Judaism - Beliefs and Teachings (General Knowledge)

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?

1. Torah
2. Nevi’im
3. 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?

1. Believe in one God
2. Do not worship false idols
3. Do not use the Lord’s name in vain
4. Honour the Sabbath
5. Honour your mother and father
6. Do not commit murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not lie
10. 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