Judaism Beliefs and teachings

What do Jews believe about God?

• God is one - God is one single being and God is the only being who should be worshipped

• God is creator - God created the universe in 7 days

• God is Lawgiver and Judge- God has given 613 laws in the Torah called Mitzvot

How many laws are in the Mitzvot?

613

What are the first 10 Mitzvot?

The ten commandments/ 10 sayings

How do Orthodox and Reform Jews interpret the creation story?

• Orthodox: A literal 7 day creation and reject scientific theories

• Reform: Believe in an older universe and evolution

What is the Shekinah?

• The divine presence of God on earth

What are the Key moral principles in Judaism?

• Justice - Being fair

• Healing the world - Sustaining Gods creation of the earth

• Kindness to strangers - ‘love your fellow as your self’

How can Jews help heal the world?

• Contributing to Charities

• Stewardship

• Obeying the Mitzvot

What is Pikuach Nefesh?

• The sanctity of life - Humans have responsibility to protect and preserve life

What do Jews believe about life?

• It is sacred and only God can give or take it away

What are Jewish beliefs about the After life?

• DO NOT BELIEVE IN ETERNAL PUNISHMENT

• Gan Eden - Place of paradise which is not clear if its spiritual or physical

• Resurrection- A physical resurrection when the Messiah comes

• Sheol - A place of waiting where souls are cleansed for people who do not go to heaven

• Judgement- Some Jews believe in Judgement as soon as they die

What does Messiah mean?

• Anointed one

Orthodox and Reform jews beliefs about the Messiah

• Orthodox: The Messiah will rule over the promise land. The Messiah will complete judgement. The Messiah will be a king.

• Reform: The Messiah isn’t a person but all people working together

• Messiah means there will be peace

What Promises did God make Abraham at the Covenant with Abraham?

• God Promised Abraham would become a Nation through his descendants

• God Promised Abraham’s descendants would Inherit the land of Canaan and receive God’s protection

How did Abraham prove his acceptance to the promises at the Covenant?

• He circumcised himself and all the males in his household

• His wife also gave birth although she was Old

Why is the Covenant with Abraham significant for Jews?

• Abraham became the first to reject false God’s in favour of the true God

• It started the relationship between God and Jews

• It marks the origin of circumcision

What happened at the covenant of Sinai?

• God told Moses to free the slaves

• After their escape from Egypt the Jews wandered in the dessert for years

• They reach Mount Sinai and Moses went to the top of the mountain where God gave him the 10 Commandments

Why is Moses important for Jews?

• He was chosen by God to lead jews to freedom

Why is the Covenant at Sinai significant?

• God promises he will be the God of Jews and they will be his chosen people

• God promises to protect and bless Jews

What are the 2 categories of the Mitzvot?

• Man and God

• Man and Man

What do Jews believe about Free will?

• They’re given free will