Extra Judaism Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is the significance of the Talmud.
A source of wisdom for Jews which they can draw on for teachings that may be unclear such as mitzvot. Means ‘to teach’. Jews may debate the Talmud, though it is more significant to Orthodox Jews and they study it daily. May contain teachings on festivals or rituals.
Shekinah
Significant because it shows how God has chosen to reveal himself to Jews
It allows him to remain immanent and transcendent
Raises questions about idolatry and whether the prophets were meeting Shekinah or God (the torah does not come from God
Orthodox Jews may be against the feminine aspect of the Shekinah as it diminishes the unity of God. Reform jews may be open to it as it could allow for greater equality (female rabbis etc.)
Orthodox jews may argue that the shekinah is God’s power dwelling onto earth. Reform Jews may think that it is God himself.
Messiah
Means ‘anointed one’ (reference to king)
The Messiah is never mentioned in the Torah but many Jews see it as the fulfillment of God’s covenant with abraham
Jews believe that the Messiah will be a male descendant of King David, he will lead the Israelites back to the promised land, he will preside over the building of the third temple etc
Elijah will herald the coming of the Messiah (he did not die but went up to heaven in a fiery chariot)
Some Jews think an increased persecution of Jewish people will signify the coming of the Messiah
Jews believe that the Messianic age will be a time of peace, where non-Jews will start to obey God’s law
Orthodox Jews agree heavily with the idea of the Messiah, suggested by the Maimonides and that the need to produce our own food will no longer exist. Reform Jews reject the idea that the Messiah will be a literal person and that God wants people to achieve the Messianic age by achieving a more just society
promised land
First mentioned in God’s promise to abraham in exodus
However God does not specifically promise the land exclusively to Abraham’s descendants, forever, or unconditionally
Mitzvot
Positive mitzvot (aseh) - studying the torah, giving charity, honouring your parents
Negative mitzvot (ta’aseh) - you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shalt not steal
Divine providence is the belief that God ordered the world in a way so that his will is fulfilled. Orthodox Jews believe Jews will fulfill the mitzvot and gain a reward
Jews believe ethical mitzvot are to create stronger relationships between humans, whereas ritual mitzvot are to create relationships with God
Jews rely on the Talmud for a definitive list of the mitzvot, butas an ancient text, it may be hard to know how mitzvot should be observed in modern times
Free will and the mitzvot
If God is all-knowing and all powerful, he would know if people are going to follow his law or not and so our free will is already predetermined. Therefore God would know if we are going to commit evil and would allow it
Jewish attitudes to the mitzvot
Observance of the 613 mitzvot is at the heart of Orthodox Judaism although there may still be varying interpretations between them (wearing garments)
Reform Jews are less strict on mitzvot and believe they will find more mitzvot through their conscience. They may place higher value on certain mitzvot, such as the ten commandments
Pikuach Nefesh and the sanctity of life
The sanctity of life states that human life is holy to God and worthy of protection. This is largely based on Genesis 1:27, where humans were made ‘in the image of God’. It also explicitly states in the Torah ‘thou shalt not murder’. This not only involves deliberate murder but also negligence.
Pikuach Nefesh means ‘saving a life’ and refers to the fact that saving human life can override the mitzvot such as eating non kosher food to prevent starvation. However some mitzvot do not align with this, like idolatry or blasphemy.
Most jews are against capital punishment for this reason (barring Adolf Eichmann)
Orthodox Jews would be against abortion after 40 days (90 for female) whereas reform Jews would say it is not apart of society
Orthodox Jews would be against euthanasia due to the uncertainty of being brain-dead but reform Jews would say it is more compassionate
Eschatological beliefs and teachings
Genesis 2:7 God breathed into <Adam’s> nostrils the breath of life
The word for soul or spirit is ‘Neshamah’. The body is not enough to guarantee human life. The relationship between the body and soul is like that of God and his creation. They exist together and the body is dependent on the soul, but the soul is invisible and is not dependent on the body.
The Torah makes no reference to resurrection but it is mentioned in the Talmud
Nahmanides believed that both ur body and soul are resurrected and will live forever, Maimonides believe in the immortality of the soul
Orthodox Jews believe in resurrection but Reform Jews believe that the soul lives on rather than the body
Orthodox jews reject cremation as it could interfere with resurrection
Shoel is the abode for the dead both good and bad. Gan eden is a spiritual garden of eden where Jews and non Jews will experience a vision of God’s glory. Gehenna is purification for the wicked. Reform Jews reject this belief.
Synagogue
Hazzan is the person who leads the singing of prayers
Torah scroll is covered with a velvet cloth and topped with a silver crown as the crown of Israel
The Ner Tamid is a lamp which burns to signify the presence of God
The Synagogue is a place for rituals and festivals, like Bat Mitzvahs and Weddings. It is a place for education (shul means school) and a place for community
In Orthodox Judaism, men and women are segregated and a minyan is required (10 men) and the Torah is read in Hebrew.
Prayer
The amidah prayer is the most important part of the synagogue service because it allows Jews to fulfill their obligation to God by praising him, thanking him and asking him for help. It means ‘standing prayer’ and consists of 19 blessings.
All prayer may be classed as private prayer as a jew should never pray for show
Spontaneous prayer involves praying on the spot with youro own words instead of from the Siddur. It is discouraged by Orthodox jews as they are wary of any prayers not in Hebrew
Mizrah (east)
Orthodox jews pray three times a day and give thanks as part of the mitzvot
The rabbinic tradition contains many references to hebrew being the official language, but they also say that prayers must be understood so may be taken that a Jew not fluent in Hebrew should pray in their own language
