Judaism Beliefs and Teachings (Y10 - Spring 2)

Question 1

What do the Jewish Scpritures mean to Jews and what ones are there?

Answer 1

The Jewish scriptures are considered to be the absolute word of God. It is also called the ‘Jewish Bible’ or Tenakh because it is made up of these books:

• Torah: written law (first 5 books, e.g. Genesis)
• Nebi’im: Prophets e.g. Jeremiah
• Ketuim: Writings e.g. Psalms

The Jewish Bible has exactly the same books as the Christian Old Testament (in a very slightly different order.)

Question 2

What is God’s promise to the Jews (that is similar to Christianity)

Answer 2

Throughout the Old Testament God promises to send the Jews a great Messiah (saviour) who will bring peace and justice to all mankind.

This saviour can also be called:

• The Promised One
• The King
• The Saviour
• The Messiah
• The Annointed One

Question 3

How Do The Jews Think Of And Treat God, and Examples of how they do this?

Answer 3

• Many Jews prefer not to say the word ‘God’ out loud and not to write it, so they use ‘G-d
• God revealed his name as the Hebrew consonants YHWH (so became known as Yahweh)
• Any book containing the name for G-d cannot be destroyed or thrown away - it must be buried properly in a Jewish cemetery.
• God does not have a physical form (no body). Bible descriptions of a physical God are simply figures of speech to help make God more understandable.
• God is neither male nor female so when we refer to God as ‘he’ this is purely for convenience.
• Jews are forbidden from representing God in physical form – it is considered to go against the commandment ‘Do not worship idols.’

Question 4

What is the idea of Monotheism for Jews and what does this mean for them

Answer 4

For Jews, monotheism is a way of viewing the world and the contents of the world that God has created. They believe that God is ever present in people’s lives; every sight they see, every sound they hear, and every experience they have is considered to be a meeting with God. God is constantly at work. By carefully studying God in the Jewish Bible (Christian Old Testament) Jews believe they can learn more about God.

The most fundamental belief in Judaism is that God is one. For Jews, this means many things: God is a single, whole, indivisible being who has created and sustains everything in the universe. God is infinite, eternal (has no beginning or end) and our morality (beliefs and values) all come from God. God is beyond the full understanding of humans and is the only being who should be praised and worshipped.

Question 5

What is the Shema + Quote from Deutronomy

Answer 5

Belief in the one God is fully expressed in the first two verses of the Shema, an important Jewish prayer that is believed to be the word of God as it comes from passages in the Torah (the books of Deuteronomy and Numbers). The first two verses of the Shema express belief in the oneness of God and how humans should respond to this belief:

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5

The reference to ‘The Lord alone’ confirms belief in the one God and ‘You shall love God with all of your heart’ implies that God requires total loyalty. The mention of loving God with the soul shows that Jews need a spiritual (non-physical) dedication to God.

Question 6

What does ‘God as one’ mean?

Answer 6

• A single, whole, individble being
• He has created and sustained everything in the universe
• God is infinite and eternal (he has no beginning or end)
• God is beyond the understanding of humans
• He is the only being who should be praised and/or worshipped
• Our morality (beliefs and values) all come from God.

Question 7

What type of religion is Judaism

Answer 7

Judaism is the original one if the 3 Abrahamic beliefs, which include:

• Judaism
• Christianity
• Islam

Judaism is also a Monotheistic Belief, meaning that they only believe in and worship one God (hence ‘Mono’)

Question 8

What are the definition of ‘Creator’, and ‘Sustainer’ for Judaism

Answer 8

Creator - Is one who creates things. God created the universe from nothing, and made it exactly as he wants it.

Sustainer - Providing resources to feed and provide for all species.

Question 9

What 3 Things do Jews believe God is? (And what do those words mean)

Answer 9

Jews belive that God is:

• Omnipotent: God is all powerful
• Omniscient: God is all knowing
• Omnipresent: God is everywhere at once

Question 10

Quote from Genesis on Creation + How did God create the Earth

Answer 10

‘When God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1)

• Day 1 - God created night and day
• Day 2 - God created the sky
• Day 3 - God created earth, sea, and plants
• Day 4 - God created the sun, moon, and stars
• Day 5 - God created the fish and birds
• Day 6 - Gid created animals and human beings (Adam and Eve)
• Day 7 - God rested

Question 11

What are the 3 Main categories of Jews and what do they believe (generally, but also on creation)

Answer 11

There are 3 main categories of Jews:

• Orthodox Jews: Strictly follow laws and practices in the Torah
• Ultra-Orthodox: Very Strictly follow laws and practices in the Torah
• Reform Jews: Believe Jewish laws should be re-interpreted to suit modern life

Most Ultra-Orthodox and Orthodox Jews believe that God litterally made the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th, and they reject the Big Bang theory and evolution. However, most reform Jews believe God created the world using the Big Bang and created humans through evolution.

Question 12

How do Jews believe God has created Free Will (+ Good and Evil)

Answer 12

As creator of everything, Jews believe that God must have created evil. This means that God would’ve created anything bad or evil that would’ve happened to the Jews in the present and past (for example the Holocaust). This could lead some Jews to question why their God has allow this pain and hurt to be inflicted on his own believers, possibly leading them to question their own faith.

However, it is because God has given all people free will. This means that the choice to do good rather than bad makes the act more significant to God, as a result.

On the other hand, people may sometimes choose to misuse their free will - therefore evil has to exist. This is so good can even be defined (because you can’t have good if there is no contrast, it’s just a thing).

This whole idea could be difficult to accept for Jews because they are the religion that seems to have been treated the worst throughout history. This could be because God is choosing to hurt the very people who believe in him, or he could simply be not powerful enough or oresent enough to keep iphid oen people safe and away from evil.

Question 13

Quote from Isaish on Belief in God

Answer 13

“The belief in one God who created everything, including the potential for evil, is reinforced.”

(Isaiah 45: 6-7)

Question 14

How does God sustain the Earth for Jews

Answer 14

God sustains the universe - he provides everything needed for life.

However, as a result of free will, humans have distributed resources (food, water, e.c.t) unequally, so some people in the world have less than they need.

Jews who choose to help those in need are helpinb fufill God’s plan for creation.

Question 15

What are the definitions of Lawgiver, Judge, and Merciful

Answer 15

Lawgiver - God gives laws to govern how people behave. By following the laws, Jews belive they are fufilling God’s will on Earth

Judge - God judges Jews how well they follow his laws.

Merciful - God shows compassion / forgiveness to humans, even through be has the power to punish them.

Question 16

What and How Many Commandments do Jews have (+ What are they called for Jews)

Answer 16

• A ‘mitzvah’ is a Jewish Law (Commandment)
• In the Torah, God gave Jews 613 mitzvot (laws) to follow
• These are the accepted code of conduct for Jewish life life
• The first ten mitzvot are the 10 Commandments, which are particularly important for Jews (as well as Christians)

Question 17

What are the 10 Commandments and where are they in the Tenakh

Answer 17

1. Worship no God but me
2. Do not worship idols (images, scriptures, e.c.t)
3. Do not use my name for evil purposes (Blasphemy)
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy (do not work on the Sabbath) - Friday Nightfall to Saturday Nightfall
5. Respect your father and your mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not cpmmit adultry (sleep with someone who is not your husband or wife)
8. Do not steal
9. Do not lie (bear false witness against your neighbour).
10. Do not be jealous (do not covet/desire your neighbour’s possessions/belongings)

Exodus 20 : 1-17 - Given from God to Moses.

Question 18

Which of the 10 Commandments are Between Man and God

Answer 18

The first 4 of the Ten Commandments are between Man and God:

1. Worship no God but me
2. Do not worship idols (images, scriptures, e.c.t)
3. Do not use my name for evil purposes (Blasphemy)
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy (do not work on the Sabbath) - Friday Nightfall to Saturday Nightfall

Question 19

Which of the 10 Commandments are Between Man and Man

Answer 19

The last 6 of the 10 Commandments are between Man and Man:

5. Respect your father and your mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not cpmmit adultry (sleep with someone who is not your husband or wife)
8. Do not steal
9. Do not lie (bear false witness against your neighbour).
10. Do not be jealous (do not covet/desire your neighbour’s possessions/belongings)

Question 20

What Is The Story of Adam and Eve?

Answer 20

• God places Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they can do anything but eat anything from the Tree of Knowledge.
• The snake (who symbolises evil) tries to tempt them into eating an apple from the Tree of Knowledge.
• Eventually Adam and Eve eat the apple and then get to know everything. Here, the misused their free will.
• In doing this, they have performed the first sin, which is known as Original Sin and made themsleves further away from God as a result.

Question 21

How does God try to lead Jews on the right path

Answer 21

God tries to lead Jews on the right path by encouraging them to do certain things like:

• Following the mitzvot which makes it impossible to disobey God
• However, God also gave Jews free will in order to make choices on how to follow the mitzvot
• Knowing our actions have consequences (Adam and Eve Story)

Question 22

What does God Judge as Lawgiver and When do Jews believe they are judged?

Answer 22

• God judges Jews on how well they follow the laws/commandments
• God’s judgements are fair and merciful
• Good actions bring Jews closer to God and ensure favourable judgement
• Bad actions lead people away from God

There are 3 ways that Jews believe they are Judged:

1. Once a year (Rosh Hashana)
2. When they die
3. On Judgement Day

Question 23

Jewish Belief on customs surrounding Death (+What do they do and what blessings do they make?)

Answer 23

Jews believe fhat because death is part of God’s plan, death is an inevitable part of life. Judaism teaches that Jews should not die alone, although this is not always possible to achieve. The dying person’s family should make every effort to visit and look after them, and ensure there is always somebody with them. It is considered to be an act of great kindness to be present at the time of death and to close the dead person’s eyes. Upon hearing of a hearth of a loved one, Jews make a blessing to God:

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, the True Judge.”

Intense mourning follows a person’s death, especially ehile waiting fkr their burial, then for seven days after the burial, followed by a further 30 days of lesser mourning.

Jews follow these traditional customs to show respect to the dying person, amd to show they accept that God has taken their loved one’s life.

Question 24

What are Jewish Belief on Afterlife?

Answer 24

There is little teaching about life after death in the Jewish holy books, and beliefs about it have developed over the centuries. This has lef to differences between Jews in their ideas about what happens after death. Some belive tnat lufe after desth will be a physical life, while others belive it will be spiritual.

Question 25

What do Jews believe about Heaven and Sheol

Answer 25

Teachings about the afterlife imply that the good still enter paridise (Gan Eden) while others will go to a place sometimes referred to as Sheol. This is seen as a place of waiting where souls are cleansed. Even though many Jews believe that those who follow their faith properly will be judged good enough for heaven, there is no clear teaching about what heaven is like. It is believed that heaven will be with God, but is not onown westher it is a state of conciousness, or am actual physical or spiritual place.

Question 26

What do Jews believe about Judgement and Resrrection? (What views and what Bible Quotes support them)

Answer 26

Some Jews believe that they will be judged by God as soon as they die; this view is supported for example in Ecclesiastes 12:7, which suggests that judgement happens upon or shortly after death.

• “And the dust returns to the ground As it was, And the lifebreath returns to God Who bestowed it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7) *

Some believe that God will judge everyone on the Day of Judgement after the coming of the Messiah. This is when God will decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. This is the view taken in Daniel 12:2.

• “Many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, others to reproaches, to everlasting abhorrence” (Daniel 12:2) *

Daniel looks forward to a time of resurrection at some point in the future. In Judaism, ressurection is the idea that at some point after death, people will rise from their graves to live again. However, many Jews reject the idea of resurrection, whether physical or spiritual. They have no from virw on what happens after death.

One of the reasons for the lack of agreement about the afterlife is that Jews believe the present is more important, and they should focus on living in a way that is pleasing to God. The idea that it is best to focus on the present rather than the afterlife.

Question 27

How do Jews believe they can make the world a better place? (+ What is the Messanic Age)

Answer 27

-Everyone should work together to bring peace to the world to get to/until the messanic age.

(Messianic Age - The future period of time on earth in which the messiah will reign and bring universal peace and brotherhood, without evil)

The prescence pf God is bought to a place by doing good work. In order to do this, Jews follow 3 key sacred principles:

• Justice
• Healing the World
• Kindness to Others

Question 28

What is Mtizvah Day?

Answer 28

Mitzvah Day International is an annual day of faith-based social action that takes place in November each year, primarily in the United Kingdom. On Mitzvah Day each year, up to 40,000 people of differing community groups and individuals undertake a range of volunteer projects for those in need in their local community. In doing this, they give time and not money.

Question 29

Explain the Sacred Principle of Justice and How It Can Be Put Into Practice?

Answer 29

For Jews, persuimg justice is a sacred duty and that can only be achieved when accompanied by truth and peace. It can be defined as bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed. According to the peophet Micah, God requires his people ‘to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk modestly witn your God’ (Micah 6:8).

The prophet Amos expresses the wish that people should:
“But let justice well up like water, Righteousness like an unfailing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

Jews belive that the Torah and the prophets were semt by God to help people understand and bring about justice in a way that demonstrates mercy. Tne laws in the Torah give important guidance on the treatment of the poor and vunerable, in order that justice can be achieved for them as well as for the rich and powerful. For Jews there is never any reason to ignore justice or the suffering of others. Creating a just society reauires all individuals to contribute by living their lives correctly, following the laws of the Torah

Question 30

Explain the Sacred Principle of Healing the World and How It Can Be Put Into Practice?

Answer 30

The concept of healing the world is very important in Judaism. While Jewish scholars have debated it widely, many see it simply as an action tnat draws people closer to God. For many Jews it motivates them to get involved in work designed to increase social justice, for example by volunteering for a charity that helps the poor or protects the environment.

Some Jews belive this understanding of healing the world by doing charity work or similar actions is too limited. They belive the term should encompass much mofe, includinh obeying the mitzvot and trying to become closer to God spiritually, for example through prayer.

Question 31

Explain the Sacred Principle of Kindness to Others and How It Can Be Put Into Practice?

Answer 31

Kindness to others is an important concept in Judaism. Many of the laws of the Torah spell out how to be kind to others and this is something Jews must aim to achieve. The Torah laws not only forbid murder and other negative actions, but also provide positive laws to encourage acts of kindness. These should be shown to all living things, both Jews and non-Jews alike.

Leviticus 19 twice instructs Jews to love people as they love themselves (verses 18 and 34):

“You shall not take vengence or bear grudge against your countrymen. Love you fellow as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)

“The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:34)

Question 32

Who are the Jewish Charity GIFT and what do they do

Answer 32

GIFT (Give It Forward Today) is a Jewish charity which was started in 2003. It’s aim is to inspire and educate young people to become givers, while also helping those in need in society. It is based on the premise that in a generation largely focused on the individual, the value and importance of giving is often forgotten. The purpose of GIFT is to shift attitudes and practical behaviour towards giving. GIFT is driven by the belief that all relationships in society, from fruendship and mattiage to parenting and community involvement, will be enhanced as a result of nurturing this particular value and trait in the individual GIFT’s educational workshops are designed to lead practical initiatives, such as:

• Collecting, packaging and deliverimg food parcels to hundreds lf needly families each week
• Twinning young people with a wide array of volunteer opportunities
• Running ceative, interactive and educational sessions in schools, youth groups, and communities across the UK
• Organising celebratory parties which benefit children and thise in need
• Encouraging fundraising and a sene of personal and so ial responsibility in support of all worthy causes
• Organising hospital and retirement home visits.

Question 33

What are the Definitions of the Talmud, Pikuach Nefesh, and Shabbat

Answer 33

The Talmud - An important Jewish book in which rabbis give detailed explanations of the laws in the Torah (Like the Jewish version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Pikuach Nefesh - This is a principle that allows most Jewish laws to be broken in order to save a life

Shabbat - The Jewish Sabbath day, which takes place every week from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday

Question 34

What is the Sanctity of Life and how does it affect the things Jews are against and things they do to help out?

Answer 34

Jews strongly believe in the sanctity of life – that life is holy and precious because it comes from God - this is seen in Genesis when God breathes life into Adam. As a result, most Jews believe that only God should begin and end life and that all life should be preserved and protected. This means that most Jews are against murder, abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia (assisted suicide) and possibly war.

Belief in the Sanctity of Life also inspires Jews to help preserve life in practical ways, for example, by giving blood and arranging to have their organs donated after death. This is seen as a great honour by most Jews (although some disagree because they believe the body should be complete when buried).

Question 35

What is the Talmud and how should it be used (+ Famous teaching about preserving life)

Answer 35

The Talmud is an important Jewish book in which rabbis (Jewish religious leaders) give detailed explanations of the laws in the Torah. Jews believe the Talmud should be read alongside the Torah, to help interpret its full meaning. The Talmud has an important and famous teaching about preserving life:

“He who saves one life … saves the whole world”

Question 36

What is the of Prinicple of Pikuach Nefesh and what do it allow Jews to do?

Answer 36

The Jewish Sabbath day, Shabbat, takes place every week from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. The Fourth Commandment, to ‘Keep the Sabbath day holy’, means that Jews strictly observe Shabbat by not doing any form of work, including driving or taking public transport. Logically, this law therefore prevents Jews from saving life as it may involve ‘work’.

However, the principle of pikuach nefesh allows Jews to break Jewish law in order to save a life, for example, it enables a doctor to respond to an emergency call on Shabbat and allows people to travel to hospital on Shabbat in an emergency.

The Talmud also contains instances where it is allowable to break Shabbat law in order to save life, including rescuing a child from the sea, breaking apart a wall that has collapsed on someone and putting out a fire.

Question 37

What are the exceptions to the principle of Pikuach Nefesh?

Answer 37

Some exceptions to the principle of Pikuach Nefesh can be:

• You can not murder (even to save another person’s life
• You can not worship idols
• You can not commit adultery

Question 38

What does the word Messiah mean?

Answer 38

Messiah = The future leader of the Jews, expected to live on Earth and bring peace to the whole world. The Messiah has been promised by God.

Question 39

What are the Orthodox Beliefs about the Coming of the Messiah

Answer 39

• In every generation, a descendant of King David is born - with the potential to be the Messiah (meaning he will be a real person)
• The Messiah will bring about world peace and rule over all humans with kindness and justice
• This period of time will be called the Messianic Age
• He will be the ultimate teacher of the Torah (law)
• He will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem

(- All of this is believed by Orthodox Jews and is outlined in the Torah)

Question 40

What are the Reform Beliefs about the Coming of the Messiah

Answer 40

• The Messiah will not be a physical person
• Instead, there will be a ‘Messianic Age’ … a time of global peace and harmony, where all the moral prinicples will be present
• Everyone has a duty to work together to achieve thid by following the three moral principles and observing religious duties

Question 41

What was God’s Covenant with Abraham and Abraham’s Covenant witn God (+Covenant Definition)

Answer 41

Covenant - A solemn peomise between two people or groups of people

God’s Covenant:

• To protect and favour the Israelites (Jews/Hebrews)
• To give Abraham the promised land - Canan (Israel) for his people (the Israelites)

Abraham’s Covenant:

• To live a life dedicated to God
• “The Lord chose you to be his treasured people”
• “I give this land to you and your offspring forever” (Genesis 13:15)

Question 42

What were the 10 plagues God sent to Egypt?

Answer 42

1. Rivers of Blood - The Nile turned to blood, killing all the fish
2. Frogs - Hoards of frogs overran Egypt
3. Gnats - Swarms of gmats disrupted Egypt
4. Flies - Egyptian Livestock was harmed (not Jewish ones)
5. Death of Animals - Egyptian Livestock were dying
6. Boils - Spread to people and Animals (not the Jews)
7. Hail and Fire - Terrible storms of hail and fire surrounded Egypt
8. Locusts - No crop was left standing, leading to a drought
9. Darkness - Egypt was left without light
10. Death of the First Born - All the paraoh’s first born are killed (people/livestock)

For the Death of the First Born, houses were marked with lamb blood on their doors, which showed God that they were Jews, and were left alone in ehat is called the Passover.

Question 43

What did God sending the 10 plagues and freeing the Israelites from Egypt show?

Answer 43

These 10 plagues showed that God was fufilling his coveneant witn Abraham, showing that they were his chosen people.

Question 44

When and Where was the Sinai Covenant name and What did it include? (+What the Jews Believe)

Answer 44

After the ‘exodus’from Egypt, they wandered for many years in the desert, looking for the promised land.

When the Hebrewscamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, God called Moses to the top and made a new covenant.

God’s Covenant:

• The Israelites are God’s special, chosen people
• God will always protect and bless them

The Jew’s Covenant:
-To listen and obey his laws (The 10 Commandments)

Jews believe Moses represents all Jews - Jews today believe this covenant is stilling binding, and is a major reason why Jews believe they are God’s ‘chosen people’.

Question 45

Timeline of Jewish History (From Abraham to The Promised Land)

Answer 45

• 2000 BCE Abraham is born
• When he is aged 85 God makes a covenant with Abraham
• 1000+ years later the Jews are enslaved in Egypt
• The Paraoh order all new born Hebrew males to be killed
• The Paraoh’s daughter rescues Moses from the Nile. Moses is adopted by her
• Moses kills an Egyptian and flees to the desert
• God appears to Moses as a burning bush and tells him to lead the Israelites out of slavery
• Moses demands that Paroah releases the Israelites, but he refuses
• God sends the 10 Plagues
• After the 10th Plague, Paroah finally allows the Israelites to leave Egypt. Moses parts the Red Sea and they are free
• The Israelites wander in the desert (between Egypt and Canan) for many years
• While in the desert, ar Mount Sinai, God gives Moses The 10 Commandments
• Moses dies
• Moses is succeeded by Joshua, who leads the Jews to the promised land of Canan (now known as the land of Israel), after winning many battles.

Question 46

The Definition of Shekhinah

Answer 46

Jews belive that G-d can ‘focus his presence’ in certain places. This is what is known as the Shekhinah. This means that humans can more readily experience God - not that God is more present.

The word Shekhinah comes from the Hebrew word ‘shocken’ meaning to dwell or settle.

Question 47

What does the Shekhinah not mean

Answer 47

Jews believe that God has no physical form - so Shekhinah does NOT mean God is physically present nor that God is split into certain parts

Question 48

What does the Tabernacle have to do with the Shekhinah?

Answer 48

It was believed that the Tabernacle housed the prescence of God while wandering in the desert between Egypt and Canan. The Jews carried it with them and it was always at the centre of their camp.

Question 49

An Example of Shekhinah being portrayed in the Tenakh (+ Isaiah Quote)

Answer 49

The Tenakh also describes how they were sometimes led by a pillar of cloud during the day – and a cloud with fire in it at night which hovered above them and guided them on their journey. These were believed to be experiences of the Shekhinah.

Isaiah Quote:
‘I beheld my Lord seated on a high and lofty throne’ (Isaiah 6:1)

Question 50

How do Jews think they can bring Shekhinah to everyday life?

Answer 50

After the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, God was effectively homeless.

As a result, Jews have come to understand that God’s presence is brought to a place by doing good actions. This includes studying, prayer, following the mitzvot (613 commandments) and following the three moral principles:

• Justice
• Healing the world
• Kindness to others

In this way Jews create a home for God in their lives.

Question 51

What does the Temple have to do with the Shekhinah? (How it replaced the Tabernacle)

Answer 51

After the Jews settled in Canaan, the Tabernacle was replaced with Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. However, the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE and never rebuilt.

Jews believed that the Shekhinah was focused in the Temple. In particular, God was believed to be present in the Holy of Holies – an area which no-one ever entered except for the high priest on one day of the year