Rs Judaism Ai Test Book Flashcards
What is Judaism considered to be?
The oldest of the world’s monotheistic religions.
What is the core belief of Judaism?
There is one God who has revealed himself to key prophets.
Who are the key prophets in Judaism?
Noah, Abraham, and Moses.
What is a covenant in Judaism?
A promise or agreement between two parties.
What does the term ‘Kosher’ refer to?
Foods that are permitted to be eaten according to Leviticus Chapter 11.
Who do Jews believe the Messiah is?
The anointed one who will bring in a new era for humankind.
What are Mitzvot?
Duties and good deeds, often referring to the 613 in the Torah.
What is Shabbat?
A day of spiritual renewal and rest, beginning at sunset on Friday and closing at nightfall on Saturday.
What is the Shekhinah?
The place where God’s presence rests and can be felt.
What is a synagogue?
A house of assembly for Jewish public prayer, study, and assembly.
What is the Torah?
The five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
What are the two main Jewish groups in the UK?
- Orthodox Jews
- Reform Jews
What do Orthodox Jews believe about the Torah?
They believe it was given directly from God and should be followed today as written.
How do Reform Jews view the Torah?
As a document written by humans but inspired by God.
What is the significance of ethical mitzvot for Reform Jews?
They emphasize the importance of ethical mitzvot alongside ritual mitzvot.
What distinguishes Secular Jews from other Jewish groups?
They identify strongly with Jewish heritage through cultural and historical connections rather than religious practices.
What are the two main ethnic divisions within Judaism?
- Ashkenazi Jews
- Sephardi Jews
Where do Ashkenazi Jews traditionally trace their ancestry?
Mainly in Germany and France.
Where do Sephardi Jews traditionally trace their ancestry?
With Spain and Portugal.
What is the current Jewish population in the UK?
Around 300,000.
Which city has the largest Jewish community in the UK?
London.
True or False: The UK has the fifth largest Jewish community in the world.
True.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is regarded as the holiest books of the Tenakh.
Torah
What is an important aspect of the examination for students studying Judaism?
To explain different Jewish views on core beliefs and teachings.
What is the central belief within Judaism regarding God?
Monotheism: there is one God who is indivisible and unique
This belief is emphasized in the Shema, a key prayer in Judaism.
What does the Shema state?
‘Hear, O Israel! The LorD is our God, the LorD alone’ (Deuteronomy 6:4)
The Shema is recited by many Jews three times a day.
What qualities are attributed to God in Judaism?
- Omniscient
- Omnipotent
- Omnipresent
These qualities reinforce the belief in one God.
How do many Jews show respect for God’s name?
By substituting it with ‘HaShem’ or writing it as ‘G-d’
This is a sign of respect and honor.
What is forbidden in Judaism regarding the worship of gods?
Worship of any other gods is against God’s will
This is supported by the command ‘You shall have no other gods besides me’ (Exodus 20:3).
What do synagogues typically lack, and why?
Images or statues of living beings
This is to prevent them from becoming a focus for worship.
What does Judaism teach about God as Creator?
God created the world with order, design, and purpose
This is illustrated in Genesis 1.
What is depicted in Genesis 1:3-5?
God creating day and night with His word
This showcases God’s omnipotence as a creator.
What is humanity’s special role according to Genesis 1:26-28?
To rule over the earth and all living things
This passage indicates that humanity was created in God’s image.
Define monotheism.
Belief there is only one God
This is a foundational concept in Judaism.
What is the Shema?
A prayer found in the Torah proclaiming belief in one God
It is a central element of Jewish faith.
What is a mezuzah?
A small scroll of parchment with the Shema, attached to doorposts
It serves as a reminder of God’s presence.
What is the significance of Genesis 1:3 in relation to God?
It describes God creating light and declaring it good, marking the first day of creation.
This passage highlights the concept of God as the ultimate creator in Judaism.
What is the belief in God as the Law-Giver in Judaism?
God revealed the Torah to Moses, containing the 613 mitzvot required for Jews to live a good and moral life.
These duties also aim to create a fair and moral society.
What are the Ten Commandments?
They are a set of ethical duties found in Exodus 20:2-14 that form the basis of Jewish ethics.
They are a key example of mitzvot.
How do Orthodox Jews and Reform Jews differ in their approach to the mitzvot?
Orthodox Jews strive to keep all duties as laid out in the Torah, while Reform Jews believe these duties should be adapted to modern life.
Most Jews generally try to keep the Ten Commandments.
What is Shabbat, and why do Jews celebrate it?
Shabbat is a weekly day of rest commemorating God resting on the seventh day after creation.
It serves as a reminder of the gift of creation.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
It is the Jewish New Year, celebrated as the anniversary of creation.
It also marks the beginning of God’s judgment of individuals for their actions over the past year.
What is the role of God as Judge in Judaism?
God judges individuals based on their adherence to the Torah and the mitzvot, balancing their good and bad actions.
This judgment is especially highlighted during Rosh Hashanah.
What opportunity does God provide to Jews during Yom Kippur?
Jews have the opportunity to atone for wrongdoings in the ten days leading up to Yom Kippur.
This reflects God’s compassion and allows for reflection and correction.
What is the relationship between justice and compassion in Judaism?
Judaism teaches that God embodies both justice and compassion, judging individuals with a balance of both.
This dual aspect encourages moral behavior among Jews.
Fill in the blank: The _______ contains the 613 mitzvot.
Torah
These commandments guide Jews in living a moral life.
True or False: All Jews believe that God’s oneness is the most important aspect of God’s nature.
False
While many Jews value God’s oneness, interpretations of its significance can vary.
What is the basis for the Jewish belief that humans are created in God’s image?
This belief is rooted in the creation narrative found in Genesis.
It underlines the fundamental value of human dignity in Judaism.
What is the primary purpose of the mitzvot?
To guide Jews in living a good, moral life and create a fair society.
They reflect God’s will for human behavior.
What is the Shekhinah?
The term used to refer to God’s presence when it rests and can be felt strongly on earth.
Sometimes referred to as the divine presence or the idea of God dwelling on earth.
How does the Shekhinah differ from other characteristics of God?
It shows the immanent nature of God, while other characteristics show God’s transcendence.
Characteristics such as One, Creator, Law-Giver, and Judge highlight God’s transcendence.
What does Judaism teach about God’s presence?
God is omnipresent, but the Shekhinah represents times and places when God’s presence is particularly felt and experienced.
It is seen as a way of God reaching out and connecting with Jews.
What is the significance of engaging with the Shekhinah?
It is important for Jews to engage with the Shekhinah in a spiritual and practical sense through prayer and pilgrimage.
What feminine attributes are associated with the Shekhinah?
Loving, caring, and compassionate qualities of God.
Some Jews believe the Shekhinah represents the feminine aspect of God.
How does the Shekhinah affect feelings according to some Jews?
It promotes feelings of safety, security, and peace.
Does the word ‘Shekhinah’ appear in the Tenakh?
No, the word ‘Shekhinah’ does not feature in the Tenakh.
What is the Tenakh?
The Jewish Bible, consisting of the Torah, Nevi’m, and Ketuvim.
Provide an example of Shekhinah from Genesis.
They heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of day.
Genesis 3:8 illustrates God’s presence in the garden.
What happened after Solomon finished praying according to 2 Chronicles?
Fire descended from heaven and consumed the burnt offering, and the glory of the Lord filled the House.
This indicates a moment of divine presence.
How did God guide the people according to Exodus?
In a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.
Exodus 13:21 shows God’s guidance as a form of Shekhinah.
What does the term ‘dwelling’ refer to in the context of Shekhinah?
A place of living or a home.
Fill in the blank: The Shekhinah is not the _______ presence of God, but rather the spiritual presence of God on earth.
physical
True or False: Shekhinah is considered a physical manifestation of God.
False
What does ‘immanent’ mean regarding the nature of God?
God is close to his creation and involved with the world so that he can make himself known.
How do Orthodox Jews believe they can experience the Shekhinah?
At the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
What does the term Shekhinah refer to?
Divine presence
Shekhinah is a significant concept in Judaism, representing God’s presence in the world.
What is the Hebrew term for the sacred text consisting of five books?
Torah
The Torah is central to Jewish law and tradition.
What is a covenant in the Jewish context?
A solemn agreement between God and the Jewish people.
How is the Shekhinah often referred to in the Torah?
As the glory of God.
List two other ways the Shekhinah appears in the Torah.
- As a cloud
- As fire
What significant event is associated with the Shekhinah in Jewish history?
The giving of the Torah to Moses.
What structure did Moses construct to house God’s presence during the Israelites’ wandering?
The tabernacle.
What was the Ark of the Covenant?
A chest containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments.
What replaced the tabernacle as the center of Jewish worship?
The First Temple in Jerusalem.
What remains of the Second Temple today?
The Western Wall.
True or False: Some Jews believe God’s presence is no longer felt at the Western Wall.
True.
Name one way Jews experience the Shekhinah today.
- Worship
- Prayer
- Study
- Shabbat
- Pilgrimage
What is a ner tamid?
An ‘eternal light’ that is always present in a synagogue.
What is required for prayers in the synagogue according to Orthodox Jews?
A minyan (ten adult men).
Fill in the blank: The Talmud states that ‘the Divine Presence dwells in any place where there are _______ adult male Jews.’
ten
What do women do during Shabbat to welcome the Shekhinah into the home?
Light two candles.
Why do Orthodox Jews believe they can experience the Shekhinah at the Western Wall?
It is the last part of the Second Temple that is still standing.
What is the significance of communal worship in experiencing the Shekhinah?
It allows Jews to be in the presence of God.
Provide one source of wisdom that supports belief in the Shekhinah.
The Talmud.
Give one Jewish response to the statement: ‘The Shekhinah is not important when trying to understand God.’
The Shekhinah represents God’s closeness and care.
Do you agree that the best place for Jews to experience God’s presence is at the Western Wall? Give two reasons for your view.
- It is a historical site of the Second Temple
- Many Jews feel a heightened awareness of God’s presence there.
What does the term Messiah mean in Hebrew?
Anointed
The Hebrew word ‘Mashiach’ translates to ‘anointed’.
What is the traditional Jewish belief about the nature of the Messiah?
A future Jewish ruler anointed like a monarch
The Messiah is viewed as a special individual with the authority to rule.
Which biblical text is interpreted as indicating the coming of a Messiah?
Jeremiah 23:5
‘See, a time is coming - declares the LORD - when I will raise up a true branch of David’s line.’
What are some traditional characteristics of the Messiah according to Judaism?
- A human man
- Descended from King David
- A great political leader
- Has the authority of God
Traditional views emphasize the Messiah’s humanity and lineage.
True or False: Many Orthodox Jews believe that the Messiah has already come.
False
Many Orthodox Jews are still waiting for the coming of the Messiah.
What is the Messiah expected to bring to the world?
- Righteousness
- Peace
- Justice
The Messiah is believed to spread good and create a Messianic Age.
Fill in the blank: The age of peace brought by the Messiah is known as _______.
Messianic Age
The Messianic Age signifies a new era for humankind.
According to some beliefs, what will signal the end of the world as it is?
The arrival of the Messiah
The Messiah’s coming is associated with significant changes in the world.
What is the significance of the Temple in relation to the Messiah?
The Messiah will restore the Temple to glory
The Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, and its restoration is a key belief.
What is ‘olam ha-ba’?
The Messianic Age of peace and harmony
‘Olam ha-ba’ refers to the world to come, characterized by peace.
Who is expected to be the political leader of the Jewish people?
The Messiah
The Messiah is viewed as a defender of Judaism and its followers.
What do some Jews believe about the potential for the Messiah in every generation?
There is someone who has the potential to be the Messiah
This belief emphasizes hope and the ongoing possibility of redemption.
True or False: The Messiah is believed to be God on earth.
False
The Messiah is a human, not God, to uphold the oneness of God in Judaism.
What is the Mashiach in Judaism?
A special person who will signal the end of the current age and the beginning of an age of peace
The Mashiach is believed to restore the Jewish people and the Temple in Jerusalem.
What do Jews believe will happen when the Messiah arrives?
The restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem and the beginning of a new era of peace
This includes the resurrection of the dead and the return of Jews to Israel.
Define the Messianic Age.
A new era characterized by total peace, prosperity, and justice for all
It is described in teachings such as ‘the wolf shall dwell with the lamb’ (Isaiah 11:6).
What is the traditional view of the Messiah among many Orthodox Jews?
They accept the traditional understanding and wait in hope for his arrival
Maimonides’ Thirteen Principles of Jewish Faith includes belief in the Messiah.
How do Reform Jews differ in their belief about the Messiah?
They reject the belief in a singular Messiah and believe in collective responsibility for creating the Messianic Age
They focus on actions that promote peace and justice rather than waiting for an individual.
What does the phrase ‘nation shall not take up sword against nation’ signify?
It signifies the expectation of eternal and universal peace in the Messianic Age
This is a vision shared by Reform Jews.
According to Micah 6:8, what is required to achieve the Messianic Age?
To do justice, love goodness, and walk modestly with your God
This highlights the importance of moral living in bringing about the Messianic Age.
What is Tikkun Olam?
A concept emphasizing the responsibility to repair the world and promote justice
It is seen as a means to help bring about the Messianic Age.