Judaism

When did Abraham live?

Circa 1750 BCE

What is Abraham’s significance in Judaism?

He is considered the founder of Judaism (the first Hebrew)

What was different about Judaism compared to other religions at the time of its conception?

It was monotheistic whereas most other religions were polytheistic

What did Abraham receive from G-d?

He received the Covenant

What did the Covenant promise Abraham?

Land, descendants, and blessings and protection from G-d

What other name are the Patriarchs known by?

The Israelites

Who did the Patriarchs consist of?

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Who was the first Covenant between?

G-d and Abraham

Why is “G-d” written in Judaism instead of “God”?

Due to the third of the 10 Commandments (the name of God is not to be taken in vain)

What must all Jewish males do to hold up their side of the Covenant with G-d?

They must be circumcised

What did Exodus entail?

G-d ordered Moses to release the Jewish people from slavery and lead them out of Egypt

What did Moses receive after the Exodus?

He received the Torah, or the Ten Commandments

Where did Moses receive the Torah/Ten Commandments?

At Mount Sinai

What do the Ten Commandments represent for Jewish people?

The 613 mitzvot that a Jew must follow be faithful to follow the Covenant

What are the three main branches of Judaism?

Conservative, Orthodox, and Reform

Describe the main features of Conservative Judaism

* more traditional than Progressive/Reform Judaism
* sympathetic to modern Western ways of thinking
* Largely a US movement
* Great diversity in practices (language, etc)

Describe the main features of Progressive/Reform Judaism

* inspired by Enlightenment period
* Rejected beliefs in: a personal Messiah, resurrection of the dead, return to the holy land, rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the eventual reintroduction of Temple sacrifice
* Significant innovations include: religious services in the language of the community, men and women sitting together during worship, lessening in the importance of traditional Jewish laws, the Torah interpreted to be relevant to the times rather than taken literally, female Rabbis, gender equality during synagogue services, the Bar Mitzvah and Confirmation ceremony, adaptations of Jewish prayer book

Describe the main features of Orthodox Judaism

* Jewish traditionalist who accept the authority of the code of Jewish law
* reject modernist adjustments
* traditional forms of Jewish worship
* denigrates secular studies and often dresses in stylised ghetto clothing

What are the three ways that G-d is defined by?

1. as the clan-God of Abraham and his descendents
2. as the God of the land of Israel, because of the special relationship between the Jewish people and God, the Covenant is inextricably linked to the land
3. As a universal God, the creator of the universe

Nowadays, what is the 1 way that G-d is defined out of the three ways he is originally defined?

The 3rd description, as a universal God who is the creator of the universe

How is G-d described?

As omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, transcendent, immanent, and creator

Are images of G-d found in synagogues of Jewish iconography?

No, never

Where are the Noahide laws found?

They are recorded in the Talmud

What are the Noahide laws?

Moral laws that apply to everyone, given to Noah by G-d through their Covenant

List the 7 Noahide laws

1. prohibition of idolatry
2. prohibition of murder
3. prohibition of theft
4. prohibition of sexual promiscuity (adultery and incest)
5. prohibition of taking G-d’s name lightly
6. prohibition of cruelty to animals
7. requirement to establish a legal system

Why is the Covenant important?

It is central to the expression of Judaism and the identity of the Jewish people

What is the Tanakh?

The Hebrew Bible

What does the Tanakh consist of?

The Torah, the Neviim, and the Ketuvim

What does ‘the Torah’ mean?

The teachings

What does ‘the Neviim’ mean?

The prophets

What does ‘the Ketuvim’ mean?

The writings

What does the Torah contain?

The source and inspiration for all Jewish teaching and the law of Jewish traditions

What is the Talmud?

A collection of discussions and comments by Rabbis on the Tanakh on Jewish laws, customs, and ethics

What does the Talmud consist of?

The Mishnah and the Gemara

What is the Mishnah?

An edited section of rabbinic discourse

What is the Gemara?

Commentary on and extension of the Mishnah

What is the mezuzah?

A small cylinder containing a piece of parchment on which are rotten several verses of the Torah to remind each member of the Jewish home that the Torah is the guiding principle in the way they conduct their lives

What do the Commandments of the Torah tell Jewish adherents to do with the mezuzah?

Guides that the mezuzah should be placed in the doorpost of a Jewish home

Which is the greatest of all the mitzvot?

The commandment to study the Torah

Why is the Commandment to study the Torah the greatest mitzvot?

Because people who study common thoughts with a common purpose will grow in unity and love. It develops friendships between adherents and G-d

What are the kashrut?

The dietary laws found in the Torah

What are the halacha?

Ethical and moral teachings that guide believers in the right relationship with G-d and one’s neighbours

What is the aggadah? And how does it differ to the halacha?

Aggadah is the non-legal material of the rabbinic literature. It is not as authoritative as the halacha but instead is used to explain and illustrate the prescriptions of the halacha

What are the mitzvot?

Found in the Torah. They are the Commandments which Jewish adherents aim to live by

What is Tikkun Olam?

Repair of the world. It includes charity through money and labour

What does The Book of Proverbs include?

Wisdom, righteousness, purity, and generosity of spirit

What do ethical teachings allow Jewish adherents to do?

Ethical teachings allow them to uphold the Covenant (core paradigm of the religion)

What does Shabbat command?

That the seventh day belongs to G-d and is to be set aside for family, community, and the study of the Torah. It also commands that no work is to be done on Shabbat

What is baked for the Shabbat meal?

Challah (bread) is baked for Shabbat

Why are two candles set during Shabbat?

To remind of the dual commandments to remember and observe the Sabbath

What is performed by the head woman of the household on Shabbat?

The head woman of the house recites blessings on the Shabbat

What is Jewish Diaspora?

The dispersion of Jews away from Judaism’s historical origins in the middle East due to persecution and exile

What is the Land of Canaan?

Modern day Israel

How do Jews uphold their side of the Covenant with G-d?

By following His rules

What is mishpatim?

Mitzvot that humans can understand (e.g. thou shalt not kill)

What is chukim?

Mitzvot that humans cannot understand (e.g. dietary laws)