Judaism Beliefs and Teachings RS GCSE Flashcards

1
Q

What is monotheism

A

belief in one God

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2
Q

What do Jews believe about God’s effects

A

God alone is the source of all Jewish morality, beliefs and values

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3
Q

How is the word God written by Jews
- What is the Hebrew name of God
- What do Jews say instead of this word

A

G-d
- YHWH
- Adonai - My lord

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4
Q

What must Jews do with books containing the Hebrew name of God once too old to be used

A

kept in the synagogue before being buried in a Jewish cemetery

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5
Q

What do Jews believe about God’s presence

A

he is in every sight they see, every sound they hear

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6
Q

What is the Shema
- Where does it derive from

A

An important Jewish prayer
- Deuteronomy (also a small part from Numbers)

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7
Q
  • What are the first two lines of the Shema
A
  • 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
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8
Q

What does the reference to loving God with all your heart imply (Shema)

A

God requires total loyalty, just like in a loving relationship

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9
Q

What does the reference to the soul imply (Shema)

A

Jews must have spiritual dedication to the one God

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10
Q

What is the main difference between Christian and Jewish views about the one God

A

Jews do not believe there are multiple persons of God - God is a single, whole, indivisible entity

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11
Q

What are the first words of the Torah

A

When God began to create heaven and earth…

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12
Q

What do different types of Jews think of the Creation story

A

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

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13
Q

How long does the Jewish creation story say things took to make

A

four days to get the universe fit to support life
- two days to create all living creatures
- one day of rest

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14
Q

What is the Jewish day of rest known as
- When do Jews celebrate this

A

Shabbat
- Friday sunset - Saturday Sunset

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15
Q

What do Jews believe are the three main characteristics of God

A

omnipotent
omniscient
omnipresent

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16
Q

What do Jews believe about free will and evil

A

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

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17
Q

What do Jews think of the Holocaust and God’s involvement

A

it was a necessary consequence of giving humans free will

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18
Q

What is the belief of God the sustainer about

A

God created the universe but also sustains it - God has provided sufficient resources on the planet to feed and provide for all species

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19
Q

What is the Torah

A

the first five books of the Tenakh - the Jewish written Law

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20
Q

What are ultra orthodox Jews

A

Jews who are even more committed than Orthodox Jews to strictly following the laws and guidance in the Torah

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21
Q

What are the 10 commandments

A

ten laws given by God to Moses over 3000 years ago

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22
Q

What is a Mitzvah
- What are multiple mitzvah called
- How many are there

A

a Jewish rule or commandment
- mitzvot
- 613

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23
Q

What did God do to help people exercise their free will in the way he would like them to

A

He gave the people laws for them to follow, mainly the 10 commandments

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24
Q

What is the Halakhah

A

the accepted code of conduct for Jewish life

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25
Q

What do Jews believe are the four natures of God

A
  • God as lawgiver
  • God as judge
  • God as creator
  • God as sustainer
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26
Q

What do Jews believe about God as judge

A

God judges everyone based on their actions, behaviour and beliefs

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27
Q

What is God’s merciful nature

A

the quality of God that shows compassion or forgiveness to humans even though he has the power to punish them

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28
Q

When do Jews believe are the two main times when God’s judgement happens

A

once a year at Rosh Hashanah
- after death

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29
Q

How does Rosh Hashanah help Jews better themselves (3)

A
  • 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
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30
Q

What does Shekinah mean

A

God’s divine presence

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31
Q

Where was the early dwelling place for the Shekinah

A

the Tabernacle - a portable structure similar to a tent

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32
Q

What was the Tabernacle replaced with after Canaan was conquered
- When did this happen

A

Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem
- 10th century BCE

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33
Q

Which prophets made reference to the Shekinah in the Temple

A

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel amongst others

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34
Q

When did the Jews carry the tabernacle

A

after the Exodus from Egypt to the land of Canaan

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35
Q

What do Jews believe about dying and dying alone

A
  • 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
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36
Q

Why are there many differences between Jews about what happens after death

A

There is little teaching about it in the Jewish holy books

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37
Q

Where are the two places Jews can go after death

A

the good go to Gan Eden (heaven) whilst others go to Sheol

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38
Q

What is Sheol

A

a place of waiting where souls are cleansed

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39
Q

What do Jews believe about heaven

A

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

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40
Q

What is judgement

A

the belief that God judges a person based on their actions, and either rewards them or punishes them as a result

41
Q

What is resurrection

A

rising from the dead or returning to life

42
Q

What is a rabbi

A

a Jewish religious leader and teacher

43
Q

Who compiled the Thirteen Fundamental Principles of Jewish Faith
- What is the twelfth principle

A

Rabbi Moses ben Maimon
- The belief in the arrival of the Messiah and the Messianic Era

44
Q

What is the Messiah
- What does it stand for
-

A

a leader of the Jews who is expected to live on earth at some time in the future
- the anointed one

45
Q

Who was the Messiah originally used to refer to in the Tenakh

A

the kings of Israel

46
Q

Who was the first king of Israel
- around when did he live

A

Saul
- 11th century BCE

47
Q

Today, what do many Jews use the term Messiah for

A

to refer to a future leader of the Jews

48
Q

What is believed about the lineage of the future messiah

A

he will be a future king of Israel and be a descendant of King David, Saul’s successor. He will rule during the Messianic Age

49
Q

What is the Messianic Age

A

a future time of global peace when everyone will want to become closer to God, possibly through the intervention of the Messiah

50
Q

What do some people believe about the dead during the Messianic Age

A

they will be resurrected and live in a restored Israel

51
Q

What do Orthodox Jews believe about the Messiah (4)

A

In every generation there is a descendant of King David who has the potential to be the Messiah.
- He will rebuild the temple
- He will gather all Jews back to Israel
- He will usher in world peace and unite humanity

52
Q

What do Reform Jews believe about the Messiah and the Messianic Age

A

there is no Messiah. There will not be any one person who will unite the world in peace, however all should work together to achieve the peace
- There will be a future Messianic Age but it will be achieved through people’s collective actions

53
Q

Why do Jews not believe that Jesus was the Messiah

A

he did not establish the Messianic Age

54
Q

Where do Jews believe Abraham was born
- When

A

Ur in Mesopotamia
- 19th or 20th century BCE

55
Q

Who did Abraham leave Ur with
- where was their intended destination
- where did they end up

A
  • his with Sarah, His father Terah and some family
  • Canaan
  • Haran
56
Q

What is said in Genesis 12:1-3

A

The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your native land and from your Father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And curse him that curses you; And all the families of the Earth Shall bless themselves by you’

57
Q

What is monotheism

A

belief in one God

58
Q

What is the Promised Land

A

the land of Canaan that God promised to the Jews

59
Q

What is a covenant

A

an agreement between two parties
In Judaism, it is an agreements between individuals, on behalf of the Jews, and God

60
Q

Who are the two most important covenants with

A

Abraham and Moses

61
Q

What do Jews believe about upholding the covenant

A

Even though people may break their side, God will never break his

62
Q

What sacrifice did Abraham make for his covenant with God

A

circumcision

63
Q

How are covenants sealed and supported

A

by oaths, often supported with a sacrifice

64
Q

How did God make it possible for Abraham to be the father of many generations

A

He enabled Sarah to conceive despite being barren

65
Q

What is the name of Abraham’s son with Sarah

A

Isaac

66
Q

How long after Abraham’s covenant were the Jews enslaved in Egypt

A

around 400 years afterwards

67
Q

Why was Moses about to be put to death

A

for killing an Egyptian that ill-treated a Jew

68
Q

How did God give instructions to Moses

A

through a burning bush

69
Q

What did God do to persuade the Egyptians to let the Jews leave

A

send 10 plagues

70
Q

Which sea did God part to allow for passage through

A

the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds)

71
Q

What were the 10 plagues

A
  • water turning to blood
  • frogs
  • lice
  • flies
  • livestock pestilence
  • boils
  • hail
  • locusts
  • darkness
  • killing of the firstborn
72
Q

What is the estimated number of Jews who escaped from Egypt

A

a few thousand to 3 million

73
Q

What happened at Mount Sinai

A

God gave Moses Ten Commandments carved in tablets of stone

74
Q

What are the 10 commandments

A
  • You shall not have any other Gods
  • You shall not worship false idols
  • You shall not use the Lord’s name in vain
  • You shall keep the Sabbath holy
  • You shall honour thy father and mother
  • You shall not murder
  • You shall not commit adultery
  • You shall not steal
  • You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour
  • You shall not covet
75
Q

What two passages are the 10 commandments mentioned

A

Exodus 20:1-17
Deuteronomy 5:6-21

76
Q

Where did Moses die
- Who succeeded him
- Which River did Moses’ successor lead the Jews across
- Which battle did they fight and win

A

Moab
- Joshua
- River Jordan
- Jericho

77
Q

What is justice

A

bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed

78
Q

Why do Jews believe the Torah and the prophets were sent by God

A

to help people understand and bring about justice in a way that demonstrates mercy

79
Q

What do Jews believe creating a just society requires

A

all people to contribute by living their lives correctly, following the laws of the Torah

80
Q

What is healing the world

A

being involved in God’s work to sustain the world; it can involve work to increase social justice or to preserve the environment

81
Q

What do some Jews believe about healing the world

A

doing charity work or similar work is too limited, it should encompass more including obeying the mitzvot and trying to become closer to God spiritually

82
Q

What is charity (2 definitions)

A

providing help and love to those in need
- an organisation that does not make a profit, whose main purpose is to help those in need

83
Q

What is GIFT

A

Give It Forward Today - a Jewish charity which was started in 2003. Inspires and educates young people to become givers, while helping those in need

84
Q

What sort of practical initiatives do GIFT do (5)

A
  • collecting, packaging and delivering food parcels to hundreds of needy families
  • twinning young people with a wide array of volunteer opportunities
  • running creative interactive and educational sessions in schools, youth groups and communities in UK
  • encouraging fundraising
  • organising hospital and retirement home visits
85
Q

What is sanctity of life

A

all life is holy as it is created and loved by God; human life should not be misused or abused

86
Q

What do some Jews believe about prolonging natural death

A

it would be acceptable to remove a ventilator because it is preventing natural death

87
Q

What is the Talmud

A

a commentary by the rabbis on the Torah - it consists of Mishnah and Gemara

88
Q

What is pikuach nefesh
- Why does it show the importance of human life

A

the obligation to save a life, even if doing so breaks Jewish law
- it takes precedence over Jewish law

89
Q

What are contrasting views on organ donation

A
  • It is a great honour to donate organs to save another’s life
  • the body should be complete when buried and donated organs make this impossible
90
Q

What are some modern ways pikuach nefesh takes precedence over Shabbat

A

performing life - saving operations
driving a sick or injured person to hospital

91
Q

What do Jews think of obeying the mitzvot

A

it is pleasing to God

92
Q

What are 5 things that mitzvot concerning God and man’s relationship discuss

A

rituals, worship, sacrifice, observing festivals, food laws

93
Q

What does the story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience teach Jews

A

that God has allowed them to choose how they can live their lives

94
Q

What is free will

A

the belief that God gives people the opportunity to make decisions for themselves

95
Q

What do Jews believe about using free will to act in a way that is pleasing to God

A

it guarantees that God will judge them favourably

96
Q

What do Jews believe about using free will to do bad things

A

it will bring them further apart from God in life or after death

97
Q

How many mitzvot are in the Torah
- How many are good and how many bad

A

613
- 248 positive - obeying these help Jews to strengthen their bond with God
- 365 negative - telling people what not to do in an attempt to prevent the bond between God and humans from being damaged

98
Q

Why do Jews believe the mitzvot are important

A

it helps them ensure that their choices are good and pleasing to God

99
Q

When is it believed that God gave the Torah mitzvot to the Jews

A

In Sinai under the leadership of Moses