R/S - Judaism beliefs

Explain two ways in which belief in healing the world influences Jews today

Tikkun Olam means world repair which is a central belief in Judaism in repairing Gods world. Another way is through charity work and giving to those in need. Thirdly, is through stewardship and looking after and maintaining the world God created which brings Jews closer to God

Explain two Jewish beliefs about the divine presence (Shekhinah) (5 marker)

Jews believe that the Shekhinah represents the divine presence of God, who is always around us and is always there. This is represented by the everlasting light which shows the everlasting presence of God. A second belief is that the Shekhinah is present in synagogues and when one prays there, they are praying directly with God by their side. ‘The Lord is our God, the Lord alone’ in the Torah shows God’s omnipotence and oneness. Lastly, the Shekhinah is seen by many Jews as the feminine aspect of God ‘there was the glory of God before me’ in the Torah

‘The 10 commandments are the most important part of the Sinai Covenant with Moses’. Evaluate this statement.

Arguments in support

• The 10 commandments provide a summary of the 613 mitzvot in the Torah

• These teachings are viewed as the most important as they are what Jews follow everyday

• ‘Love thy neighbour’ encourages Jews to care for one another and give to others through charity

• Also it states ‘thou shall not kill’ which encourages Jews to do good things and deviate from evil

• The Ten Commandments were the only part of the covenant which God inscribed on the stone which shows their eternal nature

Arguments in support of other views

• God promised the Israelites would be God’s chosen people thus giving a role to them which included them having to keep the commandments

• God gave Moses all of the mitzvot not just the 10 commandments so they can be viewed as just the overview rather than the detail

• Judaism places great emphasis on receiving God’s blessing e.g. Amidah (standing prayer) so this is the most important part of the covenant as it is the outcome of observing the commandments

Explain two contrasting religious features of a synagogue (4 marker)

One religious feature is the bimnah which is the raised platform from which the Torah is read and in an orthodox synagogue, male worshippers seating faces the Birman

A second religious feature is the Aron Hakodesh which is the ark of the covenant and represents the tabernacle. It contains the Torah and is a sacred space

Explain two ways in which the Bar Mitzvah ceremony is important for Jews today

Represents the start of the boy taking full responsibility for his own religious education and development where he would have studied the Torah in preparation for reading out loud in the synagogue

Secondly, it is the first time the boy can wear the tallit (the shawl) and the tefillin as he reads from the Torah during a congregation. In Deuteronomy it says ‘you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be a reminder between your eyes’. Also in the Torah it says ‘add tassels to each end of your garments’ showing the importance of to presenting the 613 mitzvot that Jews must follow

‘Jewish mourning rituals are needed for the living more than for the dead’. Evaluate this statement (12 marker)

Arguments in support

• Rituals help the mourners come to terms with their loss as they are at their most vulnerable so in greatest need

• Only living are able to suffer, not the dead

• Rituals provide a transition process for grievers

• When a person dies those left behind feel sadness and loss whereas the dead are gone so have no needs

• Must go through a mourning period of over a loved one over 7 days after the death of a close relative

• The friends of the mourning person will come as a minyan in order for them to pray together and still practice their faith during this time as they cannot get to a synagogue because that would require work

• These rituals are carried out everyday after the person’s death to show their love and respect for that person and their hope they will go to heaven

Arguments in support of other views

• Period of mourning lasts a year for the children/close family

• There are many prohibitions in shiva (first week after burial) including no study of the Torah, no work, sit low, cover mirrors

• For next 11 months (avelut) they may not attend happy events and must go to synagogue for all services

• Afterlife prayers and cleansing is important for the dead

• Judgement goes on after death to guarantee safe passage to heaven

• ‘For the living know not that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all’ Ecclesiastes