Judaism Unit 1 Flashcards
G-d is one:
- This means God is a single, whole indivisible being. Jews are monotheistic.
- This is stated in the Shema, an important prayer: “Hear O Israel, the L-rd your G-d is one, the L-rd alone.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
- God is the only being who should be worshipped with total loyalty, love and dedication: “You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and might (Deuteronomy 6:5)
G-d is creator:
- Jews believe the Genesis story from the Torah.
- Orthodox Jews interpret this as a literal 7-day creation story and reject scientific theories of evolution.
- Reform Jews, may accept this less literally, believing in an older universe and evolution.
- G-d created everything including evil: “I make weal and create woe” (Isaiah 45:7)
- The existence of evil is a necessary consequence of free will.
- Like Christians, Jews believe that G-d is: omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (everywhere at all times).
G-d is a lawgiver and judge:
- God has given the 613 laws in the Torah called Mitzvot.
- The first 10 of the Mitzvot are the 10 Commandments.
- During the days of atonement at Rosh Hashanah Jews believe that G-d judges people for their actions over the past year and decides what the new year holds.
- Many Jews also believe God will judge them after death.
What is the Shekinah (or the Divine Presence)?
the presence of G-d on Earth.
Where is G-d’s presence seen?
in the Tabernacle.
What is the Tabernacle?
a portable temple, similar to a tent, carried through the desert to the land of Canaan.
Where else was G-d’s presence contained?
in the Temple of Jerusalem - the centre of Jewish worship.
What were the Jews led by according to the Tenakh and what is its significance?
a Pillar of Fire or cloud - these were appearances that show G-d’s power and glory.
Heaven (Gan Eden)
Many Jews believe that if they follow their faith they will go to heaven, which is a place of paradise (Gan Eden). It is not clear whether this is a physical or spiritual place.
Resurrection
- Some believe that there will be a physical resurrection when the Messiah comes.
- This Day of Judgement is supported by “Those that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake” (Daniel 12:2)
Sheol
- Some Jews believe that those people do not go to heaven go to Sheol (a place of waiting where souls are cleansed).
- Jews do not believe in eternal punishment.
Judgement
- Some Jews believe in judgement as soon as they die.
- “And the dust returns to the ground as it was, and the lifebreath returns to G-d” (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
What does the word “Messiah” mean and what is the Messiah’s role?
- Messiah = Anointed One.
- The word Messiah refers to the future leader who will rule with justice and kindness.
How was King Saul (the first King Israel) shown to have been chosen by G-d?
- He was anointed with oil.
- “Samuel took a flash of oil and poured some on Saul’s head and kissed him, and said, ‘the L-rd anoints you ruler over your own people,’” (1 Samuel 10:1)
Who is the Messiah expected to be a descendant of?
Saul’s successor King David.
Jews are still awaiting the coming of the Messiah.
Reform views about the Messiah
- The Messiah is not a person, but all people working together.
- Messiah means there will be peace.
- The Messianic Age will be achieved by everyone working together.
Orthodox views about the Messiah
- The Messiah will follow Torah.
- The Messiah will rule over the Promised Land and rebuild the temple.
- The Messiah will raise the dead and complete judgement.
- The Messiah will be a King.
“I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands” (Genesis 26:4)
- G-d promised that Abraham would become a nation through his descendants which would be too numerous to count.
- G-d promised that Abraham’s descendants would inherit the land of Canaan and receive G-d’s protection.
“I will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you” (Genesis 12:2)
- Through Abraham, a great and powerful nation would arise and all nations on Earth will be blessed through him.
- Abraham proved his acceptance by circumcising himself and all males in his household:
“My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.” (Genesis 17:13)
To make Abraham the father of many nations…
…his wife, Sarah, conceived despite being old.
- She gave birth to a son called Isaac.
- Some see this marking the start of the covenant.
Why is the Abrahamic Covenant significant to Jews?
- Through the covenant, Abraham became the first human to reject false G-ds in favour of the one true G-d (monotheism).
- The covenant extends to all Jews - it marks the start of the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people.
- The covenant carries with it the promise of the land of Canaan.
- The covenant marks the origins of the Jewish practice of circumcision. Today, this ritual is known as Brit Milah.
What did G-d tell Moses to do regarding the slaves?
free the slaves from Egypt. After sending 10 plagues, Pharaoh frees the slaves.
What did the Jews do after their escape from Egypt?
they wandered the desert for many years.
What happened when they reached Mount Sinai?
Moses went up to the top of the mountain and G-d gave him the 10 Commandments. Moses carried on these stone tablets and took them to the Jews.
Why is Moses important for Jews?
- He was chosen by G-d to lead the Jews to freedom.
- He was a mediator between G-d and the Israelites.
- G-d gave Moses the 10 Commandments, trusted him to deliver the rules and ensure the Israelites lived by the rules.
Why is the Covenant at Sinai significant?
- G-d promises that he will be the G-d of the Jews and they will be his chosen people.
- G-d promises that he will protect and bless the Jews.
- The covenant is one of the main reasons why Jews believe they are the chosen people of God.
What are the 3 Key Moral Principles in Judaism?
Justice, healing the world, kindness to strangers.
Justice
- Bringing about what is right and fair according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed.
- The Torah helps Jews to treat the poor and vulnerable.
- Micah 6:8 says “do justice and love goodness”
Healing the world
- Sustaining G-d’s creation of the world.
- Ways Jews heal the world: contributing to social justice by donating to charity, stewardship, and obeying the Mitzvot.
Kindness to strangers
- The Torah teaches that they should love others (the stranger) as they love themselves.
- “Love your fellow as your self” (Leviticus 19:18)
What do Jews believe about the Sanctity of Life?
- Life is sacred and only G-d can give or take it away.
- G-d breathed life into Adam and creation in Genesis 2, showing that life is valuable and sacred as it is given by G-d.
- “He who destroys one soul of a human being, the Scripture considers him as if he should destroy a whole world.” (Sanhedrin 4:5 in the Talmud, a book of teachings)
What does Pikuach Nefesh mean?
Humans have a responsibility to preserve life, taking precedence over other Jewish laws e.g. Jews are allowed to break Shabbat law (to rest) and drive a sick person to hospital or perform a life-saving operation in order to save a life.
Jewish beliefs on free will
- Jews believe they are given free will to make their own choices.
- In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve use their free will to disobey G-d.
What are Mitzvot?
Jewish rules/commandments.
What do the 613 Mitzvot allow Jews to do?
Form a good relationship with G-d and with neighbour.
Two categories of the Mitzvot:
- between man and G-d e.g. 4th - remember G-d every Shabbat.
- between man and man e.g. 5th - honour your mother and father.
