Attributes of God

Question 1

3 points about God as one

Answer 1

• one God that creates and sustains all that exists
• God is indivisible and incomparable
• “thou shall have no other Gods before me.” (Exodus 20)

Question 2

The main belief about God as creator

Answer 2

if God were to cease then all would become nothing

Question 3

Doctrine of perpetual creation

Answer 3

Creation is a continuous event that only exists whilst God pours creative energy into it

Question 4

2 points about God as incorporeal

Answer 4

• in contrast to the deities that were worshipped at the time of the covenant
• Jews aer forbidden to represent God in a physical form

Question 5

2 points about God as eternal

Answer 5

• God has always existed and always will

- “from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90)

Question 6

3 points about God as just and merciful

Answer 6

• fair, not subject to any prejudice when making judgements
• ultimate source of justice in the universe
• book of Job shows God as merciful and providing second chances

Question 7

3 points about God as holy and perfect

Answer 7

• God is qodesh
• he is completely perfect and utterly separate from evil
• use name of Adonaoi as his name is too holy to be spoken

Question 8

What does the sanctity of Mount Sinai serve as?

Answer 8

An example of Gods holiness, indicated the huge chasm between God and his people.

Question 9

What does ‘kavod’ describe?

Answer 9

the energy that is encountered in moments of awe such as the revelation at Mount Sinai

Question 10

What does shekinah mean?

Answer 10

‘dwelling’ or ‘settling’, denoting the divine presence of God

Question 11

What is shekinah also seen as?

Answer 11

The feminine aspect of God

Question 12

2 points about Maimonides’ 13 principles?

Answer 12

• the words of the prophet are true

- God rewards those who keep the commandments and punishes those who do not