Judaism - Beliefs - Key Terms - Revision Flashcards
(30 cards)
Monotheism
Only believe in one God e.g. Jews E.T.C.
God, G-D, Yahweh, Lord, Adonai
Jews don’t write GOD when they write because its too holy, God is beyond writing. They write G-D in their writing
Shema
Very important prayer and its from the Torah
Torah
Jewish book of laws and scriptures (holy book for Jews)
Talmud
Explanations of the Torah by rabbis
Shabbat
Its a special day of rest (known as sabbath). Jews cannot do work on that day
Creation
God created the world in 6 days but he rested on the 7th day
Properties of God
Omnipotent = God is powerful Omniscient = God is all knowing Omnipresent = God is everywhere at once
Evil and Free
If God is the creator, God must have created evil
However, he also gave people the free will to choose what is right and to reject evil
Jews may use their free will to help those less fortunate – they are helping with God’s plan for his creation
Some Jews find this difficult to accept especially when remembering the Holocaust
God as Creator and Sustainer
Jews believe God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis)
Most orthodox Jews believe God literally made the world in six days – they reject the big bang and evolution
Most reform Jews believe God created the world using the big bang and humans through evolution
God also sustains the universe – prize resources needed for life on earth
Orthodox
Strictly follows laws and practices in the Torah
Ultra-Orthodox
Very strictly follows laws and practices in Torah
Sinai Covenant
The covenant between God and Moses (representing all Jews)
This is the foundation (basis) of all Jewish law (Exodus 20:2–14)
Jews today believe the covenant is still binding
The 10 Commandments give guidance on how to have a good relationship with God (first four) and…
How to have good relationships with others in order for a peaceful society (last six)
Moses
400 years after Abraham the Jews are in slavery in Egypt
There was so many Hebrews that the king issued a command: “Take every newborn Hebrew boy and throw him into the Nile, but let all the girls live”
Pharaoh: Ancient Egyptian king
Moses goes back to Egypt to demand the release of the Israelites from slavery. Pharaoh refuses
Ten Commandments
- Worship no other Gods but me
- Do not worship false idols
- Do not use Gods name for evil purposes
- Keep the sabbath day holy
- Respect your father and your mother
- Do not commit murder
- Do not commit adultery
- Do not steal
- Do not accuse anyone falsely (lie)
- Do not be jealous of other peoples belongings
God as Judge
Jews believe…
Our actions have consequences
Good actions bring Jews closer to God and ensure they are judged favourably
Going against God has serious consequences
God judges Jews on how well they follow the laws
Gods judgements are always fair and merciful
Shekhinah (the divine presence)
Divine = God
Shekiniah means Gods manifested glory
It is also the presence of God on Earth
On their journey to Canaan Jews believe they were led by a pillar of fire or a cloud which was the divine presence (shekhinah)
Many of the prophets made reference to God in the temple
Some Jews believe its the female presence of God
Temple
A place of worship/a holy building in ancient times where Jews used to go
Synagogue
A place of worship/a holy building where Jews go today
Afterlife - Heaven, Sheol, Judgement, Resurrection
Life after death (general beliefs):
The Jewish holy books do not contain much information about the afterlife, so beliefs about it have developed gradually over the centuries
Many differences about what happens after death
Jews are not too concerned with the afterlife
Important to focus on present life in order to please God
Heaven:
Following the faith correctly, will lead them to heaven/paradise (Gan Eden) when they die
No teaching about heaven and what it is like
It is considered to be where people are with God
It is not known if this is a state of consciousness, or a physical or spiritual place
Sheol:
If they don’t go to heaven, they believe that God judges, they go to Sheol
Sheol is a place of waiting where souls are cleansed
They do not believe in eternal punishment
Judgement:
Some believe they will be judged by God as soon as they die (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
Others believe God will judge everyone on the Day of Judgement, after the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 12:2)
Resurrection:
Some believe in the idea of physical or spiritual resurrection, but many do not
Some believe in resurrection (rising from the dead to live again). However, many reject the idea of resurrection
Messiah - origins, belief, messianic age
Messiah = future leader of the Jews, prophesied (predicted) throughout Jewish scripture
Jews believe in a Messiah because God promised a Messiah
Beliefs:
It gives them hope
The Messiah is expected to be a future king of Israel
Messianic age:
Some believe the dead will be resurrected and live in a time of peace in a restored Israel
The prophet Micah describes it as a time when war will end and people will live in universal peace and harmony
Abrahamic Covenant - Promised Land - Circumcision - How both sides committed to the covenant
Promised land: The land of Canaan that God promised to the Jews
Circumcision: The removal of the foreskin from the penis
Justice
Bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed
Healing the World
Being involved in Gods work to sustain the world; it can involve work to increase social justice or to preserve the environment
