Judaism

Judaism Revision Notes

Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

  • Component 3: Worth 25% and 60 marks

  • Exam Structure:

    • 60 minutes covering Beliefs AND Practices

    • Question Types:

    • 1a) What do Jews mean by… (2 marks)

    • 1b) Describe… (5 marks)

    • 1c) Explain… (8 marks)

    • 1d) Discuss the quote. Show that you have considered more than one point of view. Refer to religion and belief in your answer (15 marks)

  • Activity: Match key concepts to definitions with table group

Key Concepts and Definitions

  • Synagogue:

    • Means ‘fit’ or ‘proper’; refers to the place of worship and community.

    • Foods permitted according to Leviticus 11 are referred to as kosher.

  • Shekinah:

    • The divine presence of God; associated with the purity of ritual objects such as Torah scrolls and where God’s presence is felt.

  • Shabbat:

    • A day of spiritual renewal and rest, observed from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday.

  • Kosher:

    • Foods that are permitted to be eaten according to Jewish law, outlined in Leviticus 11.

  • Torah:

    • The five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), which are the holiest texts of the Tenakh (Hebrew Bible).

  • Mitzvoth:

    • Duties and good deeds commanded in the Torah, totaling 613.

  • Messiah:

    • The anointed one, believed to bring about a new era of peace and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

  • Covenant:

    • A promise or agreement between God and His people, including those made with Noah, Abraham, and Moses.

Jewish Beliefs

  • Diversity of Beliefs:

    • There is a wide range of beliefs among Jewish communities.

  • Rabbi Maimonides’ 13 Principles of Faith (12th Century):

    1. God exists, is perfect, and created everything.

    2. Belief in God's unity.

    3. God does not have a physical body and is not subject to human needs.

    4. God is eternal.

    5. Only God should be worshipped.

    6. God communicates through prophets.

    7. Moses is the most significant prophet.

    8. The Torah was given to Moses by God.

    9. The Torah is irrevocable and God's law.

    10. God is all-knowing.

    11. God rewards good and punishes evil.

    12. The Messiah will come.

Main Jewish Groups in Great Britain

  • Orthodox Jews:

    • The largest group, adhering strictly to the Torah as God’s direct message, believing in its eternal relevance.

  • Reform Jews:

    • Adopt a more modern interpretation of Jewish practices, harmonizing traditions with contemporary life.

  • Groups:

    • Ashkenazi: Originating from France, Germany, and Eastern Europe.

    • Sephardic: Originating from Spain, Portugal, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Orthodox Jewish Beliefs

  • Adherence to Torah teachings as directly from God.

  • Emphasis on the eternal nature of God’s rules.

  • Commitment to following all 613 Mitzvoth.

Reform Jewish Beliefs

  • Binding belief in ethical laws such as the 10 Commandments.

  • Talmudic laws are seen as non-absolute.

  • Importance placed on personal interpretation and conscience.

  • Belief in the ongoing evolution of Jewish teachings as society changes.

Part 1: The Nature of God

  • Monotheism: Jews believe in one God, supported by the SHEMA PRAYER—central in Judaism, recited daily.

    • Characteristics of God:

    • Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent.

    • Unique and incomprehensible to humans.

God as Creator

  • Evidence: Genesis 1: "In the beginning, God created heaven and earth."

    • Represents God's role as the ultimate creator.

    • Diversity of Opinion: Some Jews believe in a literal interpretation, others take a metaphorical view but agree on God's role in creation.

God as Law Giver

  • Evidence: The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20.

    • Revealed laws and duties through Moses, establishing a just society.

    • Following laws is integral to building a relationship with God.

God as Judge

  • Evidence: Psalm 5:4 emphasizes God's justice.

  • Rosh Hashanah signifies God’s judgment of human deeds, where repentance and atonement are encouraged before Yom Kippur.

Shekinah – Divine Presence

  • Represents God's presence on earth.

  • Some Jews believe it follows them into exile.

  • Describes a feminine aspect, presenting a personal relationship with God.

Part 2: The Messiah

Messianic Age

  • Evidence: Isaiah 11 predicts a future time of peace without violence, initiated by the Messiah.

Characteristics of the Messiah

  • Descendant of King David.

  • Exceptional leader and learner.

  • Responsible for rebuilding the Temple and ensuring world peace.

Orthodox vs. Reform Views on the Messiah

  • Orthodox Views: Anticipate the arrival of a specific individual fulfilling prophecies.

  • Reform Views: Reject the need for one specific Messiah, advocating for collective action towards peace instead.

Part 3: Covenant

Definition of Covenant

  • An agreement with specific conditions from God towards His people with promises of blessings for obedience.

Abrahamic Covenant Parts

  1. Promise of Land:

    • God promised land to Abraham, foundational for Jewish belief in Israel.

  2. Promise of Blessing:

    • Jews view themselves as God's chosen people, responsible for keeping the covenant.

  3. Promise of Descendants:

    • Defines the creation of nations from Abraham. The circumcision of Jewish children symbolizes this covenant.

Covenant with Moses

  • Reinforced the Abrahamic Covenant with specific guidelines (commands), establishing a collective responsibility for the Jewish people to uphold the covenant with God.

Role of Moses

  • Central figure in Jewish faith, known for leading Israelites from Egypt, communicating with God, and establishing laws (the Torah), recognized as the first rabbi.

Part 4: Life on Earth

Pikuach Nefesh

  • Emphasizes the sanctity of life in Judaism; saving a life is prioritized over observing mitzvoth.

Importance of Life

  • Life is precious and must be lived to the full. This belief influences Jewish observance and respect for life across all aspects.

Interpretations of Mitzvoth

  • They guide ethical behavior and the relationship with God. Jews interpret them through both Written and Oral Traditions, affecting observance.

Part 5: Afterlife

Concepts of Afterlife in Judaism

  • Olam Ha-Ba: The world to come; focuses on living a good life now rather than speculating on the afterlife.

  • Resurrection Beliefs: Vary among denominations; Orthodox Jews generally believe in resurrection, while Reform Jews may reject it, favoring the memory and legacy of deeds instead.

Conclusion

  • Jewish beliefs revolve around the importance of law, the characteristics of God, covenant relationships, and a diverse understanding of religious tenets, influencing lifestyle and communal practices.