the nature of human life

Question 1

inherent value

Answer 1

• unique
• deserves respect
• dignity
• ‘if you destroy one life it is as if you destroy the entire world’ psalm 8
• ‘the holy one blessed be he, stamped each man with the seal of Adam and non of him is like his fellow - mishnah sanhedrin 4:5

Question 2

status/responsibility

Answer 2

• domination over nature - responsible for the wellbeing and continuation of creation
• ‘he is represented at the crown of Gods labours’ - rabbi further plaut
• limit on the power - cannot exploit or destroy

Question 3

potential ability

Answer 3

Gods traits –> kind, benevolent, just, merciful, create
- ‘mans nature is radically different from Gods but man is capable of approaching God’s actions. his love, his mercy, his justice - rabbi gunther plaunt

Question 4

free will

Answer 4

• people have a choice to be good or bad
• dual nature - yetzer tov - yetzer hara
• ability to follow rules
• knowledge of consequences
• capable of being commanded
• can only be good if you choose to be good
• without the bad there would be no good

Question 5

physical and spiritual

Answer 5

• god created humanity from the dust and the earth
• physical - mortal, to dust you are and to dust you shall return
• spiritual - a part of god, divine spark, gives life to the body - immortal