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GCSE RE > P2- Judaism Beliefs > Flashcards

P2- Judaism Beliefs Flashcards

1
Q

5 Jewish beliefs about the Nature of God

A

God as One
God as Creator
God as Lawgiver
Gas as Judge
God as Merciful

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2
Q

What does God as One mean?

A

-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

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3
Q

How does the belief that God is One influence Jews?

A

-Jews believe God is always present in people’s lives
-Everything they see and experience is considered to be a meeting with God

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4
Q

Evidence from the scripture about God as One

A

“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

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5
Q

What does God as Creator mean?

A

-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

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6
Q

How does the belief that God is Creator influence Jews?

A

-Care for the world by looking after the environment
-Rest on the seventh day of God’s creation (Shabbat)

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7
Q

Evidence from the scripture about God as Creator

A

“In the beginning God created the heavens and earth”- Genesis

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8
Q

What does God as Lawgiver mean?

A

-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

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9
Q

How does the belief that God is Lawgiver influence Jews?

A

Following the laws helps them have a good relationship with God

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10
Q

Evidence from the scripture about God as Lawgiver

A

-“Do not worship false idols”
-“Do not commit murder” (10 C’s)

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11
Q

What does God as Judge mean?

A

-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

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12
Q

How does the belief that God is Judge influence Jews?

A

-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

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13
Q

Evidence from the scripture about God as Judge

A

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting abhorrence”

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14
Q

What does God as Merciful mean?

A

-God could choose to punish Jews but instead He chooses to forgive them
-This shows God’s love and compassion

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15
Q

How does the belief that God is Merciful influence Jews?

A

Jews believe they should pray for forgiveness

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16
Q

Evidence from the scripture about God as Merciful

A

“Your God is a merciful God”

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17
Q

What is Shekhinah?

A

God’s divine presence on Earth

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18
Q

How was the Shekhinah (God’s divine presence) experienced by the early Jews?

A

-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

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19
Q

Why is their lack of agreement about life after death amongst Jews?

A

-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

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20
Q

Jewish beliefs about Heaven

A

-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

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21
Q

Jewish beliefs about Sheol

A

-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

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22
Q

Contrasting Jewish beliefs about Judgement

A

-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”

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23
Q

Jewish beliefs about Resurrection

A

-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

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24
Q

What does ‘Messiah’ mean in Judaism?

A

‘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

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25
What are the origins of the Messiah?
-It was originally used in the Tenakh to refer to the kings of Israel -The first king of Israel was Saul, before he was made king, the prophet Samuel anointed him with oil to show he was chosen by God to rule over the Jews
26
What do Orthodox Jews believe about the nature of the Messiah?
-There is a descendant of King David in every generation who has the potential to become the Messiah -If the Jews are worthy of redemption, this person will be directed by God to become the Messiah
27
What do Orthodox Jews believe about the role of the Messiah?
The Messiah will: -Rule over humanity with kindness and justice -Rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and gather all Jews back to Israel -Bring world peace and unite humanity together -Uphold the law in the Torah and be ultimate teacher of it
28
How do Reform Jews beliefs about the Messiah differ from Orthodox Jews?
-They reject the idea of the messiah -They do believe in a future Messianic Age but believe this will be achieved by everyone working together to create world peace, rather than as the result of the leadership of one person
29
Why do Jews not believe that Jesus is the Messiah like Christians?
-He did not fulfil the expectations that Jews have for the Messiah -He did not observe the Torah law strictly enough or establish the Messianic Age
30
What is a covenant?
A binding promise or agreement between God and His chosen people
31
Summarise the story of Abraham and the Promised Land
-In the 19/20th century (BCE), people worshipped idols/statues of many different Gods -From an early age, Abraham believed there was only 1 God and tried to convince people to stop worshipping idols but had little success -Abraham and his family decide to leave Ur for Canaan -10 years after settling halfway, God tells Abraham to continue on promising to make a great nation through him "I will make you a great nation" -Once they reached Canaan, God told Abraham "I give all the land that you see to you and your offspring forever" and this becomes known as the Promised Land
32
What did God promise to Abraham as part of the Covenant?
To make Abraham the father of many nations "I will make you a great nation" and "make your name great" (Genesis)
33
What was required of Abraham as part of the Covenant?
Be obedient to God and agree to "Walk in My (God's) ways and be blameless" (Genesis)
34
How was the Covenant with Abraham sealed?
-Through the act of circumcision (removal of the foreskin of the penis) -Abraham proved his acceptance of the covenant by being circumcised himself and the all of the other males in his house
35
How did God keep his side of the Covenant with Abraham?
-To make Abraham the father of many nations, He made it possible for Sarah to conceive although she was old -She gave birth to a son, Isaac. His birth is seen by some as a gift from God to mark the start of the covenant between Abraham and God
36
Summarise the escape of the slaves from Egypt
-Jews were being forced to work as slaves in Egypt -God chose Moses to lead their escape and told him to ask the pharaoh to release them so they could return to Canaan -Pharaoh finally agreed only after God's plagues -Jews left and wandered for years in the desert in Sinai -After arriving at Mount Sinai, Moses climbs the mountain -This is where God gave Moses the 10 C's
37
What did God promise as his part of the Covenant at Mount Sinai?
-God promised to bless the Jews -God promised Moses that He would be the God of the Jews and protect them from harm provided they follow his laws -This is the basis of the belief that the Jews are the chosen people of God
38
What did God require of the Jews to do as their part of the Covenant at Mount Sinai?
-Jews were required to obey the 10 C's God gave to Moses -These gave Jews guidance on how to create a society where people had basic rights and live in peace
39
What the 3 key moral principles in Judaism?
-Justice -Healing the world -Kindness to others
40
What is Justice?
Bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed
41
Evidence from the scripture about Justice
"Do justice and love goodness" (Torah)
42
What do Jews believe about justice?
-They should never ignore the suffering of others or injustices in the world -They believe to create a just society, individuals must work together and follow God's laws (mitzvot)
43
How do Jewish people live out justice in their lives?
-Tzedakah box in homes to raise money for charity -Give generously to charity -Events and organisations to give money -Bringing God's mercy into the world by acts of charity -Donating resources
44
What is healing the world?
Taking actions to help God's work in sustaining the world
45
Evidence from the scripture about healing the world
"Till it and keep it" (Genesis 1)
46
What do Jews believe about healing the world?
-God created the world and the fact resources are unequal is due to human free will -It is important to work to heal the world as it repairs all that has been broken by society
47
How do Jewish people live out healing the world in their lives?
-Volunteering for charities that help the poor/environment -Small acts that can make a massive difference
48
What is kindness to others?
Showing positive and caring actions towards all living things
49
Evidence from the scripture about kindness to others
"Love your neighbour as yourself"
50
What do Jews believe about kindness to others?
-They have a responsibility to show love and kindness to others -It doesn't need to be money so everyone can do it -It can also be to living things not just humans
51
How do Jewish people live out kindness to others in their lives?
-Comforting the bereaved -Helping the poor or sick -Showing pyschological support -Arranging weddings/funerals
52
What is Sanctity of Life?
The belief that all life is holy and sacred as it was created by God
53
Explain how sanctity of life stems from the creation story
-God breathed life into Adam and the whole of creation -Life is therefore valuable and sacred as it was given by God -As God gave life, only He has the right to take it away -This means Jews have a duty to preserve life
54
Why is euthanasia and murder wrong to Jews?
Due to the belief in sanctity of life which means that Jews should not do anything to quicken a person's natural death
55
What is Pikuach Nefesh?
The obligation that Jews have to save a person's life if they can, even if doing so breaks Jewish laws
56
What does the Talmud state about Pikuach Nefesh?
"Anyone who saves one soul [...] the Scripture considers him as if he should save a whole world"
57
2 examples of laws that might be broken to save a life
1) Shabbat laws (not doing work from sunsets Fri to Sat) 2) Permitted to eat food that is not Kosher/ eat on Yom Kippur if they are starving or incredibly unwell
58
What do Jews believe about Free Will?
-God gave Jews free will to make their own choices -Good actions lead to a life of fulfilment and bring Jews closer to God/judged favourably -Bad actions distance people from God -The Fall of Man shows consequences of bad actions
59
What is a mitzvah?
A Jewish rule or commandment
60
How many mitzvot are there?
613 in the Torah and others in the Talmud
61
What do Jews believe about the mitzvot?
-They give guidance to Jews on how to use their free will correctly in a way that pleases God -As the mitzvot in the Torah came from God while the Jews were under the leadership of Moses, following them carefully makes it impossible to disobey God
62
What are the 2 categories of Mitzvot?
Mitzvot between man and God Mitzvot between man and man
63
What do Jews believe about mitzvot between man and God?
-Tell Jews how to improve their relationship with God -Cover areas like worship, sacrifice etc -The most important are the first 4 of the 10 C's
64
What do Jews believe about mitzvot between man and man?
-Tell Jews how to improve their relationship with others -The Torah teaches Jews to love others and by doing this, they are showing their love for God -Cover areas like the treatment of workers and how to settle disputes -Help Jews to live as members of their faith and community in a way that pleases God
65
What are Positive mitzvot?
Obeying these mitzvot will help strengthen their bond with God (There are 248)
66
What are Negative mitzvot?
These tell people what not to do, in an attempt to prevent the bond between God and humans from being damaged

GCSE RE (20 decks)

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