Judaism: Beliefs And Teachings

Question 1

What does ‘monotheistic’ mean?

Answer 1

Judaism is a monotheistic Religion- meaning Jews believe there is only one God.

Question 2

What is the ‘shema’

Answer 2

A jewish prayer which affirms belief in the one God.

Question 3

‘God as one’ means:

Answer 3

God is infinite
God is eternal
All our morality comes from God
God is beyond the full understanding of humans
God is the only one who should be praised and worshipped
God is a single, whole, invisible being who has created and sustains everything in the universe.

Question 4

What are ultra orthodox Jews?

Answer 4

Very strictly follow laws and practices in the torah.

Question 5

What are reform Jews?

Answer 5

Believe Jewish laws and practices should be reinturprated to suit modern life.

Question 6

What are orthodox Jews?

Answer 6

Strictly follow laws and practices in the Torah.

Question 7

What does omnipotent mean?

Answer 7

God is all powerful

Question 8

What is omniscient?

Answer 8

All knowing

Question 9

What is omnipresent?

Answer 9

God is everywhere at once

Question 10

What do most orthodox Jews believe about creation?

Answer 10

God literally made the world in 6 days- they reject the big bang and evolution.

Question 11

What do Jews believe about evil and free will?

Answer 11

As creator of everything, Jews believe he must of created evil.
He gave humans free will.
So people sometimes choose to misuse their free will- therefore evil has to exist.

Question 12

What is a quote from the Torah that supports the fact God made evil?

Answer 12

“I form the light and create darkness” Isiah 45:6-7

Question 13

What do Jews believe about God the sustainer?

Answer 13

Jews believe God sustains the universe- provides everything needed for life.

Question 14

What do Jews believe about God as judge?

Answer 14

God judges on how well they follow the laws.
God’s judgement are fair and merciful.
Good actions bring Jews closer to God and ensure favourible judgement.
Bad actions lead people away from God

Question 15

When do Jews believe they are judged?

Answer 15

1. Once a year (at new year- Rosh Hashanah)

2. When they die

Question 16

What is Shekinhah?

Answer 16

It’s the belief that God can focus his prescence in a certain place on Earth.

Question 17

Does Shekinhah mean that God is physically present?

Answer 17

No. Nor that he is split into certain parts.

Question 18

Does Shekinhah appear in the Tenakh?

Answer 18

It doesn’t appear in the Tenakh. But many Jews believe that there are passages that refer to it. ‘Pillar of cloud’

Question 19

What do Jews believe about life after death?

Answer 19

Jews are not too comcerned with the afterlife.
Important to focus on the present.
Jewish Holy books don’t contain much information about after life.

Question 20

What do Jews believe about heaven?

Answer 20

Jews believe that if they follow their faith correctly they will go to heaven when they die.

There is no clear teaching on what heaven is like.

It is considered to be a place where you are with God.

Question 21

What are Jewish beliefs about Sheol?

Answer 21

Some Jews believe that people who don’t go to heaven go to sheol.
It’s a place of waiting where souls are cleansed.
Jews don’t believe it’s a place of eternal punishment

Question 22

What do Jews believe about Judgement and resurrection?

Answer 22

Some Jews believe that they will be judged as soon as they die, supported by Ecclesiates 12:7.

Others believe God will judge everyone on the day of judgement after the coming of the Messiah.

Some Jews believe in the idea of spiritual or physical resurrection.

Question 23

What quote supports Jews being judged as soon as they die?

Answer 23

“And the dust returns to the ground as it was and the life breath returns to God who bestowed it” Ecclesiates 12:7

Question 24

What are the 3 moral principles?

Answer 24

Justice
Healing the world
Kindness to others

Question 25

How can you put Justice into practice?

Answer 25

Laws in the Torah give important guidance on the treatment of the poor. So you could help the poor.

Question 26

How could healing the world be put into practice?

Answer 26

Volunteer for a charity that helps the poor or protects the environment.

Question 27

How can you put kindness to others into practice?

Answer 27

Through any sort of random act of kindness or just simply being kind to eachother.

Question 28

What does Sanctity of life mean?

Answer 28

That life is Holy and precious because it comes from God. This is seen in Genesis when God breathes life into Adam.

Question 29

What is Talmud?

Answer 29

An important Jewish book in which Rabbis give detailed explanations of laws in the Torah.

Question 30

What is Pikuach Nefesh?

Answer 30

It allows Jews to break Jewish laws in order to save a life.

Question 31

What is the covenant?

Answer 31

Solemn promise or agreement between 2 people or groups of people.

Question 32

What is God’s covenant?

Answer 32

To protect and follow the Israelites (Jews/Hebrews)

To give Abraham and his descendants a special land (country) in which to live- the promised land.

Question 33

What is Jews covenant?

Answer 33

To live a life dedicated to God.

Question 34

What is a quote that shows God’s covenant?

Answer 34

‘I give this land to you and your offspring forever’

Question 35

In the Sinai covenant what was God’s covenant?

Answer 35

To protect and bless the Israelites always as God’s special chosen people.

Question 36

In the Sinai covenant what was the Jews covenant?

Answer 36

To listen to God and obey his laws.