(b) Describe Jewish beliefs about God as Creator. [5]

Question 1

 God is believed to have created the world and all that is in it.  As Creator only God can give and take away life.  God continues in the role as Creator.  An account of the Creation is given in the Torah - Genesis 1
o Different aspects of creation were made on different days e.g.
Genesis 1: 3-5 Creation of light and dark; Genesis 1 26-28 Creation of
humans and animals; on the seventh day God rested from creation.  There are different interpretations regarding how literal the Creation story
is taken.  God is both the creator of the universe and as such transcends the
universe.
 Creation is such an important aspect of the religion that it is in the
beginning of the Torah.
 The Torah begins by showing how God created the world:
 Many Jews believe that the world is too wonderful to have happened by
chance.
 Prayers said in Orthodox services show how God created the world:
‘Blessed be He who spoke, and the world existed.’
 Each week, Jews celebrate Shabbat. This is a day not only of rest but
also of the celebration of creation. Just as God rested on the seventh day,
so observant Jews do not work on Shabbat.