Judaism Unit 1 Flashcards

1
Q

G-d is one:

A
  • 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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

G-d is creator:

A
  • 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).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

G-d is a lawgiver and judge:

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the Shekinah (or the Divine Presence)?

A

the presence of G-d on Earth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where is G-d’s presence seen?

A

in the Tabernacle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the Tabernacle?

A

a portable temple, similar to a tent, carried through the desert to the land of Canaan.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where else was G-d’s presence contained?

A

in the Temple of Jerusalem - the centre of Jewish worship.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What were the Jews led by according to the Tenakh and what is its significance?

A

a Pillar of Fire or cloud - these were appearances that show G-d’s power and glory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Heaven (Gan Eden)

A

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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Resurrection

A
  • 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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Sheol

A
  • 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.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Judgement

A
  • 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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the word “Messiah” mean and what is the Messiah’s role?

A
  • Messiah = Anointed One.
  • The word Messiah refers to the future leader who will rule with justice and kindness.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How was King Saul (the first King Israel) shown to have been chosen by G-d?

A
  • 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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Who is the Messiah expected to be a descendant of?

A

Saul’s successor King David.
Jews are still awaiting the coming of the Messiah.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Reform views about the Messiah

A
  • 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.
17
Q

Orthodox views about the Messiah

A
  • 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.
18
Q

“I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands” (Genesis 26:4)

A
  • 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.
19
Q

“I will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you” (Genesis 12:2)

A
  • 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)
20
Q

To make Abraham the father of many nations…

A

…his wife, Sarah, conceived despite being old.
- She gave birth to a son called Isaac.
- Some see this marking the start of the covenant.

21
Q

Why is the Abrahamic Covenant significant to Jews?

A
  • 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.
22
Q

What did G-d tell Moses to do regarding the slaves?

A

free the slaves from Egypt. After sending 10 plagues, Pharaoh frees the slaves.

23
Q

What did the Jews do after their escape from Egypt?

A

they wandered the desert for many years.

24
Q

What happened when they reached Mount Sinai?

A

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.

25
Q

Why is Moses important for Jews?

A
  • 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.
26
Q

Why is the Covenant at Sinai significant?

A
  • 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.
27
Q

What are the 3 Key Moral Principles in Judaism?

A

Justice, healing the world, kindness to strangers.

28
Q

Justice

A
  • 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”
29
Q

Healing the world

A
  • 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.
30
Q

Kindness to strangers

A
  • The Torah teaches that they should love others (the stranger) as they love themselves.
  • “Love your fellow as your self” (Leviticus 19:18)
31
Q

What do Jews believe about the Sanctity of Life?

A
  • 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)
32
Q

What does Pikuach Nefesh mean?

A

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.

33
Q

Jewish beliefs on free will

A
  • 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.
34
Q

What are Mitzvot?

A

Jewish rules/commandments.

35
Q

What do the 613 Mitzvot allow Jews to do?

A

Form a good relationship with G-d and with neighbour.

36
Q

Two categories of the Mitzvot:

A
  • 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.