judaism - all

Jews believe god is omnipotent. What does this mean?

God is all powerful

The nature of God can be characterised by 3 main beliefs:

God as creator

God as a law giver and judge

God as one

Jews believe in One God, so Judaism is a…

monotheistic religion

This belief is expressed 3 times a day in the…

Shema (Jewish prayer).

What do the texts in the Shema focus on?

The doctrine of reward and punishment

Loving and respecting God's law

The oneness of God

God's name.

When written in Hebrew, the word God must not be pronounced, and Jews substitute the word 'Adonai' ('Lord') into their worship and prayers.

Many Jews will not write the word God. What do they write instead?

G-d

God as Creator

According to the first 2 chapters of the Torah, God is the creator of everything and what exists is in existence because God wanted it to be. There is no force parallel to God, and there is no devil that is battling against God. Both good and evil come from God.

How do Jews treat the world?

Jews have laws against pollution and damaging the world.

Jews must treat the world with care and respect as it was created by God.

The Shabbat is a reminder to Jews that God created the world.

Free Will

Jews believe that God gave humans free will to act as they wish. This does not mean that all human choices are good or that they will not get punished for acting poorly.

Free will (2)

the story of Adam and Eve's disobedience in Genesis 3 teaches Jews that god has allowed them to choose between good and evil. The choices made always have consequences. Choosing to act in a way that pleases god should bring a life of fulfilment and a guarantee that God's judgement will be favorably on judgement day. In the story of Adam and eve is made clear that when eve disobeyed God and persuaded Adam to do the same - the consequences were severe and continue to affect humankind today.

Mitzvot between man and God

the first 4 of the 10 commandments govern a person's relationship with God. Many of the mitzvot are based on these 4 commandments and give further guidance on how an individual can improve their relationship with God

Mitzvot between man and man

there are instructions in the Torah that one should love the neighbor. The mitzvot describes how they should treat workers fairly, settle disputes, and the types of foods that can and cannot be eaten.

Sometimes there is so much evil in the world that God's goodness can be questioned. What do Jews try to do instead?

Challenge themselves to be better.

The most important duty for Jews is to show kindness to others.' (S)

1. It reflects the nature of God as loving, many of the mitzvot are concerned with treating other people in a loving way 'love your neighbour as yourself' (Leviticus 19:18)

2. showing kindness to others will incorporate many of the other key moral principles- it will mean that justice is done, that charity is shown, it will lead to healing of the world, it will encourage respect for the sanctity of all human life etc.

'The most important duty for Jews is to show kindness to others.' (O)

1. The Shema puts belief in and love of God as a Jew's first priority

2. keeping oneself pure through keeping the ritual laws such as those pertaining to diet are essential to deepening a Jew's relationship with God.

God as creator 2

Jews believe that after creating the world, God continues to love and care for it, providing mankind with all resources that are needed.

God as Lawgiver & Judge

The Torah contains many laws, called mitzvot or commandments, that underlie God's role as lawgiver. God expects Jews to follow the commandments without question, and Jews believe that they are judged for their obedience or disobedience, so God is also a judge.

Jewish beliefs about God's judgement:

Jews believe that God is merciful and loving.

Jews believe that God's judgement is always subjective.

Jews believe that they are judged for their obedience or disobedience to the mitzvot.

Explain two Jewish beliefs about the divine presence (Shekhinah).

1. The Torah refers to it as 'the glory of God', the burning bush- it accompanied Moses and the Israelites as a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.

2. many Jews think it is with them in everyday life, when they study, pray and do good deeds in times of need / God's omnipresence.

Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur

The Jewish festivals of Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur are periods of judgement where Jews reflect and seek forgiveness for mistakes they have made.

Why do Jews look after each other?

Jews want to make a good world for everyone to live in

Jews see themselves as becoming partners with God in creation

What are the laws contained in the Torah called?

Mitzvot

Shekhinah

When Jews speak of experiencing God, which is also referred to as the Divine Presence.

What is the blessed acknowledgement?

The blessing said by Jews on hearing about a death.

Said by Jews to show that they do not blame God and are not angry with God.

he Jewish biblical Book of Daniel mentions a time when the dead will come back to life to be rewarded and live again. What is this called?

Resurrection

Customs on death

The Torah focuses on living this life and making life holy and meaningful. There is very little in Jewish scriptures about what happens after death.

What happened to the Temple in Jerusalem in 70CE?

It was destroyed and never rebuilt.

How are Jews judged by God?

The 'good' go to Gan Eden to receive rewards for good behaviour.

The 'bad' go to Gehenom/Sheol where their soul is cleansed

A person is judged after death.

Reform Jews beliefs on the Messiah.

Many reform Jews reject the idea of a leader or future king. For them, the teachings about the Messiah and messianic age refer to humanity learning to live in peace with each other.

Features of Jewish beliefs about the messiah:

The time that the messiah is ruling is known as the Messianic Age.

Belief in the messiah has helped Jews live through some very difficult times in their history.

Reform Jews reject the idea of a future king.

Jews believe the Messiah is a future king who has certain characteristics:

Direct descendent of King David.

Not a God.

Deeply religious pious Jew (who will bring about world peace).

According to Jewish beliefs, who will rule the Jewish people from Jerusalem after the Messiah is dead?

His Son.

Jewish views on Jesus.

Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah as they believe that he did not fulfil the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible (for example, Isaiah 53).

What is the name of the Jewish prayer which expresses the oneness of God?

Shema

In Judaism, which celebration marks the 'seventh day' on which God stopped creating?

Shabbat

What is the Jewish name for the commandments in the Torah?

Mitzvot

Which of the following are Jewish customs when a person has died?

• saying a blessing

• tearing clothes

• closing the eyes of the dead

Which group reject the idea of a Messiah as a future king?

Reform Jews

What was the sign of the covenant between Abraham and God?

Circumcision

The Promised Land

God made a covenant with Abraham and commanded him to travel to a "land that He would show him." This became the promised land - The Land of Israel.

Abraham

Abraham believed in the One God (monotheism), and was commanded by God to travel to the promised land.

Abrahams monotheistic mission:

Some accepted and joined Abraham on his journey, but others rejected it

Abraham and his wife Sarah encouraged others to join them in their monotheistic beliefs

Features of the covenant between God and Abraham:

God promised to reward Abraham for his loyalty and obedience.

It meant that God promised to have a special relationship with Abraham.

The sign of the covenant was circumcision.

The Covenant at Sinai

After enduring years of slavery, Moses led the nation out of Egypt and towards Mount Sinai. The entire nation gathered around the mountain and God called Moses to the top of the mountain and gave him the Ten Commandments and the Torah.

Features of the Ten Commandments:

4 commandments deal with mankind's relationship with God.

6 commandments deal with mankind's relationship with other people.

These laws would develop into a covenantal relationship between the nation and God.

Why were the events at Mount Sinai so dramatic?

So that no Jews needed to accept a story or belief but heard God for themselves.

To make the Jews respect God.

To impress upon the nation the power of God.

Joining the covenant with God:

A child born to a Jewish mother is born Jewish.

Anyone can convert to Judaism and become part of the covenantal relationship with God.

Features of the covenant between the Jews and God:

If Jews keep the laws, they'll be blessed

There's no option of breaking the agreement

If Jews don't keep the laws, they will be punished

How do Jews show respect to God?

1- Prayer

2- Fasting

3- Studying scripture

4- Following God's Laws

Tikkun olam is a component of the key moral principle of Judaism. What does tikkun olam mean?

Healing the World

What are the key moral principles of Judaism?

-Justice

-Healing the world

-Kindness to others

Justice: Key moral Principles

pursuing justice is a sacred duty that can only be achieved when accompanied by truth and peace. It is bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up a wrong that has been committed. Jews believe that the Torah and the prophets were sent by God to help people understand and bring about justice in a way that demonstrates mercy.

Healing the World: Key moral Principles

healing the world is very important in Judaism. Many see it simply as an action that draws people closer to God. For many Jews it motivates them to get involved in work designed to increase social justice, for example by volunteering for a charity that helps the poor or protects the environment.

Kindness to others: Key moral Principles

Many laws in the Torah spell out how to be kind to one another and this is something they must all try to achieve. The Torah laws forbid murder and other negative actions, but also provide positive laws to encourage acts of kindness. These should be shown to all living things- Jews and non-Jews.

What was the sign of God's covenant with Abraham?

Circumcision

What is 'Sinai'?

A mountain where God made a covenant with Moses.

Who did God give the Torah to?

Moses

The Synagogue

• Jews can pray anywhere, including the synagogue.

• Members can borrow books to improve their knowledge.

• Boys study for their bar mitzvah and girls study for their bat mitzvah in the synagogue.