Judaism Beliefs and Teachings Flashcards
(42 cards)
Characteristics of God as One
God is a single unity who is whole, complete, and invisible. It is impossible to divide God into parts.
God is the only being to whom Jews should offer praise and power.
‘Hear, O israel: Hashem is our God, Hashem is the one and only.’ (Shema)
Characteristics of God as the Creator
Many Orthodox Jews believe everything in the universe was created by God
God created humans from dust, granting them understanding and speech. Reform and Liberal Jews regard the creation story as a metaphor and believe in evolution, but as beginning with God as creator.
‘And Hashem God formed the man of dust from the ground, and He blew into his nostrils and soul of life; and man became a living being.’(Genesis 2:7)
Characteristics of God as a Lawgiver
God gave the law to Moses on Mount Sinai.
In Exodus the Jewish people were freed from slavery in Egypt but needed guidance. God gave them the law so they could lead good lives.
Only God has the power to rule and judge, to save and destroy.
‘For Hashem is our judge; Hashem is our lawgiver; Hashem is our king; He will save us.’ (Isaiah 33.22)
Characteristics of God as a Judge
God’s justice and mercy are perfectly balanced.
When Moses and Jewish people accepted the Law, they formed a covenant with God to keep it. God judges how well they keep moral and ritual laws. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are times of particular judgement during the year for Jews.
What is the Shekhinah
Shekhinah means ‘to settle or dwell’ and refers to the divine presence of God within the created world. This is important in relation to:
The study of the Tenakh and Talmud
The Tabernacle and worship today.
The divine presence of God is felt in different, subtle ways by Jews: in study, worship and prayer.
How do Jews experience the Shekinah through Study
Study of the Tenakh and Talmud is an important part of being Jewish.
Study is regarded as an act of worship and the Shekinah is present. Study of the Tenakh is done by both men and women: all Jews are encouraged to connect with God through study. This may take place in a yeshiva, but Jews can study at any time. The Talmud (Oral Law) evolved through and contains discussions between Rabbi’s since the start of Jewish history.
‘If two sit together and the words between them are of the Torah, then the Shekhinah is in their midst.’
How do Jews experience the Shekinah through Prayer
‘Wherever ten are gathered together for prayer, there the Shekhinah rests.’(Talmud)
Jews can pray alone or as part of a minyan. When Jews pray as a community they believe God is present. Certain prayers like the Kaddish and Barachu can only be said with a minyan in the presence of God.
Tenakh also references the presence of God in response to prayer. Solomon dedicates the newly built Temple to God, and when he has finished his prayers, he and the Jewish people are overcome with God’s power.
Messiah
Messiah means ‘anointed one.’ The belief in the eventual arrival of the Messiah is a fundamental Jewish belief.
The Messiah is the one who will be anointed as the king of Israel in the End of Days (Messianic Age)
The concept is not found in the Torah but was mentioned frequently by Jewish prophets. The prophets assured the Jewish people that if they obeyed God then a Messiah, a leader, might come to restore them and improve society.
‘Behold the days are coming…a king will reign and prosper…’(Jeremiah23:5-6)
What do Jews believe the Messiah will be
A great political leader descended from King David. (Jeremiah 23:5)
Know Jewish law and observe its commandments. (Isaiah 11:2-5)
A charismatic leader, others will follow his example
A military leader who will win Battles for Israel
A judge who makes righteous decisions
A human being
How is the Messiah shown in the scriptures
He will bring redemption politically and spiritually, by restoring Israel and Jerusalem. (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea)
He will establish a just government in Israel which will be the centre of all government for all Jews and gentiles. (Isaiah)
He will restore the religious court system and establish Jewish law of the land. (Jeremiah)
He will rebuild the Temple and re-establish worship there. (Jeremiah)
Divergent understandings of the Messiah
Olam Ha-Ba is term used to describe Messianic age. A time of peace with no more hatred, violence or war.
The Jewish God will be the only true God and Judaism will be the only true religion.
All Jewish people living in exile will return to their home in Israel.
Alternate opinions on the Messiah
Some believe there is a possibility of a Messiah in every generation
Some believe God has already set a date for the Messianic Age, or when he is most needed or deserved.
Jews reject the idea Jesus is the Messiah as he did not fulfil their expectations for a Messiah.
What is a Covenant
A covenant is an agreement between two parties. Both parties need to keep certain conditions or fulfil obligations. For Jews this is between God and the Jewish people. It is formed in love and creates an important relationship. A covenant can only be created and sealed with an oath.
What does Brit Olam mean
Brit olam means an everlasting covenant and makes it clear Jews believe God will not break his covenant with his people. ‘For you are a holy people to Hashem, your God…’ (Deuteronomy)
Covenant at Sinai
God appeared to Moses in form of a burning bush and told him to lead his people to freedom. The ten plagues began. The final plague allowed Moses to leave with his people. He crossed the Reed Sea and took the people to Mount Sinai.
This covenant identified the Jews as the chosen people of God. They were ‘chosen for responsibility.’ The Ten Commandments were inscribed in stone. The Torah was given to the Jews to lead an obedient life. Moses was also given the Oral Law, later written in the Talmud.
‘The entire people responded together and said, ‘everything that Hashem has spoken we shall do.’ (Exodus)
Why is the Covenant at Mount Sinai important for Jews today
The covenant at Mount Sinai is important for Jews today because it remains a guide for Jewish living today. Jews believe they must follow the teachings in the Torah-obedience will be blessed and disobedience punished. Torah scrolls are stored in the Ark. The most important reading is said on the Sabbath. Study of the Torah is an important part of Jewish education.
The covenant at Sinai is central to Jewish understanding of itself as a people, and the gift of the Torah is celebrated every year at the festival of Shavuot.
When are the Ten Commandments heard
The Ten Commandments are heard in the synagogue three times a year: in the readings of Exodux, Deuteronomy and during the festival of Shavuot. However, many Rabbis will remind Jews that all 613 mitzvots are important, not just the first 10.
Why is Abraham important for Judaism
Abraham is important because he is the founder of Judaism. His son Isaac and grandson Jacob are known as the patriarchs and are physical/spiritual ancestors of Judaism.
Abraham believed the universe was the work of one single creator. This was unusual as most early religions believed in more than one god
How did Abraham seal the covenant
Abraham sealed the covenant by circumcising himself and all the males in his family. For Jews, Abraham represents the start of the Jewish faith and they regard it as the start of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
How was God’s promise fulfilled in the Covenant with Abraham
In the covenant God promised ‘to make you a great nation.’ Abraham and Sarah did not have any children at this point. So, Abraham had a son called Ishmael with Sarah’s servant. Later the promise was fulfilled and Sarah had a son whom they named Isaac. Abraham’s faith was tested when he was asked by God to sacrifice Isaac. He was prepared to do this but God stopped Abraham and told him it was a test of obedience.
How does the Covenant with Abraham affect Jews today
There are 3 parts to the covenant which Jews believe are still to be fulfilled: the Promised Land (Israel), a great nation, and blessing and redemption.
Jews believe the covenant at Sinai gave them laws to live by (Ten Commandments) and by obeying them they are also fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant.
Jewish men today are still circumcised as a symbol of this covenant.
The birth of Isaac shows Jews God keeps his promises
What does the Misnah say about Life
Life is given by God and is therefore sacred. ‘…he who destroys one soul of a human being, the Scripture considers him as if he destroys a whole world…’ Misnah
What is Pikauch Nefesh
The principle in Jewish law that states the preservation of human life overrides any other religious law is called Pikuach Nefesh.
Almost any Jewish law can be broken to save a human life. The exceptions are murder, idolatry, incest and adultery. Judaism requires a person to break commandments to help human life: ‘you shall not stand aside while your fellow blood is shed.’ (Leviticus 19:16)
Almost any Jewish law can be broken to save a human life. The exceptions are murder, idolatry, incest and adultery. Judaism requires a person to break commandments to help human life: ‘you shall not stand aside while your fellow blood is shed.’ (Leviticus 19:16)
