Judaism

Question 1

What is a synagogue?

Answer 1

A place of worship or meeting for the jewish faith.

Question 2

What is the shekinah?

Answer 2

Dwelling or divine prescence of god.

Question 3

What is shabbat?

Answer 3

Jewish day of rest and seventh day of the week.

Question 4

What is kosher?

Answer 4

Means clean or fit.

Question 5

What is the torah?

Answer 5

The jewish written law, it is the first five books of the hebrew bible.

Question 6

What are the mitzvot?

Answer 6

Action jews must perform or avoid. There are 613 mitzvot.

Question 7

What is the messiah?

Answer 7

The promised deliver of the jewish nation. A king will be sent by god to save the jews.

Question 8

What is covenant?

Answer 8

A promise or an agreement.

Question 9

Describe jewish beliefs about the nature of God.

Answer 9

Creator-He created the world ex nihilo meaning from nothing. ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’ Genesis.
One-Jews are monotheist they believe in one God. It comes from the Shema ‘The Lord is one and only’
Lawgiver-God gaves laws to moses. There are 613 mitzvot. Laws are clearly shown in the commandments ‘Do not kill’.
Judge-God will judge people on their actions. It is shown in Genesis with Adam and Eve.

Question 10

Explain why belief in God is important for Jewish people.

Answer 10

There is one God. It is important as it shows Jews should only worship and love one God. Jews are monotheist and confirm this belief when they say the Shema each day.
God is creator. It is important because it shows God is omnipotent omniscient and exists everywhere. Genesis shows how God created the world perfectly.
Lawgiver. It shows Jewish people have specific laws to follow. They have mitzvot which are actions jews must perform or avoid. 613 including ten commandments which say ‘do not kill’
Judge. Important because it means jews must consider their actions. They will be judged on how they live their life. Adam and eve show how they should obey god.

Question 11

D) Belief in God is the most important Jewish belief.

Answer 11

AGREE
Creator-States ‘in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’. Shows god is all powerful.
Lawgiver-Follow the 613 mitzvot in particular Ten commandments which were given from God to Moses.
The first commandment says worship one god showing belief in God is the most important belief.
They are monotheist meaning belief in one god. Abraham and moses made covenant with god showing the importance of the belief.
DISAGREE
It is more important to follow commandments. For example ‘do not kill’ shows the importance of human life.
Sanctity of life/pikuash nefesh comes directly from torah saying jews must save and protect life meaning it is more important.
Orthodox believe the messiah because he will be a great and powerful leader that bring peace to the earth. Isaiah said Messiah would be a descendant of david and be a great teacher of the Torah.

Question 12

Desribe Jewish beliefs about the shekinah.

Answer 12

Means dwelling or divine prescence of god. God is said to referred to being close to the jewish nation and living amongst them.
Shown as a cloud that comes to earth amd reaches out.
Frightening experience for those involved as god is so glorious.
With jews through exodus from egypt. It is the spirit of god that supports and guides the Jews through their journey to freedom.

Question 13

Explain why belief in the shekinah is important for jewish people.

Answer 13

It helped Hewish people through the exodus. Difficult because they were slaves and mistreated by their masters. Helped because they believed God was with them.
Revealed to Moses when given Ten Commandments-most important rules for Jews
Divine presence mentioned in Torah. Revealed to Moses through burning bush and told him to free the Jews from slavery. Revealed giving TC
Helps jews understand Gods greatness. Worried people would think God as human so to stop anthropomorphising God the Shekinah means he us non material meaning God has and will always exist.

Question 14

D) Belief in the shekinah is the most important belief.

Answer 14

AGREE
Dwelling or divine presence. Important as God can reveal himself to jews.
Revealed to moses as shekinah and gave the Ten commandments showing it is and important part in Jewish history.
Shows greatness and power. Shows god is not human and is omnipotent.
DISAGREE
Lawgiver, creator, one, judge is more important.
Created the world and created humans in his image and likeness.
Commandments are important as they teach people to worship one God and show love of neighbour. Do not mention the shekinah.
Sancity of life/pikuash nefesh comes from torah meaning jews have a responsibility to protect life meaning it is more important.
Orthodox jews argue messiah as he will be a great and powerful leader that will bring oeace to earth.

Question 15

Describe Jewish beliefs about the Messiah.

Answer 15

Orthodox jews believe that in every genreation there a descendant of king david that has the potential to be the messiah.
Will rule over humanity with kindness and justice. Follow and uphold torah and will be ultimate teacher of it.
He will rebuild the temple and bring jews back to Isreal.
Reform jews urges us all to be more active in bringing peace on earth.
Can bring peace on earth through their actions and how they treat others. Should act the way we hope the messiah would.

Question 16

Explain why belief in the messiah is important for jewish people.

Answer 16

He is the annointed one who will bring peace to the world. Isaiah teaches ‘he will always rule with honesty and justice’.
Male descendant of king david. Isaiah texhes messiah will be a great and powerful ruler ‘he will rule davids kingdom and make it grow strong’
Orthodox believe he will rebuild the temple told in Isaiah. It was the most important place of jewish worship and was destroyed by the romans.
He will be an expert in law and guide jews to follow the mitzvot.
Reform jews believe messiah isnt just one person but all people can bring peace through their actions. All people should act like messiahs.

Question 17

D) Messiah is the most important belief for Jewish people.

Answer 17

AGREE
The messiah will rebuild the temple in jerusalem. Foertold in the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah teaches the messiah will be a great ruler and will lead with honesty and justice.
Annointed one that will bring peace to the world. Promised deliver of the Jewish nation.
Help peope follow the mitzvot.
DISAGREE
Reform think messiah is less important. All people should act like messiahs.
Jews are monotheist. They believe in one god so should not focus on messiah but focus on God.
Shema teaches belief in God is the most important jewish belief.
Lawgiver is more important. Follow mitzvot and commandments like ‘do not kill’ ‘do not steal’

Question 18

Describe the covenant between God and Abraham.

Answer 18

A covenant is a promise or an agreement. They believe god has made many covenants with them throughout history and made a special covenant with abraham that was the beginning of the Jewish nation.
Had three main parts;
Promised land-promised abraham his descendants a new home now referred to as isreal.
Descendants-God promised abraham he would build a great nation from him. Genesis refers to abraham as ‘father of many nations’
Circumcision-sign of the covenant. Orthodox sho by getting circumcised at eight days old.

Question 19

Explain why abraham is important for jewish people.

Answer 19

He is the patriarch of judaism. First to teach about monotheism. It shows jews should follow the shema ‘the lord is one and only’
He was a faithful and obedient servant of god. Willing to sacrifice his son to show commitment to God.
Covenants.
Shows jews how to show obedience to God and set themselves up as Jewish people.
Orthodox Jews have children circumcised at eight days old.

Question 20

D) Abraham is the most important person in Jewish history.

Answer 20

AGREE
He is the founding father of Judaism. First to teach about monotheism.
Faithful and obedient servant to God-willing to sacrifice his son as shown in Genesis.
Covenants. Promised abraham isreal meaning Jews were specially chosen by God.
Abraham introduced circumcision as a way of showing obedience to god. Practiced by all orthodox Jews in the brit milah ceremony.
DISAGREE
Moses was chosen to help the Jews escape egypt.
Moses made a new covenant with god ‘we will do everything the lord has said’ means jews have a duty to follow the Torah and commandments.
Moses met the shekinah on mount sinai. ‘The glory of god rested on mount sinai…Moses entered the cloud as he went up to the mountain’

Question 21

Describe the covenant between God and Moses.

Answer 21

Made a covenant with moses while the jews were wandering in the desert after being freed from Egypt. The covenant helped cement the idea jews were ‘one nation’.
God worked miracles with moses and it was moses that helped the jews escape egypt.
He was given the ten commandments on Sinai. Jews are expected to follow these and the mitzvot as a part of the agreement. He was given the Torah which is the Jewish written law.

Question 22

Explain why Moses is important for Jewish people.

Answer 22

He helped the Jews escape egypt. He delivered the jews out of Egypt through the red sea.
He made a new covenant with god on Sinai. ‘We will do everything the Lord has said’ This covenant meant that Jewish people have a duty to follow the Torah and commandments of God.
He was given the Torah. He was also given the 613 mitzvot to guide Jewish people on how to live a good and faithful life.
He met the shekinah on Mount Sinai when he recieved laws directly from God ‘The glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai…Moses entered the cloud as he went up to the mountain’

Question 23

D) Moses is the most important person in Jewish history.

Answer 23

AGREE
Chose him to help the Jews escape Egypt.
He made a bew covenant with God on Mount Sinai. ‘We will do everything the Lord has said’. Means jews have a duty to follow the Torah and commandments of God.
He was given the Torah. Was given the other 613 mitzvot to guide jews on how to live a good and faithful life.
He met the shekinah on mount sinai ‘The glory of God rested on Mount Sinai…Moses entered the cloud as he went up the mountain.
DISAGREE
Abraham is the patriarch of judaism. He was the first to teach about monotheism.
Faithful and obedient servant to God as he was willing to sacrifice his own son as told in Genesis.
Made covenants with God. Promised the land of isreal meaning Jews were specially chosen by God.
Introduced circumcision as a way of showing obedience. practiced by Orthodox jews in the brit milah ceremony.

Question 24

Describe Jewish beliefs about the Ten Commandments.

Answer 24

They were given directly from God to Moses on Mount Sinai as well as the other 603 mitzvot.
They guide Jews on how to ahow Love of God. First commandment says worship one God-monotheism.
They guide jews on love of neighbour. Commandments such as do not kill, do not steal show how they should teat others.
They need to because they will be judged by God on how they live their lives.

Question 25

Explain why the Ten Commandments are important for Jewish people.

Answer 25

They aplly to all Jews. They have the 613 mitzvot but the Ten Commandments are the main rules. The first four commandments focus on the significance of God. The first commandment links to monotheism and the Shema as it says worship no other Gods. Last six show how they should treat others. By following them Jews have a much better relationship with God and others ‘do not kill’ ‘do not commit adultery. God will judge on their actions. If they follow the commandments God will judge them kindly. They are important because they are what jews must do to fulfill their part of the covenant with God.

Question 26

D) The Ten Commandments are the most important belief for Jews.

Answer 26

AGREE Moses was given the commandments by God. Following ones like ‘do not kill’ jews are keeping the covenant. The ten commandments apply to all Jewish people. Teachings like ‘keep the sabbath day holy’ can be followed by all people so the commandments are important. Help jews have a good relationship with God and others. First four focus on ggod other six on how you treat others. First commandment shows jews are monotheist and supports the teaching of the shema. DISAGREE 613 mitzvot jews should follow all the laws not just the Ten Commandments. Abraham was the founding father and obedient to God. Show obedience through circumcision and may consider it more important than the commandments. Sanctity of life where you break laws to save life. Commandments are important but Jewish beliefs about God is most important.

Question 27

Describe Jewish beliefs about Pikuash Nefesh (Sanctity of Life).

Answer 27

Jews belive that life is sacred and belongs to God. Genesis shows God created all life so it is important. Life is so important that most Jewish law can be set aside to save a life. ‘ Do not stand by while your neighbours life is at risk.’ Leviticus. They are not just permitted to break the law they are required to. Any law that conflicts with life or health should be disregarded. ‘It is a religious duty to disregard the Sabbath for any person afflicted with an illness that may prove dangerous’ Talmud.

Question 28

Explain why life is sacred for Jewish people.

Answer 28

They belive they were created by God. Genesis ‘in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’. Torah contains Ten Commandments ‘Do not kill’ this shows that only God should take a life. Pikuash nefesh-Jews should not stand by while their neighbours life is at risk. They have an obligation even if it means breaking the Commandments. Talmud-Commentary made by rabbis which teaches Jews how to act ‘whoever saves a life, it is considered as if they had saved the entire world’

Question 29

D) Jewish people should always follow the Ten Commandments.

Answer 29

AGREE Covenant with Moses. By following them they are keeping the covenant. Ten Commandments should be followed by everyone. Form a good relationship with God and others. First commandment teaches monotheism. DISAGREE Sanctity of life. ‘Should not stand by while your neighbours life is at risk’. Saving lives overrides commandment They are required to break laws that conflict with saving a life. Talmud says ‘it is a religious duty to disregard the Sabbath for any person with an illness’.

Question 30

Describe Jewish beliefs about the mitzvot.

Answer 30

Laws jews should perform or avoid. There are 613 mitzvot including the 10 commandments. 248 positive commandments 365 negative ones. Help jews have a relationship with god and mankind. Positive mitzvot correspong to the number of bones in a male human body. Negative correspond to the number of days in a year. They help jews use their free will correctly and guide them on how to life a good life.

Question 31

Explain why the mitzvot is important for Jewish people.

Answer 31

They give guidance on actions Jews must perform or avoid. In exodus says the mitzvot were given by God to Moses on Sinai. They influence Jews as it lets them use free will properly. Use free will and have a better relationship with God. First commandments says worship one god. Influences Jews as it makes them monotheist. Orthodox Jews teach the Shema to their children and strap the prayer to their arms and forehead. Show love and obedience to God. Teaches Jews to circumcise male children. Covenant between God and abraham and circumcision is the sign of it. Influences jewish lives as they are now all circumcised at eight days old.

Question 32

D) Jews should always aim to follow the mitzvot.

Answer 32

AGREE They are actions jews should perform or avoid. They help jewish people have a relationship with God and mankind. They help jews use free will correctly and guide jews on how to live a good life and make responsible choices. Shows love of god and love of neighbour ‘worship one God’ ‘do not kill’ DISAGREE Sanctity of life. Protecting human life is more important that Jews laws like mitzvot. ‘Do not stand by while a neighbours life is at risk’ Talmud Required to break laws that conflicts with life or health. ‘It is a religious duty to disregard the Sabbath for any person with an illness’ Talmud

Question 33

Describe Orthodox and Reform beliefs about life after death.

Answer 33

Both believe there will be some judgement after death. Involves reward or punishment. Orthodox believe in resurrection of the body. Reform prefer immortality of the soul. They both believe in some sort of heaven. Reform believe they life on in the memories of those they left behind. Orthodox are strict on what happens to the body. It is buried not cremated. Reform believe it is much more important what you do in this life.

Question 34

Explain Jewish beliefs about life after death.

Answer 34

Orthodox believe in resurrection of the body. There will be physica resurrection where they will be given a now body after death to live in again. Reform believe in a more spiritual resurrection. The person will also live on in the good they have done in the memories of the people they leave behind. Both believe they will be rewarded or punished. God is judge thay will judge them on their actions. Life is more important than afterlife so they focus on following the mitzvot. God breathed a soul into adams body. Rabbis say the soul leaves the body at death but they are eventually returned at the end of time. Body and soul cant libe eithout each other.

Question 35

D) Life after death is the most important Jewish belief.

Answer 35

AGREE Orthodox believe in resurrection of the body. Give hope of life after death. They believe they are rewarded or punished when they die on their actions. Jews believe that life is more important than afterlife. Thats why the focus on following the 613 mitzvot. Thats whg they focus on following the mitzvot. Shows both life and life after death are important. DISAGREE Commandments Trying to follow mitzvot and focusing on current life. Belief in god is the most important belief. Abraham and moses made covenants showing the importance of this belief.

Question 36

Describe how the Tanakh and Talmud guide Jewish lives.

Answer 36

Tanakh is written in Hebrew snd contains the Torah, teachings of the prophets and sacred writings. It guides jews because the torah is the written jewish law and jt also contains the ten commandments which give Jews clear guidance on how to treat others. Contain shema which teaches worship one god. Talmud is commentary by the rabbis on the Torah and Tanakh. It helps jews understand the laws and teachings in the Tanakh. Talmud provides clear guidance on heo Jews should follow the laws. For example it teaches them to attach the mesuzah to a doorpost.

Question 37

Explain why the Tanakh and Talmud are important for Jewish people.

Answer 37

Tanakh contains the Torah, commandments which jews are expected to follow. It also contains the Shema the most important Jewish prayer. Talmud explains the meaning of the mitzvot. Means the people know they are following the laws correctly. It clearly says what actions are permitted and which ones should be avoided. Tanakh contains detailed jewish history, such as Abraham and Moses. Orthodox are encouraged to stufy it so they can become experts on living a good jewish life. Talmud gives direction on how jews should prey. It guides jews on what is kosher and how food should be prepared. Gives them guidance on how to follow festivals such as yom kippur and rosh hashanah.

Question 38

D) The Tanakh is the only form of guidance Jews need.

Answer 38

AGREE Contains ten commandments that was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Shows love of God and love of neighbour. Contains the 613 mitzvot. Actions jews have to perform or avoid. Contains torah jewish written law. Contains detailed history of abraham moses etc. They are encouraged to study it to develop there relationship with God. DISAGREE They need both tanakh and talmud. Talmud is commnetary by rabbis to help them understand the laws and teachings in the tanakh. Talmud gives directions on how jews should pray and abide by the shema. It guides them on kosher and how to eat and prepare it. They need guidance from their rabbi. Rabbi teaches the community in the synagogue and direct them on how to live a holy life.

Question 39

Describe how Jewish people worship.

Answer 39

Modeh Ani-The first words jews speak every morning. Their first conscious word are spent thanking God for the gift of life. The mezuzah- everytime you enter or leave your house it reminds you of the covenant with God. Second its a symbol it is a jewish household. Tallit Tefillin Kippah-tallit and tefillin are symbols of prayer. Tallit is a prayer shawl and tefillin is a box worn on the forhead and wrist containing the shema. Kippah is a brimless skull cap worn as a sign of respect to God. Siddur-Jewish prayer book containing a set of daily prayers. Three prayers jewish people should say.

Question 40

Explain how Jewish people worship God.

Answer 40

Worship wearing tefillin. Strapped to forehead and wrists and contains passages from the Torah and the Shema. Remind them during prayer total concentration should be on God. Tallit-a prayer shawl with a tzitzit on each corner. Tzitzit represents the 613 mitzvot. Reminds jews they are obeying God when they wear it. Prayer-modeh ani are the first words they speak on a morning. First moments are spent thanking God. Amidah is the standing prayer. It is prayed in silence while facing Jerusalem. Mezuzah-Reminds of the covenants that God made. Shows it is a jewish household. Contains parts of the torah and the shema.

Question 41

D) Worship in thr synagogue is more important than worship in the home.

Answer 41

AGREE Created as a community centre to bring Jewish people together. Tanakh says it was creates as a place of refuge and safety ‘i have made for them a small sanctuary in the lands where they have arrived. Contains holy ark and torah scrolls. Holy ark is linked to the temple and shows god is present. Torah is jewish written law and where jews can learn about it from the rabbis in the synagogue. DISAGREE The teaching of the shema as it says jews should say it each mornig and night in their homes. Mezuzah Worship god on shabbat each week by having a family meal. Far more important than worshipping in the synagogue.

Question 42

Describe different features of the synagogue.

Answer 42

Menorah-seven branched candle stick that was originally found in the temple. Holy Ark-contains the torah scolls and has a curtain across it. Ner Tamid-eternal everlasting light that represents the prescence of god. Torah Scrolls-holy book for jewish people. First five books of the tanakh. Yad- in hebrew means hand. What is used to read the torah scrolls from the bimah.

Question 43

Explain the difference between orthodox and reform synagogues.

Answer 43

For all the synagogue is a place of worship. Orthodox men always cover their heads with a kippah and married women will cover their heads. Most reform men cover their heads but not all. They have the same features. Orthodox men and women sit seperatelt and everyone except young girls have their heads covered. In a reform you can sit together. Orthodox on have male rabbis where reform can have female. Also in reform women dan make up a minyan which requires ten people. Orthodox the service is in hebrew but reform has some english.

Question 44

Describe the Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

Answer 44

It takes place on the first shabbat after the boys thirteen birthday. It means son of the commandment. The boy is welcomes into the Jewish community and he has to follow the mitzvot. He has to learn a section of the torah in hebrew. He will read from the bimah. He has a second reading then return the torah to the ark. Father reads a speech declaring him responsible for his actions. Rabbi asks god to bless the boy. He can now form a part of the minyan.

Question 45

Explain why the Bar Mitzvah ceremony is important for Jews.

Answer 45

Means son of the commandment shows they have reached adulthood. They have full responisbility and can take part of all activities in the synagogue such as carrying the Torah scrolls and reading from the Bimah. They can now observe all 613 mitzvot. Prior they only needed to follow the Ten Commandments. They can take part in festivals like Yom Kippur. They ask for forgivemess and fast to show sincerity. Also can now become part of the minyan. Needed to worship in the synagogue.

Question 46

D) Bar Mitzvah is the most important ceremony for Jewish people.

Answer 46

AGREE shows they have reached adulthood. They have full responsibility and can take part in synagogue activities. Can observe the mitzvot. Take part in Yom Kippur. Can ask for forgiveness. Take part in minyan. DISAGREE Brit milah as the torah says every male should be circumicised. Follow abrahams example. Has been carried out for 3000 years if you refuse the penalty of karet is enforced. Marriage is important as the torah teaches jewish women should try and marry and start a family.

Question 47

Describe a Jewish wedding ceremony.

Answer 47

Badeken- Veiling of the bride by the groom. The ceremony takes place under the chuppah which is a stmbol of the hom the new couple will build. Two cups of wine are used. The groom then takes the wedding ring in his handand says in front of two witnesses declares to the bride ‘behold you are betrothed unto me with this ring’ Reading if the ketubah. Seven blessings are said. Groom shatters a glass with his foot and shouts ‘mazel tov’. Symbolises the destruction of the temple.

Question 48

Explain how Jewish people are married.

Answer 48

Begins with badeken-veiling of the bride by the groom. Takes place under the chuppah a symbol of the new home they will build. Bride circles groom seven times to represent creation. Couple drinks two cups of wine as a symbol of joy. He then takes the ring in front of two witnesses and says ‘behond you are betrothed unto me’. Reading of the ketubah. Seven blessing are recited over the second cup of wine. Then a glass is smashed to symbolise the destruction of the temple.