Judaism Beliefs and Teachings RS GCSE Flashcards
What is monotheism
belief in one God
What do Jews believe about God’s effects
God alone is the source of all Jewish morality, beliefs and values
How is the word God written by Jews
- What is the Hebrew name of God
- What do Jews say instead of this word
G-d
- YHWH
- Adonai - My lord
What must Jews do with books containing the Hebrew name of God once too old to be used
kept in the synagogue before being buried in a Jewish cemetery
What do Jews believe about God’s presence
he is in every sight they see, every sound they hear
What is the Shema
- Where does it derive from
An important Jewish prayer
- Deuteronomy (also a small part from Numbers)
- What are the first two lines of the Shema
- Hear O Israel. The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might
What does the reference to loving God with all your heart imply (Shema)
God requires total loyalty, just like in a loving relationship
What does the reference to the soul imply (Shema)
Jews must have spiritual dedication to the one God
What is the main difference between Christian and Jewish views about the one God
Jews do not believe there are multiple persons of God - God is a single, whole, indivisible entity
What are the first words of the Torah
When God began to create heaven and earth…
What do different types of Jews think of the Creation story
Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews believe the Torah literally - Creation happened in 6 days
Other Jews accept that an evolutionary theory may be correct and that the universe is much older
How long does the Jewish creation story say things took to make
four days to get the universe fit to support life
- two days to create all living creatures
- one day of rest
What is the Jewish day of rest known as
- When do Jews celebrate this
Shabbat
- Friday sunset - Saturday Sunset
What do Jews believe are the three main characteristics of God
omnipotent
omniscient
omnipresent
What do Jews believe about free will and evil
God created evil but he also gave the people free will to choose what they know is right. Choosing to do good also makes the act of doing good more significant
What do Jews think of the Holocaust and God’s involvement
it was a necessary consequence of giving humans free will
What is the belief of God the sustainer about
God created the universe but also sustains it - God has provided sufficient resources on the planet to feed and provide for all species
What is the Torah
the first five books of the Tenakh - the Jewish written Law
What are ultra orthodox Jews
Jews who are even more committed than Orthodox Jews to strictly following the laws and guidance in the Torah
What are the 10 commandments
ten laws given by God to Moses over 3000 years ago
What is a Mitzvah
- What are multiple mitzvah called
- How many are there
a Jewish rule or commandment
- mitzvot
- 613
What did God do to help people exercise their free will in the way he would like them to
He gave the people laws for them to follow, mainly the 10 commandments
What is the Halakhah
the accepted code of conduct for Jewish life
What do Jews believe are the four natures of God
- God as lawgiver
- God as judge
- God as creator
- God as sustainer
What do Jews believe about God as judge
God judges everyone based on their actions, behaviour and beliefs
What is God’s merciful nature
the quality of God that shows compassion or forgiveness to humans even though he has the power to punish them
When do Jews believe are the two main times when God’s judgement happens
once a year at Rosh Hashanah
- after death
How does Rosh Hashanah help Jews better themselves (3)
- it gives the Jews a chance to reflect on their behaviour over the year
- repent for their wrongdoings
- pray for goodness and happiness for themselves and their families
What does Shekinah mean
God’s divine presence
Where was the early dwelling place for the Shekinah
the Tabernacle - a portable structure similar to a tent
What was the Tabernacle replaced with after Canaan was conquered
- When did this happen
Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem
- 10th century BCE
Which prophets made reference to the Shekinah in the Temple
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel amongst others
When did the Jews carry the tabernacle
after the Exodus from Egypt to the land of Canaan
What do Jews believe about dying and dying alone
- It is an inevitable part of life because it is part of God’s plan
- No one should die alone and the dying person’s family should make every effort to visit and look after them
Why are there many differences between Jews about what happens after death
There is little teaching about it in the Jewish holy books
Where are the two places Jews can go after death
the good go to Gan Eden (heaven) whilst others go to Sheol
What is Sheol
a place of waiting where souls are cleansed
What do Jews believe about heaven
they believe that heaven will be with God, but they do not know whether it is a state of consciousness, or an actual physical or spiritual place