Judaism topic 1 Flashcards
What was the World population 1939 and 1945 and why?
17 million to 11 million as around 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust
Who conquered Canaan and what did he claim it as?
Joshua, the promised land.
Who were the three great Kings of the Promised land
Saul, David and Solomon
What happened in 587 BCE
The Babylonians captured Jerusalem and took the Jews into captivity in Babylonia
When Jews returned to the Promised land who ruled over them?
Other empires such as the Greeks, Romans and Persians
What occurred in 70CE causing the diaspora of Jews throughout the world?
Jews were permanently exiled from Judea by the Romans.
The Jewish temple was destroyed by Romans.
What were the threats to Jewish identity in Europe?
Antisemitism. Jews were persecuted, segregated and forced to assimilate their host societies.
Who proposed a solution and what was it?
Theodor Herzl - proposed a Jewish state located in Palestine under the Ottoman empire.
What does the word ‘covenant’ mean?
Promise
What does God promise Noah?
That he will never destroy humanity again after the flood
What does God promise Abraham? What must Abraham do in return?
That Abraham will have a son and his descendants will be numerous.
Only worship the one true God (monotheism) and circumcise all his descendants.
Give three examples of Jacob’s sons.
Reuben, Gad, Simeon
What does Moses receive from God on Mount Sinai
the 10 commandments
Define ‘mitzvot’
Commandment
How many commandments did Moses receive from God?
613
What are the five books of the Torah?
Deuteronomy
Leviticus
Numbers
Exodus
Genesis
Why is Moses considered to be the founder of the Jewish faith?
The written law came into being with Moses and therefore Judaism as an organised religion
Outline Orthodox beliefs on the Torah and 613 mitzvot.
The entire Torah was authored by Moses and represents the word of God. All 613 mitzvot were explicitly given by God.
Outline Reform beliefs on the Torah and 613 mitzvot.
Moses did not write the Torah but embodies the revelation he received. The 10 commandments are the central beliefs.
What did God promise Moses on Mount Sinai
He will lead the Israelites to the promised land.
What does Shekinah mean? What can be said about this?
Dwelling - Home, close to.
God lives in his followers and gave them God like characteristics.
What is Shekinah?
The visible glory of God that can be seen by human beings. The manifest presence of God.
What are three visible signs to follow?
Pillars of cloud/flames, a burning bush, the moon
What will the moon represent?
The motherly feminine aspect of God
What are the issues surrounding Shekinah?
May interfere with the oneness of God. If the Shekinah was worshipped as God, is it idolatry?
What is the Shemah?
Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Hear o Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one
Can God be imagined?
No - His perfect unity means he is beyond human understanding. He is an immaterial spiritual being.
State why the World may not exist without God.
He is the first cause and sustainer of all things
What are:
a) Tefillin
b) Mezuzah
a) a small black box containing letters from the Torah
b) a small black box attached to a door frame
What is the inconsistent Triad?
God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent
Outline Jewish beliefs on the problem of evil and suffering.
Why would God allow suffering if he is all loving, powerful and knowing.
The Shoah (holocaust) made Jews wonder if they are really the chosen people if God did not prevent their persecution
Explain the purpose of the story of Job.
To not question God as his purposes are beyond human understanding.
What is the Tenakh?
The Whole Hebrew Bible
What are three parts of the oral law? What do they all make up?
Talmud =
Midrash - commentaries on the text
Minshah - Putting the laws into practice
Gemara - Commentaries on the Minshah
Compare Orthodox and Reform beliefs on the Talmud.
Orthodox - believe the Talmud was fixed years ago - traditional
Reform - debates can continue in modern times
Name three Commandments.
- You shall have no other Gods before me
- You shall not commit adultery
- You shall not murder
Explain three parts of a Jewish Synagogue.
Menorah = a candlestick
Bimah = a reading desk for the Torah
The ark = a cupboard containing the Torah
What is the difference between private prayer and public prayer?
Private prayer - at home
Public prayer - in a synagogue
Name three examples of blessing in the Amidah.
Avot
Gevurot
Binah
When do Jews pray?
Morning (Shacarit), Midday (Minchah), Evening (Ma’ariv)
What are forms of Jewish prayer?
Confession
Praise
Thanksgiving
Supplication
Which way do Jews face when praying? Why?
East towards Jerusalem
Briefly explain three components of a synagogue service.
Recitation of the Shemah - the most important belief
Reading of the Torah - performed by a Rabbi, central (word of God)
Blessings of the Shemah - prayers on the themes of creation, revelation and redemption
Outline the role of the mikveh.
- A pool for ritual bathing
- Used by Orthodox Jews
- Woman bathe in it after childbirth, menstruating and before weddings tremain pure
- May be used in conversion
Explain the following:
a) Star of David
b) Tallit
c) Yarmulke
d) Menorah
e) Yad
f) Torah
a) Used to identify Jewish places of Worship
b) prayer shawl
c) To cover hair in prayer
d) seven branched candlestick
e) for reading the Torah
f) Jewish scriptures
