RE Judaism Themes

Nature of God

God as one

God as creator

God as law-giver, judge, loving and merciful

Why do some Jew do not like to write the word God

can never be erased or destroyed

The name of God treated with reverence

God as creator

Orthodox vs non-orthodox beliefs on age of the universe

“In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth”

"I form light and create darkness” Isaiah

God as one

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

The belief in G‑d's absolute and unparalleled unity.

God as lawgiver

Gave the people 613 Mitzvot

Ten commandments

Covenants with Abraham and Moses

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you”

God as judge

God gave laws and judges us for how we fulfil the laws

"‘For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.’ Isaiah 33:22

“he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth…’ Isaiah 11:3-4

Shekinah in the past

Divine presence of God

Present in the Tabernacle 'In the year that King Uzziah died, I beheld my Lord seated on a high and lofty throne; and the skirts of His robe filled the Temple. Seraphs stood in attendance on Him.’

Solomon ”When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices

“Burning bush” in Exodus

Shekinah is the present

Study

Worship- The ner tamid burns continuously to show that God is always present.

Prayer 'Whenever ten men are gathered for prayer, there the Shekinah rests’ (Talmud Sanhedrin)

In the sick ‘The Shekhinah dwells over the headside of the sick man’s bed’

Life after death

Very little teachings after death

focus should instead be on the present

Implied the good will enter Gan Eden

No clear teaching on what Heaven is like

Contrasting views on life after death

Judgement shortly after death Ecclesiastes “The life breath returns to God who bestowed it”

A time of resurrection to come in Daniel"Many of those that sleep in dust of the earth will awake

The Messiah quotes

“And they shall beat their swords into plowshares”

“They shall never again know war”

“The days are coming… a King who will reign wisely and do what is right”

Differences in belief of Messiah

Orthodox believe that if Jews are worthy of redemption, a human descended from David will become the redeemer.

Reform Judaism reject the idea of the Messiah, they believe that people must work together to achieve the Messianic age

Abraham’s covenant

“As many descendants as the stars in the sky”

All the males in the household should be circumcised

“I will bless those who bless you, And curse him that curses you”

Covenant on Sinai

4 commandments relating to relationship with God

6 about relationship with others

God would protect them from harm if they obeyed his laws

justice

sacred duty that can only be achieved when accompanied by truth and peace

‘But let justice well up like water, righteousness like an unfailing stream.’ Amos 5:24

Healing the world

Charity work

Connecting with God

“If your enemy is hungry give him food to eat "proverbs 25

Kindness to others

“Love your fellow as yourself”

‘The world stands upon three things - upon Torah, upon divine service, and upon acts of kindness.’ Avot 1:2

Sanctity of life

“he who saves one soul of Israel, the Scriptures consider him as if he should save a whole world”

Pikuach Nefesh Mitzvot can be broken to save a life

Jews believe we have free will

Jews believe we have free will

“A blessing and a curse