Judaism Beliefs And Teachings

Question 1

What type of religion is Judaism?

Answer 1

Judaism is a monotheistic religion p-means that Jews believe there is only one God.

Question 2

What prayer expresses the belief in one God?

Answer 2

The shema

Question 3

God as one means…
State 4 meanings

Answer 3

God is the source of all Jewish morality, beliefs and values.
Everything in the universe has been created and is sustained by this one God.
God is a single , whole , indivisible being
God is the only being who should be praised and worshipped

Question 4

What is the shema?

Answer 4

The shema is an important prayer that is formed from passages in Deuteronomy and Numbers.
Confirms the belief that there is only one God
Shows how Jews respond to this belief - by showing total loyalty, love and dedication towards God.

Question 5

What do Jews believe God is?

Answer 5

Jews believe God is the creator and sustainer, God created the universe out of nothing exactly how he wanted it to be , and sustains the world so all species are able to live on it.
Also believe God gave Humans free will and because of this evil has to exist.

Question 6

How does Genesis describe the 6 days of creation?

Answer 6

Good took 4 days to make the universe fit to support life
God took 2 days to create all living creatures.
God then rested and made the 7th day holy.When Jews celebrate Shabbat on this day , they are reminded of God’s importance and role as the creator.

Question 7

What’s the difference between orthodox and reform Jews when it comes to interpreting the story of creation?

Answer 7

Orthodox:
Believe the events in Genesis literally happened and reject any scientific theories of evolution.
Reform:
Interpret the Genesis creation story less literally , still believe that God is the creator of everything but accept the universe is much older and life has evolved.

Question 8

What 3 words do Jews describe God as?

Answer 8

Omnipotent - all powerful
Omniscient - all knowing
Omnipresent - all present

Question 9

Why did God give people free will?

Answer 9

God gave people free will because be wants people to be able to choose to do good.This makes the act of doing good more significant.
Although , there must be a choice between good and bad-this means that evil has to exist.

Question 10

Why do Jews view God as lawgiver?

Answer 10

Because to help Jews use their free will correctly, God has given them many laws which he expects them to obey.

Question 11

Why do Jews view God as a judge?

Answer 11

As he judges how well people follow his laws and rewards or punishes them as a result.

Question 12

What is the Shekhinah?

Answer 12

The divine presence of God on earth

Question 13

God as Lawgiver:

Answer 13

613 laws in the Torah which teach people how they should behave , called mitzvot , and form the basis of the Halakah which is the accepted code of conduct.
10 commandments , particularly important and form the foundation of all the other mitzvot.

Question 14

When are the 2 main times Jews believe God judges them?

Answer 14

During Rosh Hashannah - God judges them over there actions from the past year and defines what the coming year will bring them.
Many Jews also believe they will be judged after death - God determines how they will spend there afterlife.

Question 16

How was the divine presence of Gods exprienced by the early Jews:

Answer 16

The tabernacle was considered the divine presence , it was a portable temple that Jews carried with them on their journey through the wilderness to Canaan.

Question 17

What do Jews believe about life about death?

Answer 17

Some Jews believe God will judge them after they die : some will go to heaven and others to Sheol ( a place of want where souls are cleansed)
Some believe in resurrection- many Jews reject the idea of resurrection.

Question 18

Overall , view on afterlife?

Answer 18

Jews are not to concerned with the afterlife , they think it is more important to focus on the present and to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

Question 19

What is the heaven and Sheol?

Answer 19

Many Jews believe that if they follow their faith correctly,they will go to heaven or paradise (Gan Eden) when they die.
Heaven is considered to be where people are with God , but it is not known if this is a state of consciousness , or a physical/spiritual place.
Many people believe if you don’t go to heaven you do the the Sheol.

Question 20

When do some people believe God will judge them?

Answer 20

Some believe God will judge them as soon as they die.
Others believe God will judge everyone on the Day of Judgement,after the coming of the Messiah.

Question 21

What is a Messiah?

Answer 21

‘The anointed one’ - future leader of the Jews who will rule over humanity with kindness and justice.

Question 22

Origins of the Messiah:

Answer 22

First King of Israel was Saul , the prophet Samuel anointed him with oil to show he was chosen by God to rule the Jews.

Question 23

The future Messiah will…

Answer 23

Rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem , gathering all Jews back together
Bring in world peace and unite humanity together
Uphold the law in the Torah and be the ultimate teacher of it.
Rule over humanity with kindness and justice

Question 24

Was Jesus the messiah?

Answer 24

To Christian’s - yes
To Jews - no because he did not fulfil the expectations that Jews have for the Messiah

Question 25

What is the promised land?

Answer 25

Land of Canaan , which God promised to Abraham and the Jews.

Question 26

What was the covenant with Abraham and God?

Answer 26

At the time , many people worshiped false idols of many different Gods. From an early age , Abraham became convinced there was only one God who has created everything. Abraham had then travelled to Canaan , where he made an agreement to God.God told Abraham to continue his journey till the promise land and to make him the Father of Many nations. In return , Abraham was requires to live a life dedicated to God.

Question 27

What did God promise?

Answer 27

To make Abraham the father for many nations

Question 29

What was requires of Abraham?

Answer 29

To agree to “Walk in My God’s ways and be blameless”

Question 30

How was the covenant sealed?

Answer 30

Through the action of circumcision Abraham proved his acceptance of the covenant by being circumcised himself and by circumcising all the males in his household.

Question 31

How did Gos keep his side of the covenant?

Answer 31

To make Abraham the father of many nations , God made it possible for Abraham’s wife to conceive. His son Isaac is seen by a gift from God to mark the strat of the covenant between Abraham & God.

Question 32

What is the covenant at Mount Sinai?

Answer 32

Covenant between God and Moses , who represented by the Jewish people.This requires Jews to follow God’s laws in return of his protection and blessing.

Question 33

What are the 10 commandments?

Answer 33

Ten laws which were given to Moses by God after the Jews escaped from Egypt

Question 34

The escape from Egypt:

Answer 34

God chose Moses to lead their escape to freedom - pharaoh ignored until God sent many plagues. The Jews left Egypt and wandered for many years in the desert. They arrived at mount Sinai, Moses climbed it leaving the rest of the Jews behind. God gave Moses the 10 commandments on two tablets of stone.

Question 35

The Ten Commandments are spilt into two parts…

Answer 35

First 4 - give the Jews guidance on how to have a good relationship with God. Last 6 - give Jews guidance on how to have a good relationship with one another to create a peaceful society.

Question 36

Covenant between God and the Jews , was agreed under the following terms:

Answer 36

God would protect the Jews from harm and be their God Jews would have to obey his law.

Question 37

What are the 3 moral principles in Judaism?

Answer 37

Justice Healing the world Kindness to others

Question 38

Justice :

Answer 38

Refers to bringing up what is right and fair - making up what is wrong . Laws in the Torah give guidance to Jews on how to treat the poor and vulnerable Jews believe the Torah and prophets were sent by God to help people understand how to bring about justice in a way that demonstrates mercy.

Question 39

Healing the world :

Answer 39

Involves taking actions to help God’s work in sustaining the world. Many Jews heal the world by contributing to social justice Some believe it is most than charity work and believe it should also include obeying the mitzvot and trying to become closer to God.

Question 40

Kindness to others :

Answer 40

Jews aim to show kindness to others by showing positive,caring actions towards all of living things. The Torah teaches that Jews should love other as they love themselves

Question 41

What is the sanctity of life?

Answer 41

Refers to the idea that life is sacred and holy because it has been created by God. God only has the right to take it away. So Jews have a duty to save lives ( Pikuach Nefesh)

Question 43

Belief of sanctity of life stems from Genesis…..

Answer 43

Life is valuable and sacred , because it is given by God. Only God can take Human life away. Jews need to preserve life as much as they can.

Question 44

What does pikuash Nefesh emphasise?

Answer 44

Emphasises how valuable human life is to Jews , as it puts human life above Jewish laws.

Question 45

Example of pikuash Nefesh…

Answer 45

Driving to a hospital to save a sick person on Shabbat Working on a life saving operation on Shabbat

Question 46

What do Jews believe about free will?

Answer 46

God have given free will to make their own choices. Good actions lead to a life of fulfilment, they bring Jews closer to god and ensure they are judged. Bad actions will not bring Jews any closer to God in life or after death. The story of Adam and Eve shows God giving humans the choice of how to live their lives but using free will to go against God has serious consequences.

Question 48

Mitzvot between man and God

Answer 48

Tells Jews how to improve their relationship with God Cover worships sacrifices etc Most important are first 4 Ten Commandments

Question 49

Mitzvot between man and man

Answer 49

Tell Jews how to improve their relationship with other people Teaches Jews to show love towards other people and by doing this , Jews are shines their love for God Help Jews to live as members of their faith in a way that pleases God.