Ib world religions paper 2

Key Concepts

• B’rit or Covenant: The agreement made between God and Abraham/Moses and the Jewish people, expressing the Jewish belief in monotheism.

• Torah: Jewish law and teachings; the five books of Moses.

• Mitzvah (pl: mitzvot): Obligations or commandments in the Torah.

• Halakhah (pl: halakhot): Jewish law.

• Mashiach: Messiah.

• Israel: Refers to the children of Israel, the worldwide Jewish community, the land of Israel, and the modern state of Israel.

• Kedushah: Holiness.

• Love: Of God and of neighbor.

• Teshuvah: Repentance.

• Shekhinah: The presence of God.

• Tikkun olam: Reparation of the universe.

Theme 1: Rituals

Lifetime Rituals/Rites of Passage

• Birth:

  • B’rit milah: Covenant of circumcision, a sign of being Jewish, regarded as the seal of the covenant.

• Coming of Age:

  • Bar mitzvah: For boys, participating in synagogue service, taking on Torah obligations.

  • Bat mitzvah: For girls (Reform and Liberal Judaism).

• Marriage:

  • Ketubah: Marriage contract according to the Law of Moses.

• Divorce:

  • Get: Divorce contract.

• Death:

  • Hevra kadisha: Group preparing the body.

  • Shiva: Seven-day mourning period.

Worship

• Prayer Times: Ma’ariv, minhah, shaharit.

• Beracha (pl. berachot): Blessings in prayers.

• Siddur: Prayer book containing prayers for home and synagogue.

• Reading of the Torah: From the bimah; includes Nevi’im and Ketuvim readings.

• Kashrut: Food laws reflecting holiness.

Festivals

• Shabbat: Significance in home and synagogue.

• Pilgrim Festivals: Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot.

• High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur.

Theme 2: Sacred Texts

Key Texts

• Torah: First five books of Jewish scriptures.

• Oral Torah: Includes Mishnah and Talmud.

• Talmud: Contains debates and interpretations.

Language

• Bible: Hebrew.

• Talmud: Aramaic and Hebrew.

Theme 3: Doctrines/Beliefs

Statements of Belief

• Emphasis on obedience over formal statements; key beliefs include the oneness and justice of God.

• Challenges to faith include the Holocaust.

Theme 4: Religious Experience

Group/Individual Experience

• Experience of history, importance of cultural variations, and religious responsibilities varying by gender.

Conversion

• Generally discouraged; potential converts must study and appear before the Beth Din.

Theme 5: Ethics and Moral Conduct

Interpretation/Authority

• Central ethical principles derived from Torah; all ethical mitzvot are binding.

Ethical Practice

• Importance of marriage, respect for life, and handling of transgressions seriously.

Zionism

• Support for the Jewish homeland in Israel, considering peace and justice.