What is monotheism?
When a someone believes in one God
How many Gods do Jews believe in?
One
What are the 4 things that describe God in Judaism?
One
Creator
Lawgiver
Judge
Why is the Almighty described as one?
He is one God
Why is the Almighty described as the creator?
He created everything in existence
Why is the Almighty described as the lawgiver?
Can link to the Covenant at Sinai - where he gives Moses the Decalogue
Why is the Almighty described as a judge?
Can link to the Day of Judgement, or how God judges whether we go to Gehenna or Ganeden after death
How do Orthodox Jews interpret the Torah?
As the literal Word of God
How do Liberal/Reform Jews interpret the Torah?
As the inspired Word of God
What is the Torah?
The first 5 books of the Tanakh
What are the 5 books in the Torah?
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Number
Deuteronomy
What is the Tanakh?
Jewish holy book
What are the 3 sections in the Tanakh called?
Torah
Nevi’im
Ketuvim
What is the Talmud?
Text containing Jewish sayings, ideas, or stories
What does Yahweh mean?
Lord
What does Hashem Tzevaot mean?
Lord of Hosts
WHat does El Shaddai mean?
God Almighty
WHat does Elohim mean?
Plural for El, suggesting there is more to GOd than a single part
What does El mean?
Powerful and mighty God
What does Hakadosh Baruch Hu mean?
The Holy One Blessed be He
What does Hashem mean?
The name
What do Jews believe about the name of God?
It is so holy it should not be spoken aloud or written, and never erased
Why does God have multiple names?
They describe his characteristics
Show his complexity, yet he remains one
Bring Jews closer to him
What is the Shekinah?
The divine presence
How is the divine presence felt?
Study of the Tanakh/Talmud
Tabernacle
Prayer
Worship
What is a yeshiva?
Jewish school
What is learnt at a yeshiva?
Torah study, english, and maths
Who usually goes to a yeshiva school?
Orthodox and Hasidic Jews
What is a Hasidic Jew?
Ultra-Orthodox Jew
What is the Jewish place of worship called?
Synagogue
What is a minyan?
Group of 10 adults over the age of 13 (men only in Orthodox tradition) pray together - there will be a divine presence
What is the Kaddish prayer?
Hymn praising God
What does Messiah mean?
Anointed one
What does anointed mean?
Marked for greatness
Who is the Messiah?
The one who will be anointed King of Israel in the End of Days
What is the Messianic Age?
Period of time with peace and harmony throughout Israel due to the Messiah’s rule
What are the teachings/beliefs about the Messiah?
Human
Political leader
Descendent of King David
Will rebuild the temple
Expert in Jewish law
Will establish Jewish law in the land
Charismatic
Great military leader
What is Tikkun Olam?
Concept that encourage improvement in the world
When do Jews think the Messiah will come?
Either any time, at a set date, or when he is most needed
Why can the idea of the Messiah coming when he is most needed be contradicted?
The Messiah didn’t arrive during the Holocaust
What is a covenant?
Everlasting agreement between 2 parties
When did the Jewish people enter a covenant with God?
After Moses led them out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land
What does brit olam mean?
Everlasting covenant
Who had made covenants with God before Moses?
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Where did Moses grow up?
In the Pharaoh’s household
When did God first speak to Moses?
Burning bush
Why did Moses run away from the Pharaoh’s house?
He became a Jew
What are the 10 plagues of Egypt?
When God sent 10 things at separate times, trying to get the Pharaoh to release the Jews
What happened after God sent the 10th plague?
Pharaoh surrendered and let Moses lead the Jews out of Egypt
What did God give to Moses other than the Decalogue?
The Torah and Talmud
What are the 10 Commandments?
Believe in one God
Do not worship false idols
Do not use the Lord’s name in vain
Honour the Sabbath
Honour your mother and father
Do not commit murder
Do not commit adultery
Do not steal
Do not lie
Do not covet
What did Moses and all the Jews agree to at Sinai?
To obey God
Who are the 3 patriarchs of Judaism?
Abraham (grandfather)
Isaac (father)
Jacob (son)
Who is the founder of Judaism?
Abraham
What was Abraham’s name before the covenant?
Abram
What were most religions before Judaism?
Polytheistic
What is polytheism?
Believing in more than one God
What other religions did Abraham find?
Christianity and Islam
What was given to Abraham at his covenant?
A child
How did Abraham seal the covenant?
Circumcision of him and all the males in his family and changing his name
How many times did God test Abraham?
10
What was the first test that God gave Abraham?
Leaving home
What was the last test God gave Abraham?
Sacrificing his son
What happened during during God’s last test for Abraham?
An angel stopped it as he had shown he was obedient
Who else was Abraham’s son?
Ishmael
Who was Ishmael’s mother?
Sarah’s (his wife) maid
Has the Abrahamic covenant been fully fulfilled yet?
No
What does the birth of Isaac, Abraham’s son, show?
That God always keeps his promisesq
What do Jews think about life?
It is given by God, therefore is sacred
What is Pikuach Nefesh?
Concept that saving a human life overrides any Jewish rule
What are the exceptions to Pikuach Nefesh?
Adultery, incest, murder, and idolatry
What is the Sabbath/Shabbat?
Jewish day of rest
Is euthanasia or suicide allowed in Judaism?
No
Is abortion allowed in Judaism?
To save a mother’s life it is mandatory
What is the Halakhah?
It teaches Jews how to perform or fulfil the Mitzvot
What is the Mishneh Torah?
Compilation of all the Mitzvot
How many Mitzvot are there?
613
What is Olam Ha-Ba?
Spiritual afterlife following physical death
What is Gan Eden?
Heaven
What is Gehenna/Gehinnom?
A place for purification of the soul/hell
How is hell described in religion?
Eternity away from God
How is heaven described in religion?
Eternity with God
Do Jews believe in punishment in the afterlife?
Yes
Can you get out of Gehenna/Gehinnom?
Yes, if your soul is cleansed