The Nature Of God Flashcards
God as one
Judaism is a monotheistic religion with the worship of only one God.
Though shalt have no other Gods before me
Hear O Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is One.
No statues in synagogues - “you should not worship false idols” - this is to not disrespect God.
Mezuzah - piece of parchment scroll with the Shana prayer inscribed on it. IT is kept in a small case attached to doorposts and Jews touch is as they enter their homes.
Tefillin - It is made up of two leather boxes which contain the Shema. Jews will tie one around their arm and the other around their heads to signify that they must serve God with their thoughts and hearts.
The shema prayer: Three times a day, IT can be found in the Torah
Creator
God is creator. God alone created all life and humans have the responsibility to look after the environment. On the 7th day God rested.
On the sixth day he created humans and ave them a special role to caretaker all he has created.
God as creator is celebrated at festivals like Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat.
As God gave life some believe only he can take the life and so are opposed to euthanasia.
There is also an importance of Pikauch Nefesh and preserving life.
God as law giver
God is Law-giver. He gave Moses the duties that Jews should keep. These form the framework of how a just society should live if they want to be close to God. They share a belief in Moses in the 10 commandments.
This shows that God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent. It helps Jews better themeselves as it gives their life meaning and purpose.
The Ten Commandments
Orthodox Jews try to observe the duties in the Torah throughout their lives. Reform Jews amend them for the time they live in and harmonise modern day.
God as judge
God is judge if how Jews follow the duties of the Torah. God is of both justice and mercy and that he will judge each person. Although Gods ways may not be understandable they are considered to be right. God has no pleasure in judging humans wrongly so any judgements he makes will be fair: good is rewarded and evil punished so justice reigns.
:you are not a God that has a pleasure in wickedness”
At Rosh Hashanah God begins a judgement of good and bad deeds.
