Law and Covenant Flashcards
Describe the Covenant with Abraham
-The covenant was made between God and Abraham. It established the giving of the Promised Land to Abraham’s descendants.
-God also promised Abraham that he would have many descendants, “I will make your descendants as many as the stars in the sky.”
-He promised to make a great nation out of Abraham and that many kings would descend from him.
-The final part of the covenant was the promise of Blessing in which God promised to bless Abraham and the families of Earth through him.
-As a sign of the covenant, God gave Abraham the rite of circumcision to show the relationship between God and humanity.
Describe the Importance of the Covenant with Abraham
-The covenant with Abraham established the Promised Land, in which Jews were promised paradise, “flowing with milk and honey.”
-The covenant Abraham established with God was sealed with the sign of circumcision.
-This has now become an important practice and sign of identity in Judaism.as it reflects the special relationship that the Jewish people have with God.
Describe the Importance of Abraham to Judaism
-Abraham is important in Judaism because he created an everlasting covenant with God.
-God called out to Abraham because of his purity. Abraham was therefore loyal and faithful to God.
-For example, in Genesis it states “Abram left, as the Lord had told him.”
-Abraham is also viewed as the ‘Father of Monotheism’, a key belief in the Jewish faith.
Explain how Jews are Influenced by the Covenant with Abraham
-Jews will be influenced to have their child circumcised (if a boy) at a Brit Milah ritual, 8 days after the child’s birth.
-Some reform Jews may even have a celebration if they have a girl to show the importance of this covenant with God.
Evaluate Jewish Beliefs About the Importance of the Covenant with Abraham
-Jews provide a convincing argument as the covenant with Abraham established foundational beliefs in Judaism.
-For example, the Jewish people have been promised land by God (Israel) which many Jews claim to have retaken as the home of the religion in the modern day.
-Abraham also established monotheism and the loyalty of the Jewish people to the one God which are core parts of the religion.
Describe the Covenant with Moses
-The covenant was made between God and Moses on Mt Sinai.
-It reflects the special relationship between God and Moses as he is the only person believed to have spoken to God face-to-face.
-Within the covenant, God promised to set the Jews free from slavery, make a nation of priests and make the Jews His chosen people.
-As part of the covenant, God also gave the Jews the ten commandments to uphold such as, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy.”
-The importance of observing and keeping the Sabbath was stated as a sign of the covenant.
Describe the Importance of the Covenant with Moses
-God established a covenant with Moses after leading the Israelites out of Egypt. God promised that He would uphold the covenant he made with Abraham.
-For example, He would keep the Israelites safe as His chosen people and hold Israel as His treasured nation.
-As part of the covenant, God gave Moses the Torah, including the ten commandments which have become symbols of the covenant.
-As God’s chosen people, the Israelites would keep God’s commandments- “I shall be your God and you shall be my people.”
-One of these commandments was to celebrate Pesach and keep it as a reminder of what God did for His people.
Describe the Importance of Moses to Judaism
-Moses was chosen by God to set the Jewish people free from slavery in Egypt. It was through Moses that God performed miraculous acts such as parting the Red Sea.
-Moses is believed to be the only person to have seen God face-to-face. He also experienced the Shekinah multiple times such the burning bush and on Mt Sinai.
-It was to Moses that God told humanity His name: YHWH or “I am.”
-Moses is viewed as the most important prophet. This is one of Maimonides 13 principle: “Moses is the most important prophet.”
-Moses is believed to be the first rabbi. This is because God gave him the Torah directly so was the first to teach it.
Explain how Jews are Influenced by the Covenant with Moses
-Jews will be influenced to keep a decalogue in their synagogues. This is because the ten commandments are a sign of the covenant so will be kept as a reminder.
-In turn, they may also focus on keeping the ten commandments over other mitzvot.
Evaluate Jewish Beliefs About the Importance of the Covenant with Moses
-Jews provide a convincing argument because the covenant with Moses, similar to the covenant with Abraham, established core parts of the faith such as the Torah.
-This is important as it impacts the daily lives and religious practices of the Jewish people.
-Moreover, Moses’ doubt in himself shows God wants a relationship with ‘normal’ people who are not perfect but can help to bring about change.
-This shows the importance of the Jewish people as God’s chosen and treasured nation.
Describe Reform Jewish Beliefs About Keeping the 613 Mitzvot
-Reform Jews believe the Mitzvot should be adapted to modern life.
-Clauses 3 and 4 of the Pittsburgh Platform state “We accept as binding only the moral laws as elevate and sanctify our lives.”
-In turn, Reform Jews focus on maintaining the moral principles of the Torah and adapting Jewish law to the modern day.
-Although these laws contain many divine truths and it remains the foundation of their religion, Reform Jews believe it is still more important to choose which mitzvot to follow as some are no longer relevant in modern life.
-Humans have been given free will, so Reform Jews believe we have the ability to choose so it does not go against God’s will.
Explain how Reform Jews are Influenced by Their Keeping of the 613 Mitzvot
-Reform Jews will be influenced to not follow the ultra-strict laws of Judaism.
-These could include not following all kosher dietary laws as some of them were designed to keep the Israelites safe in the desert.
-However, they may still circumcise their children as it is a sign of the covenant and a part of Jewish identity.
Evaluate Reform Jewish Beliefs About Keeping the 613 Mitzvot
-Reform Jews provide a convincing argument because rules such as ‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard,’ are not a priority in religious practice nor does it capture the essence of Judaism.
-This is unlike beliefs such as Tikkun Olam, the duty to heal the world which better represents Judaism.
Describe Orthodox Jewish Beliefs About Keeping the 613 Mitzvot
-Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah is a direct revelation of God. Because of this, Orthodox Jews consider it their duty to obey 613 Mitzvot contained within it.
-Moreover, the Mitzvot were given directly by God to Moses so are divine.
-The Rabbi Boteach claims, ‘When God gives commandments, they are universally applicable in every age and at every time.’
-This shows that The Torah should not be adapted because the mitzvot can and should be followed at any time.
-Therefore, Orthodox Jews believe they should literally follow all commandments even if in some places like Britain some rules are difficult to complete.
Explain how Orthodox Jews are Influenced by Their Keeping of the 613 Mitzvot
-Orthodox Jews will be influenced to follow all mitzvot no matter what. For example, they will make sure to follow all restrictions on Shabbat.
-God gave the mitzvot directly to Moses for humanity so they should always be upheld, and nothing should be changed as Maimonides taught.
