Judaism - Beliefs And Teachings

Question 1

What is the jewish bible ?

Answer 1

The tenakh is considered to be the absolute word of god and is split into 3 sections .

Question 2

What are orthodox and reform jews ?

Answer 2

-Strictly follow laws and practices in the torah
- believe jewish laws and practices could be re-interpereted to suit modern life

Question 3

What are the sinai covenant and why is it called this ?

Answer 3

10 commandments and they are called this because mount sinai is where they were made and where god restated his promise that the isrealites were his chosen people

Question 4

What are 2 jewish orthodox beliefs about the messiah ?

Answer 4

-In every generation a decendant of king david is born who has the potential of being the messiah.
- the messiah will bring about world peace and rule all over humans with kindness and justice.
- he will be the ultimate teacher of law (torah)
-he will rebuild the temple in jerusalem

Question 5

What are the three moral principles ?

Answer 5

Justice - it is the scared duty that is accompanied by truth and peace bringing about fairness and justice
Healing the world - seen as brining people closer to god
Kindness to others - love people and you love yourself

Question 6

What is shabbat?

Answer 6

• a day of rest and enjoy family life and god worship
• a day which god commanded the jews to celebrate
• a celebration of creation (god rested on the 7th day)

Question 7

When is shabbat ?

Answer 7

Sunset on friday to sunset on saturday

Question 8

What is the sanctity of life ?

Answer 8

This means the holiness of life and it shows how precious it is because god has given it .
Belief comes from god and god should begin and end life and all life should be preserved and protected .

Question 9

What is an important quote contrasting the rules of shabbat ?

Answer 9

• ‘he who saves one life saves the whole world’

Question 10

What kind of religion is judaism ?

Answer 10

A monotheistic religion - only one god

Question 11

What effect does monotheism have on jews ?

Answer 11

It creates the thought that god is ever present in everything they hear , touch , smell

Question 12

What does God as one mean ?

Answer 12

-god is infinite
- god is external no start and no end
- god is beyond the full understanding of humans

Question 13

What is the sheema ?

Answer 13

” hear , O Isreal ! The lord our God , the lord alone. You shall love the lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your might

Question 14

What is it meant by god the creator for orthodox and reform jews ?

Answer 14

-Orthodox believe that god made the world in 6 days and they reject the big bang and evolution
-reform believe the creation stories are symbolic - they tell us god created the world using big band and created humans through evolution

Question 15

What is it meant by god the sustainer ?

Answer 15

God sustains the universe and provides everything needed for life .
But humans have distributed reeorces unequally - therefore some have more then they need .

Question 16

What is a quote supporting the fact that god created evil ?

Answer 16

‘I the lord bring prosperity and create disaster’ isiah 45 : 6-7

Question 17

What do orthodox and reform jews think about god being the law giver ?

Answer 17

Orthodox - believe that following the mitzvot makes it impossible to disobey god so they follow them very strictly
Reform - believe that free will means they can choose how to follow the mitzvot to fit into modern life .

Question 18

What is it meant by the term god is judge ?

Answer 18

• god judges jews on how well they follow the laws
• gods judgements are merciful and fair
• good actions bring jews closer to god and bad actions lead them away

Question 19

When do jews believe they are judged ?

Answer 19

Once a year at new year called - rosh hashanah
And when they die

Question 20

What do jews believe about life after death ?

Answer 20

• dead is inevitable
• jews should not die alone
• some believe it will be physical some believe it will be spiritual

Question 21

What is heaven for jews ?

Answer 21

• you will be with god
• the good will enter paridise ( gan eden )
• no clear teaching about appearance

Question 22

What is sheol ?

Answer 22

• seen as a place of waiting where souls are cleansed
• for jews that are deemed not good enough for heaven
• people can stay there

Question 23

What is believed about judgement and resserection ?

Answer 23

• judgement happenes upon or shortly after death
• some believe they ressurect and rise from there graves
• many jews dont matter about life after death and just live in the present

Question 24

What is it meant by god is shekhinah ?

Answer 24

• god is everywhere but also in certain places
• jews believe that god ‘focuses his presence’ ( tabernakle , synagogue , pillar of clouds leading jews)
• he is not omi - present