RS Judaism Beliefs

Nature of God

• One God

• Law giver (613 mitzvot)

• Judge

• Creator

Quote showing Judaism is monotheistic

“The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” - Deuteronomy, Torah

Quote showing God as creator

“God began to create heaven and earth” - Genesis, Torah

When did God give Jews the Ten Commandments (+ quote)

• God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses after rescuing the Jewish slaves from Egypt

• “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of slavery”

Why do Jews follow the 613 mitzvot

By following the law, Jews believe they are doing what God requires of them and fulfilling his will on earth

Is God a judge

• God judges everyone based on their actions, behaviour and beliefs

• God’s judgements are fair and tempered by his merciful nature

When does God judge the Jews

• Rosh Hashanah

  • God judges people for their actions over the past year and decides what the coming year will bring them

• Jews also believe they will be judged after death

What is the divine presence (+ quote)

• The Shekinah is God’s presence on earth

• “The glory of God filled the tabernacle”

What are the names for acceptable and non acceptable food in Judaism

• Kosher = proper

• Trefah = torn

Where are the kosher laws found?

Leviticus in the Torah

Animals rules

• Must have split hooves and eat grass - cows, sheep

• Seafood must have scales and fins - tuna, salmon

• No birds of prey

Meat and dairy laws

• Can’t combine meat and dairy

• Orthodox homes often have two sinks, two ovens etc for meat vs dairy

How to slaughter an animal in the kosher way

• Throat must be split by a trained Jew (shochet)

• Some parts like intestines and kidneys must be removed

What are the clothing laws

• A woman cannot wear a man’s clothing and vice versa

• You cannot wear mixed fabrics

Beliefs about the Messiah relating to life after death

• Orthodox Jews think that a Messiah will arrive and everyone will rise from the dead, so they can be alive to see him

Quote about what happens to your body after death

“The dust return to Earth … and the spirit shall return unto God” - Ecclesiastes, Ketuvim

Is there Heaven and Hell in Judaism

• Good people may go to paradise (Gan Eden)

• The opposite is Sheol

• No clear teaching about what either of these places are like

Judgement after death

• Jews think that once you die, you are judged by God straight away

• However there’s also a belief that there will be a Day of Judgement once the Messiah comes where God will decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell

• “Tthose that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, others to … everlasting abhorrence” - Daniel

Why is there not much focus on life after death

Jews think it is better to focus on the present and living in a way that is pleasing to God

Where in the Torah does it say about the Messiah

There is no mention of it in the Torah

Orthodox view on the Messiah (nature of Messiah)

• They think he will be chosen by God once they are born

• Great warrior

• Peace maker

• He will bring the Jews back to Israel and rebuild the temple there - Ingathering of the Exiles

What do Reform Jews believe

No Messiah but a Messianic Age - peaceful age

Quote that talks about the Messianic age

“They shall never again know war” - Micah, Tenakh

What was in Abraham’s covenant with God

• Move to Canaan since this was the “promised land” for his descendants

• Change his name and Sarah’s name

• Only worship one God

• Circumcise all the boys

Quote for Abraham’s descendants

• “I give all the land that you see to you and your offspring forever” - Genesis, Torah

• “Look now toward heaven and count the stars .. so shall your seed be” - Genesis, Torah

How were Abraham and Sarah able to have kids

God gave them a child, even though Sarah was too old, as a gift to mark the covenant

When did Jews recieve the Ten Commandments

Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai where he spoke to God, who gave him the ten commandments

What are the Ten commandments

• Worship only one God

• No idols

• Do not take the Lord’s name in vain

• Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy

• Honour your father and mother

• Do not kill

• Do not commit adultery

• Do not steal

• Do not bear false witness

• Do not covet

Which Jewish teachings align with the Ten commandments (two)

• Pikuach nefesh → Do not kill

• Spelling it as G-d → Do not take the Lord’s name in vain

What are the three Key Moral Principles of Judaism

Justice, Healing the world, Treating people with kindness

Origin of justice as a key moral principle + quote

• Amos was a social reformer that encouraged people to obey God’s word

• He said “Let justice flow like a river and righteousness like an unfailing stream”

What is healing the world called in Judaism

Tikkun olam

Charities that do Tikkun olam

• GIFT donates food parcels to families in the UK

• They delivered 39,000 food parcels in 2022

• They also organise hospital visits and help school children

Where in the Torah does it say to treat people with kindness (quote)

“Love your fellow as yourself” - Leviticus, Torah

What is the pikuach nefesh

The concept that saving a life is more important than any other mitzvot

Quote to support pikauch nefesh

“whoever saves a life it is as though he had saved the entire world” - Talmud

How is pikuach nefesh demonstrated by Jews

• Organ donation

• Careers like doctors, nurses etc are encouraged

• On Shabbat people will disobey the 39 Melachot if it involves saving a life

Example of people that did Pikuach nefesh

• Oskar Schindler saved 1,500 Jews during WW2

• He is part of the ‘righteous among nations’

What is free will

• God gave Jews free will so that they can make decisions for themselves

How does Adam and Eve relate to free will

Teaches Jews that there are consequences if you abuse the free will God gave you

How are mitzvot categorised

Some are for improving your relationship with God, others are for improving relationships with people

Why do Jews follow the mitzvot

• Strengthen bond with God

• Have good relations with others