Judaism: Ethical Teachings

Question 1

What are the Core Ethical Teachings?

Answer 1

-Ten commandments
- prophetic vision
- book of proverbs

Question 2

Why are the ethical teachings important?

Answer 2

call adherents to live lives of charity and justice through the concepts given to them

Question 3

What is the significance of the Ten Commandments?

Answer 3

• divine moral law (613 mitzvot) serves as guide to live a morally just life
• observe Halacha : provides way to connect to God and live out belief in role as Chosen People and make informed moral choices

Question 4

What are some of the ethical teachings in the commandments?

Answer 4

“I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:2) - establishes relations with god and israelites + affirms divine authority of commandments

“You shall have no other Gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3) - emphasises monotheism

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8) - religious practice: day of rest + spiritual reflection

“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) - prohibits taking a person’s life, respect for human dignity

Question 5

What is the significance of the Book of Proverbs?

Answer 5

• collection of sayings + discussions that focus on how life should be lived in God’s world
  key message: adherents must exercise the responsibility to live according to God’s ways through their actions

Question 6

What are the teachings in the Book of Proverbs?

Answer 6

Wisdom: able to make ethically right decisions “You will gain knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5)

Righteousness: people of integrity = followed by happiness in life. calls adherents to be “righterous [and] care about justice for the poor” (Proverbs 29:7)
“Keep justice and practice righteousness” (Isiah 56:1)

Purity: keep in mind what is important rather simple pleasures, also warns god’s disain for impure actions. “Wealth is useless on the day of wrath but virtue saves from death” (Proverbs 11:4)

Generosity: care for people and helping poor + oppressed, blessed if act generously “If you remain indifferent in time of adversity your strength will depart from you” (Proverbs 24:10)

Question 7

What is Tikkun Olam?

Answer 7

• represents notion that world has been broken and needs to be repaired, helping to “repair the world”
• commitment to social justice and social order.
• used in Talmud in context of avoiding negative social change

Question 8

How does it relate to adherents?

Answer 8

adherents called to perform acts of Gemilut Chassidim, or acts of loving kindness towards others without self interest.

Question 9

What is a lived expression for Tikkun Olam?

Answer 9

• Tikkun Olam Makers: contemporary organisation living out the Prophetic Vision : repairing the world
• partners with engineers to help people with disabilities overcome issues that they encounter in their everyday lives.

Question 10

What is the significance of the Prophetic Vision?

Answer 10

Prophets called to:
To reveal God’s word to the Hebrew people
- To remind the people of the covenant and the importance of social justice

Jews called to:
- treat every human with dignity and respect
- act of misbehaviour against another human: considered a violation against God.

“Maintain justice, and do what is right” (Isaiah 56:1)