P2- Judaism Beliefs Flashcards
5 Jewish beliefs about the Nature of God
God as One
God as Creator
God as Lawgiver
Gas as Judge
God as Merciful
What does God as One mean?
-God is a single, whole, indivisible being
-God is the only being who should be praised and worshipped
-God is the source of all Jewish morality, beliefs and values
-Everything in the universe has been created/sustained by this God
How does the belief that God is One influence Jews?
-Jews believe God is always present in people’s lives
-Everything they see and experience is considered to be a meeting with God
Evidence from the scripture about God as One
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might”- Deuteronomy 6:4
What does God as Creator mean?
-Genesis (1st book of Torah) it tells Jews God took 6 days to create the universe and everything in it
-He created the universe from nothing, perfectly right
-Many Orthodox believe it took literally 6 days about 6000 years ago
-Others interpret Genesis stories less literally but still believe God is creator
-God sustains the earth by providing resources needed for life on earth
How does the belief that God is Creator influence Jews?
-Care for the world by looking after the environment
-Rest on the seventh day of God’s creation (Shabbat)
Evidence from the scripture about God as Creator
“In the beginning God created the heavens and earth”- Genesis
What does God as Lawgiver mean?
-God gave Jews rules to follow to help them use free will in a good way
-613 mitzvot in Torah, the accepted code of conduct for Jewish life
-Jews believe they are fulfilling God’s will on earth to set the foundation of their relationship with him
How does the belief that God is Lawgiver influence Jews?
Following the laws helps them have a good relationship with God
Evidence from the scripture about God as Lawgiver
-“Do not worship false idols”
-“Do not commit murder” (10 C’s)
What does God as Judge mean?
-Jews believe God judges them for how well they follow the laws (mitzvot)
-They believe He judges everyone fairly and tempered by his loving, merciful nature
How does the belief that God is Judge influence Jews?
-Jews believe they can positively influence God’s judgement by making sure they make good decisions and follow the laws
-They can pray to God for forgiveness
Evidence from the scripture about God as Judge
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting abhorrence”
What does God as Merciful mean?
-God could choose to punish Jews but instead He chooses to forgive them
-This shows God’s love and compassion
How does the belief that God is Merciful influence Jews?
Jews believe they should pray for forgiveness
Evidence from the scripture about God as Merciful
“Your God is a merciful God”
What is Shekhinah?
God’s divine presence on Earth
How was the Shekhinah (God’s divine presence) experienced by the early Jews?
-Tabernacle was considered to house divine presence of God
-This was a portable temple (tent) which Jews carried with them on their journey through wilderness to Canaan
-After Canaan was conquered, Tabernacle was replaced with Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem
-This was the centre of Jewish worship at the time and several prophets experienced God’s presence in the Temple
Why is their lack of agreement about life after death amongst Jews?
-Jewish holy books don’t contain much about the afterlife so beliefs have developed gradually over time
-In general, Jews aren’t too concerned about the afterlife as they think it is more important to focus on the present and pleasing God
Jewish beliefs about Heaven
-Many believe if they follow faith correctly, they will go to heaven or paradise
-There is no clear teaching about what heaven is like
-Considered to be where people are with God
-It is not known if it is a state of consciousness, or a physical or spiritual place
Jewish beliefs about Sheol
-Some Jews believe people who don’t enter heaven (or hell) will go to Sheol
-Sheol is considered to be a place of waiting where souls are cleansed
-Some believe it is a place where souls wait until the day of judgement
Contrasting Jewish beliefs about Judgement
-Some Jews believe they’ll be judged by God as soon as they die supported by Ecclesiastes 12:7= “and the dust returns to the ground/As it was/And the life breath returns to God/Who bestowed it”
-Others believe God will judge everyone on the Day of Judgement, after the coming of the Messiah supported by Daniel 12:2= “will awake, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting abhorrence”
Jewish beliefs about Resurrection
-Some Jews believe in physical or spiritual resurrection, but many do not
-Some believe at a time in the future, Jews will be resurrected and returned to Israel
What does ‘Messiah’ mean in Judaism?
‘The anointed one’ who will be the future leader of the Jews who will rule over humanity with kindness and justice
-They will rule during the Messianic Age, which will be a time when the world is united in peace
-The leader is expected to be a future king of Israel and a descendant of King David