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judaism > theme 2 > Flashcards

theme 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Give a brief introduction to Judaism

A
  • Monotheistic religion
  • Jewish Bible is called the Tanakh
  • Maimonides proposed that God was known to Adam, but as generations passed, humans thought worshipping God’s creation would please God.
  • Then, Abraham came and at first, he worshipped the sun, the moon and then the starts, however, he soon realised he must worship the hidden creator.
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2
Q

State 4 beliefs of the nature of God

A
  1. God as one
  2. God as creator
  3. God as incorporeal + neither male/female
  4. God as eternal
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3
Q

Explain the belief of God as one

A
  • Jews are forbidden to worship any other God(s).
  • Reminded of the oneness of God in the morning prayer (the Shema).
  • Consequence is that everything encountered in nature becomes and encounter with God.
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4
Q

Explain the belief of God as creator

A
  • Some Jews believe God created the universe out of nothing; others believe he continued to be involved in the process.
  • ‘Midrash’ describes that God opened the Torah and read Genesis like an instruction manual.
  • Took 6 days to create the world and on the 7th day, God rested – called ‘Shabbat’ (sabbath).
  • If God were to cease, then all would become nothing, because God continuously creates the world.
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5
Q

Explain the belief of God as incorporeal + neither male/female

A
  • God has no physical body, he’s not bound by the physical world and not restricted to place or time.
  • When God is described as ‘Father’, it is understood as a fatherly role of protection.
  • God is also referred to in feminine terms in the Shekinah.
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6
Q

Explain the belief of God as eternal

A
  • He is described as El-Olam, which means the everlasting/eternal one in Hebrew scriptures.
  • Jews believe God has always existed and always will.
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7
Q

State 5 characteristics of God

A
  1. Omnipotent
  2. Omniscient
  3. Omnibenevolence
  4. Holy and Perfect
  5. Just and Merciful
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8
Q

Explain the characteristic of God - Omnipotent

A
  • God’s power has no limit and he is in total control of the universe and human beings.
  • Known as the sovereignty of God.
  • However, this power is withheld to give people freedom to live (free will).
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9
Q

Explain the characteristic of God - Omniscient

A
  • God knows all that is happening in the creation.
  • Omniscience of God is expressed in two name ‘The Lord who sees’ and ‘The Lord is a God who knows’
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10
Q

Explain the characteristic of God - Omnibenevolence

A
  • God is aware of human needs.
  • The covenant made with mankind emphasises the protection given to them.
  • God is there at time of anguish, brings comfort to the bereaved and the sick.
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11
Q

Explain the characteristic of God - Holy and Perfect

A
  • Hebrew word to express God’s holiness is ‘qodesh’.
  • They use the name ‘Adonai’ which means Lord.
  • Exodus 19 exemplifies God’s holiness, when God stated that only Moses and Aaron were to touch the mountain and anybody else who touched it would die
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12
Q

Explain the characteristic of God - Just and Merciful

A
  • God’s justice and mercy are balanced = he punishes evil, rewards good and forgives those who repent.
  • God demands Jews to live moral lives.
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13
Q

Explain God’s presence as Kavod

A
  • Attempts to describe the experience of standing in the presence of God.
  • It is a way of experiencing the beauty and radiance of God.
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14
Q

Explain God’s presence as Shekinah

A
  • Means dwelling/settling.
  • Describes the mystical concept of the divine presence of God in the world.
  • Exodus (13:21) = God’s presence was shown as a pillar of cloud by day + pillar of fire by night, to guide the Israelites (when escaping slavery).
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15
Q

Summarise Maimonides’ commentary in his book ‘Thirteen Principles of Faith’, focusing on the second principle of ‘God as one’

A
  • He is not like a physical thing that can be divided into parts and dimensions.
  • He is one with a unity that is absolutely unique.
  • If God were physical, then he would have to be finite – if His body was finite, then his power would be finite.
  • Maimonides says an individual comes to know God, through reading the Torah, but an individual cannot describe God using positive attributes.
  • This is because the Torah only speaks in the language of man and shouldn’t be taken literally.
  • He insisted that only God’s actions can be known and, even then, we get to know what God IS NOT like, not what God IS like.
  • This is because any positive attributes contradict God’s oneness.
  • For instance, God is not corporeal, does not occupy space, not bound by the physical world, not a bodily force and so on.
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16
Q

Outline key beliefs about humanity and life

A
  • People were created for a special purpose.
  • Humans are not created in a physical image of God, rather, it is the essence of humankind that is like that of God and our power of perception.
  • Maimonides said that by using our intellect, we are able to discern things, without using physical senses just like God.
  • Furthermore, being created in a divine image differentiates humanity from the rest of creation, which results in Jews playing an important part within humanity.
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17
Q

Explain the belief of Nefesh as a divine gift

A
  • Judaism teaches that the soul and body are separate.
  • The human body is given to do God’s sacred work.
  • The mitzvot emphasises the holiness of human life, as it gives commandments on what to eat, wear and sexual relationships.
  • The Kabbalah also identifies levels of the soul of which nefesh is the first.
18
Q

Explain the belief of Pikuach Nefesh

A
  • This is the principle that the saving, protection and preservation of life is very important.
  • Judaism teaches all life comes from God and is a gift.
  • Pikuach Nefesh overrides any other religious teaching.
  • The Talmud allows breaking of laws of the Sabbath, in order to save the life of another person.
19
Q

Explain the belief of nature of humanity

A
  • Humanity was created with two impulses (Yetzer Hara - bad and Yetzer Hatov – good).
  • Both impulses are present in an individual.
  • Yetzer Hatov influences a person to follow demands of the mitzvot, it is a conscience and inner voice guiding the person to the right decision.
  • Yetzer hara comes from the selfish desires within a person himself.
  • The Talmud says Yetzer Hara does have a good side to it and individuals must balance it with Yetzer Hatov.
  • Jews also believe that a person has free will and their decision to do good or bad lies with them.
  • However, they can repent and atone, which allows them to begin again, with a right attitude.
20
Q

Briefly explain Part 1 of the Shema

A
  • Reinforces belief in one God.
  • The commandments given by God must be the central focus of their life.
  • They are to teach them to their children and talk about them.
  • They are to wear the refilling and fix mezuzot to the doorposts at home.
21
Q

Briefly explain Part 2 of the Shema

A
  • If Jews accept the commandments and obey them, God will bless them and provide all they need.
  • However, if Jews turn away, there’ll be consequences which could affect wider humanity, therefore, they must be mindful of how their own actions have a wider impact.
  • They are reminded again to use Tefillin and Mezuzot.
22
Q

Briefly explain Part 3 of the Shema

A
  • Jews are to wear a prayer shawl (tallit) when they pray.
  • The tallit has 613 tassels (tzitzit) which are a reminder of the 613 commandments (mitzvot).
  • Reminds Jews of how God (through Moses) rescued them from slavery in Egypt
23
Q

Explain the belief of the Tefillin

A
  • Two small leather boxes with compartments that contain passages from the Torah.
  • It is worn as the result of a direct commandment found in the first paragraph of the Shema - “Lie them as symbols on your head.”
  • One of the boxes is worn on the head, as a reminder to serve God; the other around the weaker arm and points towards the heart.
24
Q

Explain the belief of the Mezuzah

A
  • Scroll with two passages from the Torah written on it.
  • This is done as a literal response to Deuteronomy (6:9) and it is also custom to place the mezuzah pointing inwards on the right side of the doorpost.
  • Acts as a reminder that everything taking place at home should be done with respect to God.
  • A special blessing will be said and then they will kiss it with their fingertips.
25
Q

Explain the belief of the Tzitzit

A
  • Fringes worn on the corners of garments as an aid to remember God and the commandments.
  • Third paragraph of the Shema contains the instruction to wear such an item - “You are to make tassels on the corners of your garments.”
26
Q

Explain the belief of the Tallit

A
  • Shawl worn during prayer and there are two types (Gadol + Katan).
  • Worn to fulfill the commandments for tzitzit, in the Shema.
  • Tallit Gadol = prayer shawl
  • Tallit Katan = a vest (four-cornered garment) worn all the time by Orthodox Jews.
27
Q

How does the Shema reinforce the covenant relationship and meaning of life?

A
  • The Shema reinforces the covenant relationship on a daily basis, by reminding Jews they are excepted to obey God by upholding the laws God has given them.
  • Jews continue to draw on the traditions of the past so that they’re reminded of the covenant between God and their ancestors.
  • The Shema allows them to acknowledge the sovereignty of the one God, who believe brought them out of Egypt.
  • The command to carry out physical acts (Mezuzah/Tefillin) are practices that have developed to act as daily reminders that the covenant is always there as a guide.
  • Rabbi Jonathan Sacks outlined the importance of the word ‘Shema’, by pointing out that it is a key word in the book of Deuteronomy, occurring 92 times.
28
Q

Explain the belief of the Messiah

A
  • The Hebrew term ‘Messiah’ means ‘anointed one’ and refers to a future leader of the Jewish people.
  • The Messiah will bring in a new age of freedom, justice, peace and goodwill, established under the rule of God.
  • Isaiah (2:1-4) states that the Messiah will bring peace and goodwill to humanity and establish a new world order.
  • Prophet Jeremiah states that the Messiah will be a political leader and descendant of King David.
  • He will be well-versed in Jewish law, observe all of God’s commands and a great judge who will make decisions based on righteousness.
29
Q

Briefly outline the 5 key ideas of role + nature of the Messiah

A
  1. Davidic descendant.
  2. Establishing Israel as the centre of government.
  3. Gathering Jews from all corners of the Earth.
  4. Restoring full obedience to the Torah.
  5. Bringing peace to the whole world.
30
Q

Explain the belief of the Messianic Age

A
  • This refers to a new world order, after the Messiah has come.
  • There is no single unified concept on this and during the Middle Ages, there were disagreements about whether the Messianic Age would be a natural/supernatural event.
31
Q

What does Maimonides predict the Messiah will do?

A
  • Restore Kingdom of David to its former glory.
  • Restore the temple.
  • Gather the Jews together as a nation, once more.
  • The Messiah will reign according to the commands in the Torah.
  • Maimonides states that the purpose of the Messianic Age is that Jews are free to study the Torah and prepare for Olam ha-ba.
32
Q

State what Reform Jews believe about the Messianic Age?

A
  • Reject the idea of an individual Messiah.
  • Believe in the Messianic Age being a period of peace, which humans can bring about by good actions.
  • Don’t believe in restoration of Jewish state.
  • Reject the notion that Jews are in ‘exile’ + believe they’ve been chosen to spread the truth and morality, by being a good example.
33
Q

State what Orthodox Jews believe about the Messianic Age?

A
  • A personal Messiah will come at a time of God’s choosing + lead humanity back to God.
  • The Messiah will be descended from the line of King David.
  • After a period of catastrophe, the Messiah will establish a new world order and bring peace.
  • Jerusalem will be rebuilt.
  • The dead will be resurrected and a final judgement will be made.
34
Q

Explain the belief of Death/Resurrection

A
  • There is no theological significance to death in Judaism, other than it is part of God’s plan.
  • Jewish mourning and funeral practices are more about remembering deceased and comforting living, rather than the afterlife.
  • Resurrection of the dead appears in Jewish eschatology and is associated with events that’ll happen in the Messianic Age.
  • There will be a day of judgement on which the dead will resurrect and God will judge each soul to determine where they will spend eternity.
  • Maimonides 13th principle is belief in the resurrection of the dead.
  • Jewish scholars refer to this as bodily resurrection and some believe there is a timeline for resurrection.
35
Q

State what Orthodox Jews believe about Death/Resurrection?

A
  • Maintain belief in resurrection and a funeral prayer for mourners called the ‘Kaddish’ is recited by the son.
36
Q

State what Reform Jews believe about Death/Resurrection?

A
  • Reject belief in bodily resurrection in favour of immortality of the soul.
37
Q

Explain the belief of Olam ha-ba

A
  • This Hebrew word means ‘the world to come.’
  • Jews believe that death is not the end of human existence, but the Torah included very little on the belief of the afterlife.
  • Therefore, there are no agreements amongst the different groups, apart from the emphasis on living in the present, as God intends.
  • Talmudic rabbis speak of righteous souls in the garden of Eden.
  • This idea is mentioned in the ‘El male rachamim’ - a funeral prayer.
  • There is some suggestion that righteous souls live in the garden of Eden whilst wicked souls go to ‘Gehinnom’.
38
Q

State the mitzvot within Orthodox Jews

A
  • They accept, literally, that the Torah is a direct revelation of God + consider it their duty to obey Mitzvot contained in it.
  • Nicholas De Lange – ‘The rabbis maintained firmly that all rules of the Halakhah…all originate with God at Sanai and are to be observed.’
  • The mitzvot is a complex set of rules, developed over many years, to discipline Jews towards the holiness of a covenant people.
  • The mitzvot set Jewish people apart and, through observance, Jews demonstrate belief in God + acceptance of demands of the covenant.
  • Keeping the mitzvot is a religious duty and observing them is humanity’s means of communicating with God.
  • 613 mitzvot = 248 positive commandments + 365 negative prohibitions.
  • God gave these commandments to Moses, who taught Israelites in the desert.
  • The mitzvot covers religious and non-religious (business, court property etc) activities, leading to a disciplined life.
  • Rabbis continue to discuss the original mitzvot + adapt them to meet the needs of the changing world.
  • “You shall therefore keep my statues…which if a man do… he shall live by them.” (Leviticus)
  • Mitzvot consist of ritual and ethical acts =
    “Remember the Sabbath day… on it you shall not do any work.” (Exodus) - ritual
    “You shall not steal.” (Exodus) - ethical
  • The chukim (statues) are distinctive, as no reason is given to keep them + seen as a test of faith.
  • The Halakhah (path that one walks on) is the Jewish law and it contains rules/practices Orthodox Jews must follow.
  • The purpose of Halakhah was to enable Jews to continue practising their faith, in the face of new challenges.
  • Orthodox Jews must live according to the mitzvot, as they believe they’ll be judged in the way they’ve kept the covenant.
39
Q

State the mitzvot within Reform Jews

A
  • One characteristic is the attitude towards the revelation of the law on Mount Sinai, in clauses 3+ 4 of the Pittsburgh Platform.
  • Reform Jews believe the Torah contains many truths + was revealed by Moses, by God, but wasn’t dictated word for word to him, rather it is a product of human mind.
  • They believe it is important to re-evaluate the mitzvot in each new situation, as humans make mistakes.
  • They view religion as something that develops + changes constantly.
  • Individual choice is up to each individual/ family to make a choice about which rules to follow at home, work + in the synagogue, e.g. some may light Shabbat candles on Friday night, some may not.
  • Kosher = food which Jews are permitted to eat.
  • Kashrut = religious dietary laws.
40
Q

State the mitzvot within Hasidic Jews

A
  • The Hasidim (pious ones) are part of an ultra-Orthodox wing of Judaism + came about as the result of a spiritual revival, by the founder, Baal Shem Tov.
  • Hasidim Jews believes the rules for life were presented by God to Moses, on Mount Sinai, through the oral Torah.
  • They believe the Mitzvot is relevant and they shouldn’t lose opportunity to keep a mitzvah.
  • Hasidic men are recognisable by their long beards and ear locks, kept in obedience to the Mitzvah – ‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. ‘ (Leviticus)
  • They fulfil their duty to God, through personal religious devotion + achieve Jewish identity + clos direction in religious life, which causes them to be joyful.
  • Rebbe is the religious leader in the community and has great status + authority.
  • He possesses spiritual power, teaches the Torah and interprets Jewish law.
  • Hasidism emphasises on religious experience + holds equal importance with observation of the Mitzvot.
  • This leads to a mystical tradition, called the Kabbalah, which teaches how God relates to the world.
  • The text of Kabbalah is Zohar, which explains the Torah, using mystical insights.
  • Brian Close explains that every Jewish practice has significance ‘since human thoughts + actions communicate themselves to heavenly realms.’
  • A Hasidic Jew must practice devekut (devotion to God) – God must be kept constantly in the mind + every action should be an expression of attachment to him.
  • They believe God is everywhere in the universe + can worship God continuously in their life.
  • Therefore, Hasidism highly values ethical + pious behaviour, set out in the Mitzvot achieve closeness to God + set an example to others.
41
Q

State the divisive beliefs between Orthodox + Reform Jews

A

Kashrut =
- Orthodox Jews keep kashrut. Certain fish, poultry, and meat are forbidden. Meat and dairy products aren’t eaten, prepared, or cooked together; therefore, a kosher home is maintained.
- Reform Jews – do not keep kashrut. Some observe food laws at home, but also eat out in non-kosher restaurants/homes.

Shabbat =
- Orthodox Jews – refrain from work, by not carrying out 39 melachot, e.g. lighting of fire is prohibited. They’re also forbidden to drive on Sabbath + Sabbath begins just before sunset.
- Reform Jews – Shabbat begins at the same time every week + they drive on Sabbath.

judaism (2 decks)

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