Unit 7 - Jewish Beliefs (Simple)

Question 1

Qualities of the Almighty

Answer 1

• One
• Creator
• Judge
• Lawgiver

Question 2

Shekhinah

Answer 2

God’s presence dwelling in the world.

Question 3

Divergent beliefs on the Shekinah

Answer 3

• Some Jews see the Shekhinah as being like the feminine attributes of the divine.
• Other Jews see it being more like the Holy Spirit.
• Traditional Jews see it as the link between God and the modern world.

Question 4

Qualities of the Messiah

Answer 4

• Political and military leader
• Judge, who is well educated
• Human

Question 5

Importance of the Messiah

Answer 5

• Person who will lead the Jewish people back to Israel in the End of the Days.
• Messianic Age will come when Jews bring about peace and justice - they work towards it
• Key teaching of the Jewish faith - daily prayers for the coming of the Messiah.

Question 6

Divergent beliefs about the Messiah

Answer 6

• Reformed Jews don’t believe in a single Messiah, rather that it is a duty of the Jews to bring about the change.
• Some Jews believe in a Messiah in every age.
• Traditional Jews believe that the Messiah will only come when Jews follow all the Mitzvots, and then the resurrection of the dead will take place.

Question 7

The Covenant at Sinai

Answer 7

• Jews believe that the Covenant at Sinai was when Moses was given the Torah by God and when God chose the Jewish people as the human race

Question 8

The covenant with Abraham

Answer 8

• Jews believe that the covenant with Abraham is when God have the, the promise of the land.
• As a sign of the Covenant Jews get circumcised showing faith to God.
• Abraham himself is important as he is the father of the faith and monotheism.

Question 9

Sanctity of life

Answer 9

Jews believe life his holy as it is a gift from God that needs to be protected. Jews believe that humans are made in the image and likeness of God.

Question 10

Pikuach Nefesh

Answer 10

It is the preservation of life over any other religious law, e.g. a doctor can save a life on the sabbath.

Question 11

Importance of Pikuach Nefesh

Answer 11

• It is a teaching found in the Torah and Talmud —> obligatory
• It preserves life as a gift from God.
• It can be applied to daily life —> guidance

Question 12

3 examples of Pikuach Nefesh

Answer 12

• Abortion - most Jews are against it
• Euthanasia - most Jews against, though do understand when commit suicide.
• Transplant surgery - allowed to save life, unless it will speed up death of donor.

Question 13

Mitzvots

Answer 13

• Commands from God - found in the Torah
• Part of the covenant at Sinai
• Judged by God on the basis of wether they follow the Mitzvots or not
• Following the Mitzvots aids the relationship with God and others.

Question 14

Relevance of the Mitzvots?

Answer 14

• From God and therefore always relevant.
• The basis of the Jewish faith
• Following the Mitzvot’s will bring the Messiah sooner.

Question 15

Irrelevance of Mitzvots?

Answer 15

• Some are outdated e.g. sacrificing animals in the Temple
• Reformed Jews do not follow them at all, they use their free will to choose.

Question 16

Life after death?

Answer 16

• At death the souls goes to be judged by God.
• Gan Eden is eternal, Gehinnom is temporary.
• Olam HaBa life to come, this is often closely linked to the Messiah.
• Nearly all Jews believe in the resurrection of the dead at the end of the world.

Question 17

Divergent beliefs about life after death?

Answer 17

• Some: the resurrection will occur when the Messiah comes during the Messianic Age; others: the resurrection but just not a Messiah; some: resurrection is for all, others for the righteous.
• Some: judgement on how they act (Mitzvots) others believe it is both action and belief.
• All believe in heaven; some: believe that those who are evil will go to hell for eternity, others just temporarily.

Question 18

Importance of belief in Life after death?

Answer 18

• Makes them follow the Mitzvots for judgement.
• Gives both meaning and purpose to Jews as it’s a key belief.