12 marker Flashcards
(12 cards)
‘The Ten Commandments are the most important part of the Sinai Covenant with Moses.’ PROS 1
One of the reasons that that 10 commandments (Decalogue) are the most important part of the covenant is because they are the foundation of Jewish ethics, religious and civil law so they must be important.
An example is that the 10 commandments give a clear indication of what the relationship between God and humans should be (worship only me). Also, if you look at commandments 5 to 10 it also makes clear how Jews should govern the relationship between humans and humans (thou shalt not kill).
‘The Ten Commandments are the most important part of the Sinai Covenant with Moses.’ PROS 2 QUOTE
Another reason is that Ten Commandments have an important place at the front of every synagogue. If these rules take pride of place in the centre of worship, then Jews must consider them to be pivotal. An example of this is seen in the quote from the Torah, which says
‘Today I set before you a blessing and a curse’.
This shows that they are the most important, as following them allows for jews to be blessed.
‘The Ten Commandments are the most important part of the Sinai Covenant with Moses.’ CONS 1
However, I would argue that the most important part of the covenant is that the Jews reached the promised land. This is more important than the 10 commandments. This is because it was a land that was lost from the time of Abraham. By reaching this sacred land, it renews the Jewish relationship and gives them their identity back after being slaves in Egypt.
‘The Ten Commandments are the most important part of the Sinai Covenant with Moses.’ CONS 2
The ten commandments are important but there are other elements of the Covenant that matter- one example is that received God’s blessing and in return they had faith in God. My point here is to argue that rules matter, but they matter little without faith.
‘Jewish festivals are just remembering events and are pointless in modern life’. AGREE 1
Many of the festivals are based on stories which are just not believable any more.
(10 plagues-passover)
‘Jewish festivals are just remembering events and are pointless in modern life’. AGREE 2
Surely they are too long and drawn out? Rosh Hashanah is a period of 10 days…how long does it take to reflect on what sort of person you are?
‘Jewish festivals are just remembering events and are pointless in modern life’. DISAGREE 1
It is important to pass traditions on too children and involve them otherwise they will be lost
‘Jewish festivals are just remembering events and are pointless in modern life’. DISAGREE 2
They improve moral behaviour- Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a chance to change/ repent of sins etc.
“For on this day atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; from all your sins you shall be clean before the Lord.”
— Leviticus 16:30
‘A loving God would not send anyone to hell’. AGREE 1 QUOTE
The Bible insists that God is loving / eg John 15:9: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that those who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life. This kind of love would not include hell.
‘A loving God would not send anyone to hell’. AGREE 2
God is a fair judge and a fair judge would not sentence anybody to pain and torment. So God would not send anybody to hell because there may be certain reasons or causes beyond a person’s control that made them do terrible things
A loving God would not send anyone to hell’. DISAGREE 1
Some people/Christians may understand hell as separation from God, or as a person’s state of mind where they punish themselves for their own misdeeds. This idea of hell does not mean that God is unloving.
A loving God would not send anyone to hell’. DISAGREE 2
God gives free will so the choice is for people to make. If they make bad choices according to their free will they must expect some kind of punishment. So God has to accept the choice of some to reject him. If they do reject him they consign themselves to some kind of separation from God = hell.
