Judaism Beliefs

Question 1

What is the Jewish bible called

Answer 1

The Tenakh

Question 2

What is the Tenak split up into

Answer 2

The Torah (first 5 books of Genesis and the written law), the Nebi’im (prophets), the Keitum (the writings)

Question 3

What is the Talmud

Answer 3

The ‘Oral Law’ - an explanation of the Torah written by rabbis

Question 4

What are the two main categories of Jews

Answer 4

Orthodox and reform

Question 5

What do Orthodox Jews do

Answer 5

Strictly follow Jewish law and interpret the Tenakh directly

Question 6

What do reform Jews do

Answer 6

Follow the spirit of the law instead of the actual written law. They believe Jewish laws and practices should be re-interpreted to fit modern life

Question 7

What is the messiah

Answer 7

The saviour of the Jews who will live on earth and bring global peace. He was promised many times by God in the Jewish Bible

Question 8

Orthodox Jewish beliefs in the bible about the Messiah

Answer 8

Every generation contains a descendant of King David who has the potential to be the Messiah, the Messiah will bring world peace (called the Messianic age), He will be ultimate teacher of the Torah, he will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem

Question 9

Reform beliefs about the Messiah

Answer 9

He will not be a person, there will simply be a ‘Messianic Age’, all Jews have a duty to try and bring about this age by being good Jews and following jewish law and moral principles

Question 10

What do Jews believe God is

Answer 10

Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omnibenevolent

Question 11

What type of religion is Judaism

Answer 11

Monotheistic (One God)

Question 12

Beliefs of God is One

Answer 12

There is only one God, he is the only being who should be worshipped, all morality comes from God, God is infinite and eternal, God made everything and sustains the universe

Question 13

What is the Shema

Answer 13

A jewish prayer that confirms there is one God. He is single, whole, indivisible, eternal

Question 14

Full Shema (just remember key parts for exam)

Answer 14

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might’

Question 15

Shema Bible reference

Answer 15

Deuteronomy 6:4

Question 16

Key parts of Shema

Answer 16

The Lord is our God alone. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and might

Question 17

What does the Shema show us about praising God

Answer 17

Loving God requires total loyalty, a spiritual dedication to God is needed

Question 18

Characteristics of God

Answer 18

Merciful, one, creator, sustainer, judge, lawgiver, divine presence

Question 19

What do different Jews believe about creation

Answer 19

Orthodox: God literally made the world in six days - they reject the Big Bang and evolution
Reform: God created the world using the Big Bang and evolution

Question 20

Beliefs for God as Sustainer

Answer 20

God created everything and sustains the universe, providing everything needed for life

Question 21

What is the Mitzvot

Answer 21

The 613 laws that God gave the Jews to follow. The first ten Mitzvot are the 10 commandments

Question 22

What does Mitzvah mean

Answer 22

A Jewish law

Question 23

10 commandments in order

Answer 23

Only worship God, don’t worship false idols, don’t use God’s name for evil purposes, keep the Sabbath holy, respect your parents, do not murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t be jealous

Question 24

What are the 10 commandments divided into

Answer 24

The first 4 are between God and man, the other 6 are between man and man

Question 25

How does the Mitzvot guide Jews

Answer 25

Following it males it impossible to disobey God, it guides Jews on how to use their free will rightly, shows there are consequences to bad actions (Adam and Eve)

Question 25

Jewish beliefs on God as Judge

Answer 25

God judges Jews on how well they follow the mitzvot, god is fair and merciful, good actions bring Jews closer to God, bad actions lead people away from God

Question 26

When do Jews believe they are judged by God

Answer 26

Once a year at Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year), and when they die

Question 27

Jewish belief on life after desth

Answer 27

Good Jews go to Heaven to be with God when they die, if Jews don't ebter Heaven they go to Sheol (Jewish purgatory) to have their souls cleansed. Jews don't believe in Hell

Question 28

What does Shekinha mean

Answer 28

Divine prescence

Question 29

Jewish belief on God as Shekinha

Answer 29

God can 'focus his presence' on earth in certain places, for example God led the Jews as a 'pillar of fire' or 'cloud' in the desert. Jews believe the Shekinha can be brought through good deeds and work

Question 30

What 3 key moral principles do Jews follow

Answer 30

Justice, healing the world, kindness to others

Question 31

What is the Sanctity of Life

Answer 31

The belief that life is divine and holy as it was made by God, Only God should end life as he creates it, Jews have a duty to preserve life

Question 32

What is Pikuach Nefesh

Answer 32

Jews are allowed to break Jewish Law in order to save a life. It overrides all other laws and shows how important life is

Question 33

What is a covenant

Answer 33

A solemn promise or agreement between two people or groups of people

Question 34

Features of God's covenant with abraham

Answer 34

God - To protect and favour the Israelites (Jews), to give Abraham and his descendants a special place to live (the promised land) Abraham - The Jews would always and forever live a life dedicated to God

Question 35

Where did God's covenant with Abraham take place

Answer 35

Mount Sinai

Question 36

Jewish belief on Abraham's covenant with God

Answer 36

Abraham was representing all Jews in that moment and the covenant is currently still binding