Judaism

Judaism

1. What is God like?

   • Concept/Nature
     • Monotheism is the most basic principle in Judaism
     • Important due to his role of creator
     • Source of all Jewish Morality
   • God or G-d?
     • Some Jews prefer to write it as G-d as a sign of respect
     • However, some Jews still write God.
   • God as One
     • There is just one God- no Trinity
     • God is a single, whole, indivisible entity
   • God as Creator
     • Since God had a day of rest, so do Jews
       • It is called Shabbat and it is Friday evening to Saturday evening
         • It is a day of spiritual renewal and rest
       • They do not do anything on Shabbat e.g. no cooking dinner, instead they prepare before
   • Evil/Free Will
     • Jews believe God is...
       • Omnipotent (all powerful)
       • Omniscient (all knowing)
       • Omnipresent (all present)
     • God gave Jews free will to reject evil
     • Evil must exist so doing good is significant
   • God the sustainer
     • God created the universe and made sufficient resources for Jews to live
       • Some have less than they need due to humans' free will
   • God as Lawgiver
     • God gave Jews laws in order to exercise their free will
     • There is 613 rules in the Torah plus the 10 Commandments
       • These determine whether a Jew goes to Gan Eden or not
       • The 613 rules are called the Mitzvot
   • God as Judge
     • Jews believe God gave them laws not only to follow, but to judge them too
     • God will judge a Jew two times
       • Once at Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year)
       • And most Jews believe God judges them right after death

2. The Messiah

   • Orthodox View
     • There is a messiah but they just haven't found them yet
     • In every generation, there is descendent of King David who has the potential to be the messiah
     • The messiah is directed by God and will be the teacher of the Torah
       • They will also rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and gather all Jews back into a restored Israel
     • Expectations of the Messiah (in the Torah)
       • A just and powerful leader
       • A descendent of King David
       • Anointed by God
       • A warrior king
       • Bringer of peace
       • To restore the kingdom of God
       • Fulfil and do not break the Jewish laws
   • Reformed View
     • Reformed Jews reject the idea of a messiah
       • They disagree with Orthodox Jews as they think the old view of the Messiah is not compatible with the secular world
     • They believe that everyone should work together in order to achieve universal peace
     • Instead they believe in the Messianic Age
   • Jesus was not the messiah for Jews
     • Although Jesus was a royal descendent, he did not follow all the rules of the Torah

3. Pikuach Nefesh

   • The principle that allows Shabbat law to be set aside if it's in order to save a life
   • It is important as Jews think all life is sacred as it is a gift from God
   • Examples...
     • Rescuing a child from the sea
     • Putting out a fire endangering life
     • Breaking apart a wall that has collapsed on a person

4. The Afterlife

   • Orthodox View
     • Must follow all 613 rules in the Torah in order to go to Gan Eden (Jewish paradise)
       • If not they will go to Sheol- a place of the dead awaiting purification
     • The Talmud includes ideas about resurrection
       • the Messiah will come at some point in the future and resurrect the righteous dead
         • They will live in peace in a restored Israel in a spiritual state
           • Referenced in Daniel 12;2
     • Judgement by God must happen shortly after death (Ecclesiastes 12;7)
   • Reformed view
     • More modern and flexible approach to the afterlife
       • Reformed Jews are less bothered about living your life according to the Mitzvot
         • They believe the present is more important so they should focus on living in a way that is pleasing to God
           • For example, through various forms of work for charity
     • Since there is no Messiah, they reject the idea of the resurrection of the dead
   • Referred to as Olam-Ha-Ba (the world to come)

5. The Synagogue

   • It is extremely important as it forms the centre of the Jewish Religious community
   • Most Synagogues also have a social hall for events
   • Certain prayers have said in front of the Minyan
     • The Minyan is a group of 10 men over the age of 13
     • Reformed Judaism allows women to be part of the Minyan too
   • Also provides a venue for collecting money or other items for the needy
   • Jews need to live within walking distance of a synagogue because on Shabbat they cannot drive to the Saturday morning service

6. Key Terms

   • Synagogue- House of Assembly; building for Jewish prayer, study and assembly
   • Shekinah- The place where God's presence rests and can be felt
   • Torah- the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deutronomy) They are the holiest books of the Tenakh
   • Shabbat- Day of spiritual renewal and rest; Begins Friday at sunset and ends at nightfall on Saturday
   • Kosher- Fit or proper foods that are permitted to be eaten according to Leviticus chapter 11
   • Mitzvot- This term has a mix of meanings. It is often referred to the duties (e.g. the 613 in the Torah) and good deeds
   • Covenant- a promise or agreement between 2 parties. Covenants were made with God and Noah, Abraham, and Moses
   • Messiah- The anointed one who Jews believe will bring in a new era or age for humankind. This includes rebuilding the temple and bringing in an age of universal peace