judaism beliefs

The Nature of God - God is…

One, Law-giver, Creator, Sustainer, Judge, omnipotent, loving, merciful

importance of the Nature of God

shows God as trustworthy, holy, righteous

The Nature of God - God is…

One, Law-giver, Creator, Sustainer, Judge, omnipotent, loving, merciful

importance of the Nature of God

shows God as trustworthy, holy, righteous

influence of the Nature of God

some Jews will not write ‘God’, look after the planet, follow His law

the Shema

“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One”

what is Shechinah?

the divine presence

what are some examples of Shechinah?

Moses and the burning bush, the pillar of cloud

importance of Shechinah

encouraged to believe God is active in the world, shows prophets were inspired by God

influence of the Shechinah

felt in the synagogue, study, prayer and worship

beliefs about life after death

• Gan Eden = if mitzvot are followed

• Gehana = punishment for the wicked

• Sheol = spiritual punishment

• Reunited with ancestors

influence of life after death

follow the mitzvot, study the Torah

beliefs about judgement

• there is judgement straight after death

• Day of Judgement comes after the Messianic Age

influence of judgement

live up to God’s expectations, follow the mitzvot, repent and repair damaged relationships

beliefs about resurrection

• resurrection of the physical body - Orthodox

• resurrection of the spirit while the body remains in the ground - Reform

influence of resurrection

Orthodox - bury rather than cremate, perform rituals

Reform - body simply a container for the soul

importance of life after death

gives hope, strengthens faith and community, trust God is a fair judge

what does Messiah mean?

Christ, anointed one

who is the Messiah?

a kind and just ruler, a God-sent leader, a descendant of David, a political leader

what is the Messianic Age?

A time when the Messiah will come bringing peace and the dead are resurrected

when will the Messiah come?

• when God thinks the world is ready

• when the world is holy enough

• when the world needs it the most

what will the Messiah do?

bring universal peace, return Jews to the promised land, rebuild the temple, free the Jews politically, uphold and teach the Torah

who is believed will lead the Messianic Age?

Orthodox - will be lead by a descendant of David

Reform - will be lead by the people

influence of the belief in Messiah

look forward to their arrival, follow the mitzvot, aim to be worthy, keep faith in times of hardship

promises God made to Abraham

many ancestors, land, making his name a blessing

promises Abraham made to God

circumcision, leave his land, obey God

importance of the covenant with Abraham

father of Jewish nation, binds Jews to God, beginning of idea of being chosen people

influence of the covenant with Abraham

circumcision, believe in the promised land, believe they are chosen people, see Israel as home, monotheism

promises God made to Moses

free from slavery, reach promised land, chosen people

promises Moses made to God

keep the 10 commandments, worship God

importance of the covenant with Moses

origin of the mitzvot, 10 commandments underpin law, blessed Israelites, gives Jewish identity

influence of the covenant with Moses

follow 10 commandments, Shabbat

what are the key moral principles?

Tikkun Olam, Tzedakah, Hesed, Pikuach Nefesh - healing the world, charity and justice, love and kindess, saving a life

importance of Tikkun Olam

brings example to others, bring about Messianic Age, creates social harmony

influence of Tikkun Olam

act justly, work for good causes, obey Shabbat laws, volunteer for World Jewish Relief

importance of Tzedakah

wealth on loan from God so used responsibly, reflect belief of God as true Judge

influence of Tzedakah

tithing (giving 10%), donate to World Jewish Relief, volunteer time to charity, work for civil rights

importance of Hesed

central to relationship with God, fulfil duty of stewardship, love love itself

influence of Hesed

volunteer time, offer emotional support, teach the Torah

importance of sanctity of life and Pikuach Nefesh

all life is sacred as made in God’s image, no human has the right to take a life, God knew them before they were born

influence of Pikuach Nefesh

break mitzvot to save a life, do everything you can to save a life e.g. organ donation, volunteer

what are the Mitzvot?

guidance on how to live life - 613 in total

beliefs about the Mitzvot

word of God, following them carefully makes it impossible to disobey God, responsibility and blessing

importance of Mitzvot between man and man

help to act justly, pleases God, God’s goodness is seen in one another, fulfils covenantal duty

importance of Mitzvot between man and God

a way of communicating with God, personal relationship, only way to live according to God’s will, bring them closer to God

influence of the Mitzvot

obeyed, given identity, affect whole Jewish life e.g. food laws, clothing, prayer, marriage

belief about Mitzvot and free will

Mitzvot given to Jews know how to use their free will given by God