centre of worship built by Solomon in Jerusalem and destroyed in 70CE.
26
What is Mount Zion?
The holy hill in Jerusalem where the Temple was, and shekhinah dwells. "The Lord Almighty who dwells on Mount Zion"
27
Define Talmud.
Writings explaining the Torah.
28
What is the kabbalah?
Jewish mysticism, which tries to define the nature of the universe and the nature and purpose of existence and provide ways for people to gain their spiritual goal.
29
How does the kabbalah understand shekhinah?
It is the gateway to high consciousness that brings followers into God's presence.
30
Give 2 other understandings of shekhinah for Jews today.
- Some orthodoxes believe shekhinah as a light created to be a link between God and the world. (the teachings of Maimonides)
- Others believe that shekhinah simply means God, shekhinah and God are interchangeable words.
31
Why is shekhinah important for Judaism?
- The teaching that Moses was surrounded by shekhinah when receiving the Torah means Moses received the mitzvot directly from God, so they're God's words.
- The shekhinah shows that the prophets of the Tenakh were truly inspired by God and so their message must be true.
32
What does immutable mean?
Unable to be changed and unchanging over time.
33
Why is it important there are multiple different understandings shekhinah?
- It makes it easier for Jews and Christians to come together in their search for God.
- The different meanings show that God is far beyond human thought. He is the eternal immutable, and so there are many ways of understanding his presence.
34
Define Hashem.
The Name, a word used to refer to God without mentioning his name.
35
Define Messiah.
'Anointed one', used to refer to the kings of Israel who were anointed.
36
What is the purpose of the Messiah?
To:
- rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
- unite all the peoples of the world
- make all peoples of the world aware of the presence of God
- bring in the Messianic Age, when all will live at peace
- establish God's kingdom
37
What is the nature of the Messiah?
- A descendant of King David
- A human, not a divine being
- A man of great piety and close to God
- A man of great learning
- A man with great leadership qualities
38
What is the Messianic Age?
A time when all nations will live at peace and there will be justice in the world.
39
Define inspired.
Stimulated by God to do things.
40
How is messiaship shown in the Nevi'im?
- The Messiah will be inspired by God: "The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him."
- The Messiah will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
41
How will Jews know the Messianic Age has come?
- There will be peace among all nations
- There will be justice and prosperity throughout the world
- The Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem
- The whole world will accept the Jewish God and Jewish religion
42
Give 4 different understandings of the Messiah.
- Some Orthodox rabbis have taught that the Messiah won't come until all Jewish people observe ll the mitzvot fully
- Others say when all souls have arrived on earth, the Messiah shall come
- Some Orthodox Jews believe the Messianic Age will be just like now, but Jews will have returned to Jerusalem and Temple worship will have been restored
- Others believe the Messianic Age will result in resurrection of the dead, everyone being given a spiritual body to live in a spiritual world
43
What is the majority held idea between Reform Jews about the Messiah?
The Messiah was a general idea created so Jews could have hope of return to their homeland after being driven out. It's up to all Jews to truly change the world, bringing nations together and establishing justice and peace as the Tenakh predicts will happen.
44
Why are ideas about the Messiah important for Jews today?
- Belief in the Messiah's coming is one of the Thirteen Principles of Faith, so a requirement of Judaism.
- The coming of the Messiah is prayed for 3 times a day in the prayer they recite along with prayers for what will happen in the Messianic Age.
- Jews tend to lean towards left-wing political causes thanks to belief in the Messianic Age, leading to a better world
45
What is exodus?
The Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt.
46
Define covenant.
An agreement between God and his people.
47
What is the Ark of the Covenant?
The holy container for the tablets of the commandments given to Moses in the covenant at Sinai.
48
Define gentile.
Non-Jew.
49
What is the Mosaic Covenant (covenant with Moses)?
The covenant at Sinai. God gave Moses his laws on two tablets of stone and the people must keep his laws. If they do, "out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession ... you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
50
What is the importance of the Mosaic Covenant for Jews today?
- The Mosaic Covenant is the very basis of Judaism as Moses was given 613 Mitzvot (ways of life which separate them from Gentiles)
- Jews must follow the Mitzvot to be considered God's people
- By keeping the Mosaic Covenant, the Jews will fulfil their destiny of bringing the whole world to worship God
"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the whole earth."
51
Why are the ten commandments special?
They're kept by all Jews - unlike the 613 Mitzvot, with age and gender specific rules. It's often referred to as the Decalogue.
52
What is Shabbat?
The Jewish holy day on Saturday, the 7th day of the week.
53
Name the first 5 commandments and give one reason why each one is important.
1. "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me". Jews have frequent references in daily prayers and synagogue worship to the fact that Jewish people worship one God only.
2. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" Jews prohibit any form of statue in the synagogue or their home.
3. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." Jews prefer to say the Almighty rather than speaking the word God or Lord
4. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." On Saturdays, Jews do no work and observe Shabbat
5. "Honour thy father and thy mother" helps parents in their task of raising good Jews - also UK support Jewish Care (care home)
54
What are the last 5 commandments and why are they important?
Do not kill, commit adultery, steal, lie or desire other people's things. If followed, they will have a good relationship with their neighbours - rejecting violence and promoting marriage and family life.
55
Who is Ishmael?
Abraham's son through Hagar, ancestor of Arab people.
56
Who is Isaac?
Abraham's son through Sarah, ancestor of Jewish people.
57
Define Brit Milah.
The covenant of circumcision.
58
What is the Abrahamic Covenant?
Abraham will have as many offspring and descendants as there are stars, in return every male who is eight days old wil be circumcised.
"Your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations." and "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - indeed if you can count them ... So shall your offspring be."
