Judaism - GCSE Edexel

I am forced to do this subject.

The Shekinah

The Devine presence of G-d

Messiah

Anointed one/ marked for greatness

The messianic age

A time when the messiah rules, a time of peace and harmony

How is the Shekinah felt

Through study, worship and prayer

Importance of the tabernacle

Reminds Jews of their connection with G-d, since it is symbolic to how Moses was instructed to build the temple

SOWA for the Shekinah

‘The glory of Hashen filled the temple’ Chronicles

Tikkun Olam

A better world (jewish ideology)

When will the messianic age be brought about?

Some Jews believe there is a possibility for the messiah in every generation, whilst some believe there is a set date for the messiah

SOWA for the messiah

‘He will reign and prosper, he will rebuild the temple, he will administer justice and righteousness’ Jeremiah

The covenant and mt Sinai

Moses was given the 10 commandments and was chosen to lead their descendants into freedom

Covenant

An everlasting agreement between two parties

Brit Olam

Everlasting covenant, since G-d is perfect, it never breaks, however Jews understand that they sometimes do not fulfil their obligations

SOWA for the covenant at Sinai

‘You shall have no other Gods before me’ Exodus

What did Moses receive

Moses received the Torah/ law which continues to play a roll in Judaism today

Covenant with Abraham

Abraham was promised many descendants, a promised land, and a blessed nation

The promised land

Israel, Living outside is seen as exile by some Jews, some jewish laws are tied to Israel and can only be implemented there

How is the Abrahamic covenant kept

Through circumcision of every male born.

SOWA for Abrahamic covenant

‘An everlasting covenant to be a God to you and to your offspring’ Genesis

The sanctity of life

• To Jews, life is viewed as sacred, since G-d is the giver of life and what is given by G-d is sacred.
• Man is also created in G-d’s image, therefore life is holy since it is linked to G-d.

Pikuach Nefesh

The principle in Jewish law that states the preservation of life overwrites any other Jewish law (for example breaking the sabbath to drive a person to the hospital)

SOWA for the sanctity of life

‘And God said let us make man in our image’ Genesis

Mitvot

There are 613 mitzvot, which are Jewish laws that cover every aspect of life. These are found in the Torah

Why do Jews follow the mitzvot

• It forms a covenant between Jewish people and G-d
• believe G-d requires them to Obey
• Believe they could potentially bring about the messianic age

free will in judaism

• Jews believe they have free will
• Believe that those who CHOOSE to do goof and obey mitzvot will be rewarded
• Those that CHOOSE to dissobey will be punished
• G-d is a judge and lawgiver therefore nothing is predetermined

Mitzva

• Used informally in judaism to mean ‘good deed’
• Shows how Jews should behave towards one another
• Examples include: visiting the sick, feeding thee hungry, comforting mourners, helping the poor

SOWA for moral principles and the mitzvot

‘I present before you today a blessing and a curse’ Deuteronomy

Olam Ha-ba

Jewish afterlife (world to come)

Gehinnom

• Temporary punishment after death
• Basically Jewish hell *but don’t write that in an exam
• There is no concept of eternal punishment in judaism
• Often seen as a place of purification rather than punishment

SOWA for life after death

‘The spirit returns to the God who gave it’ Ecclesiastes

Jewish attitudes to afterlife

• Jews focus of living a righteous life rather than afterlife
• Jews are generally convinced death is not the end

Nature and purpose of public worship

• Can praise, request and thank G-d
• Jews around the world follow similar services in synagogue, so brings a sense of unity

SOWA for public prayer

‘My vows to hashem i will pay, in the presence now of his entire people’ Psalm

Shabbat

• begins at dusk on Friday and ends at dusk on Saturday
• Amidah and Aleinu (prayers) are said

Daily prayers

• reminder of G-ds presence
• Siddur contains th daily prayers which vary throughout the calendar

Tenakh

The jewish bible which consists of the Torah, Nevii’im and Ketuvim

Torah

The five Books of Moses (Old Testament)

Nevii’im

Writing from the prophets

Ketuvim

The writings; books of wisdom, five scrolls, book of prophecy, books of history

Talmud

• Oral law
• Consists of Mishnah and Gemara
• Source of all Jewish law, teaching and decisions

Mishnah

The core text of the Talmud

Gemara

Rabbi interoeratation of the Mishnah - within the Talmud

SOWA for Torah

‘If he has acquired words of the Torah, he has attained afterlife’ Perkei Avot

Why follow Jewish food laws?

• suggestive of benefit to health
• Pigs in Israel used to carry a lot of disease (historic purpose)
• Jews obey G-d, believe law to come from him

Jewish food laws

• Cannot eat pork
• Meat and dairy cannot be eaten within three hours of each other
• During Passover nothing with yeast can be eaten
• Animal has to be killed by all of its blood being drained

Kosher

Food which can be eaten in the eyes of the jewish law

Triefah

Unacceptable food according to Jewish law

Kashrut

Jewish food laws

Private prayer

• Jews are encouraged to pray 3 times a day
• Prayers consist of formal, personal and constant
• Prayer acts as a reflection, allowing Jews to consider their lives and how they can be better people

SOWA for private prayer

‘Evening morning and noon, i supplicate and moan, and he has heard my voice’ Psalm

Importance of daily prayer

allows regular prayer and connects faith in families

Importance of individual prayer

Allows personal reflection and solitary time with G-d

Importance of constant prayer

Keeps G-d at eh forefront of an individuals heart and mind, and allows spontaneous opportunity for thanksgiving

The Shema

The most important prayer in Judaism, declares the belief in one G-d.

SOWA for Shema

‘Hashem is the one and only’ Deuteronomy

Tallit

A fringed shawl that is worn by men, each finge is symbolic to the 613 mitzvot, are also used to cover heads during prayer to keep focus

Tefillin

Small black boxes tat contain 4 sets of verses from the Torah,