Judasim Beliefs Flashcards
What is the Jewish Bible called?
Tenakh
What is the Tenakh considered to be?
the absolute word of God
What is the Torah?
The written law (first 5 books)
What is oral law?
explanation of Torah written by rabbis over a period of time
What are two main ‘categories’ of Jewish belief?
Orthodox Jews
Reform Jews
Whats are Orthodox Jews?
strictly follow laws and practices in the Torah
What are Reform Jews?
follow the spirit of the law rather than the specific law
They believe Jewish laws and practices should be re-interpreted to suit modern life
Who is the messiah for Jews?
Future leader of the Jews
Expected to live on earth and bring peace to the whole world
What do Jews NOT belive about Jesus?
That Jesus is the messiah
What are Orthodox Jewish beliefs about the messiah?
In every generation a descendent of King David is born, who has the potential to be the Messiah (a person)
What will the messiah do in Jewish Beliefs?
The Messiah will bring about world peace and rule over all humans with kindness and justice
This period of time is called the Messianic age
What will happen when the Messiah comes?
He will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
What are Reform beliefs abour the Messiah?
The Messiah will not be a person
Instead, there will be a ‘messianic age’ a time of global peace and harmony
What does omnipotent mean?
God is all powerful
What does omniscient mean?
God is all knowing
What does omnipresent mean?
God is everywhere at once
What do Jews believe God is?
Belief in one God is the most basic principle in Judaism
This makes Judaism a monotheistic religion (believe in one God)
What does God as one mean?
God is a single, whole, indivisible being
God is infinite and eternal
God is the only being who should be praised and worshipped
God created everything in the universe
What does the shema show?
Confirms there is one God. God is single, whole, indivisible, eternal.
Quotes there is only one God?
“The lord alone”
“Love God with all your heart”
“With all your soul and might”
What are the characteristics of God?
One God
Creator
Sustainer
Judge
Law giver
Merciful
The divine presence
What do Jews believe about God as creator?
Jews believe God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh
What do Orthodox Jews believe about God as creator?
God literally made the world in six days - they reject the Big Bang and evolution
What do Reform Jews believe about God as creator?
God created the world using the Big Bang and evolution
What do Jews beleive about God and Evil?
As creator of everything, Jews believe that God must have created evil
Quote for God creating evil?
“I the Lord bring prosperity and create disaster”
What do Orthodox Jews believe about God the sustainer?
God sustains the universe – provides everything needed for life
But humans have distributed resources (food, water etc.) unequally so some people have less than they need.
What is a mitzvah?
A Jewish law (commandment)
How many mitzvot are there?
613 to follow
What are the mitzvot?
These are the accepted code of conduct for Jewish life
today
What are important about the first 10 mitzvots?
The first ten mitzvot are the ten commandments – the most important of all laws.
Name 2 of the 4 commandemnts to do with Man and God
“Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy”
“Worship no other Gods but me”
Name 2 of the 6 commandemnts to do with Man and Man
“Do not commit murder”
“Do not steal”
What are the last 6 laws of the 10 commandments about?
How to treat others
What does following the mitzvot do?
Make it impossible to disobey God
The mitzvot guide Jews on how to use their free will correctly
to live in a way that pleases God
There are consequences for bad actions (Adam and Eve)
What do Jews believe about God as Judge?
God judges Jews on how well they follow the laws
God’s judgements are fair and merciful (forgiving)
Good actions bring Jews closer to God and ensure favourable judgement
Bad actions lead people away from God
When do Jews believe they are judged?
Once a year (at new year - Rosh Hashanah)
When they die
What do Jews believe about life after death?
It is More important to please God in the present
What do Jews believe about Heaven?
Jews believe in heaven, a place where you are WITH GOD (Gen Eden)
What is shoel?
If you don’t enter heaven you go to Sheol for your soul to be cleansed. No belief in eternal punishment
What are Jews belief about ressurection?
Most do not believe in bodily resurrection
What is God as Shekhinah?
Gods divine presence
What happen to ancient Jews while in the desert?
While in the desert, ancient Jews were led by a ‘pillar of fire’ or a ‘cloud’– thought to be the Shekhinah
What do Jews believe about the Shekhinah today?
Today, Jews believe the Shekhinah is brought to a place by doing good work such as Justice, kindness, healing the world
What are the 3 moral principles?
Justice - bringing about a just society – everyone must help others
Healing the world - through charity work, obeying mitzvot, prayer
Kindness to others - the Torah encourages acts of kindness to all
What is the sanctity of life?
Life is sacred and holy because it comes from God - God breathes life into Adam
As God gives life, only God should end life
What does sanctity of life show Jews?
Jews have a duty to preserve life – particularly those of innocent, vulnerable people
Therefore, most Jews would be against euthanasia, war, abortion, death penalty
What is Pukuach nefesh?
This is the Jewish duty to save a life even if it means breaking Jewish laws
This rule overrides all other rules/laws (shows the importance of life)
Endourages Jews to give blood for example
What is a covenant?
Solemn promise or agreement between two people
or groups of people
What was Gods covenant with Abraham?
God’s covenant:
To protect and favour the Israelites (Jews/Hebrews)
To give Abraham and his descendants a special land
(country) in which to live - the promised land.
What are the Jews covenant?
To live a life dedicated to God
What was Gods covenant at mount Sinai?
To protect and bless the Israelites always, as God’s special, chosen people
What was Jews covenant at mount Sinai?
To listen to God and obey his laws
Who does Moses represnt?
All Jews
What came from the Sinai Covenant?
The 10 commandments
